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. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park . 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. Helicopters have a tank of flammable product and a flare and are used to burn down wooded areas in prescribed burning and fire areas. National Maintenance Agreement, Robert Hoffman,Contracting Officer Category 2 is that of aircraft with 6,000 to 12,500 pounds at take-off and having a water carrying capacity of more than 300 gallons. USFS R8-R5 Operating Plan. Welcome to the Nation's Logistical Support Center | National Airtankers, Helicopters, Long-term Retardant Contracts. Several vendors opted for EU contracts with states instead of the USFS. <<0B6C55EEACE9564A8C1EB025C5E90DF9>]>> Comments, questions, and recommendations shall be submitted to the appropriate agency representative assigned to the steward for each resource. The table below shows NWCG minimum performance requirements for structure and, wildland engine resource types. They requested to remain anonymous in order to avoid retribution from the agency. Scurit civile: the Dragons in the early hours of Rostec signed dealership agreements on supplying VRT500 Mi-38: successful test in extreme conditions, Wiking Helikopter Service adds an H145 to its fleet. 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. @RtS1yD &LS,60E0U22U0J7gm:b|gY. USFS R8-R5 Intra-Agency Agreement. Helicopters conducting mission flights shall check-in prior to and immediately after each takeoff/landing, as soon as communications can be established, per the NWCG Standards for Helicopter Operations (PMS 510) Chapter 04, page 30. Basic Ordering Agreements (BOAs) for 28 - Type 1 helicopters having 120-day mandatory availability periods. Large Airtankers (LATs) can deliver from 2,000 to 4,000 gallons of fire retardant to support firefighters on the ground. - R1 Overdue/Missing Aircraft Protocol, DOI Aviation Safety and Mngmnt Plan So do we get balanced journalism here. 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. Office: (208) 387-5279 Mobile: (208) 608-6763, Some Type 1 helicopters can also transport up to 15 personnel to an incident. For operators, the Grail is a contract with the US Forest Service. What will replace a 407 for a Type III ship? "Today is a day of zeros, zero rate of spread, zero flame length, zero probability of ignition and zero fire growth." . PDF 2016 Standard Cost Components Other aircraft can be rigged with a Bambi Bucket but several operators have made the choice to heavily modify their helicopters with internal bunkers and complex release systems. They are all tied to contractors in the business. Oh and theres a reason for the price difference, all the vendors you see with blackhawks have restricted category aircraft. Like I have mentioned before at the Fed level, too much too late. NWCG typing standards enable accurate ordering and acquisition of needed resources in support of nationally interoperable wildland fire operations. There is no cost, and in case you change your mind each email has an unsubscribe button. Initial attack/can be broken up into squads, fireline construction, complex firing operations (backfire). 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? Welcome to the Nation's Logistical Support Center | National . Provide Equipment and Services for Fire Suppression | WA - DNR Vendors do not drive the requirements the customer does. Theres the rub! Who will buy a 206, 407, etc besides AG guys? Agency Logo. 0000000716 00000 n 0000010826 00000 n In reality the CWN is the same, many times EU ships roll into a day by day CWN extension of their EU contract after the mandatory availability period is over if there are still fires. 30 0 obj <>stream But only when they decide, of course! Columbia has been focusing a lot of their efforts to Afghanistan and other overseas over the last decade. Smokejumper Aircraft Bill do you have access to USFS decision makers? You have to love the obvious FS sycophants on here making contemptuous, defensive and specious arguments. These CWN have a number of day to end of termination clause. 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. Each bucket has a release valve on the bottom controlled by the helicopter crew. If a vendor doesnt like the requirements, they can choose not to submit a proposal. 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 Forest Service also has helicopters on Call When Needed contracts, on the hope that they will be available when the phone rings. That means NO helitack, NO rappelers, ONLY flight crew and bucket work. Cooperative Agreements - National Interagency Fire Center Aircraft Engineering Services 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. TheNWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typingis jointly developed and maintained bythe following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) committees and their subgroups: While they may contain current or useful information, previous versions are obsolete. 