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 for North Warning System (NWS) Rotary Airlift Services (FA489026R0015). This opportunity seeks nonpersonal services for contractor-furnished air transportation of bulk Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricants (POL), cargo, supplies, and personnel to NWS sites in the Canadian Arctic. The contract will support NORAD radar maintenance requirements, with airlift provided by either a Canadian or U.S. company. This is a 100% full and open competition, as small business considerations do not apply due to performance being outside the United States.
Scope of Work
The contractor will provide comprehensive rotary airlift services across the NWS operational area, including:
- Main Rotary Airlift: Minimum of one IFR/NVG-capable rotary aircraft per zone (total 5 zones), equipped for at least eight passengers, with a minimum payload capacity of 1,850 pounds and a 150 nautical mile nonstop range.
- Supplemental Rotary Airlift: Three rotary aircraft capable of precision sling and cargo basket transport, with similar payload and range requirements, operating annually from June 1 to September 30 on a 24/7 basis.
- Bulk Fuel Rotary Airlift: A minimum of two aircraft capable of transporting 1,500 liters of fuel per trip over 150 nautical miles, supporting an annual transfer of 1.65 million liters. This includes providing explosive-proof diesel pumps and spill response materials. Compliance with Canadian and Territorial laws, a 95% reliability rate, and NIST SP 800-171 security requirements are mandatory. Aviation fuel at NWS sites will be provided at no cost.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Single Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract with Cost Reimbursable (CR) line items.
- NAICS: 481211 – Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation (Size Standard: 1,500 employees).
- Period of Performance: Anticipated 30-day transition, an 11-month base period (November 30, 2026, to September 30, 2027), and four one-year option periods, extending through September 30, 2031.
- Anticipated Final Solicitation Issue: On or about May 5, 2026.
- Anticipated Proposal Due: On or about June 5, 2026, 11:00 AM local time.
- Anticipated Award Date: On or about October 12, 2026.
- Presolicitation Questions Due: April 29, 2026, 1:00 PM ET.
- Pre-proposal Conference: Virtual, on or about May 19, 2026, or two weeks after final solicitation posting.
Evaluation Factors
Award will be based on a best value tradeoff source selection, with technical factors significantly more important than price.
- Technical Volume (50-page limit):
- Technical Experience (Subfactor A): Must be rated 'Acceptable', demonstrating similar arctic airlift scope for at least 12 months within the last five years.
- Payload and Distance Requirements (Subfactor B): Evaluated for capabilities including IFR/NVG certification, 1,850 lbs payload, presence in all 5 zones, and 150 NM range.
- Operations (Subfactor C): Evaluated for plans regarding simultaneous bulk fuel transfer and compliance with Canadian safety requirements.
- Price Volume: Evaluated for reasonableness, completeness, and balance. The government reserves the right to award without negotiations.
Submission Details
Proposals must be submitted electronically via the Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (PIEE) Solicitation module or DoD SAFE. Offerors are strongly encouraged to submit at least one business day prior to the deadline due to potential cybersecurity delays. Proposals must be valid for 270 calendar days.
POCs: Maj Ryan Tagatac (ryan_mark.tagatac.3@us.af.mil), 1st Lt Nathan Goodale (nathaniel.goodale.1@us.af.mil), TSgt Nelson Sosa (nelson.sosa@us.af.mil).