USFS Wildland Fire Aviation Helicopter Support Services for Hoist and Medical Services

Background
The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is seeking to conduct market research for helicopter hoist operations and medical services to support their mission of managing land and responding to wildland fires.

The goal of this Request for Information (RFI) is to gather insights on providing Exclusive-Use (EU) and Call When Needed (CWN) contractor-operated and maintained helicopter services, which are critical for medical emergencies and patient extraction in remote environments during wildland fire incidents.

Work Details
The contract will involve providing helicopter services that include hoist operations for medical emergencies, with a focus on Basic Life Support (BLS) or Advanced Life Support (ALS) medical care for patients being extracted.

The helicopters must be available for 14-hour or 24-hour operational shifts, equipped with Night Vision Goggles (NVG) for night operations. Key tasks include:
- Maintaining helicopters in compliance with all applicable 14 CFR requirements and FAA Airworthiness Directives.
- Ensuring communication capabilities between the hoist rescuer and aircraft at all times through multiple radio systems.
- Providing necessary equipment such as GPS, Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT), Automated Flight Following System (AFF), and a Flight Data Monitoring System.
- Accommodating litter or non-ambulatory patients during hoist operations.
- Meeting specifications outlined in the Helicopter Specifications, Night Flying Operations, Supplement Hoist Requirements, and Medical Specifications.

Period of Performance
The specific period of performance is not defined in the RFI; however, it indicates a need for continuous availability during operational shifts throughout the fire season.

Place of Performance
UNITED STATES

Bidder Requirements
Bidders must provide detailed company information including name, mailing address, point of contact details. Helicopters offered must be registered in the U.S. or a country eligible under U.S. regulations, with specific configurations meeting outlined technical requirements.