6-month Exclusive Use (EU) contract extensions for 34 Type 2 helicopters with contracts expiring in 2022, utilizing BOAs for remaining EU line items. >> EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS. Contracts announced for five additional air tankers NWCG Standards for Fire. . The obvious answer is same thing the US Military replaced the Hueys with, the Blackhawk. So given that the PM and the HS are both aviation folks, this means that they have certain goals that they are trying to achieve given the shape that the Solicitation is taking. Click here. Federal Contract Opportunity for National Exclusive-Use Type 1 and Type 2 Helicopter Modernization SN-2021-01 . Publications are distributed through hard copy print, web pages, mobile device applications, and other digital media. The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing establishes minimum typing standards for aircraft, crews, and equipment for national mobilization to wildland fire incidents. a request arrives from the US Forest Service to locate a missing range tech and his unit last reported headed for nearby Stinkin' Springs, and the brutal murder of Constance Suarez in the . I am curious as to your solution on how to better handle the fire season? Woodbury Fire, I cannot speak to. The single vs twin vs safety argument doesnt have a clear winner unless youre talking about CAT A capable aircraft. Carson said the hell with the USFS, more money servicing the war machine in Afghanistan. Base model costs 50k where does the rest go??? But you better pay for it, USFS says! Have a fire aviation news tip? 3833 S. Development Avenue Time to take care of my health morehave my brain ss procedure soon. Most smokejumpers work from late spring through early fall. Cooperator aircraft (State contracted, State owned, State managed National Guard aircraft, Yes, the customer is the FS. Why burn off large amounts of the Superstition Mountains? Does anyone smell a red herring or see a strawman waving his arms? Aviation Support | IBC Customer Central usfs type 1 helicopter contracts 2021 . Yes, the customer is the FS. Im waiting for airbags..oh no, wait, they have an explosive charge generator so youll need the whole hazmat approval, and track the squib date to have that particular safety device. What a crock of crap! 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. Type 1 helicopter Archives - Fire Aviation We operate Type III helicopters and are now faced with 40lbs+ of equipment (costing over $60k per aircraft) to meet minimum requirements things that we really dont need like a Traffic Avoidance System (but the ADS-B they required last year isnt good enough) and a loudspeaker (because yelling at the fire helps?). What do you do with an expensive asset like a helo when youre only customer suggests to just not submit? USFS reduces the number of helicopters on national contracts The fleet remained at that level until the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020 when they added an additional 22 ships for a total of 50. hbbd``b`~@q3`~$X@ "7 0%Hd) 7 a&(F? This change will be a double edged sword..as operators cannot meet requirements or afford changes they will shut their doors and then already limited resources will be permanently removed for fire. 2023 us forest service airtankers - schedule of items (mar 1, 2023) next generation airtankers 2.0 Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Such costs could be spread out over the period of the contract. Faintly, what are the advertisement you see posted on this site? 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? Pratt & Whitney Engine Maintenance. 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? USFS Aviation Safety Management System. Phone: (208) 387-5670 Have you sir watched or measured the burn scars to see how many miles apart the fires were on the Bush or any of the fires from last Seasonyou will find the distance between the fire on the ground quite interesting that using the word escape would fail to be a suitable word for the Bush Fire or other fires. Todd more well informed insight here. _A KWS ranger learning to identify individual elephants. LockA locked padlock You have to love the obvious FS sycophants on here making contemptuous, defensive and specious arguments. In addition to just a one year guarantee, there were new requirements for equipment to be added to the aircraft requiring significant additional expenditures for the private companies bidding on the services. Sawtooth burned in parts of the fire scar. 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! They simply never had to deal with these considerations. 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. Basic Ordering Agreements (BOAs) for 28 - Type 1 helicopters having 120-day mandatory availability periods. All Standard and Restricted category Type 1, 2 and 3 helicopter contracts awarded under the USFS Type 1, 2 and 3 2022 Multiple Award Task Order (MATOC) Helicopter Support . 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. On the contractor side, if you want to bid on a contract without those things, fine, lets see how important they really are for the mission by whether the FS still go for the low bid or walk the walk and share the expense of upgrades. Your input allows us to recognize outstanding service and also provides a tool to address areas of industry concern. Very well stated on what most of us are thinking and in the same boat. USFS to contract for 48 Type 1 helicopters this year. Those who can manage might do fineor they might just get tossed out with the bathwater.. The States contracted for Fed approved airtankers so just like we all share resources like engines and shot crews now we can share airtankers too. 