U.S. Army Initial Entry Rotary-Wing Flight Training Next Generation – Request For Information (RFI)

Amendment 01 provides the RFI Question and Answer document dated 21 October 2024.

Description
The United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence (USAACE) is seeking information from commercial aviation industry partners and aviation training providers on solutions and methodologies that inform the Army's analysis and development of options to transform Army Initial Entry Rotary-Wing (IERW) Flight Training at Fort Novosel, Alabama, including the potential replacement of the current IERW helicopter (Lakota LUH-72) to reduce costs, gain efficiencies, and maintain or increase aviation training quality. Responses to this RFI will be used to inform analysis, development, and other acquisition activities related to the potential of a Government Owned (Aircraft), Contractor Operated (GOCO) or a Contractor Owned, Contractor Operated (COCO) solution as described in the attached Statement of Objectives (SOO). USAACE is further seeking to broaden industry participation and maximize future competition by informing the potential for contractor-provided academic instruction, flight instruction, Training Aids and Devices, simulation (if required), aircraft (COCO), aircraft parts (COCO), and aircraft maintenance. This Request for Information (RFI) is for informational purposes only; it is not a request for proposals or a solicitation for a contract or grant award and it does not obligate the Government in any way. The Government will not reimburse respondents for any costs associated with responding to this request.

I. BACKGROUND:
The U.S. Army Initial Entry Rotary Wing Flight Training has been located at Fort Novosel for the past 50+ years and currently operates with inefficiencies from years of change and multiple disparate contracts. The Army is seeking to simultaneously improve the quality of training provided to our new aviators, cut costs and improve efficiency. Current hours of flight operations are from 0600-2400 hours daily (AM flight period from 0600-1200, PM flight period from 1200-1800 and Night 1 from 1800-2400 daily). Students generally train during two concurrent sessions (AM/PM or PM/N1) with flight occurring during one and academics during the other. Saturday flight periods are conducted when students are behind in training due to weather or maintenance and the weekend following a federal holiday to meet current capacity numbers.

II. PURPOSE:
In response to Headquarters Department of the Army planning directives, collect information from Industry that informs the Army's analysis and development of a strategic approach to enhance the training and proficiency of Initial Entry Rotary Wing (IERW) Common Core Aviators while reducing overall costs.

III. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS:
Vendors interested in attending the Industry Day / Site Visit at Fort Novosel, Alabama scheduled for 29 October 2024, must fill out the attached Flight School Next Industry Day RSVP Form and email to:
usarmy.novosel.avncoe.mbx.g33-g35@army.mil

If you are requesting an exception, for the no more than three participants per company, please contact the USAACE G3 at 334-255-3200.
RFI Responses are due no later than 5:00pm on Friday, December 6, 2024. Late submissions will not be accepted or reviewed.

VI. DISCLAIMER AND USE OF INFORMATION:
This RFI does not guarantee that the Government will issue a solicitation or award a contract for supplies or services. No specific solicitation is planned to follow this RFI; however, the responses could impact the Government's decision to release multiple solicitations in the future. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable government regulations. Any material received will be public domain unless clearly marked (on each page) as proprietary. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for proprietary information not properly identified.
Please email your questions or comments regarding the RFI to Mr. Michael Metje (Team Lead / Contracting Officer) at michael.a.metje.civ@army.mil. Respondents are advised that questions, comments and Government responses may be posted publicly on SAM.gov, although the identity of the requesting organization will be withheld.