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. 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. Thank you. The cheapest camera we could find is $10,000. does this mean that this program,or whatever it is simply failed? Office: (208) 387-5350Mobile: (208) 258-1450, Tessa Bach, Contract Coordinator Click here. The administrative bases of the helicopters will be at 48 locations. Its logical that the USFS move to a more modern helicopter fleet. The what, why and where of this story seems like it warrants additional reporting. Fire camp infrastructureand Incident Command Post (ICP) is a location at which primary command functions are executed. On the other hand it seems in our world it is more important that Im not happy until youre not happy seems to rule. They claim that 2 times throughout the 1/9 year parent contract, they will allow onboarding of new vendors/equipment. 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. 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?). I would be interested to see more reporting on why the USFS is making this transition now and how they made the decisions. Buying a/c is a lot like buying a house. Just need to add, Mama told me the customer is always right. while simultaneously saying that they fully intend on moving to modern helicopters that are built after the year 2000 and are all twin engine. Office: (208) 387-5610 Mobile: (208) 867-5073, Tonya Campbell,Contracting Officer 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); Like in 2020, this solicitation has the unusual provision of limiting the 20 surge contracts to the participants of the existing Forest Service Type 1 Basic Ordering Agreement. 4. BTW, does anyone flying on fires really need an ELT if they have ADSB? What light twin replaces a 407? A lock ( Getting older with health concerns doing my best to stay on top of current events has not been a smooth path. We cant go to the bank with a one-year contract to finance airplanes. A!ican Elephant. Office: (208) 387-5272 Mobile: (208) 616-5546 The U.S. Forest Service has 18 large air tankers on exclusive use (EU) contracts this year. usfs type 1 helicopter contracts 2021. HmmmThey say its for aggressive initial attack but we know that has not been working out, (e.g. The partners to the USFS are all moving that direction with their purchases of Firehawks. https://www.kelly.senate.gov/, I think many of us do understand the contracting world and the pages put out by the head shed. 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. 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! Over and again these career bureaucrats prove their aggressive pursuit of continued failure and abject ineptitude. DB109437 Archie: Volume 1. Continual outflanking of the crews. 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. Your last sentence is the the nail in the coffin.seeing as that this contract will be LPTA and a year to year option, how do you finance a new a/c that will surely be $2-$4M on the low end? Office: (208) 387-5231 Mobile: (208) 991-7639, Larry Robillard,Contracting Officer Aircraft Type: DC-10. Lots more. All the experienced aviation folks leading the latest helo RFP need to know that what youre proposing will lead to less a/c and more accidents/deaths. National Interagency Fire Center helicopter services hourly flight rates, fuel consumption, and weight reduction chart effective february 16, 2019 for contracts awarded 2018-2021 (cwn/exclusive use) Most smokejumpers work from late spring through early fall. Aircraft types: P2V, HC-130H, BAe-146, MD-87, C-130Q, RJ85, C-130 H & J equipped with Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems (MAFFS). . They will tell you they have their smerfs.SMEs ( who typically are cradle to grave beuracrats as well), who are supposedly dialed in on the subject matter surerightlmao Who will buy a 206, 407, etc besides AG guys? Here is the full text from the December 13 update: The intent of the USFS for acquiring helicopter services for 2022 is as follows: 1. Video of two Type 1 helicopters reloading with retardant, Lockheed looks ahead to advancing capability in wildland firefighting, Aerial Firefighters Association to promote safety, standards, innovation, Coulson tanker down in Western Australia, pilots okay, Helicopter crash kills 2 in Chilean fires. SD3-60 Sherpas;Avionics; Maintenance 3833 S. Development Avenue The companies willing to make adjustments will do just that and end up with contracts. hbbd``b`~@q3`~$X@ "7 0%Hd) 7 a&(F? The schedule calls for most of them to begin in April and May. There is no cost, and in case you change your mind each email has an unsubscribe button. I will say this Little to no way to sock away money for these required upgrades to bid on the contract. 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. They never seem to be logical ! 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. Typos, let us know, and please keep in mind the commenting ground rules before you post a comment. 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. usfs type 1 helicopter contracts 2021. by | Jun 10, 2022 | flores para iglesia matrimonio | poway high school bell schedule 2021 | Jun 10, 2022 | flores para iglesia matrimonio | poway high school bell schedule 2021 These are the largest helicopters used for fighting wildland fires in the United States and can carry between 700 and 3,000 gallons of water. U.S. Forest Service employees (Forest Service Internal Link), U.S. Department of Interior (DOI Internal Link). Provides support to both the Aviation and Logistics Branch Chiefs Putting more aircraft (fixed and rotor) in the air and cutting corners on Aerial Supervision is a bad, bad recipe. 