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. At least two CL-415s were removed from USFS contracts and placed on a state contract this year too. I also think your comments are short sighted on Bills pandering to industry. In 2016 the FS hired 34 Type 1 helicopters but starting in 2017 reduced the number to 28. 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. Samantha Roberts, Zoological Society of London [ TOP ] Plate 42. 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. 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. National Helicopters (Large Fire Support, Initial Attack, Call-When-Needed) Continual outflanking of the crews. 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. The second highest was 46 percent in 2012. sparked by a US Forest Service prescribed burn is the state's largest wildfire. PDF Welcome to the Nation's Logistical Support Center | National The biggest issue overall is that this contract is a prerequisite for our other federal and state work such as state fire and wildlife survey, etc. usfs type 1 helicopter contracts 2021 - santoba.org Until thenenjoy this fine day. Boise, Idaho 83705-5354 9-Mar-2021 Source: Fire Aviation. They just laugh at us.. Give me a break. Fire.every.last.one.of.them. What type of copters are under contract for Colorado? Im not convinced that either trying to do an abrupt transition is appropriate NOR is standing still while other more modern aircraft are available. 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. 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! The partners to the USFS are all moving that direction with their purchases of Firehawks. Thank you. The fleet remained at that level until the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020 when they added an additional 22 ships for a total of 50. The administrative bases of the helicopters will be at 48 locations. Typos, let us know, and please keep in mind the commenting ground rules before you post a comment. Office: (208) 387-5252 Mobile: (208) 866-0417 Puuuullleeezethe Agency surely has gotten a response. Call-When-Needed (CWN) Large Jet Transport, Matthew Olson,Contracting Officer Not the news we all are hearing. US Forest Service Archives - HeliHub.com When I feel less crappy and can give this the focused attention I will write more. That year the FS also reduced the number of Type 1 helicopters on EU contract from 34 to 28 and cancelled a solicitation for up to seven large air tankers, citing a lack of funding. HmmmThey say its for aggressive initial attack but we know that has not been working out, (e.g. 16, 2020. 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. FAA Temp Tower Agreement - Western Service Area (2019-24) SAFECOMs. These standards assign typing designations based on measurable capability and performance criteria. The FS is a sinking ship by every measurable metric and the aircraft contracting department is clearly no exception. Okay, what is the best way to answer that question of yours *** , How about-Actually allow aggressive initial and extended attack, including effective air support and reasonable and responsible firing operations. Its killing aviators, driving people from the agency and putting our only vendors/partners in impossible positions. It just will. We live near Custer S.D. I would encourage folks to contact their Congressional Representatives (once again) about problems with government contracting for fire-fighting aircraft. Chapter 1 Federal Wildland Fire Management Policy and. HMS8:A[>!Leq`dXfgo$av`w*ldevq7mXm`F,s}PA.?|ZA[7lY7z rCXB:Y;M7\c>]-kFt^j1_>ey)4?haGUEX5M7IW? xt*9b`w,$$B.vc&8Hx.Yjf9N3 |B^gW?.n}tZ8 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. In 2016 the FS hired 34 Type 1 helicopters but starting in 2017 reduced the number to 28. Even if a vendor received a guaranteed five-year contract it can be difficult to establish and implement a long-term business plan that would make sense to their banker and the solvency of the company. dallas cowboys roster 2021 2022; is bodie stroud married; Select Page. National Maintenance Agreement, Robert Hoffman,Contracting Officer And of course, stop lying / omitting to the public and making false, lame excuses with only a grain of truth in their news conferences and news releases. As I indicated, Im very interested in more reporting on this from the customer side of the table, IE the USFS as well as industry. These large helicopters are beloved by wildland firefighters, since they can strategically drop with pinpoint accuracy thousands of gallons of water or retardant while working close air support with ground personnel. A CWN aircraft could be tied up on something else or undergoing heavy maintenance when the phone in the office rings asking if they can respond to a fire. Aerial Supervision Module (ASM) Lead Planes The FS would have had the option at their discretion to extend it further in one year increments, up to 9 years for Call When Needed (CWN) helicopters and up to 4 years for Exclusive Use (EU) ships. Plate 1. Access to these sites is restricted and the information and files provided through these sites is not intended for general disclosure or distribution to anyone other than Authorized Government Representatives and solely for the purpose of facilitating the performance of their Official Duties with respect to their administration of these contracts. U.S. Forest Service employees (Forest Service Internal Link), U.S. Department of Interior (DOI Internal Link). mudslides will come erosion. 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? 