Rwanda Light Aircraft & Support
Rwanda Aircraft Program for the Purchase of Two Commercial Aircraft, Two Year Sustainment Package, Flight Training Device (FTD) and Contractor Logistic Support (CLS)
Solicitation Number: FA8625-19-R-1202
Agency: Department of the Air Force
Office: Air Force Life Cycle Management Center
Location: Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
NAICS code: 336411, Aircraft Manufacturing
Posted Date: 20 Sep 2018 Response Date: 22 Oct 2018
Description:
The Department of the Air Force, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), Mobility and Training Aircraft, International Acquisition Programs Division, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, OH, intends to award a single award, Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) contract. This is a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program for the country of Rwanda. The potential purchase will consist of two (2) new commercial aircraft, a two (2) year sustainment package, Flight Training Device (FTD) and Contractor Logistic Support (CLS). The primary purpose of the Aircraft is Aerial Patient Movement (APM) missions on rapidly evolving Peacekeeping Operations (PKO). Such movement involves aerial transport of casualties/patients near point of injury/illness to increasingly higher levels of medical support facilities, with enroute medical care provided (casualty evacuation [CASEVAC], medical evacuation [MEDEVAC], or aeromedical evacuation [AE]). When not designated for APM missions, aircraft must be easily and quickly reconfigurable for secondary purposes of light-lift transport of personnel and/or cargo and aircrew flight proficiency. The cargo stowage flexibility and extra capacity provided by an external cargo bin (and associated equipment) is required for all missions. Interested parties who believe they can provide the required aircraft, two (2) years sustainment package, FTD and CLS may respond by submitting their capability statement via email. Written responses to this synopsis shall contain sufficient documentation to establish a bona fide capability to fulfill this requirement. The intent of this notice is not a request for competitive proposals. Please submit all responses related to this notice, in writing, via email to eric.johnson.107@us.af.mil or terrance.starks@us.af.mil by 5:00 PM (EST) 22 Oct 2018. Information received as a result of this notice will be considered solely for the purpose of determining the appropriate acquisition decision for the procurement. This notice does not constitute a solicitation for offers. This is NOT a Request for Proposal (RFP) and respondents are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this Sources Sought Synopsis (SSS). The United States Government (USG) shall not pay for information received.
Any information submitted by respondents to this SSS is strictly voluntary. Respondents should identify themselves as a small business and/or any other socioeconomic designations such as Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB), Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB), Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) or 8(a) business. SSS issuance does not restrict the USG's ultimate acquisition approach. The USG will neither award a contract solely on the basis of this notice, nor pay for any information that is submitted by respondents to this SSS.
Rwanda Aircraft Program Sources Sought Synopsis (SSS):
Information obtained from industry's response to this notice may be used in the development of an acquisition strategy and future RFP. The program's Period of Performance (POP) will not exceed five (5) years.
Requirements for Commercial Aircraft and Patient Movement Items (PMI):
1. Two new light (less than 12,500 pounds), fixed-wing single-engine, propeller-driven aircraft for operational affordability and ease of maintenance are required. Aircraft with no developmental or additional special engineering efforts are required. Aircraft shall not be used.
2. Aircraft delivered must possess Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness and supplemental type certificates (STCs) for approved type design and changes as required for the missions to be conducted. Certifications for day/night and visual/instrument flight rules (VFR/IFR) operations are required, in compliance with Title 14 of Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 23 - Airworthiness Standards: Normal, Utility, Acrobatic, and Commuter Category Airplanes. While pilot and co-pilot operations will be the norm, certification for single-pilot IFR operations is required. These FAA certificates of airworthiness are necessary for the approval process for U.S. military aviation advisors to advise, train, and assist their Rwandan counterparts on board the aircraft in flight. Rwanda's Civil Aviation Authority (RCAA) recognizes such FAA certificates, also. Therefore, export certification of airworthiness is requested.
3. Aircraft must be capable of taxiing, takeoff, and landing on short (less than 2,500 feet), narrow (25 to 50 feet wide), and rough unimproved strips (often a dirt field) in remote locations across Africa. It is essential to be able to fly above 10,000 feet mean sea level with a useful load of 3,500 pounds. The non-retractable landing gear (struts, wheels, tires, steering controls, and brakes) must be ruggedized and able to absorb the shocks from landing on such strips. Propeller must provide adequate ground clearance during operations into and out of unprepared landing strips to the above listed parameters. Contractor must identify the max gross takeoff weight.
