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. Much of the defense budget is spent in countries on the other side of the world. Putting more aircraft (fixed and rotor) in the air and cutting corners on Aerial Supervision is a bad, bad recipe. Dont blame industry for adding on BS items like loudspeakersFS wants it? 3. And now this year before we head into fall contracting with the MATOC still looming they have changed how they pay us. These standards assign typing designations based on measurable capability and performance criteria. Give me a break. Smaller helicopters carry water in buckets that hold between 100-400 gallons of water. I say all you vendors simply BOYCOTT the USFS. We live near Custer S.D. What will replace a 407 for a Type III ship? The work will be performed at United States. Very Large Airtankers (VLAT)are capable of delivering over 8,000 gallons of fire retardant to support firefighters on the ground. While Im sure you and the FS believe that all the operators swim in pool fulls of cash and take $$$$millions home every year, that fact of the matter is that Mother Nature and worsening Contracts just dont allow that to happen, so no one can ever just pay for a new a/c with cash from operations. All the UTFs for rotors can get name-tied back to a few individuals at NIFC. National Interagency Fire Center HMS8:A[>!Leq`dXfgo$av`w*ldevq7mXm`F,s}PA.?|ZA[7lY7z
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|B^gW?.n}tZ8 does this mean that this program,or whatever it is simply failed? We operate Type III helicopters and are now faced with 40+ pounds of equipment (costing over $60k per aircraft) to meet minimum requirements things that we really dont need like a Traffic Avoidance System (but the ADS-B they required last year isnt good enough) and a loudspeaker (because yelling at the fire helps?). Do any of you FS boys understand how capitalism works? See what happens when the arrogant customer has no place shop! The administrative bases of the helicopters will be at 48 locations. Fire Cacheis asupply of fire tools and equipment assembled in planned quantities or standard units at a strategic point for exclusive use in fire suppression. Perhaps thats the point: There are available alternatives on the market that can replace the legacy platforms for type II and III, so we should continue upgrading the fleet as we can. 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. Doing business with the feds is not for the faint of heart. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS The FS contracting office posted more than a dozen versions of the presolicitation between July 7 and December 6. If it aint broke, dont try to fix it. Interested vendors must get their offers to the FS by March 3, 2021. I am concerned that it will reduce resources in a way that will harm the communitys we generally get to help. Office: (208) 387-5627 Mobile: (208) 985 6266 The blackhawk will not replace the 212 because it cant, and a regular category S-70 would have to bid three or four times the price of a 212 to make financial sense even if you could get a 4 year EU contract. Federal Contract Opportunity for National Exclusive-Use Type 1 and Type 2 Helicopter Modernization SN-2021-01 . Your input here is really helpful. Very well stated on what most of us are thinking and in the same boat. CONTRACTING FOR FIRE. Office: (208) 387-5695 Mobile: (208) 860-7334 A 407 isnt a twin, even tho a 407hp will outperform all the above as a type III. Office: (208) 387-5350Mobile: (208) 258-1450, Tessa Bach, Contract Coordinator 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. We cant go to the bank with a one-year contract to finance airplanes. Let the folks who have ADSB be exempt from ELT burden. Aviation for Regions 3,4,6,8 So, because the Forest Service wants to push all but the top tier of their options out, they are essentially putting every government agencys resources at risk. 2. One big caveat to last year is that there will be ZERO dedicated HLCO platforms available as there were last year. I would encourage folks to contact their Congressional Representatives (once again) about problems with government contracting for fire-fighting aircraft. As this is being written, the politicians we elect to represent us in Washington are trying to put together a last minute (literally) federal budget that will keep the government from shutting down again tonight. |2020 Executive Summary 2 Table 1 - CY 2020 Forest Service Aircraft Fleet Summary Number of Aircraft Helicopters Exclusive Use (EXU) 102 Call When Needed (CWN) 520 Agency Owned 3 Airtankers The second highest was 46 percent in 2012. The agency has posted a second draft of a new Request for Proposals (RFP) and will hold a virtual meeting about the contracts on September 29. 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., Less than three months after Forest Service Chief Christiansen said the agency was going to release a report shortly about the feasibility of moving to 10-year contracts, they issued a presolicitation for helicopter contracts that guaranteed one year. Basic Equipment Requirements: Each piece of equipment has a minimum required equipment inventory that must be on the equipment at the time of hire. In 2016 the FS hired 34 Type 1 helicopters but starting in 2017 reduced the number to 28. Office: (208) 387-5665 Mobile: (208) 616-5549, NIFC Operations Support In December, 2017 the US Forest Service cancelled a five-year EU contract it had issued the previous year for two CL-415 water scooping air tankers. 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. 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. I also assume that the CO just channeled the PM and HSs needs for the program. The recent Fire at Custer State Park is proof that such Wildland Fire Fighting Equipment is a very needed as well as welcome addition to our Fire Protection District. My look and details are just that- my perception. Everyone agrees that the military needs to be adequately funded, but in 2016 the amount the U.S. spent on defense was almost equal to what the next 14 countries combined spent. CHAPTER 50 AIRCRAFT . 25 0 obj