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. & _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 They essentially want a Sky Crane to do a Jet Rangers job. NIFC Operations (Photographer/Videographer Services), Chris Kirk,Purchasing Agent 5 more pack tests and Im done. I think the word escape needs to be looked at a little deeperthat is what I do as a housewife hiker. The ultimate goal is to drive out the independent operator entirely so they can justify owning their own fleet. 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? The three-day operation used a helicopter and high powered rifles to take out the cows in a rugged area where federal officials and environmentalists say the animals have been trampling stream banks, damaging habitat for other species and ruining water quality. Access to the U.S. Forest Service Contracting, Incident Support Branch, DOI SharePoint Page must be granted individually. On the other hand when your not spending your own money you can afford an almost $25 million firehawk. The U.S. Forest Service (FS) is expecting to contract for 48 Type 1 helicopters for the 2021 wildfire season. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. We can only hope the upcoming DOI on-call helicopter RFP due out later this year isnt so crazy. I will say this What replaces the 212? National Incident Management Organization (NIMO) Support This would raise the total military budget for the next two years to $1.4 trillion. Office: (208) 387-5682 Mobile: (208) 407-6003, Andrea Marks-Cash, Contract Specialist PDF Home | US Forest Service Just curious on what you think would have made the difference as the Initial Attack IC? If a vendor doesnt like the requirements, they can choose not to submit a proposal. One has to write to the audience who butters their bread! Our suggestion is to prioritize the defense and protection of our citizens, homeland, forests, parks, grasslands, refuges, prairies, and wildlands FIRST, before considering spending trillions on the other side of the world. 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. 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. 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. Thank you. You must be USFS this sounds exactly like the Q&A session Language will remain as written. crosby, tx police . Handcrews | US Forest Service Talking Book Topics March-April 2023 - National Library Service for the Guess what those choppers wont have cockpit cameras or loudspeakers or TAS. We all understand that. Just Helicopters > Articles and News > Community Articles Website Coordinator I say all you vendors simply BOYCOTT the USFS. Air Tanker 163, an RJ 85, at Rapid City December 12, 2017. As a former helitacker I know we were always looking forward to moving to a more modern helicopter fleet. Temp Tower Ordering Guidance - Central Service Area (ND) (2022-2027) Interagency Emergency Helicopter Extraction List. For an operator to be competitive in the LPTA world, you need to amortize the cost of the a/c over 10 years or more. DOI/OAS & Interagency Aviation Bulletins. In 2017 60 percent of the requests were not filled 220 of the 370 that were needed. CHAPTER 50 AIRCRAFT . 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. The December 13 update did not mention CWN helicopters, so we asked USFS Fire Communications Specialist Stanton Florea about their status. Click here. Dont blame industry for adding on BS items like loudspeakersFS wants it? 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. Aviation for Regions 1, 2, & 9, 10 The BOA will be used as noted for both Exclusive Use (EU) and CWN Type 1 contracts in 2022. If you knew just one thing about contracting it may help. Aerial SupervisionModule(Lead Planes) 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. So do we get balanced journalism here. . Helicopters were first used on wildfires in 1947. does this mean that this program,or whatever it is simply failed? 19 wild cows killed in US aerial shooting operation - Helicopters Magazine Welcome to the Nation's Logistical Support Center | National . Dr. Dominic Mijele, KWS vet darting an elephant !om a KWS helicopter in Narok, Mara Ecosystem - Charles Ooro, Kenyan Wildlife Service [ BOTTOM ] Plate 43. Theyre only offering a one-year contract, said Ron Hooper, president of Missoula-based Neptune Aviation. 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. They never seem to be logical ! Hopefully it wont be used to often but should the need arise its great to have one right here locally to answer the call. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Nada! 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. Rest assured the FS are aware of the concerns from industry, but everyone needs to realize that the FS is the customer. 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. 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. If it aint broke, dont try to fix it. Helicopters cost pennies in comparison if you need to cancel them (or nothing if they dont even get off the ground!). So this all begs a question how do we bridge the gap here? Civil, Firefighting, News, US Forest Service There is no cost, and in case you change your mind each email has an unsubscribe button. Type 1 helicopters are the largest, fastest flying and the most expensive helicopters used on wildland fires. Erickson Incorporated announced three new USFS Firefighting contracts for the upcoming 2021 wildfire season. Contracts & Agreements | IBC Customer Central We cant go to the bank with a one-year contract to finance airplanes. The EC135/145 have potential, but at what cost? Heat Wave DB109505 12 hours 52 minutes by TJ Klune read by Michael Lesley . Photo by Bill Gabbert. See what happens when the arrogant customer has no place shop! In my lifetime, I will not see the beauty I once hiked. What can replicate the performance of a UH-1H with a -703 as a bucket bird? The