SAM #INLPR15314996

Market Research for Aviation Support Services for Colombian National Police UH-60 Fleet

This opportunity involves market research by the U.S. Department of State for aviation support services for the Colombian National Police (CNP) Aviation Unit: - Government buyer: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), Acquisitions - AQM Momentum office - No specific OEMs or vendors are named in the notice - Services requested: - Comprehensive aviation support for 34 UH-60 helicopters - Includes maintenance, quality control, logistics/procurement support, training, safety, and program support - Maintenance must comply with U.S. Army/DoD technical manuals and AMCOM AWR standards for UH-60L aircraft - Avionics and equipment without a National Stock Number must be maintained per manufacturer directives - Contractor must provide qualified personnel and be able to respond to changing requirements, including travel throughout Colombia - Official aircraft forms and records must be maintained in Spanish; contract forms and records in English - Unique requirements: - Services must be flexible to support both fixed and mobile bases across Colombia - Compliance with both U.S. and manufacturer maintenance standards is mandatory - Personnel must be able to operate in-country and adapt to evolving program needs - This is a market research notice for planning purposes only, not a solicitation or contract commitment

Description

A.   THIS NOTICE IS ISSUED FOR THE PURPOSE OF MARKET RESEARCH ONLY.  

In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 10.002 – Procedures, this notice is issued for the purpose of market research. This request is for planning purposes only and does not constitute a Solicitation (i.e., Request for Proposals (RFP), Request for Quotations (RFQ), Invitation for Bids (IFB)), or an indication that the Government will contract for items/services contained in this notice in the future. 

All information provided is strictly voluntary. 

This notice is not to be construed as an acquisition RFP nor is any commitment on the part of the Government to award a contract implied because of this request. Further, the U.S. Department of State offers no assurance that a solicitation will result from this notice.

The Government shall not reimburse respondents for any cost associated with submission of the information requested or reimburse expenses incurred to interested parties for responses to this notice.  Any responses received will not be used as a proposal. 

The U. S. Department of State seeks to identify potential SMALL BUSINESS SOURCES capable of providing services as identified in this notice.  Small Business firms interested in performing this project must submit a detailed Statement of Qualifications and Capabilities, which demonstrates their experience and ability in the field of service / product described in this notice.

Responses to this notice will be considered in selecting the acquisition strategy and to determine the appropriateness of setting aside this requirement for any one of the small business programs as described in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 19.

Any information submitted will become the property of the Government and will not be returned.  

Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and must be clearly marked.

B. BACKGROUND:

The INL Colombia Aviation Division enables Colombian security forces to execute operations that advance U.S. Government security objectives.  Through the provision of aviation assets, technical expertise, and institutional capacity building, INL supports missions focused on neutralizing transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs); eradicating coca cultivation; interdicting narcotics; dismantling drug laboratories and illegal mining operations; and securing rural areas affected by militant groups.

INL delivers comprehensive aviation support—maintenance, procurement, logistics, training, and operational oversight working alongside Colombian National Police (CNP) maintenance personnel, technicians, and flight crews.  In partnership with the CNP, INL sustains the operational readiness of a UH‑60 Black Hawk fleet and strengthens crew proficiency to ensure safe and effective mission execution.  This effort also prepares CNP to ultimately assume full responsibility for all operational, maintenance, and training functions currently supported by INL and its contractors.

C. OBJECTIVES:

The United States Government (USG), through the INL Aviation Division, provides administrative, technical, maintenance, training, safety, and logistics / procurement support to the Colombian National Police’s (CNP) Aviation Unit (AVIPO), which operates throughout Colombia supporting counter-narcotics and law enforcement operations. 

The INL Aviation Division provides aviation management expertise and resources to CNP to strengthen law enforcement, support counternarcotics operations, and provide safe and efficient aviation support. 

The program currently supports a total of 34 UH-60s located at two fixed bases—Bogota/Guaymaral and Tulua—and at multiple mobile bases.  The total number of aircraft supported under this contract is subject to change.  The CNP exercises operational control of the aviation assets supported by the INL Aviation Division.

Objectives include:

Safe operation and maintenance of aircraft Efficient logistical support The maximum number of aircraft Ready for Tasking (RFT) Training and qualification of CNP personnel Airworthy aircraft in conformance with DOS airworthiness standards

D. SCOPE:

Required services include but are not limited to maintenance, quality control, logistics/procurement support, training, safety, and program support.  To meet these requirements, the contractor shall provide the services and personnel accordingly.

