USAF Test Pilot School (TPS) Qualitative Evaluation R-44 Helicopter Aircraft Services

I. DISCLAIMER THIS NOTICE IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute as a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Responses will be treated as information only and will not be evaluated as a proposal. Further, the Government is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals.

A return response from the government regarding RFI submissions is not guaranteed. The RFI respondees are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation from future announcements or contracts. Respondents should indicate which portions of their response are propriety and should mark accordingly.

NOTE: This RFI is not associated with any previous or ongoing RFPs or Fair Opportunity Proposal Requests issued by the DAF. The Test Pilot School is seeking a vendor who can provide R-44 Helicopter flight and instruction services. The USAF TPS is where the Air Force's top pilots, navigators, and engineers learn how to conduct flight tests and generate the data needed to carry out test missions.

The Qualitative Evaluation (QE) program introduces students to a wide variety of aircraft exhibiting unique flying characteristics or mission systems and is used to broaden the students’ range of experience with unfamiliar aircraft. The Robinson R-44 provides the unique experience of flying a unique, high-altitude, experimental aircraft. The aircraft must be able to pass an Air Force Test Center (AFTC) approved Subject Matter Expert inspection. The TPS PM will coordinate and pay for the inspection. Any and all discrepancies noted in the inspection must be corrected and documented prior to execution.

II.DESCRIPTION: This presolicitation notice is being posted in accordance with (IAW) Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 5.201. This is not a request for proposal. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this effort is 611512 (Flight Training) with a size standard of $34,000,000. The Service Code is U009 (Education/Training – General).

The anticipated acquisition is for a 5-yr IDIQ with a Period of Performance of one (1) year from contract award date with option years to provide a Robinson R-44 helicopter (aircraft), along with a qualified R-44 flight instructor(s), for Qualitative Evaluation (QE) flights as described in the Qualitative Evaluation Board (QRB) report at the US Air Force (USAF) Test Pilot School (TPS). Specific procurement requirements are as specified in the attached DRAFT Performance Work Statement.

III.Inquiries: Any qualified and interested companies responding to this announcement must be able to support all areas. NO partial support responses from industry will be accepted. Electronic submissions are highly preferred. In the event electronic submission is not possible, please contact the primary point of contact above for address information. Companies are encouraged to keep all elements of the response unclassified.

In the case where a respondent has a need to submit a classified appendix, such material shall not be transmitted across open-source media like public phone, fax, internet, or e-mail. If a respondent has any reason to believe their concept / capabilities may reference ideas or operations that require special protection, please contact the primary point of contact. All responses should be directed to the point of contact Cole Staron via email at cole.staron@us.af.mil or Brianna Vicsotka at brianna.vicsotka.1@us.af.mil.