North Warning System (NWS) Rotary Airlift Services
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
The United States Air Force (USAF), ACC Acquisition Management Integration Center (AMIC) has issued a Presolicitation Notice for North Warning System (NWS) Rotary Airlift Services. This opportunity seeks nonpersonal services for airlift support to NWS sites in the Canadian Arctic, facilitating the delivery of bulk Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricants (POL), cargo, supplies, and personnel. The contract will support NORAD radar maintenance requirements under an international agreement between the U.S. and Canada.
Scope of Work
The contractor will furnish all personnel, equipment, tools, materials, supervision, and services for rotary airlift operations across NWS sites in the Canadian Arctic, including areas above 65 degrees latitude. Primary bases of operation include Inuvik, Cambridge Bay, Hall Beach, Iqaluit, and Goose Bay. Services encompass:
- Main Rotary Airlift: Providing at least one IFR/NVG-capable rotary aircraft per zone (Zones 1-5), with a minimum payload capacity of 1,850 lbs for 150 nautical miles nonstop, and seating for at least eight passengers.
- Supplemental Rotary Airlift: Providing three additional rotary aircraft with precision sling and cargo basket capabilities, operating 24/7 (12-hour duty day) from June 1 to September 30 annually.
- Bulk Fuel Rotary Airlift: Utilizing two rotary-wing aircraft capable of transferring a minimum of 1,500 liters per trip, with an expected total transfer of 1.5M liters.
Key Requirements
Offerors must demonstrate technical experience in similar arctic airlift operations for at least 12 months within the last five years. Aircraft and crews must be certified for NVG and IFR flight, capable of operating at unimproved landing zones, and comply with Canadian safety regulations. A detailed maintenance plan, including forward-deployed critical parts, is required. The contractor must maintain a 95% reliability rate and comply with NIST SP 800-171 security requirements.
Contract Details
This will be a single Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract with Cost Reimbursable (CR) line items. The anticipated period of performance includes a 30-day transition, an 11-month base period (anticipated November 30, 2026, to September 30, 2027), and four one-year option periods, extending through September 30, 2031. The applicable NAICS code is 481211 – Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation, with a size standard of 1,500 employees.
Set-Aside
This acquisition is 100% full and open competition. Small Business Consideration (FAR Part 19) does not apply as 100% of the performance will be outside of the United States.
Evaluation Factors
Award will be made using best value source selection procedures, with technical factors significantly more important than price. Proposals will be evaluated on:
- Technical Experience (Subfactor A): Must be rated 'Acceptable'.
- Payload and Distance Requirements (Subfactor B): Combined technical/risk rating.
- Operations (Subfactor C): Combined technical/risk rating, including a plan for simultaneous bulk fuel transfer. Price will be evaluated for reasonableness, completeness, and balance. The Government reserves the right to award without negotiations.
Submission & Key Dates
- Questions/Comments Due: April 29, 2026, 1:00 PM Eastern Time, submitted via the provided Question-Comment Matrix spreadsheet.
- Anticipated Final Solicitation Issue: On or about May 5, 2026.
- Anticipated Virtual Pre-proposal Conference: On or about May 19, 2026, or two weeks after the final solicitation is posted, whichever is later. Interested parties must notify POCs with company name, attendees, and SAM registration CAGE Code.
- Anticipated Proposal Receipt: On or about June 5, 2026, 11:00 AM local time.
- Anticipated Award Date: On or about October 12, 2026. Proposals must be submitted electronically via the Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (PIEE) Solicitation module and be valid for 270 calendar days. Technical Volume is limited to 50 pages.
Important Notes
Funds are not presently available, and no award will be made until funds are available. The Government reserves the right to cancel the acquisition. Contact with government personnel is restricted to the listed POCs: Maj Ryan Tagatac (ryan_mark.tagatac.3@us.af.mil), 1st Lt Nathan Goodale (nathaniel.goodale.1@us.af.mil), and TSgt Nelson Sosa (nelson.sosa@us.af.mil). One document, "PWS Appendix 5 - Bulk Fuel Rotary Airlift_CAO 2Apr26.pdf", is protected and requires a compatible PDF reader.