The Airworthiness & Maintenance Standards applicable to the specific type aircraft assigned to the INL ARAVI Program are as follows:

UH-60 A&L Maintenance Standard: These aircrafts will be maintained in accordance with U.S. Army/DoD standards using the current Technical Manual (TM) or Electronic Manual (IETM) applicable to the specific model.  All avionics, equipment, and appliances that do not have a National Stock Number in the Federal Supply System will be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s directives.

INL ARAVI Supported S-70s: These aircrafts will be maintained IAW AMCOM AWR standards applicable to the UH-60L; any deviation from this standard must be approved by INL.

All aircraft in the INL ARAVI program will be maintained in air-worthy condition.  The Contractor’s aircraft maintenance programs will establish procedures to:

Monitor and comply with appropriate maintenance and safety bulletins and directives from either INL/A, U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), or the manufacturer applicable to the types of aircraft, engines, propellers, and equipment that are operated.

Ensure safe CNP operation of aircraft with mission equipment or approved Minimum Equipment List (MEL).

Utilize technical support, including updated technical publications and appropriate engineering documentation and testing, for aircraft, power-plant, propeller, or appliance repairs, modifications, or equipment installations.

Establish and maintain a quality control system for acquiring replacement parts, ensuring that the parts acquired have the airworthiness documentation needed to determine that they are safe for flight and are inspected and tested, as applicable.

Official aircraft forms and records shall be maintained in Spanish. Official contract forms and records must be maintained in English.

Program requirements may change due to financial, political, or economic situations for the USG or the Government of Colombia (GOC).  As such, the Contractor must be flexible and prepared to respond to unanticipated program changes.

The Contractor’s Program Manager (PM), Deputy Program Manager (DPM), and staff shall be required to travel to locations throughout Colombia to perform services and program oversight as directed by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). 

Reminder, this request for sources sought notice is issued for planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation for proposals, offers, bids, and/or quotes. This is not an announcement of a forthcoming solicitation or confirmation that the Government will contract for the items contained in the sources sought notice, nor any commitment on the part of the Government to award a contract implied.

E. RESPONSES:

Responses to this notice will assist the Government in identifying potential sources in determining if a set-aside of the solicitation is appropriate and in determining whether this approach to securing contract support is practicable.  Be advised that the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to the sources sought notice.  Responses to this request for sources sought notice will not be returned.  All submissions will be reviewed to determine if the firm can fulfill the requirement based on the aforementioned criteria.

F. SUBMISSION:

Information submitted must be in sufficient detail as to allow for a thorough Government review of a respondent’s interest and capabilities.  Each firm’s response shall not exceed 10 pages.  Firms may also submit supplemental materials, if necessary, that will count as part of the 10- page limit.

Request interested firms respond to this notice and include the following in their response:

       1. Firm’s full name and pertinent information (i.e., name of representative, firm’s address, phone number, UEI number).

       2. Business Size/Type (e.g., SB, HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, SDB) and size relative to NAICS Code: 488190 – Other Support Activities for Air Transportation.  Identify all socio-economic categories into which your company fits.

      3. Describe your company’s relevant past experience and resource capabilities utilizing the specifications identified in this notice.  Please provide up to three (3) examples.

      4. Describe your company’s staffing capabilities. This includes relevant experience in conducting certified program manager, and support staffing, as noted in this notice.

      5. Past Performance: Responses to this Sources Sought shall indicate similar / relevant contracts within the past three (3) years for the same or similar services. Contract information may include those with Federal, State, and local Government, as well as private companies.  Please include dollar value and period of performance.

Generic capability statements will not be considered, as these documents shall add no value to this request for sources sought.  The Government is looking for the specific experience, as referenced in this requirement.

No telephone requests will be accepted.  All submissions regarding this notice should be in a Portable Document Format (.pdf) and sent directly to Ms. Reid-Smith, Contracting Officer via E-mail Reid-SmithSJ@state.gov no later than 22 May 2026 / 1500 Hours Eastern Standard Time (EST).

The Government reserves the right to set this acquisition aside for Small Business (SB), Woman- Owned Small Business (WOSB), HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), or Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) firms based on responses received.

NOTE:  Proprietary information and trade secrets, if there are any, must be clearly marked.  All information received that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly.

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