USCG Helicopter Hoist Operator Training Courses

This is a SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE (not a pre-solicitation notice pursuant to FAR Part 5) to determine the capability of potential sources and the availability of commercial sources pursuant to FAR Part 10. This notice is issued by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Headquarters, Washington, DC to identify sources capable of providing training courses designed to provide Coast Guard personnel with initial Hoist Operator training utilizing classroom and a controlled simulated environment for the MH-60 or MH-65 helicopters operated by the USCG. This notice seeks to find capable business sources that could meet this need. The potential requirement consists of developing and providing up to 12 hoist operation training sessions annually with a class size of 8 student's maximum and with up to 4 Coast Guard observers, based upon either MH-60 or MH-65 centric in instruction. Course and dates shall be managed by mutual agreement between the Contractor and the USCG. The Contractor shall provide instruction relevant to industry best practices for Search and Rescue (SAR). The training shall include but is not limited to: International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual (IMSAR), Search and Rescue Optimal Planning System (SAR OPS), and Coast Guard specific procedures. The contractor shall provide instruction of the basic principles of hoisting for both breeze eastern and Goodrich hoisting. The Contractor shall provide virtual hoist simulation which models current Coast Guard rescue devices in different environmental conditions to include, but not limited to: day/night, varying precipitation levels, fog, and wind for 8 students. The contractor shall also be capable of providing live hoist training in a controlled environment utilizing hoist and control layout equivalent to current Coast Guard helicopters for up to 8 students/4 observers per course. The Contractor shall be capable of providing all training facilities, equipment and training materials to include, desks, chairs, Chalkboards, Smart-boards, Crew Lounge, TVs, audiovisual equipment, conference table and chairs, printers, copying machine, bathroom, to meet the training requirements. Training Aids such as training video, PowerPoints, Hoist Cut away, Hoist Cables, standard USCG SAR Equipment shall also be provided. The USCG will provide applicable reference, flight and operations manuals and students equipped with their own Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE)/Flight Gear; flight suites, gloves, boots, and helmet. The potential requirement may be for a 12 month base period, plus four 12-month option years as a single award contract for USCG hoist operator training services as described herein. The performance period is anticipated to start in August 2017. The applicable NAICS Code is 611512, Flight Training with a size standard of $27.5 million. Any interested firm capable of providing these services is requested to respond via e-mail to: mark.l.hopkins@uscg.mil no later than 2:00 p.m. EST, 13 June 2017 with the following documentation: (1) Is your business a large or small business and how many employees? (2) If small, does your firm qualify as a small, emergent business, or a small, disadvantaged business? (3) If disadvantaged, specify under which disadvantaged group and is your firm certified under Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act? (4) Is your firm a certified HUB zone firm? (5) Is your firm a woman-owned or operated business? (6) Is your firm a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned? (7) Please explain your firm's capability in regards to providing these helicopter hoist operator training services for the USCG as described herein. Competition and set-aside decisions may be based on the results of this market research. Failure to submit information in sufficient detail may result in considering a company as not a viable source. Interested parties must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) as prescribed in FAR 52.232-33. SAM can be obtained by accessing the Internet at www.sam.gov or Federal Help Desk at https://fsd.gov/fsd-gov/home.do . This notice is for market research purposes only and does not constitute a Request for Quote or Request for Proposal; and, it is not considered to be a commitment by the Government nor will the Government pay for information solicited: no basis for claim against the Government shall arise as a result from a response to this Sources Sought or Government use of any information provided. At this time no solicitation exists; therefore, DO NOT REQUEST A COPY OF THE SOLICITATION. The government reserves the right to consider any arrangement as deemed appropriated for this procurement. It is the potential offeror's responsibility to monitor FEDBIZOPPS website at https://www.fbo.gov for release of any future solicitation that may result from the sources sought. Vendors having capabilities necessary to meet or exceed the stated requirements are invited to provide information to contribute to this market survey/sources sought synopsis including commercial market information and company information via e-mail to the Contract Specialist, Mark Hopkins at mark.l.hopkins@uscg.mil no later than 2:00 p.m. EST, June 13, 2017.