Commercial Aviation Services — Airborne Science Support IDIQ (Snow4Flow EVS-4) — Notice of Intent to Sole Source
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) intends to award a sole source Firm Fixed-Price (FFP) Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract to ALCI Aviation Ltd. (dba Enterprise Aviation Group) for Commercial Aviation Services supporting the Snow4Flow Earth Venture Suborbital-4 (EVS-4) mission. This requirement involves providing and operating a Basler BT-67 aircraft for airborne science support in the Arctic. Interested organizations must submit capabilities by July 1, 2026.
Scope of Work
NASA requires commercial aviation services for the Snow4Flow EVS-4 mission, aimed at improving the interpretation of changes in Northern Hemisphere glaciers. The scope includes:
- Provision, modification, and operation of a Basler BT-67 aircraft in a science configuration.
- Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance (ACMI) services.
- Engineering and aircraft modification support for integrating the Snow4Flow instrument suite.
- Compliance with FAA/Transport Canada Civil Aviation airworthiness standards and NASA's airworthiness review process (NAII 7900.3).
- Conducting check, transit, and science flights for three planned Snow4Flow Arctic campaigns (2027-2029) across Alaska, the Yukon Territory, Svalbard, Greenland, and the Canadian High Arctic.
- Support for additional airborne science task orders as required.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Firm Fixed-Price (FFP) Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ)
- Duration: Five (5) year ordering period, with a six (6) month option to extend services.
- Award Intent: Sole source to ALCI Aviation Ltd., dba Enterprise Aviation Group.
- Authority: 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.103-1 (Only One Responsible Source).
- First Task Order: Anticipated for instrument integration support and the start of the 2027 Alaska Arctic campaign (February 23, 2027 – March 2, 2027).
- Response Due: July 1, 2026, by 12:00 PM CDT.
- Published: June 16, 2026.
Evaluation
NASA's market research determined that only the Basler BT-67 aircraft type can execute this mission in the remote arctic environment with the required endurance. Furthermore, Enterprise Aviation Group is identified as the only operator with aircraft availability meeting the mission schedule across the three years of Snow4Flow science flights, and has the instrument package integrated and approved. Responses from interested organizations will be evaluated solely to determine if this acquisition can be conducted on a competitive basis. A decision not to compete is at the Government's discretion.
Additional Notes
This acquisition will utilize FAR Part 12 for commercial services. NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. Submissions should be sent electronically to Joshua Taggart at joshua.d.taggart@nasa.gov.