V--Request for Information/Comments

This Request for Information (RFI) is issued to solicit comments and suggestions from industry on changes that are proposed by the Department of the Interior, Aviation Management Call When Needed (CWN) Single Engine Air tanker (SEAT) contracting program. There are two major categories of changes. One is the CWN SEAT program and the second is a New Extended Use SEAT program. Your comments and suggestions are invited on any and all of the proposed changes. Please refer to the numbered item when preparing your response. Proposed Changes to Department of the Interior (DOI), Aviation Management (AM) Call When Needed (CWN) Single Engine Air tanker (SEAT) contracting. 1. Seat Base Ramp Parking- Effective with the 2008 season, only contractors who are actively on a contract call-out and are being paid for their services will be permitted to park aircraft, crews and support equipment on Government controlled aircraft ramp. Contractors intending to pre-position aircraft must make alternative parking and logistics arrangements. 2. Reduction in Exclusive Use contracts - Shift to On Call contracts -The number of exclusive use SEAT aircraft will be reduced dramatically. The new emphasis will be placed on contracts awarded by the DOI, Aviation Management designated as "On-Call" contracts. The "On-Call" designation will assist in avoiding confusion with contracts awarded by other agencies. As in the past vendors are not required to respond to a dispatch request, nor under this contract does the Government guarantee a vendor any specific number of days on any given call up. 3. Point of Hire Change- Effective with the 2008 season, the point of hire (and release) will no longer be a vendor's place of business. (See exception below) All points of hire will be one of the Designated Dispatch Points (DDP) located below. The specific DDP will be identified at the time the order is placed. It will be the contractor's responsibility and cost to move aircraft, personnel and support equipment to (and from) the DDP. The bid schedule shall allow for only one rate to be offered for aircraft, personnel and support equipment, regardless of the DDP. 4. DDP Exception - If a contractor's base of operation is closer to the incident (fire) location, the point of hire (and release) may be the contractor's base of operation. For the purposes of defining the "contractor's base of operation" it shall be the location from which the contractor conducts business as indicated on SF1449, Block 17a, or other locations identified in the contract. Exercising this exception is at the sole discretion of the ordering office. 5. Basis for Order- Orders under this contract shall be made on a best value basis. Best value shall include 1) aircraft capability; 2) aircraft location; 3) availability of aircraft and 4) overall cost to the Government. The Government reserves the right to award to other than the lowest offeror, if determined to be the best value. New Department of the Interior, Aviation Management Extended Term On-Call Single Engine Air tanker (SEAT) contract. This contract is anticipated to replace a significant number of current Exclusive Use Contracts. Unlike the On Call SEAT contract (above), which has no guarantees other than day to day; this new contract will afford both vendors and the Government with a guaranteed term of order. However there are no guarantees of work until such time as an order has been placed and accepted by the contractor. 6. Point of Hire Change- Effective with the 2008 season, the point of hire (and release) will no longer be a vendor's place of business. (See exception below) All points of hire will be one of the Designated Dispatch Points (DDP) located below. The specific DDP will be identified at the time the order is placed. It will be the contractor's responsibility and cost to move aircraft, personnel and support equipment to (and from) the DDP. The bid schedule shall allow for only one rate to be offered for aircraft, personnel and support equipment, regardless of the DDP. 7. DDP Exception - If a contractor's base of operation is closer to the incident (fire) location, the point of hire (and release) may be the contractor's base of operation. For the purposes of defining the "contractor's base of operation" it shall be the location from which the contractor conducts business as indicated on SF1449, Block 17a, or other locations identified in the contract. Exercising this exception is at the sole discretion of the ordering office. 8. Bid Page Change- The bid page shall afford a vendor the opportunity to present a daily availability price based upon a guaranteed order of 30/60/90 consecutive calendar days. A vendor may offer a different rate for each term. A vendor may offer on one or all terms. The rates shall remain in effect for the duration of the order, including any extensions from the original term. The Government reserves the right to determine which term of order is required for each incident/fire. A vendor is not required to respond to any dispatch (order) under this contract. 9. Basis for Order- Orders under this contract shall be made on a best value basis. Best value shall include 1) aircraft capability; 2) aircraft location; 3) availability of aircraft and 4) overall cost to the Government. The Government reserves the right to award to other than the lowest offeror, if determined to be the best value. For the 2008 ON Call and Extended Term SEAT contracts the following cities are Designated Dispatch Points (DDP): Boise, Idaho Reno, Nevada Grand Junction, Colorado Phoenix, Arizona Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas Atlanta, Georgia Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota Please forward your comments and suggestions to me by September 24, 2007. You may email your response to Robert_carr@nbc.gov, fax 208-433-5030, or mail to Robert Carr, National Business Center, Boise Acquisition Branch 300 E. Mallard Dr., Boise, Id 83706-3991.