SAM #70RSAT26RFI000022

Fixed-Wing Aircraft Charter Services for Mass Rescue Flotation Device Test

This opportunity seeks fixed-wing aircraft charter services to support the testing of a prototype flotation device for mass rescue operations at sea. - Government Buyer: - Department of Homeland Security (DHS) - Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) - Office of Mission and Capability Support (MCS) - OEMs and Vendors: - No specific OEMs or vendors are named; the RFI is open to any provider with suitable aircraft - Products/Services Requested: - Fixed-wing aircraft charter services for deployment testing of a large-capacity, ultralightweight flotation device - Aircraft must have a rear cargo ramp (side door deployments are not acceptable) - Aircraft must be capable of flying at 250-500 feet altitude and 90-110 knots speed - Example aircraft include C130 (HC-130J Long Range Surveillance Aircraft) or HC-144 - Service includes one test flight with an option for a second - Unique/Notable Requirements: - No aircraft modifications required - Deployment must occur over water, preferably near device recovery assets - Responses should detail aircraft type, experience, deployment procedures, test locations, and cost estimates

Description

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Procurement Operations (OPO) issues this Request for Information (RFI) on behalf of the DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), Office of Mission and Capability Support (MCS).

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) has partnered with the United States Coast Guard and industry partner on a research and development (R&D) effort to develop a viable search and rescue solution that could deploy during Mass Rescue Operations (MRO) on the high seas.  

MROs at sea are Search and Rescue (SAR) operations characterized by the need to provide immediate assistance to large numbers of persons in distress in a situation that exceeds the capabilities normally available to SAR authorities. An MRO example is a catastrophic passenger vessel emergency in a remote area which requires passengers to leave the vessel with limited access or no access to the vessel’s inherent lifesaving apparatus.

DHS S&T is developing a prototype flotation device with the purpose of keeping survivors out of the water during an MRO event that could be 25, 50, or even 100’s of miles out to sea while additional USCG assets can be deployed to the rescue site. The prototype is a nonstandard innovative, large-capacity, ultralightweight floating device that can be deployed from air and surface assets during MROs. The prototype is capable of holding up to 100 survivors out of the water during long-term rescue operations, lowering their risk of injury from exposure.

The protype is currently in development and testing. This RFI is seeking sources for aircraft charter services to assess the device’s performance when deployed from a fixed-wing aircraft. The aircraft should be capable of flying at an altitude of approximately 250 to 500 feet at a speed of approximately 90 to 110 knots and have a rear cargo ramp. Side door deployments will not be considered. Examples of such aircraft include C130 (HC-130J Long Range Surveillance Aircraft) or HC-144. During this test, DHS S&T, USCG, and other stakeholders will observe how the prototype is safely handled, transported, and deployed from a fixed-wing aircraft.

Please note: This RFI is solely for aircraft charter services to provide air assets for a test of the device under development, it is not seeking device development. 

Update: There is no Government preference on a drop zone location for the test. However, DHS would prefer deployment to take place near device recovery assets (e.g. water-based). 

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