Description:
1.0 PURPOSE
1.1 The 316th Contracting Squadron (316 CONS), in support of the 1st Airlift Squadron (1 AS), is seeking information from contractors to develop unclassified, virtual training for new-hire pilots transitioning from military jets to commercial-style aircraft. With approximately two pilots completing Special Air Mission Pilot Indoctrination Training (Indoc) each month, this digital training delivered as high-quality videos, interactive CBTs, or a combination will mitigate Instructor Pilot shortages and support direct-to-simulator routing. Eligible contractors must utilize full-time, dedicated personnel with an average of at least 20 years of U.S. commercial aviation experience, including backgrounds with major U.S. airlines and the FAA. The contractor must deliver the initial two modules within 60 days of award, with the remaining modules delivered within 180 days. Temporary, escorted access will be granted for necessary videography on aircraft flight decks. Once delivered, the squadron will retain these virtual courses for long-term reference during and after Indoc completion. Please see the attached DRAFT Performance Work Statement (PWS) for additional details.
1.2. THIS IS FOR INFORMATIONAL AND MARKET RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY. It does not constitute a solicitation, a synopsis of a solicitation, a promise on the part of the Government to later publish a solicitation, or ultimately award a contract. It is a market research tool being utilized to determine the availability of sources and the method of procurement. Respondents are further advised that the U.S. Government will not reimburse the costs of preparing for submitting a response, nor pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this notice.
Only written responses will be considered. All responses from responsible sources will be fully considered. A non-response to this notice does not preclude participation in a future request for quotes, Request for Quote (RFQ), if one is issued. As a result of analyzing responses to this market research, the contracting officer may determine that a solicitation will be issued. Information submitted will not be returned. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding their submissions. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized and published on the Contract Opportunities website at www.sam.gov. It is strictly the responsibility of potential respondents to monitor this website for additional information pertaining to this requirement.
2.0 BACKGROUND
2.1. Period of Performance: Base plus 4 option years
2.2. Limitations:
2.2.1. Instructor Qualifications: Contractor shall have no less than average of 20 years of experience & full-time dedicated employees in the U.S. aviation commercial market from many U.S. major airlines and FAA.
2.2.2. Security Requirements: Ability to obtain access to a military installation is required.
3.0 RESPONSES
3.1. The information provided by industry may be used in the formulation of an acquisition strategy and a future RFQ, as applicable. Companies with the capability of providing virtual-based pilot instruction and flight simulation training as outlined in the Draft PWS should submit an electronic copy of their Statement of Capability to Jamahl Tyson via e-mail at Jamahl.Tyson@us.af.mil
3.2. Capability Statements shall be received in Microsoft Word for Office or compatible format no later than 12 June 2026 at 4:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time and e-mailed to Jamahl.Tyson@us.af.mil.
3.3. The Government requests interested parties submit a comprehensive capability statement as part of our ongoing market research. The statement must be specific to the information requested and clearly demonstrate your company's qualifications. The information provided will be used solely to assess the capabilities within the market. Inconclusive information will not assist in this determination. This notice is for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation for proposals.
As a minimum, submissions shall include:
- A detailed capability statement that addresses your company's relevant experience, core competencies, and understanding of the requirement.
- Administrative Information:
- Company Name & Mailing Address
- Point of Contact (Name, Phone, Email)
- UEI Number & CAGE Code
- Tax Identification Number
- Company Structure (Corporation, LLC, etc.)
Note: Generic marketing materials are not a substitute for a tailored capability statement.
3.4. All responding businesses are required to identify their firm's size and business type (large business, small business, small disadvantaged business, 8(a)-certified small disadvantaged business, HUBZone small business, woman-owned small business, very small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business) based upon North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 611512, Flight Training, with a business size standard of $34,000,000.00.
3.5. Statement of the company's contracting strategy and intentions to subcontract, if applicable.
3.6. Email attachments are subject to size and type restrictions (typically limited to less than 2 MB in size and only non-executable attachments such as .doc or .pdf files), as well as any other appropriate network security measures that are enforced at the time.