4. High-wing profile aircraft for maximum ground visibility during takeoff, flight, and landing operations is required.
5. Aircraft shall possess conventional systems (flight controls, avionics [which include Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) navigation], fuel, electrical, lighting, and environmental) with additions as noted below. The pilot and co-pilot seat positions each could have a primary flight display (PFD) and may share a single multi-function display (MFD).
a. Digital maps visible on MFD with maps of entire continent of Africa and aviation data with associated subscription service for two years upon delivery to a systems integrator. Contractor must define the proposed digital maps.
b. Radar altimeter.
c. Terrain awareness and warning system (TAWS) Class B.
d. Traffic Advisory System (TAS).
e. Automated Direction Finder (ADF) displayed on PFD.
f. Night Vision Imaging System (NVIS) compatible cockpit lighting for nighttime missions to include unlit airfields and strips. Night vision devices are not requested at this time.
g. Multi-color digital weather radar for adverse-weather avoidance during all missions, especially time-sensitive APM missions.
h. Dual audio control panels.
i. No less than a four-position intercom system to support medevac communication between flight crew and medical staff.
j. A commercially exportable High-frequency (HF)/very-high-frequency (VHF), and ultra-high frequency (UHF) radio system with encrypted voice and data capabilities is required. Harris RF-7800H-MP or similar airborne tactical HF/VHF radios and Harris RF-7800M-MP or similar airborne tactical VHF/UHF radios with power amplifiers, encrypted voice and data capabilities are required for compatibility and interoperability for multi-country communication requirements for PKO missions with other African partner forces and U.S. military radios. The United Nations Peacekeeping Missions Military Aviation Unit Manual mandates HF and VHF/UHF communications capabilities.
k. A starter/generator capable of supporting all aircraft and all mission equipment simultaneously.
l. Cabin air-conditioning system.
m. Oxygen system with masks for pilot, co-pilot, and the maximum capacity of passengers in the cabin. There must be an oxygen outlet for each mask and the masks for pilot and co-pilot require microphones. Supplemental carry- on oxygen bottle for four passengers. Oxygen system is necessary because missions include flight above 10,000 feet above mean sea level.
n. Engine-exhaust deflector.
o. Mechanism to redirect airflow, located on cargo door, to reduce wind in cabin, if door is opened during flight.
p. Storage for ground-handling tow bar and aircraft-tail support.
q. Removable windshield cover.
r. Exterior special paint scheme of Rwanda Air Force to be specified.
6. Aircraft primary purpose is APM missions on rapidly evolving PKOs. Such movement involves aerial transport of casualties/patients near point of injury/illness to increasingly higher levels of medical support facilities, with en-route medical care provided (casualty evacuation [CASEVAC], medical evacuation [MEDEVAC], or aeromedical evacuation [AE]).
7. When not designated for APM missions, aircraft must be easily and quickly reconfigurable for secondary purposes of light-lift transport of personnel and/or cargo and aircrew flight proficiency. The cargo stowage flexibility and extra capacity provided by an external cargo bin (and associated equipment) is required for all missions.
8. When designated for APM missions, aircraft cabin must be capable of easy and quick multiple configurations to accommodate:
a. Two (2), one (1), or no patient-care unit(s) (PCUs) and associated patients. If multiple PCUs, only one must be powered. The only PCU approved for AE missions on a small aircraft is made by Spectrum Aeromed or similar, per Paragraph 7.1, Air Force Instruction 11-2AE Volume 3, Addenda-A, 17 May 2011, Incorporating Change 1, 12 July 2012, Flying Operations, Aeromedical Evacuation Operations Configuration/Mission Planning. U.S. Air Force personnel, which will serve as APM aviation advisors in Rwanda, are only trained and experienced with Spectrum Aeromed PCUs in small aircraft, in compliance with the above guidance document. Intravenous (IV) poles, an oxygen booster (e.g., Tronair), and stowable patient loading system are required along with the PCUs for each aircraft.
b. A three-person APM team will be in the aircraft cabin for such missions (three is the nominal standard for an APM team, which can be modified up or down due to medical needs of patient[s]). The APM team is a subset of the Aero-Medical Evacuation Team (AMET) specified in the United Nations Medical Support Manual for United Nations Field Missions, 3rd Edition.
9. When configured for personnel transport, the aircraft cabin must seat, in addition to the pilot and co-pilot, at least an 11-person medical section (minimum for UN Level 1 Hospital) to rapidly respond with a medical support capability and AMETs on a PKO per United Nations Infantry Battalion Manual, Volume II. Assumes airworthiness certification by RCAA.
a. Seats and cabin seating configurations can be specified by the aircraft Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). However, seats (including headrests) shall be of lightweight construction, weighing no more than 30 pounds each. To allow for maximum seating configuration and installation flexibility and capacity, both forward and rearward-facing seats and single and bench seats shall be certifiable for flight.
b. Each aircraft be equipped with eight utility, collapsible seats, with lowest possible weight construction, to be provided as "on-board, loose equipment." Unlike the standard seats, these utility seats are not required to have headrests and are not required to be rearward-facing certified (they are only required to be forward-facing certified). The utility seats should have the ability to be stowed outside of the interior of the aircraft in order to maximize interior cargo volume while transporting peacekeeping supplies and equipment. Additonally, these seats will add flexibility and reduce response time for APM by reconfiguring from a cargo mission to a patient transport without returning to the main operation base. Peacekeeping missions are fluid enviornments with frequently changing mission sets.