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) Imagine that. In 2016 the FS hired 34 Type 1 helicopters but starting in 2017 reduced the number to 28. Dr. Dominic Mijele, KWS vet darting an elephant !om a KWS helicopter in Narok, Mara Ecosystem - Charles Ooro, Kenyan Wildlife Service [ BOTTOM ] Plate 43. Todd thanks for chiming in. I can see being a little conservative with air tankers because most have to jettison their load if not used. Great response, fellas. Oh and theres a reason for the price difference, all the vendors you see with blackhawks have restricted category aircraft. Thanks and a tip of the hat go out to Brian. This document provides errata to the 2022 Red Book. But you better pay for it, USFS says! There is no cost, and in case you change your mind each email has an unsubscribe button. 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. The FS is certainly aware of Mr. Gabbert who has reached out to public affairs folks within the agency on numerous occasions. Well, maybe in some locations. Refer to the NRCG Incident Business Management . endstream endobj 11 0 obj <> endobj 12 0 obj <> endobj 13 0 obj <>stream sparked by a US Forest Service prescribed burn is the state's largest wildfire. agency that, more and more, is becoming its own worst enemy, as well as ours! 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. I also think your comments are short sighted on Bills pandering to industry. 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 safely operable? Vendors reserve the right to refuse service to the customer that is rude, arrogant and disrespectful. So this all begs a question maybe how do we bridge the gap here? A quick peruse through that Q&A shows that dozens of operators really gasped when this RFP came out. I believe the FS had about 6-9 nationally funded HLCO platforms in order to provide aerial supervision to these surge aircraft but this year? A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Thanks and a tip of the hat go out to Brian. What year was this pic taken?? Senator Mark Kelly may be interested in hearing comments about FS & DOI aircraft contracting: USFS Aviation Safety Center FAA Safety Program(SPANS) FAA Risk Management Handbook Aviation Mishap Response Guide(2021) Unmanned Aircraft Systems Agency Guides/Manuals BLM Aviation Library USFS Aviation Library Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations EIS Aerial Retardant Application Information Aerial Application of Fire Retardant Air Navigation Rest assured the FS are aware of the concerns from industry, but everyone needs to realize that the FS is the customer. I am concerned that it will reduce resources in a way that will harm the communitys we generally get to help. You FS boys need to stop trying to blame the messenger and take the feedback from industry to heart. I think you answered your own question with why are they only replacing type II and III legacy platforms and not type I? It doesnt matter what we say if we dont pay the price , the US Forest service only go and hire the Canadians to do our job. 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 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. usfs type 1 helicopter contracts 2021 . Enter your email address to subscribe and receive notifications of new posts by email. An official website of the United States government. He replied: The existing Call When Needed (CWN) Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) will be utilized for both Type 1 and Type 2 CWN helicopters. 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. Through the use of Preseason Agreements and by partnering with the U.S. Forest Service Region 6 Fire Aviation Contracting Team (FACT), through VIPR contracts, DNR is able to pull in outside resources quickly if needed. 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!) Carson said the hell with the USFS, more money servicing the war machine in Afghanistan. I also assume that the CO just channeled the PM and HSs needs for the program. This draft RFP 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. 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. What a crock of crap! What happens when they implement it towards Type Is? Office: (208) 387-5627 Mobile: (208) 985 6266 That means NO helitack, NO rappelers, ONLY flight crew and bucket work. 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. 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. Office: (208) 387-5695 Mobile: (208) 860-7334 Oh, and dont glance over the cockpit camera, which they want even on restricted category bucket ships. Examples include an ax or pulaski, tire chains, 5-person first aid kit, and rollover protection. Basic Ordering Agreements (BOAs) for 28 - Type 1 helicopters having 120-day mandatory availability periods. 0) Interagency Aviation Life Support Equipment Guide 2021. %%EOF The U.S. Forest Service (FS) is expecting to contract for 48 Type 1 helicopters for the 2021 wildfire season. It has been lightly edited. Buying a/c is a lot like buying a house. A series of water drops can enable hand crews to make steady progress on active flanks of the fire. The Q&A period is a nicety, but rarely ever provides valuable responses to industry. Sounds like a great schedule to buy a next gen helicopter. Region 6 Cache Freight Services 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. Aviation Safety. 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. 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. 5 more pack tests and Im done. Thats what happens when non-aviation people get put it charge of aviation programs. We have gone a few years in the past 10 where we had zero USFS work at all based on fire behavior but they want their random equipment to be installed on our dime. Too busy feathering their own nests and grade-hopping they couldnt care less about the program at large. Just more bureaucratic nonsense,and incompetence form the USFS. Todd more well informed insight here. The banker looks at your household income and job stability. Just curious on what you think would have made the difference as the Initial Attack IC? 