usfs type 1 helicopter contracts 2021

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. HmmmThey say its for aggressive initial attack but we know that has not been working out, (e.g. Oh and theres a reason for the price difference, all the vendors you see with blackhawks have restricted category aircraft. Do any of you FS boys understand how capitalism works? Each time I go to sleep, wondering will I awake? 2. Faintly, what are the advertisement you see posted on this site? The ICP may be co-located with the incident base or other incident facilities and provides certain essential auxiliary forms of support, such as food, sleeping areas, equipment, trailers,and sanitation. 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.. 6-month Exclusive Use (EU) contract extensions for 34 Type 2 helicopters with contracts expiring in 2022, utilizing BOAs for remaining EU line items. However, multi-year contacts must also include an aspect of a cancellation ceiling which must be funded up front. In 2017 60 percent of the requests were not filled 220 of the 370 that were needed. Large Jet Transport Office: (208) 616-5548 Mobile: (208) 616- 5548, Training Centers Support (Main Contact) What will replace a 407 for a Type III ship? 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. BTW, does anyone flying on fires really need an ELT if they have ADSB? In 2016 the FS hired 34 Type 1 helicopters but starting in 2017 reduced the number to 28. Women's Bond NFT Collection usfs type 1 helicopter contracts 2021 . With the expiration of contracts for firefighting helicopters looming, the US Forest Service began the lengthy process of issuing new contracts for 2022 on July 7, 2021 with the posting of a presolicitation. The new concept was based on a one year contract. Im not convinced that either trying to do an abrupt transition is appropriate NOR is standing still while other more modern aircraft are available. Click here. No wonder there is absolutely no concern about the financial impact of this proposal. And they are cheap azzs that wont pay much for anything. endstream endobj 11 0 obj <> endobj 12 0 obj <> endobj 13 0 obj <>stream The Bush fire WAS aggressively IAd, however given the fuel and weather conditions at the time escaped rather quickly. helicopter services hourly flight rates, fuel consumption, and weight reduction chart effective february 16, 2019 for contracts awarded 2018-2021 (cwn/exclusive use) If as you suggest they can choose to not submit a proposal then two things are going to happen: 1) that aircraft will not be part of the AFF fleet next year and 2) you will have less a/c in the future b/c of it. Firewatch Cobra (Bell 209-AH-1) Aerial Supervision Helicopter Aerial Supervision Module (ASM) Lead Planes And the hits just keep on coming. 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. 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. Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) Focal Point, Mike McFarlane,Contracting Officer So given these facts, what do you think they are trying to achieve in ultimately reducing the number of a/c in a time when we need more of them? One has to write to the audience who butters their bread! Given the current climate of helicopter contracts there will be more people getting out of helicopters than getting into them. 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 single vs twin vs safety argument doesnt have a clear winner unless youre talking about CAT A capable aircraft. The obvious answer is same thing the US Military replaced the Hueys with, the Blackhawk. I find it interesting that the WFT crowd is pro a next gen, advanced air tanker fleet (including the funding required) but is up in arms about a next gen, advanced helicopter fleet. He replied: The existing Call When Needed (CWN) Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) will be utilized for both Type 1 and Type 2 CWN helicopters. 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. In my experience last year, the surge helicopters ended up on large fires, because there were so many and the need was there. Region 6 Cache Freight Services, Bryce Pitchford,Contracting Officer We really love being on Team USFS. In 2016 the FS hired 34 Type 1 helicopters but starting in 2017 reduced the number to 28. 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. This would raise the total military budget for the next two years to $1.4 trillion. Your input allows us to recognize outstanding service and also provides a tool to address areas of industry concern. Sucks that theyre limiting their choices on the RFP. Aircraft types: P2V, HC-130H, BAe-146, MD-87, C-130Q, RJ85, C-130 H & J equipped with Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems (MAFFS). 