DEFENSE POW/MIA ACCOUNTING AGENCY (DPAA) Papua New Guinea Helicopter Requirement

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To provide rotary-wing aviation support services for the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) in Papua New Guinea, including assistance with emergency and medical evacuations.

• Provide all labor, supplies, equipment, transportation, supervision, taxes, fees, overhead, G&A, and profit for aviation support services.
• Support DPAA missions, which may involve up to three missions per year, varying in length from 14 to 90 days.
• Missions can be located anywhere within Papua New Guinea.

The services may be required in four defined regions within Papua New Guinea:

• Region I: North of the New Guinea Highlands mountain range (West Sepik, East Sepik, Madang, Morobe Provinces).

• Region II: East of the Owen Stanley mountain range (Oro, Milne Bay Provinces).

• Region III: Eastern islands (East New Britain, West New Britain, New Ireland).

• Region IV: Bougainville Island.

• Mission Preparation and Planning: Technical assistance for developing aviation lift support plans, budgets, and MEDEVAC plans.

• Rotary-Wing Support: Provision of specific helicopter types (Light Utility, Single Engine, Twin Engine) with specified passenger capacities and service ceilings.

• Personnel and Cargo Transport: Moving personnel and/or cargo to/from remote landing zones.

• Multiple Aircraft: Ability to provide different aircraft types simultaneously as required by task orders.

• Certifications: Contractor must be a certified commercial air carrier, inspected and approved by the DOD Air Carrier Survey and Analysis Office (CARB). Aircraft must comply with DOD Commercial Air Carrier Quality and Safety Requirements and FAA regulations. A 180-day grace period for CARB certification is allowed, during which government may procure services elsewhere.

• Pilots: Must be skilled, trained, licensed, and experienced in Papua New Guinea terrain. Responsible for flight safety and medical screening.

• Aircraft: Must meet or exceed manufacturer's technical and safety standards, and all applicable laws. Maintenance costs are the contractor's responsibility. Alternate aircraft must be provided at no additional cost.

• Equipment: Aircraft must be outfitted with reliable VHF and HF radio communication systems, ADF receiver, and ELT Beacon. Safety equipment (life jackets, floats, survival kits) is required.

• Operations: Flights generally between sunrise and sunset, unless emergency dictates otherwise. Aircraft commander has final decision authority on flight operations.

• Cargo/Sling Operations: Capability to transport cargo internally or externally, including sling load operations. Minimum cargo load capability of 400 kg. Load master required when needed.

• Flight Operations Support: Contractor responsible for obtaining supplies, services, fuel, airport authorization, and landing rights. Refueling arrangements are the contractor's responsibility.

• Reporting: Daily Operating Reports (DOR) required for aircraft usage.

• Planning/Coordination: Participation in daily pre- and post-flight synchronization meetings. On-call availability for medical evacuations. Contractor responsible for obtaining flight authorization from Papua New Guinea authorities.

• Synchronization Conference: Annual conference participation required.

• Contractor assumes risk for damage/loss of aircraft and equipment, except for government negligence.

• Required insurance coverage includes Passenger Legal Liability ($200,000/passenger), Aircraft Public Liability ($10,000,000/claim), and Cargo Liability Insurance ($25,000/cargo).

• Base Period: July 1, 2027 - June 30, 2028

• Four Option Periods: July 1, 2028 - June 30, 2032

• 6-Month Option: July 1, 2032 - December 31, 2032

• FAR Clause 52.217-8 allows for an additional 6-month extension.

• This document is a DRAFT PWS.

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI is for informational and planning purposes only, seeking market research for rotary-wing helicopter support services for the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) in Papua New Guinea. The services will support DPAA's mission to account for missing Americans by providing personnel and cargo transport, emergency medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), and mission planning support. USTRANSCOM is looking for solutions that are cost-efficient, operationally ready, flexible, and simplify the current contract structure. This is NOT a Request for Proposal (RFP).

• Rotary-wing helicopter support services including personnel and cargo transport, MEDEVAC, and mission planning.

• Experience operating in remote and challenging environments (jungle, mountainous regions).

• Information on contract types, CLIN/SLIN structures, blade hour utilization, and pricing structures.

• Approach to managing fuel logistics and innovative solutions for fuel cost reduction.

• Aircraft availability and pricing for various helicopter types (AS350, BK117, Bell 212).

• Information on commercial availability, industry standards, certifications, contract types, and pricing structures for similar services.

• Anticipated award date: On or about 01-MAR-27.

• Responses are due by 12:00 P.M. (CT) on 18-MAR-26.

• Questions are due by 12:00 P.M. (CT) on 11-MAR-26.

• Submit responses via email to the RFI POCs listed.

• Responses should be detailed, no more than 10 pages (excluding title page and cover letter).

• Tailored responses are encouraged over generic capability statements.

• NAICS code: 481211 – Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation.

• Small business size standard: 1500.

• Responses are encouraged from businesses of all sizes, including large and small businesses and all socioeconomic categories (HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, Veteran-Owned, Small Disadvantaged Business, 8(a), Women-Owned, Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned).

• USTRANSCOM will not be responsible for any costs incurred in responding to this RFI.

• Proprietary information should be appropriately marked; do not submit confidential information.

• A draft Performance Work Statement is attached and comments are welcome.