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. One has to write to the audience who butters their bread!. 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. Official websites use .gov 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. The single vs twin vs safety argument doesnt have a clear winner unless youre talking about CAT A capable aircraft. I will agree to have a different look at the Fires. Modular AirborneFirefighting System (MAFFS) Mechanics & _d0E]e%j6;L*>{c/}*l!nxOV3--kS~4AUI~i,:(-D6+8'd&+'Xucj=e r%9qCz'lEf}\5{%r |G~]~&Bg1">8_=567s~ 8+u5#1b& +2 Here is what they wrote. Well, maybe in some locations. Given the current climate of helicopter contracts there will be more people getting out of helicopters than getting into them. 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. Typos, let us know, and please keep in mind the commenting ground rules before you post a comment. Smaller helicopters carry water in buckets that hold between 100-400 gallons of water. Aircraft Maintenance Contracts, Regions 1,5,6 No wonder there is absolutely no concern about the financial impact of this proposal. So wed be glad to discuss more about air tankers. swift wart treatment reviews; airport police salary philippines; queen victoria 60th year commemorative medal; cutler anderson architects. That is by far the highest percentage of UTFs in the last 18 years. Say goodbye to the 205 and 212, its brand new 412EPXs or nothing. Time to take care of my health morehave my brain ss procedure soon. (Originally published at 5:34 p.m. MT February 8, 2018). Unmanned Aerial Supervision(UAS) Program, Delphine Arizana, Contract Specialist 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. Its driving us away from government work and Im truly worried about the availability of rotor assets next year if they end up going through with this wish list RFP. Aviation Guides/Publications. usfs type 1 helicopter contracts 2021what core aesthetic are you uquizwhat core aesthetic are you uquiz Helicopters cost pennies in comparison if you need to cancel them (or nothing if they dont even get off the ground!). . And just a side note, the CO in charge of the solicitation has pointed out these things that are unrealistic but gets told to shut up and color from the mucky mucks in DCso please stop blaming Contracting and if you dont have a clue about contracting it maybe you should take some time to learn a little about contracting. They are all tied to contractors in the business. Have a fire aviation news tip? 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. Without a federal contract, we cant get carded and without cards, we cant work for the state. Call-When-Needed (CWN) Large Jet Transport, Matthew Olson,Contracting Officer Fire managers recognized the value of helicopters to rapidly transport personnel and cargo to a fire, especially in remote locations. Id guess many of them follow your websites, but if not and you have access to them, it would be good to alert them to the commentary here on this pageif anyone else feels strongly negative about this, chime in!! CHAPTER 50 AIRCRAFT . 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. Click here. 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! A nod to newer technology. Maybe they could have figured out a better transition, maybe not. Like in 2020, this solicitation has the unusual provision of limiting the 20 surge contracts to the participants of the existing Forest Service Type 1 Basic Ordering Agreement. In 2018 when the Forest Service began issuing one-year contracts for air tankers we wrote: Few if any vendors can simply write a check to purchase and convert an air tanker, so they have to convince a lender to give them large sums of money usually even before they have a contract with the USFS. Things like long term stability, Banking considerations and finance never enter into the Governments equation. The USFS did not get the number of LATs they assumed they would, I know it shocked them. Anyone else seeing a trend, that they like to spend money on the most expensive piece of equipment they can find, including fixed wings. 2. Look at the LATs this year. I agree, to me aggressive initial attack means sending aircraft during initial response, but thats not happening anywhere except CA, that I know of. Click here. You want a loud hailer, fork it over. Why are only Types III and II legacy helicopters being phased out? The FS is a sinking ship by every measurable metric and the aircraft contracting department is clearly no exception. The agreements and contracts you are about to view have been established for government aviation users whose agencies have formal agreements with DOI, Interior Business Center, Acquisitions Services Directorate (AQD) and are authorized to order services from those agreements and contracts. Bill is pandering to advertisers and we here at FS have so much knowledge we cant be wrong. Heat Wave DB109505 12 hours 52 minutes by TJ Klune read by Michael Lesley . Local Small Business Specialist 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. They requested to remain anonymous in order to avoid retribution from the agency. Office: (208) 387-5609 Mobile: (208) 616-5550 You must be USFS this sounds exactly like the Q&A session Language will remain as written. National Maintenance Agreement, Robert Hoffman,Contracting Officer NICC is the sole source for large transport aircraft holding 14 CFR Part 121 Certificates and for Type 1 and 2 Call-When-Needed (CWN) Helicopters. In 2020 the agency started out with 13 on . Modular AirborneFirefighting System (MAFFS) Mechanics Calfire is seeing right now how much NOT an upgrade they really are and how they are just too big for some things. Does anyone smell a red herring or see a strawman waving his arms? These contracts require continuous availability throughout the mandatory availability period, which can be 180 days or more.
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