9-Mar-2021 Source: Fire Aviation. Category 3 includes the lightest helicopters with the lowest payload. Each year, DNR works ahead of the fire season to improve its access to professional equipment and services for fire suppression. The Cal Fire owns a fleet of UH-1 Huey, rigged with Bambis or HBE Simplex Kits, depending on the geographic areas they must cover. Given the current climate of helicopter contracts there will be more people getting out of helicopters than getting into them. 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. So do we get balanced journalism here. Large, heavy-lift helicopters can fill their water tanks with a snorkel that siphons water from lakes, rivers, or other sources. 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. Aye, Laddie. See what happens when the arrogant customer has no place shop! Incident Procurement Modernization Team Member. To request access to this page, submit request to, Forest Service Acquisition Management Incident Procurement, Solicitations on Federal Business Opportunities, Flight Rate Charts Effective February 16, 2021for contracts awarded 2013-2017, Flight Rate Charts Effective February 16, 2021 for contracts awarded 2018-2021, Crews Type 2 IA, Standard Form 1449, 2022 Summary, National Type 2-IA Crew COR Designation Letter, National Type 2-IA Crew Performance Evaluation, Type 2 Crew Generic Agreement 1202SC21Q0001, 2020 COVID-19 Modification for Mobile Shower Facilities, Mobile Shower Performance Evaluation Form, 2020 COVID-19 Modification for Mobile Food Services, Retardant Contractor Performance Evaluation Form, Retardant Contracts COR Designation Letters, National Mobile Shower COR Designation Letter, National Long Term Fire Retardant Contract. 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!! Courtesy Photo/USFS. 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? Your last sentence in 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? We can only hope the upcoming DOI on-call helicopter RFP due out later this year isnt so crazy. Avian Aviation Biologist. Office: (208) 387-5609 Mobile: (208) 616-5550 Base model costs 50k where does the rest go??? Mulcher / Masticator - Boom Mounted Checklist, U.S. Forest Service, Contracting to Air Missions (NOTAMS), Para With the twin engine requirement would a K-Max also be DQd? 527 0 obj <> endobj On the other hand when your not spending your own money you can afford an almost $25 million firehawk. Application of gel, foam or retardant? Buying a/c is a lot like buying a house. Video of two Type 1 helicopters reloading with retardant, 41 Companies on $1B Forest Service Helicopter Support Contract, Updates on Nob Fire and WatchDuty is looking for help, North Carolina: Great Lakes Fire burning in footprint of 2012 fire. 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. SD3-60 Sherpas;Avionics; Maintenance Note:Certain aircraft are specialized and will not fit this classification. approved helmets for helicopter use as note to emphasize., 9; Helicopter, add table . PDF CWN Helicopter Procurement Comparison Office: (208) 387-5670 Mobile: (208) 616-5547 Rotating wing aircraft have a special place in the fire-fighting system. They can typically carry 700 gallons of water or retardant via a bucket or a snorkel that fills an internal tank. 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. National Interagency Aviation Committee Publication Library, BLM A Department of Defense liaison was added as a permanent partner at NIFC in 2008. Call-When-Needed (CWN) Large Jet Transport, Matthew Olson,Contracting Officer 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. National Call-When-NeededHelicopters (Large Fire Support/Initial Attack)Flight Rate Charts Effective February 16, 2021for contracts awarded 2013-2017Flight Rate Charts Effective February 16, 2021 for contracts awarded 2018-2021Region 5 Aviation Office: (208) 387-5231 Mobile: (208) 991-7639, Larry Robillard,Contracting Officer Region 6 Cache Freight Services Southern Area Master Interagency Agreement. PDF National Geographic Area Coordination Center Website Portal Setting the forest on fire on purpose | AspenTimes.com Yes, the customer is the FS. Although Type 3 helicopters are smaller, they have a higher cruise speed than a typical Type 2 helicopter and can arrive on the scene of an initial attack wildfire faster. PDF STATE OF OREGON - DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY Helicopter Rental Rates Modular AirborneFirefighting System (MAFFS) Mechanics We all understand that. All senior leadership, including Squad Leaders and higher must be able to read and interpret the language of the crew as well as English. Enter your email address to subscribe and receive notifications of new posts by email. T able 2- LAT and . One vendor said new requirements could reduce the number of helicopters on contract. The so-called exclusive contracts make it possible to reserve the contracted aircraft for the USFS missions for the duration of the fire seasons. Website Coordinator Branch: Air . Click here. Office: (208) 387-5682 Mobile: (208) 407-6003, Andrea Marks-Cash, Contract Specialist Aviation Management, USDA Very Large Airtankers (VLAT)are capable of delivering over 8,000 gallons of fire retardant to support firefighters on the ground. The Incident Command System (ICS) uses this system based on the equipment capability. Light Operational Loads Monitoring Systems (OLMS) A 212 is a twin, performs better than a 412 is all aspects but is a little older and only has two blades. 