U.S. government seeks businesses interested in supporting fixed-wing aviation in Antarctica and Arctic

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Interior is requesting companies to reach out as it conducts market research to identify parties having an interest in and the resources to support technology-heavy fixed-wing flights in Antarctica.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) requests support of the research activities of the United States Antarctic Program (USAP), and NSF's Arctic Program. The primary role for the aircraft in both theaters of operation will be for utility transportation services, ferrying personnel and materials to remote, often unprepared, field locations.

Periodically, at least one of the aircraft will be configured with a downward-looking port, wing hard-points and in-wing cable raceways to allow the aircraft to be used for remote sensing activities to include aero geophysical surveys, aerial photography, light detection and ranging (LIDAR) and remote digital mapping, and the operation of ice-penetrating radar systems.

The contractor will be required to modify contract aircraft to meet the needs of the program. Modifications will be requested at various levels from simple modifications to major modifications. The government is contemplating a 5- or 10-year, firm fixed price IDIQ for four light and two medium aircraft.

Interested parties who consider themselves qualified to perform the services are invited to submit a response no later than 8 March 2022, 10:00 a.m., Eastern. All responses under this Sources Sought Notice must be emailed to Paula Teague [email protected]. For more information on this solicitation, please visit https://sam.gov/opp/8cc4df313c294cfe9aeed78b5d809d64/view.