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. Time management skills and Proper Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance is not a skill this outfit excels in.time to get back to timber management and master THAT, if thats possible before trying to re write contracts.maybe this outfit needs to hire some of us aviation professionals to assist the other professional mechanics and pilots on the USFS staff.surely they could assist in helping the contract office in being more realistic, First off its not the contracting office that is being unrealistic. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. And now this year before we head into fall contracting with the MATOC still looming they have changed how they pay us. It just will. Office: (208) 387-5665 Mobile: (208) 616-5549, NIFC Operations Support Rest assured the FS are aware of the concerns from industry, but everyone needs to realize that the FS is the customer. Typos, let us know, and please keep in mind the commenting ground rules before you post a comment. Thats discouraging as it suggests that the customer really isnt listening and just providing the perception of doing so.your point of just not choosing to submit if an operator doesnt like it is incredibly insensitive and uninformed. . Without a federal contract, we cant get carded and without cards, we cant work for the state. 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. Companies like Construction Helicopters are even putting together S-61 ships and crews for Afghanistan. Just more bureaucratic nonsense,and incompetence form the USFS. Do you know anything that can replace a CH-54/S-64 or an S-61? 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. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS SD3-60 Sherpa Avionics Upgrade, Dave Hershey, Contracting Officer Hopefully it wont be used to often but should the need arise its great to have one right here locally to answer the call. Cell phone gps location, sat phones and ADSB are far more useful. Vendors reserve the right to refuse service to the customer that is rude, arrogant and disrespectful. Type IIs? Try to pass on the cost of newer more expensive equipment in less than 10 years than the operators fails on the LPTA front. Firewatch Cobra (Bell 209/AH-1) Aerial Supervision Helicopter. Cradlepoint, Inc. (Data Communications Products & Services) PADD20210466. At least two CL-415s were removed from USFS contracts and placed on a state contract this year too. Such costs could be spread out over the period of the contract. Bill would rather not take his private industry advertisers $$$, but he should and needs to get paid for the hard work he puts in and he knows you Government boys cant/wont pay him to tell the truth. hb``e``c```Y PAY the vendor to include the STCs, FAA 337s, time the office folks have to catch up on the logbooksOnce again the Agency simply does not know what it takes to run a fleet of helicopters at the vendor level. They can be fitted with tanks or buckets to deliver water and fire retardant to the fireline. I can see daily availability rates sky rocketing, which it sounds like is expected. The FS will still have the 28 exclusive use Type 1 ships; the additional 20 will serve a mandatory availability period of 120 days, with a possible option for another 30 if the FS determines a need. Anyone else seeing a trend, that they like to spend money on the most expensive piece of equipment they can find, including fixed wings. We live near Custer S.D. So do we get balanced journalism here. do you wear briefs under boxers; jackson jeffcoat salary; associate director, regulatory affairs salary merck; dodane: 23.06.2022 00:13:52 usfs type 1 helicopter contracts 2021 Today the U.S. Forest Service announced the contract awards for 48 Type 1 helicopters. Air resources were cancelled at the Forest level, isnt that correct? Air Tanker 163, an RJ 85, at Rapid City December 12, 2017. The December 13 update did not mention CWN helicopters, so we asked USFS Fire Communications Specialist Stanton Florea about their status. In fact, for the helicopter operators engaged in aerial firefighting, the Type-1s have become the preferred helicopter type, as they transition away from aging, smaller Type-2 and Type-3 modelsboth types with 9 seats or less, and with respective certified internal gross weights of 7,000 to 14,000 pounds (Type 2), and under 7,000 pounds (Type 3); The Governor's proposed budget for the following fiscal year beginning July 1, 2022 includes exclusive use contract funding over the next three years for 10 Type 1 helicopters, but that. Sawtooth burned in parts of the fire scar. 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 U.S. Forest Service (FS) is expecting to contract for 48 Type 1 helicopters for the 2021 wildfire season. Each bucket has a release valve on the bottom controlled by the helicopter crew. 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. The BOA will be used as noted for both Exclusive Use (EU) and CWN Type 1 contracts in 2022. A series of water drops can enable hand crews to make steady progress on active flanks of the fire. Have a fire aviation news tip? A!ican Elephant. 