10. When configured for cargo transport, the cabin shall have a quickly installed easy loading floor, similar to a rollerball floor. Otherwise, the easy loading floor floor will be removed and stored away from the aircraft. To support the cargo transport mission, the cabin shall have a cargo-compartment liner permanently installed to protect its sidewalls and headliner. Additional cargo-related equipment is required: barrier and close-out nets, two area-partition nets, tie-down fittings, tie-down straps and anchors (with 5,000-lb rating), and window-protection plugs for all windows, except the windshield and doors.
11. Aircraft Range and Endurance
a. The aircraft must be able to support a 900-nautical mile (nm) maximum range ferry at long range cruise (LRC) with internal fuel for APM missions. It is understood that, in the 11-passenger seating configuration (13-place including pilot and co-pilot), the aircraft will have a limited range. However, this limited range should be no less than 450-nautical miles, with internal fuel and assuming aircrew and passengers will weigh an average of 180 pounds each.
b. Factory-installed hard points, with plumbing and electrical to support an external tank fuel system for the purpose of extending operational radius and endurance for all missions.
Requirements Flight Training Device (FTD):
1. For flight training to be conducted in Rwanda, one flight training device (FTD) that meets FAA Level-5 certifications with moveable flight controls and display screen, matching the aircraft, is required. The FTD will be used for simulating conditions for VFR/IFR training. The FTD's configuration will match the aircraft's cockpit configuration. To allow realistic instrument crosscheck by the pilots, the FTD will use actual or simulated cockpit hardware or computer-generated instrumentation depicted in the same locations as they exist on the actual panels of instruments and gauges in the cockpit. The FTD will have instructor and/or simulator-operator controls to activate normal, abnormal, and emergency conditions, as appropriate. The FTD will have two seats that match those of the aircraft's cockpit. The FTD will be located at Kigali, Rwanda.
2. CONUS-based training for two partner-nation FTD operators and two partner-nation FTD maintainers is requested. Operational training shall include instruction on all FTD system components. In addition, the FTD operator and organizational (O-Level) maintenance training shall include equipment installation procedures, software installation and update procedures, basic troubleshooting and fault isolation. The FTD operator and maintenance training will use the benefiting nation's FTD or an identical copy.
Requirements Spares and Equipment:
1. Ground-to-air HF/VHF and VHF/UHF handheld radios and associated battery chargers with full compatibility to communicate with the radios onboard the aircraft are required for all missions, especially APM missions. To maximize communications interoperability with other African partners and U.S. military, Harris or similar tactical HF/VHF and VHF/UHF radios with encrypted voice and data capabilities are required.
2. Sustainment package to support two aircraft for two years at 1,200 annual flight hours per aircraft. Spares and consumables for aircraft, engine, FTD, and mission equipment are required. General shop equipment and hand tools, and aircraft- and engine-peculiar ground support equipment (GSE) and tools are required. Each aircraft requires a "fly-away" spares kit for operational sustainment, designed for a 30-day deployment away from home station. Maintenance programs, publications, manuals, and technical data for both aircraft and publications for all mission equipment, GSE, and FTD are required.
3. Four spare propellers for two aircraft and associated propeller-change equipment.
Requirements for Services:
1. Contracted Logistical Support (CLS) is required for flight line operations and maintenance of the aircraft and will provide contracted personnel for a duration of one year for eight hours per day, five days a week in Kigali, Rwanda, as a standard. Deployment of the contracted personnel with the aircraft on a PKO or a training mission with the Rwanda Air Force is a requirement, likely to occur during the period of performance. (NOTE: Contractors will not be required to fly on the aircraft). On a rare occasion, contracted personnel will support a possible deployment to a United Nations (UN) PKO in the Central African Republic, Sudan, South Sudan, or another location in Africa. Contracted personnel will provide over-the-shoulder operations and maintenance training, aircraft launch and recovery. Contracted personnel shall be knowledgeable in the operation of the Tronair oxygen booster to refill the oxygen for the Spectrum PCUs. Contracted personnel shall provide monthly reports on CLS activities provided and a quarterly assessment of the Rwanda Air Force proficiency.
2. CLS for the FTD shall provide O-CONUS maintenance and over-the-shoulder training for partner-nation FTD operators and maintainers for one year., Workweek will be based on an eight-hour work day, five days a week at the Kigali, Rwanda, Main Operating Base (MOB). Operational and maintenance over-the-shoulder training shall include instruction on all FTD system components operations.
3. Commercial aircraft ferry service from the manufacturer facility to MOB at Kigali, Rwanda.
Additional Information:
Section 604(a)(1) of the FAA requires that funds made available for assistance under the FAA may be used for procurement only in the United States, the recipient country, or non-advanced developing countries.
Destination Information:
Point of Debarkation (PoD) in Rwanda is Kigali.
Contracting Office Address:
2240B Street, Bldg 11, Room B01, WPAFB, Ohio 45433
Primary Point of Contact:
Contracting Officer, Eric Johnson, eric.johnson.107@us.af.mil, (937) 713-0149.
Eric R Johnson, Contracting Officer, Phone 9377130149, Email eric.johnson.107@us.af.mil - Terrance Starks, Contracting Officer , Phone 9377130150, Email terrance.starks@us.af.mil