FS contracting office posted more than a dozen versions of the presolicitation between July 7 and December 6. Thanks for giving us a voice. There is a question and answer phase that allows anyone to submit questions and the answers will be posted on the SAM site. Without a federal contract, we cant get carded and without cards, we cant work for the state. At the beginning of the 2017 western fire season there were 20 large and very large air tankers on EU contracts plus two water-scooping air tankers. Erickson Wins Three U.S. Forest Service Contracts for Upcoming Wildfire Basic Equipment Requirements: Each piece of equipment has a minimum required equipment inventory that must be on the equipment at the time of hire. When the helicopter is in position, the crew releases the water to extinguish hot spots. U.S. Forest Service and Interagency Aviation Publications 2. Other helicopters may or may not be procured on a Call When Needed (CWN) contract. Office: (208) 387-5272 Mobile: (208) 616-5546 Typos, let us know, and please keep in mind the commenting ground rules before you post a comment. The USFS intends to make parent awards Summer/Fall 2022, with task orders being competed/awarded after parent awards. Schedule of Equipment Rates | FEMA.gov Wewill award the EU 28 120-day Mandatory Availability Period Type 1 contracts using the CWN BOA to fill the 28 EU line items. Let the folks who have ADSB be exempt from ELT burden. Companies like Construction Helicopters are even putting together S-61 ships and crews for Afghanistan. I do not know of any small operators who can afford to buy new ships, if any are even available. Candidates include the Bell 429, Airbus/Eurocopter H135 or H145 or other light twins on the market. My sympathies lean towards the contractors who despite expending capital, training pilots and mechanics etc. NIFC Janitorial Calfire is seeing right now how much NOT an upgrade they really are and how they are just too big for some things. NRCG Contracting For Fire >> Equipment Requirements 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. National Exclusive Use Helicopters (Large Fire Support/Initial Attack) Maybe the PM, HS and the CO should talk to some a/c financing companies/banks to better understand the reality of upgrading or buying new equipment? Aircraft Purchases: Todd Novinger, Contracting Officer Getting older with health concerns doing my best to stay on top of current events has not been a smooth path. You guys (and gals) should possess enough experience to influence how contracts are conceptualized, and bring some common sense back to the process, Nobody should bid, then when everything is on fire and the USFS comes begging then youd have some leverage on them.. Doing business with the feds is not for the faint of heart. i digress. There are three primary types of firefighting crews, Type 1, Type 2 IA, and Type 2. In each case, only the first year is guaranteed. Here is what they wrote. 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?). Buying a/c is a lot like buying a house. In 2016 the FS hired 34 Type 1 helicopters but starting in 2017 reduced the number to 28. The Incident Support Branch (ISB) at the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) is located in Boise, Idaho. Y63 u3e11iQfkbKT?cx6Yi>#/@ G6 Sounds like a great schedule to buy a next gen helicopter. And CWN aircraft cost the government much more to operate than EU resources. They are versatile fire management tools. It also recommended a total of 35 air tankers by 2018, which included three water-scooping air tankers. The intent of the USFS for acquiring helicopter services for 2022 is as follows: 1. Aviation Safety. NIFC Operations Support 6-month Exclusive Use (EU) contract extensions for 34 - Type 2 helicopters with contracts expiring in 2022, utilizing BOAs for remaining EU line items. A 212 is a twin, performs better than a 412 is all aspects but is a little older and only has two blades. The end result is fewer options for the government, but maybe that is what they want. This document provides errata to the 2022 Red Book. Oh and theres a reason for the price difference, all the vendors you see with blackhawks have restricted category aircraft. Budget Coordinator Call-When-Needed (CWN) Amphibious Water Scooper Aircraft 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. 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. usfs type 1 helicopter contracts 2022 - thepilatescoach.com Click here. BTW, does anyone flying on fires really need an ELT if they have ADSB? Try to pass on the cost of newer, more expensive equipment in less than 10 years, than the operator fails on the LPTA front b/c his day rate will be too high. 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. CONTRACTING FOR FIRE. The reason your seeing all the blackhawk bucket ships is because you can buy a milsurp bird for less than 2$ million and be flying on a fire for less than 5. All perpetuated by the Gov. What do you do with an expensive asset like a helo when youre only customer suggests to just not submit? What happens when they implement it towards Type Is? I may be incorrect in this, but I think the less than excited response from industry is based on them providing questions and input to the PM, HS and CO and getting pretty unsatisfactory responses. Other candidates would be the 412, and the other twin engine mediums on the market from AW and Airbus/Eurocopter. have no assurance they will garner any sort of benefit for their effort. They almost seem to be writing rules to make the use of Firefighting Aircraft, impossible . If you like warm beer, buy a FS refrigerator. 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. 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)