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. Type 1 are known as Interagency Hotshots Crews (IHC), faster production, highly skilled, extensive training, advanced qualifications, and arduous physical standards. 0) Interagency Aviation Life Support Equipment Guide 2021. Thats what happens when non-aviation people get put it charge of aviation programs. The beauty of a free country. If the income is lower and lower due to LPTA and the job security is year to year with no guarantee, most lenders will tell you to try another bank to mortgage your house. DO NOT listen to your bosses, DO THE RIGHT thing and pull this RFP back and get it rightMILLIONS of U.S. citizens are expecting that you will. Jeffrey McGinley, Associate Branch Chief, Aviation Dr. Dominic Mijele, KWS vet darting an elephant !om a KWS helicopter in Narok, Mara Ecosystem - Charles Ooro, Kenyan Wildlife Service [ BOTTOM ] Plate 43. The administrative bases of the helicopters will be at 48 locations. 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?). Chapter 1 Federal Wildland Fire Management Policy and. National Incident Management Organization (NIMO) Support The agency felt the surge helicopters were necessary to mitigate a possible decrease in the effectiveness or numbers of their ground forces engine and hand crews. Why burn off large amounts of the Superstition Mountains? As a former helitacker I know we were always looking forward to moving to a more modern helicopter fleet. |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 Instead of a quick turn around of a week after the invoice closes- the new payment procedure has us waiting the full 30 days. Thats discouraging as it suggests that the customer really isnt listening and just providing the perception of doing so.your point of just not choosing to submit if an operator doesnt like it is incredibly insensitive and uninformed. The FS would gladly issue multi-year contracts (vs. base year + options). In other locations they would just shrug their shoulders and walk away. The Surge helicopters will be available for a 120-day contract availability period, beginning June 1, 2021 (except for the Santa Fe Surge). Meanwhile, the defense of our Homeland gets cut. 10 0 obj <> endobj I agree the process has become absurd; personnel within federal agencies who develop and oversee aircraft contracts for fire-fighting need significant redirection. The USFS intends to make parent awards Summer/Fall 2022, with task orders being competed/awarded after parent awards. Once we get all of that figured out, turns out that the increase in performance specifications at 7,000 / 30C combined with the added equipment pretty much eliminates legacy ships from meeting performance requirements. Buying a/c is a lot like buying a house. Just curious on what you think would have made the difference as the Initial Attack IC? 0 The partners to the USFS are all moving that direction with their purchases of Firehawks. 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. The Call When Needed (CWN) Parent Contract is a 1 year with 9 option years contract, with Exclusive Use (EU) contracts being bid *through* the parent contract for 1 year with four option years. These standards assign typing designations based on measurable capability and performance criteria. Do you know anything that can replace the current platforms? No. 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 September an article on Fire Aviation about this current presolicitation included an opinion from the vendor of a Type 3 helicopter who requested to remain anonymous in order to avoid retribution from the agency. We all understand that. Melinda Draper, Associate Branch Chief, Logistics, In 2020 the agency started out with 13 on . 6-month Exclusive Use (EU) contract extensions for 34 - Type 2 helicopters with contracts expiring in 2022, utilizing BOAs for remaining EU line items. 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. Sadly, this is just another reason why operators will have to get out of the fire fighting business or send the aircraft to other countries where they will actually be treated like the critical assets that they are. Unmanned Aerial Supervision(UAS) Program, Delphine Arizana, Contract Specialist Its logical that the USFS move to a more modern helicopter fleet. Click here. All crews have a mixture of men and women totaling 18 to 20 crewmembers. NIFC Operations Support With this new one-year contract policy, obtaining those funds could be even more difficult. The Agencys incompetence and self sabotage never fails to amaze. Retrain public information officers and media how Wildland Fire works, And listening to and heeding the counsel of competent IA resources would go a long way to regaining the confidence of their employees and the general public-, I will chew on your inquiry and sleep on itget back later to you. I am curious as to your solution on how to better handle the fire season? Woodbury Fire, I cannot speak to. SD3-60 Sherpas;Avionics; Maintenance The difference is there are very few air tankers compared to helicopters on EU and CWN contracts.