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. The difference is there are very few air tankers compared to helicopters on EU and CWN contracts. Faintly, what are the advertisement you see posted on this site? There just isnt enough. Where the CWN is available cost per a number of days, or per day, and the flight rate as shown on the Hopps meter. Helicopters with buckets can pull water from water sources that are deep enough for the buckets. Ordering instructions contained within each contract or agreement should be followed. Contracts & Agreements | IBC Customer Central The FS is certainly aware of Mr. Gabbert who has reached out to public affairs folks within the agency on numerous occasions. 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. Steve Peterson, Contracting Officer 10 21 PRINT NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200, NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200, M-581, Fire Program Management Course Steering Committee, M-582, AA Advanced Wildland Fire Course Steering Committee, Committee Roles and Membership Information, Course Steering Committee Guidance & Templates, International Association of Fire Chiefs Roster, National Association of State Foresters Roster, Alternative Pathways to NWCG Qualification, Incident Performance Training Modernization (IPTM), Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program, NWCG Data Standard: Fire Resource Kind, Category, and Type, Incident and Position StandardsCommittee, Standards forInteragency Hotshot Crew Operations, Retardant or water-carrying capability (gal), Maximum gross takeoff and landing weight (lb). w/ R1 Supplements, Notice Office: (208) 616-5548 Mobile: (208) 616- 5548, Training Centers Support (Main Contact) The cheapest camera we could find is $10,000. Little to no way to sock away money for these required upgrades to bid on the contract. Rotating blades are also present and again play a discrete but essential role where their natural qualities are exploited at best. Call-When-Needed (CWN) Amphibious Water Scooper Aircraft Incident Awareness and Assessment (IAA) DOI PROGRAM - ACQUISITION SERVICES. Us | Site If as you suggest they can choose to not submit a proposal then two things are going to happen: 1) that aircraft will not be part of the AFF fleet next year and 2) you will have less a/c in the future b/c of it. Incident Contacts . National Exclusive Use SEAT SOP, Implementation 0000005493 00000 n There is a question and answer phase that allows anyone to submit questions and the answers will be posted on the SAM site. Office: (208) 387-5695 Mobile: (208) 860-7334 Note, however, that the civil versions of the bi-rotor, Boeing Vertol 234, have been flying against fire, sometimes within the same companies, for many years, with close performances and operational costs equivalent to the AirCrane, ($ 24,000 / day + $ 7394 per flight hour for a CH-47D, $ 22,150 / day + $ 7,776 / per flight hour for a CH-54B, 2016 rate). Office: (208) 387-5665 Mobile: (208) 616-5549, NIFC Operations Support Some helitack crews are trained to rappel from helicopters to fires in remote locations. Most smokejumpers work from late spring through early fall. PDF Interagency Aviation Life Support Equipment Category 3 includes helicopters capable of lifting more than 700 gallons of water or retardant. The Huey will soon give way to the S-70 FireHawk, a model close to the aircraft operated in the Los Angeles County Fire Department, which will be a clear progression of air assets for the state of California. Aircraft Maintenance Contracts, Regions 1,5,6 Staffing Report, NIROPS Why are only Types III and II legacy helicopters being phased out? Bill has been at this for a long time and has always been a fair arbiter of the facts. Type 3 Helicopters Although Type 3 helicopters are smaller, they have a higher cruise speed than a typical Type 2 helicopter and can arrive on the scene of an initial attack wildfire faster. Other candidates would be the 412, and the other twin engine mediums on the market from AW and Airbus/Eurocopter. You must be USFS this sounds exactly like the Q&A session Language will remain as written. Disclaimer | Contact NRCC >>> Logistics / Dispatch >> Aviation A minimum of 100 gallons of extinguishing products, water or retardant, must be able to be conveyed by these machines. For several years now, the AirCrane are clearly competing with the massive arrival of CH-47D obtained by some companies on top of the US forces. I am concerned that it will reduce resources in a way that will harm the communitys we generally get to help. 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. All types shall meet federal, state and agency requirements for motor vehicle safety standards, including all gross vehicle weight ratings when fully loaded. Personnel shall meet the qualification requirements of. And they are cheap azzs that wont pay much for anything. This amounts to budget dollars that would have to be tied to each individual contract and could not be utilized anywhere else. ). Oh, and dont glance over the cockpit camera, which they want even on restricted category bucket ships. 