People will write their Congressional Reps and lowly GS grade bureaucrats will get mushroom stamped for creating an untenable contracting environment that leads to a massive shortage of rotors when homes are burning. while simultaneously saying that they fully intend on moving to modern helicopters that are built after the year 2000 and are all twin engine. Its playing out exactly like we (helitack crews who actually do the work and are face to face with the vendors every day) predicted at the beginning of this season. These helicopters are the largest that are used for fighting wildfires and can carry between 700 and 3,000 gallons of water or fire retardant. Click here. Nobody should bid, then when everything is on fire and the USFS comes begging then youd have some leverage on them. (A source in D.C. told us there is a chance the legislation will include a fix to the fire borrowing fiasco, where funds are taken from other functions to pay for wildfire suppression.). In addition the Logistics Branch provides procurement support for eleven National Cachesfor wildland fire suppression and prevention, as well as other emergency incident response activities. Official websites use .gov I may be incorrect in this, but I think the less than excited response from industry is based on them providing questions and input to the PM, HS and CO and getting pretty unsatisfactory responses. Sucks that theyre limiting their choices on the RFP. Puuuullleeezethe Agency surely has gotten a response. The Aviation Branch supports the acquisition of Airtankers, Helicopters, Light Fixed Wing Aircraft, Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) maintenance, Large Jet Transport and related aviation support including aircraft maintenance, consulting, aircraft purchase, contract pilots and aircraft equipment. Add to this that they are wanting us to throw all of this money into our aircraft to get on the contract (which is now a 10 year contract!) Office: (208) 387-5350Mobile: (208) 258-1450, Tessa Bach, Contract Coordinator Making low bid for a set of parameters the winner will always get you what you pay for, and as weve seen, sometimes a lot less. So do we get balanced journalism here. Most smokejumpers work from late spring through early fall. Its unimaginable that they have created a situation where its likely there will not be a sustainable source for fire aircraft. Forest Service contracted Type 1 helicopters are a strategic National Resource, contracted to support the national firefighting effort. Office: (208) 387-5609 Mobile: (208) 616-5550 For senior high and older readers. No.thats what happens when you have cradle to grave beuracrats (who havnt a clue about running a business) in charge of doling out federal dollars. 64 2021 National Interagency Mobilization Guide . One vendor said new requirements could reduce the number of helicopters on contract. These standards assign typing designations based on measurable capability and performance criteria. These one-year firefighting aircraft contracts need to be converted to 10-year contracts, and the number of Type 1 helicopters must be restored to at least the 34 we had for years. In addition, the federal land management agencies said last year they were going to limit the number of less-than-full-suppression fires and attack new ignitions aggressively. The EC135/145 have potential, but at what cost? Other helicopters may or may not be procured on a Call When Needed (CWN) contract. Do any of you FS boys understand how capitalism works? These helicopters are the largest that are used for fighting wildfires and can carry between 700 and 3,000 gallons of water or fire retardant. Heat Wave DB109505 12 hours 52 minutes by TJ Klune read by Michael Lesley . Im not convinced that either trying to do an abrupt transition is appropriate NOR is standing still while other more modern aircraft are available. There are reports that some potential vendors were very unsatisfied with the changes. Typos, let us know, and please keep in mind the commenting ground rules before you post a comment. Theyre only offering a one-year contract, said Ron Hooper, president of Missoula-based Neptune Aviation. Anyone who served in the military knows that Uncle Sam Air is the most inefficient airline in the world, and having worked there is in no way a guarantee that you are the best subject matter expert on anything. Here is an excerpt: This draft Request for Proposal is such a massive and violent change from what has been requested in previous contracts that most operators arent going to be able to handle it. Services include, but are not limited to aircraft purchase and sales; maintenance of fleet aircraft; pilot service contracts . A lot of the operators that will get pushed out because of this RFP do a lot of irrefutably safe work when fire season peaks, or when resource work is needed, with excellently maintained legacy platforms at great value to the taxpayers. There was a big demand for the S-61 (w/Carson Blades) along with a call for both pilots and mechanics in Afghanistan on High dollar US Gov. Click here. One has to write to the audience who butters their bread! The Incident Support Branch (ISB) at the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) is located in Boise, Idaho. Fire fighting tools, food and water are dropped by parachute to the firefighters after they land near the firemaking them self-sufficient for the first 48 hours. I can see being a little conservative with air tankers because most have to jettison their load if not used. Have a fire aviation news tip? Aviation for Region 2 Imagine that. In 2016 the FS hired 34 Type 1 helicopters