Procurement of Commercial Fixed Wing Services to facilitate Military Parachute Training (MPT) USA

The procurement contact named on the official notice.

The Authority intends to contract for commercial fixed-wing aircraft services to conduct Freefall Military Parachute Training (MPT).

The Authority requires annual periodic access to recognised High Altitude Para (HAP) aircraft, type rated and suitably qualified aircrew, access to parachute equipment and qualified Parachute Jump Instructors combining with military instructors as a hybrid solution.

The service will be Southwest USA based MPT across an altitude range of between 2,500 ft to 20,000 ft Pressure Altitude (PA).

The Authority envisages a five year availability service with three, one-year contract options thereafter.

Quantity or scope: The aircraft type should be a recognised High Altitude Para (HAP) aircraft able to carry a minimum of 12 x parachutists with full kit with the ability to air despatch Freefall parachutists and facilitate an oxygen (O2) capability for HAP.

The contractor will be required to provide suitably qualified personnel to despatch parachutists from the aircraft when UK Military Parachute Jump Instructors (PJIs) are not available.

Parachuting is to be conducted from the aircraft tailgate ramp.

The parachuting platform should be cleared to operate in the USA by day and night from multiple locations within proximity of identified and cleared drop zones and training areas.

The Authority envisages a five year availability service with three, one-year contract options thereafter.

The service is forecast to commence from Summer 2024 with the contractor meeting US FAA regulations as appropriate, and providing a MPT platform with type rated aircrew, engineers, and fire & crash cover able to maintain and sustain the operation.

An initial Aircraft Flying Time of 300hrs per year (with a surge capability if required by the Authority) is anticipated via 3 x operating windows of 2/3 weeks each, currently forecast for July and January with a flexi-window.

Note the Estimated Value of Requirement is inclusive of option years.

A Cyber Risk Assessment has been conducted for this requirement to ascertain the level of Cyber Risk present.

The result of the assessment is that a Cyber Risk level of ‘Very Low’ exists and therefore successful respondents invited to the ITT will need to hold a Cyber Essentials Plus certificate and undertake a Cyber Risk Assessment on their proposed supply chain.

Respondents can verify their readiness to comply with opportunities bearing this Cyber Risk Level by completing a Cyber Risk Assessment using RAR Code: 334690451.

Prospective contractors are required to hold Quality Management System certification to ISO9001:2015 or suitable alternative, with the appropriate scope to deliver contract requirements, issued by a Nationally Accredited Certification Body.

You will be required to provide a copy of the certificate(s) as directed by any Dynamic Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (DPQQ) or Invitation to Tender (ITT) associated with this Notice, and in any event, the winning supplier will be required to provide it for review prior to contract award.

The contractual condition for quality will be Allied Quality Assurance Publication AQAP 2310.