INL Aviation Special Missions   3

Posting Question and Answer Set #2

The US Department of State is publishing draft soliciation documents for industry review and comment. The draft documents consist of an updated IDIQ Section C Statement of Work, Two Sample Task Orders, Section L, Section M and Special Mission Labor Categories Rate Table Spreadsheet. Please review these documents and provide any questions or comments before October 15, 2022.

Please also not that the NAICS code for this procurement is now:

541330_a_Except Military and Aerospace Equipment and Military Weapons $41.5

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The United States Department of State (DoS), Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Office of Aviation (INL/A) provides aviation support for, but not limited to, the eradication and interdiction of illicit drugs, training of contractor and host nation personnel, embassy support, movement of personnel and equipment, reconnaissance, personnel recovery (PR), medical evacuation, security of personnel and equipment, and convoy escort. At times INL/A equipment, aircraft, and personnel operate from forward operating base locations under primitive conditions and at other times from international airports with the most advanced navigational aids. Aircraft utilized in support of DoS missions must have greater flight endurance; carrying capacity (both cargo and personnel); as well as range, take-off, climb, and turn performance at high elevations and density altitudes. Furthermore, the aircraft and crews are subject to being targeted by hostile fire. Aircraft subject to hostile fire will generally require defensive aircrew and aircraft survivability systems to be installed such as but not limited to armor, the AN/AAR-47 missile warning system, and ALE-47 countermeasure dispensing system. Finally, aircraft and non-aircraft support systems such as, but not limited to base operations, aviation ground support equipment, Air Traffic Control (ATC) capability, personnel, and personnel support systems are deployed and established at remote locations around the world to support DoS missions.

1. INL/A requires, on an as needed basis, a rapid response source to acquire aviation related assets and services to support currently established and any future contingency operations around the world for DoS requirements.The contractor shall provide aircraft; aviation products; operations, maintenance, or engineering services at the time, place, and price specified in the individual task orders. The services shall include but are not limited to the following items:
   1. Source, Train, and Provide fully qualified aircrew, equipment operators, maintenance technicians, support personnel, or otherwise qualified personnel as needed to execute DoS missions.
   2. Ferry and/or operate DoS aircraft to/from or at specified locations (over land, water, and seas) around the world as directed. Types of missions include but are not limited to all missions cited in section 1.1 of this Statement of Work (SOW).
   3. Acquire and deploy specific capability equipment, personnel, and support items to establish DoS capabilities at locations around the world.
   4. Acquire, Modify, Maintain, Upgrade, Lease, and Overhaul DoS aircraft, and/or systems as directed.
   5. Provide the necessary engineering and maintenance personnel required to assess, repair, modify, and upgrade new and existing DoS equipment to sustain or upgrade DoS operational capabilities.
   6. Acquire and/or Provide storage facilities for DoS equipment.
   7. Engineer; build kits; acquire Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) authorization, if required by the DoS Airworthiness Authority; and modify existing, leased, and new DoS aircraft.
   8. Purchase new and/or overhauled replacement parts for DoS aircraft and equipment.
   9. Repair, maintain, modify, and overhaul existing DoS parts and equipment.
   10. Provide technical airworthiness expertise/advice for Partner Nation.

Please submit all request for information on or before November 15, 2021. INL/A will also release a draft version of the solicitation for industry comment. Therefore, it is recommended that interested offerors follow this announcement for further document releases.