but starting in 2017 reduced the number to 28. Try to pass on the cost of newer more expensive equipment in less than 10 years than the operators fails on the LPTA front. Until thenenjoy this fine day. february 16, 2021 for contracts awarded 2018-2021 (cwn/exclusive use) (for contracts awarded 1/1/2018 and after) company aircraft type fuel consumption (gal/hr) february 16, 2021 hourly flight rate ($/hr) No wonder there is absolutely no concern about the financial impact of this proposal. Hows about an STC for personal electronic devices, only available from one company, nobody else in the industry even knows what the hell the STC is or is for! So a one year contract with each additional option year at the discretion of the agency with unreliable congressional funding is not a concept that makes potential vendors feel all warm and fuzzy. agency that, more and more, is becoming its own worst enemy, as well as ours! They just laugh at us.. contract # manager/admin base/phone tanker/ac type/ n # iab approved tank size map days estimated map start estimated map end day off daily av rate hrly ft rate (dry) . The Q&A period is a nicety, but rarely ever provides valuable responses to industry. There is no cost, and in case you change your mind each email has an unsubscribe button. Large Jet Transport Much of the defense budget is spent in countries on the other side of the world. A 407 isnt a twin, even tho a 407hp will outperform all the above as a type III. With a defense budget of around $597 billion, it was almost as much as the next 14 countries put together and far larger than the rest of the world. As a former helitacker I know we were always looking forward to moving to a more modern helicopter fleet. Many of us here may not see the inner workings of The Office but we surely do see the end product of some inept folks or folks in the contract office who may not have the fortitude of researching aviation subjects to inform their leadership. Smokejumperstravel all over the country, including Alaska, to provide highly-trained, experienced firefighters and leadership for quick initial attack on wildland fires in remote areas. There are certainly concerns with moving to a twin engine platform related to performance, and Im not currently versed enough in all of the platforms to have an opinion, but I do know that this article doesnt address it and instead seems to be a sounding board for industry without presenting the case for increased firefighter safety and performance in modern aircraft. These proposed contract changes have made working for USFS impossible for most all operators especially restricted categories that will all be phased out when the new 2000 or newer requirement takes affect. endstream endobj startxref Steve Peterson, Contracting Officer A current helicopter solicitation that is now paused was offering 1-year contracts. And now this year before we head into fall contracting with the MATOC still looming they have changed how they pay us. On a grand scale, the report showed yet again that U.S. military spending easily dwarfed the rest of the world. Senator Mark Kelly may be interested in hearing comments about FS & DOI aircraft contracting: Coulson pilots in Chile are aided by translators in the cockpits, Erickson converting an Air-Crane to haul military cargo without a pilot in the cockpit, Lockheed looks ahead to advancing capability in wildland firefighting, Aerial Firefighters Association to promote safety, standards, innovation, Coulson tanker down in Western Australia, pilots okay, Helicopter crash kills 2 in Chilean fires. The recent Fire at Custer State Park is proof that such Wildland Fire Fighting Equipment is a very welcome addition to our Fire Protection District. 34 0 obj <>stream The U.S. Forest Service announced on October 27 they intend to sign contracts with three companies to add five Next Generation large air . Have a fire aviation news tip? Chief Pilot for the USFS, Abraham Fandrich, retires, Ride with a single engine air tanker as it drops near Borger, Texas, Lockheed looks ahead to advancing capability in wildland firefighting, Aerial Firefighters Association to promote safety, standards, innovation, Coulson tanker down in Western Australia, pilots okay, Helicopter crash kills 2 in Chilean fires. In 2016 the FS hired 34 Type 1 helicopters but starting in 2017 reduced the number to 28. There is a question and answer phase that allows anyone to submit questions and the answers will be posted on the SAM site. In 2020 the agency started out with 13 on . Melinda Draper, Associate Branch Chief, Logistics, Click here. Last year we saw 18 percent fewer Type 1 helicopters and the number of large air tankers was 57 percent of the recommendation in theNIAC Interagency Aviation Strategy. An official website of the United States government. Calfire is seeing right now how much NOT an upgrade they really are and how they are just too big for some things. The what, why and where of this story seems like it warrants additional reporting. . Office: (208) 387-5627 Mobile: (208) 985 6266 With the twin engine requirement would a K-Max also be DQd? The Logistics Branch provides support for WO Fire & Aviation Operations customers (located at NIFC) with the procurement of (urgent/immediate)incidentresources, such as retardant chemicals and related services, mobile food services, mobile shower facilities, firefighting crews, Critical Incident Stress Management Services (CISM) and National Videographer/Photographer Services. Give us folks in the field a little credit for the same credit you so richly deserve, Have a fire aviation news tip? Basic Ordering Agreements (BOAs) for 28 - Type 1 helicopters having 120-day mandatory availability periods. Publications include manuals, handbooks, standards, guides, plans, and other documents. Publications include manuals, handbooks, standards, guides, plans, and other documents. You want a loud hailer, fork it over. The U.S. Forest Service had estimated there were as many as 150 of the . It is very different from putting out an RFQ for an item that a company bids on based on their own estimation of costs that will meet the specification, where nothing has yet been manufactured and nobody really knows what things will cost until they research the bid spec. HmmmThey say its for aggressive initial attack but we know that has not been working out, (e.g. U.S. Forest Service employees (Forest Service Internal Link), U.S. Department of Interior (DOI Internal Link). They requested to remain anonymous in order to avoid retribution from the agency. Vendors do not drive the requirements the customer does. Doing business with the feds is not for the faint of heart. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Cell phone gps location, sat phones and ADSB are far more useful. (Originally published at 5:34 p.m. MT February 8, 2018). IBC's Acquisition Services Directorate (AQD) is responsible for the acquisition of a full suite of commercial aviation services supporting each bureau in the Department of the Interior, as well as many external customers. But you better pay for it, USFS says! Here is the full text from the December 13 update: The intent of the USFS for acquiring helicopter services for 2022 is as follows: 1. National Incident Management Organization (NIMO) Support Call-When-Needed (CWN) Airtankers 2.1 CO Support on all major contract programs (Mobile Food Services, Mobile Showers, Type 2 & 2-IA Crews, Retardant Chemicals), Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) Alternate Focal Point Just need to add, Mama told me the customer is always right. October 27, 2021 Forest Service Response: The USFS recognizes the importance of safety recommendation A-10-168 and continues to refine Flight Data Monitoring requirements. In other locations they would just shrug their shoulders and walk away. For several years the U.S. Forest Service had contracted for 34 EU Type 1 ships, but reduced that to 28 in 2017. Then why are one year contracts with optional years considered a sustainable way for helicopter companies to provide helicopters for fire fighting? National Air Attack Exclusive Use Aircraft Financing a new (2000+) aircraft with a one year contract will be the nail in the coffin for most operators considering what they have to sell will get pennies on the dollar. Type 1 helicopters are the largest used on fires, carrying 700 to 2,800 gallons. Thats what happens when non-aviation people get put it charge of aviation programs. Thanks for giving us a voice. I think the word escape needs to be looked at a little deeperthat is what I do as a housewife hiker. The three-day operation used a helicopter and high powered rifles to take out the cows in a rugged area where federal officials and environmentalists say the animals have been trampling stream banks, damaging habitat for other species and ruining water quality. in the Black Hills between Custer and Hill City and having one of these is a much needed and necessary thing especially given the dead and down Pine and Spruce trees from the Bark Beatle infestation we suffered through. Even if a vendor received a guaranteed five-year contract it can be difficult to establish and implement a long-term business plan that would make sense to their banker and the solvency of the company. The fleet remained at that level until the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020 when they added an additional 22 ships for a total of 50. In my experience last year, the surge helicopters ended up on large fires, because there were so many and the need was there. Fax: (208) 387-5384, https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/fire/contracting, Important Information Regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic, Access to the U.S. Forest Service Contracting, Incident Support Branch, DOI SharePoint Page must be granted individually. usfs type 1 helicopter contracts 2022. fort collins real estate investors. When the SMEs include pilots who had a previous career in the military, also Aviation Maintenance Inspectors who previously worked as mechanics in industry and the military, I do not think the label of career beaurocrart quite fits. You must be USFS this sounds exactly like the Q&A session Language will remain as written. hour: $1.31 : 8011: Air Compressor The fleet remained at that level until the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020 when they added an additional 22 ships for a total of 50. But you better pay for it, USFS says! Office: (208) 387-5231 Mobile: (208) 991-7639, Larry Robillard,Contracting Officer Bill wrote 3 sentences without even putting his opinion in, the overwhelming response is that the only people happy or satisfied with this RFP are the people who wrote it. Thats rarely happened before b/c a) its a lot of $$$ and b) the states also believed that they would get aerial resources when needed, but they got burned by that hope, literallyyou may think you can grab it, but think again in tough times.State will think about State first before sharing the resource.it will get more interesting when France, Spain, Greece and Turkey take these assetssleep well FSyou guys are managing the LATs and Type 1s welltheyll always be there for you.keep up the good workwell done. Federal Contract Opportunity for National Exclusive-Use Type 1 and Type 2 Helicopter Modernization SN-2021-01 . Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. These changes are going to put operators who have worked hard for generations, who have tirelessly jumped through USFS hoops for years out of businessthat is a crappy government thanks, with costly and unnecessary changes as the final slap in the face! OAS-64A Interagency Airplane Pilot Evaluation Application Form, OAS-64BInteragency Helicopter Pilot Evaluation Application Form, 5700-20Airplane Pilot Qualifications and Approval Record, 5700-20aHelicopter Pilot Evaluation Application, Cost Comparison Travel Worksheet(FS 5700-11), Flight Request Justification Approval Administrative Use Aircraft Form (AUA-1), National and Regional Report of Annual Administrative Flight Use (AUA-2), 2021,2020,2019,2018,2017,2016,2015,2014,2013,2012, Amphibious Water Scooper Aircraft Operations Plan, Administrative Use of Aircraft Desk Reference, Airworthiness Assurance Guide for Aerial Firefighting &Natural Resources Aircraft, Aviation Management Handbook - FSH 5709.16, C-23B+/SD3-60 Aircraft Change Management Implementation Plan, Federal Excess Personal Property Guide(11/05/2021), Fire Imaging and Mapping Guide (coming soon), Forest Service Standards for Airtanker Operations 2022, Forest Service Standards for Short-Haul Operations (January 2022), Forest Service Standards for UAS Operations, National Aviation Safety and Management Plan, (2022 - 2023), National Aviation Safety Management System Guide, National Rappel Operations Guide,(2019 Approval Letter), National Type I and Type II Exclusive Use Helicopter Operations Plan, Working Capital Fund Aircraft Users Guide, Basic Weather Information on Manifests and Use of Belt Weather Kits (IATB 2015-02), Clarification of the HOGE Power Check requirement(IATB 17-01), Airtanker Base Directory (Located on the Fire Enterprise Geospatial Portal), DOT Special Permit Authorization 9198 Forest Service DOT SP-9198 Grantee Letter, Emergency Helicopter Extraction Source List, Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, Interagency Airplane Pilot Practical Test Standards 2012 (Revision 2.0), Interagency Aviation Life Support Equipment Guide 2021, Interagency Helicopter Pilot Practical Test Standards 2015, Interagency Smokejumper Pilot Operations Guide, ISMOG Forest Service Section Forest Service National Smokejumper Training Guide, National Aviation Safety Management System (NASMS) Guide, NWCG Aviation Mishap Response Guide and Checklist, NWCGStandards for Airtanker Base Operations, NWCGStandards for Aviation Transport of Hazardous Materials, RAM-Air Parachute Training Guide Forest Service RAM-Air Canopy Evaluation Plan, Standards for Fire and Aviation Operations (Red Book), https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/fire/aviation/publications, Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operati, Flight Request Justification Approval Administrative Use Aircraft Form, National and Regional Report of Annual Administrative Flight Use, Forest Service Standards for Short-Haul Operations, National Aviation Safety and Management Plan, Basic Weather Information on Manifests and Use of Belt Weather Kits, Clarification of the HOGE Power Check requirement, Forest Service DOT SP-9198 Grantee Letter, Forest Service National Smokejumper Training Guide, Forest Service RAM-Air Canopy Evaluation Plan, Standards for Fire and Aviation Operations, U.S. Forest Service and Interagency Aviation Publications. Oh and theres a reason for the price difference, all the vendors you see with blackhawks have restricted category aircraft. Max Graham, Space for Giants_ CONTENTS %PDF-1.6 % There is obviously some back door dealing going on with this RFP as it very specifically pushes money to certain equipment providers and tips the hat to certain helicopter companies. If you like warm beer, buy a FS refrigerator. Being told to shut up and color indicates a less than collaborative environment and makes Gov employees who work for top down leadership, pretending to be the military. The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing establishes minimum typing standards for aircraft, crews, and equipment for national mobilization to wildland fire incidents. usfs type 1 helicopter contracts 2021 . Your input allows us to recognize outstanding service and also provides a tool to address areas of industry concern. The obvious answer is same thing the US Military replaced the Hueys with, the Blackhawk. The work will be performed at United States. The fleet remained at that level until the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020 when they added an additional 22 ships for a total of 50. The U.S. Forest Service (FS) is expecting to contract for 48 Type 1 helicopters for the 2021 wildfire season. You FS boys need to stop trying to blame the messenger and take the feedback from industry to heart. The administrative bases of the helicopters will be at 48 locations. All Standard and Restricted category Type 1, 2 and 3 helicopter contracts awarded under the USFS Type 1, 2 and 3 2022 Multiple Award Task Order (MATOC) Helicopter Support . I think you answered your own question with why are they only replacing type II and III legacy platforms and not type I? National Pilots Local Small Business Specialist National Maintenance Agreement Robert Hoffman , Contracting Officer Office: (208) 387-5681 Mobile: (208) 866-1610 National Call-When-Needed Helicopters (Large Fire Support/Initial Attack) Flight Rate Charts Effective February 16, 2021 for contracts awarded 2013-2017
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