3.7. A statement that the respondent will not allow the Government to release its proprietary data. In the absence of this documentation, the Government will assume that the respondent does NOT agree to the release of its submission to any other Government agency or contracted support.
3.8. Responses shall be limited to five (5) pages. Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information. Please be advised that all submitted information becomes Government property and will not be returned.
3.9. Email all responses to both of the following POCs:
Jamahl Tyson, Jamahl.tyson@us.af.mil
Archie Warren, archie.warren@us.af.mil
4.0 QUESTIONS
Questions regarding this sources sought notice shall be e-mailed no later than 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time on 8 June 2026 to the Contract Specialist, Jamahl Tyson, at Jamahl.Tyson@us.af.mil. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information. Questions should be submitted for the intended purpose to obtain further clarification of the respondent's potential capability to meet the requirements. The Government does not guarantee that questions received after 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time on 8 June 2026 will be answered. You can expect answers to submitted questions to be posted on the Contract Opportunities website at www.sam.gov.
5.0 SUMMARY
THIS IS A REQUEST FOR SOURCES ONLY to identify contractors that can perform Special Pilot Indoctrination Training. The information provided in this notice is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The 316 CONS has not made a commitment to procure any of the services mentioned, and release of this notice should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for reimbursement. Please see attached draft copy of the Performance Work Statement (PWS) for additional details.
Background
The 316th Contracting Squadron (316 CONS) is seeking contractors to develop unclassified, virtual training for new-hire pilots transitioning from military jets to commercial-style aircraft. This initiative supports the 1st Airlift Squadron (1 AS) and aims to mitigate Instructor Pilot shortages by providing high-quality digital training.
The goal is to facilitate the transition of approximately two pilots each month through Special Air Mission Pilot Indoctrination Training (Indoc). The training will be delivered in various formats, including videos and interactive computer-based training (CBT).
Work Details
The contractor shall design, develop, and deliver a complete suite of digital training products for initial qualification indoctrination for newly assigned military pilots at the 1 AS. Key tasks include:
- Producing instructor-led video lessons and interactive CBT modules.
- Delivering assessments, knowledge checks, and graded exams.
- Creating downloadable job-aids that teach the use of commercial publications and electronic flight bag systems.
- Collaborating with subject matter experts and curriculum designers to develop storyboards and question banks.
- Ensuring all modules are SCORM-compliant, mobile-optimized, and compatible with specified applications.
- Required training topics include EFB regulations, Boeing publications navigation, checklist flows, approach procedures, Crew Resource Management (CRM), and mission planning.
Deliverables include a detailed project plan within 30 days of contract award, first-cut video/CBT modules for initial lessons within 90 days post storyboard approval, and finalized packages within 120 days.
Period of Performance
Base plus 4 option years.
Place of Performance
Joint Base Andrews, MD.
Bidder Requirements
Eligible contractors must have:
- A minimum of 20 years of experience in U.S. commercial aviation with full-time dedicated personnel from major U.S. airlines or FAA backgrounds.
- Ability to obtain access to military installations.
- Demonstrated best practice experience in design and delivery of Crew CRM and Human Factors training.
- Experience in missions similar to those flown by the 89th Airlift Wing. Contractors must also provide resumes of key personnel and evidence of prior aviation CBT/video work.
Incumbent Analysis (see Incumbents section for more detail)
This opportunity appears to have a confirmed incumbent and/or closely related prior contract based on FA286023C0014, awarded to Topflight Elite Training And Charter Services for $1,676,200 (06/07/23–06/06/28). The prior work involved providing a basic mountain pilot training course in support of the 89th Operations Group at Joint Base Andrews, MD, which suggests continuity in supporting pilot indoctrination/training needs for the same broader unit ecosystem. While the prior course is described as “basic mountain” training rather than virtual Special Air Mission Indoc modules, both efforts relate to delivering pilot training services for military aircrew at Joint Base Andrews.
