This is a sources sought notice for information only. This is not a request for proposal or quotation or an announcement of a solicitation. This sources sought request for information is for the purpose of conducting market research to provide data for planning purposes. This sources sought synopsis announcement does not constitute a formal solicitation, and is not a request for proposal, request for quote, invitation for bid, does not obligate the government to award a contract, issue a solicitation, reimburse respondents for any proposal preparation and/or submittal costs, nor does its issuance in any way restrict the Government as to its ultimate acquisition approach. The Government will not pay for any materials provided in response to this notice and submittals will not be returned to the sender.

The US Department of State’s Office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) at the US Embassy in Bogota, Colombia, is seeking potential sources capable of providing fully Contractor-operated and maintained exclusive use helicopter service, to various remote locations throughout Colombia, including but not limited to Narino, Cauca, Caqueta, La Macarena, National Park locations, etc., to support the Government of Colombia’s Manual Eradication Operations.  The contractor will provide helicopters, pilots, and all other associated equipment and maintenance.  Missions will include, but are not limited to, movement of civilian and security personnel, movement of goods and equipment, medevac, low level reconnaissance, and other administrative and related resource activities.  The Government (INL Section Embassy Bogota) will direct aircraft to support its missions and objectives.  Estimated usage is 4,500 hours per year, contemplated aircraft are MI 17 and/or UH-60 types of helicopters but would like to hear any suggestions for potential aircraft to meet requirements of ability to move up to 24 people and between 5,000 lbs and 6,000 lbs of cargo. 

Feedback, questions, and comments regarding this requirement are welcomed.

Interested firms are invited to submit a Statement of Capability (SOC) showing the company's ability to fulfill the requirement described above. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor these sites for additional information pertaining to this requirement. This is not a solicitation nor will a solicitation package be issued as a result of this announcement, and no award shall be made as a result of this announcement. In the event that a solicitation is developed, it will be assigned a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) number or Request for Quotation (RFQ) and the announcement may be published on FEDBIZOPPS.

Firms responding to this announcement must include company name, CAGE code, point of contact, address, phone number, and business size. For the purposes of this acquisition the applicable NAICS code is 481219. Responses are requested no later than 6 December 2013. Direct responses and/or questions to Rachel Carria Gaspard via email at [email protected]. Direct expression of interest as well as required documentation should be addressed in writing to the Contracting Officer, Rachel Carria Gaspard. All prospective offerors are responsible for monitoring this site for the release of all other information pertaining to the synopsis and solicitation.