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. They never seem to be logical ! Those who can manage might do fineor they might just get tossed out with the bathwater.. They are capable of carrying four to five firefighters at a time, and use a 180 gallon water bucket. Vendors reserve the right to refuse service to the customer that is rude, arrogant and disrespectful. %%EOF GPS Visualizer - Convert Coordinates. These standards assign typing designations based on measurable capability and performance criteria. Single Engine Airtankers (SEATs), Helicopters, Fixed Wing. Must be annually certified by the local host unit agency administrator or designee prior to being made available for assignment. trailer The only modern type III helicopter we can find that meets the requirement is $6.4m which is triple the value of our 5 type III helicopter fleet (and we own a Type III light twin, its just too old for the Forest Services liking). AMS - Aviation Management System (AMD-23E) 2016 Fire Suppression Order Numbers. See Full Story. Look at the LATs this year. Basic firefighter training and/or annual firelinesafety refresher prior to assignment, Arrives with: Crew first aid kit, personal first aid kit, headlamp, 1-qt canteen, web gear, sleeping bag. The FS doesnt seem to trust the input from the industry on this, so maybe the FS should ask the people who provide the mortgage? 34 Type 2 helicopters awarded contracts - Fire Aviation The Robinson Helicopter Operating Cost Calculator 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. Helicopter Rental Rates Helicopter Rental Rates 2023.docx/Jaz F (Prot) Page 1 February 2023 Operator Information Company Name: Address: Day Phone #: Taxpayer Identification #: . Helicopters also deliver firefighting crews called helitack crews to fires for initial attack. They are usually contracted for 5 years. Home | About Why arent fixed wing on CWN awarded a offered daily minimum? I also think your comments are short sighted on Bills pandering to industry. TheNWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typingestablishes minimum typing standards for aircraft, crews, and equipment for national mobilization to wildland fire incidents. 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. 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. Region 6 Cache Freight Services, Bryce Pitchford,Contracting Officer We dont fly in 58Ts (which I saw on exclusive use contract as an unrestricted as late at 2006) Llamas, etc. For heavyweights, we know that the KMax may have ventral kits but the general opinion is that the aircraft is much more stable and secure with a Bambi Bucket under a long-line and it is in this configuration that it is mainly used against fires. Contact Us: NWCG Comments & Questions | USA.GOV | Notices | Accessibility | Copyrights | Linking Policy | Records Management | FAQs. What do you do with an expensive asset like a helo when youre only customer suggests to just not submit? The National Interagency Fire Center is committed to making its information and communication technologies accessible to individuals with disabilities by meeting or exceeding the requirements of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. Todd more well informed insight here. 2. Things like long term stability, Banking considerations and finance never enter into the Governments equation. 5765 West Broadway, Missoula, Montana 59808-9361, Automated We really love being on Team USFS. Certainly valid concerns regarding the quantity of helicopters to transition and timeline. CWN rotor craft normally have a daily rate and a flight rate. All perpetuated by the Gov. 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! Buying a/c is a lot like buying a house. They can transport up to nine firefighters at one time. For point-to-point flights, AFF flight following may be used as well. On May 9 the agency released a list of 14 helicopters for the >1,600 tier. You FS boys need to stop trying to blame the messenger and take the feedback from industry to heart. Typos or errors, report them HERE. So this all begs a question how do we bridge the gap here? For aircraft in the first two categories, fire-fighting equipment consists of efficient and versatile ventral kits . I also assume that the CO just channeled the PM and HSs needs for the program. Nobody should bid, then when everything is on fire and the USFS comes begging then youd have some leverage on them. . The banker looks at your household income and job stability. Federal wildland firefighters say they're burned out after years of low Forest Service Aviation Management. They claim that 2 times throughout the 1/9 year parent contract, they will allow onboarding of new vendors/equipment. 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. 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? Access to the U.S. Forest Service Contracting, Incident Support Branch, DOI SharePoint Page must be granted individually. Working together, these partners provide . Sucks that theyre limiting their choices on the RFP. Thank you. Additional current information can be accessed on the Interagency Fire UAS Operations website. I remember seeing N1168U on the LP & Southern Sierras in the 80s!