W -- Leasing Leadplanes

The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) has a need to dry lease up to 10 airplanes of various types to be evaluated on the aircrafts suitability to be used on wildland fire missions. The aircraft shall be made available for the year-around exclusive use by the Government and flown by U.S Forest Service Pilots. The aircraft will be evaluated on ability to perform low level leadplane, air attack and high altitude infrared missions. The Government shall provide fuel and pilots. The performance-based contracts shall be available for use by the USDA-Forest Service and other cooperating Federal and State Agencies. The Government anticipates awarding multiple combination fixed-price and labor-hour contracts, each with a Base Period and two Option Periods to extend services for a maximum three-year lease. However, the Government intends to exercise options only for the length of time needed to evaluate the aircraft suitability for the mission and the suitable aircraft is identified. Depending on the time needed, options may or may not be exercised or contracts may be extended on a monthly or semi-annual basis, rather than an annual basis. It is anticipated that 1 to 10 contracts may be awarded. The Government does not intend to use Part 12 procedures for the acquisition.