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If we have an aircraft on the market that give us a better margin of safety in the high and hot environment the USFS works in why wouldnt we pursue it other than money? In other locations they would just shrug their shoulders and walk away. Maybe in talking to a 3rd party lender the FS would learn more about these challenges that industry is facing due to the well intended, but poorly delivered solicitation requirements? Why burn off large amounts of the Superstition Mountains? . Maybe the PM, HS and the CO should talk to some a/c financing companies to better understand the reality of upgrading or buying new equipment. In 2017 60 percent of the requests were not filled 220 of the 370 that were needed. Call-When-Needed (CWN) Large Jet Transport, Matthew Olson,Contracting Officer 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. In 2020 the agency started out with 13 on . The FS requirements are out of synch with the financial obligations of the companies they want to hire. Air resources were cancelled at the Forest level, isnt that correct? The schedule calls for most of them to begin in April and May. More insanity from the USFS ! TheAirtanker Modernization Strategydoes not make an independent recommendation on the number of helicopters or air tankers that are needed. Bill do you have access to USFS decision makers? Its unimaginable that they have created a situation where its likely there will not be a sustainable source for fire aircraft. FS is gonna end up with a heavy National Guard helicopter fleet next year. Such costs could be spread out over the period of the contract. Office: (208) 387-5231 Mobile: (208) 991-7639, Larry Robillard,Contracting Officer USFS to contract for 48 Type 1 helicopters this year. usfs type 1 helicopter contracts 2021. usfs type 1 helicopter contracts 2021. aer city sling vs day sling 2; etobicoke basketball rep tryouts; sylacauga city council members; memorial lawn cemetery parsons, kansas; city of euless code compliance; can someone enter your property without permission; khloe kardashian weight and height; colatura di alici di sciacca. Finally on December 13 they threw in the towel, saying, The USFS has determined there is not enough time for an adequate response from industry, a complete evaluation by the government, and ultimately timely award prior to the start of 2022 mandatory availability periods.. Maybe all of the experienced aviation folks you mention are part of this have never actually had to buy a multi-million a/c, maintain it, crew it and ensure that its operable? Candidates include the Bell 429, Airbus/Eurocopter H135 or H145 or other light twins on the market. They are versatile fire management tools. 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. Click here. Here is what they wrote. Vendors reserve the right to refuse service to the customer that is rude, arrogant and disrespectful. Examples include an ax or pulaski, tire chains, 5-person first aid kit, and rollover protection. In other locations they would just shrug their shoulders and walk away. The USFS has determined there is not enough time for an adequate response from industry, a complete evaluation by the government, and ultimately timely award prior to the start of 2022 mandatory availability periods. Type IIs? Hopefully it wont be used to often but should the need arise its great to have one right here locally to answer the call. 0
Certainly valid concerns regarding the quantity of helicopters to transition and timeline. The following links are provided for Interagency Fire Professionals who are tasked with administering contracts issued by our Unit and is provided solely for that purpose and intent. The difference is there are very few air tankers compared to helicopters on EU and CWN contracts. Companies like Construction Helicopters are even putting together S-61 ships and crews for Afghanistan. usfs type 1 helicopter contracts 2022. fort collins real estate investors. Yes, the customer is the FS. What you all have put out leaves these folks in harms way.you guys ok with that on your souls. NIFC Operations (Photographer/Videographer Services), Chris Kirk,Purchasing Agent Kinda like the air tankers. How the five and ten year contracts youre looking at will affect us and benefit us and what we need to put into our budget to so that the Forest Service has the necessary equipment to address these wildfires?, We are studying the question about going to a 10-year contract, what the pros and cons are, Chief Christiansen said. Were nearly complete with that report. The U.S. Forest Service, the agency responsible for awarding federal contracts for large air tankers and firefighting helicopters, is proposing a number of very significant changes to the helicopter contracts. Thank you. 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. Carson said the hell with the USFS, more money servicing the war machine in Afghanistan. To request access to this page, submit request to FS-FS AQM ISB. 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.