The Army Materiel Command’s (AMCOM) Contracting Center April 30 plans to issue the final request for proposal on a competitive procurement that satisfies the U.S. Army’s Life Cycle Contract Services (LCCS) for the C-12, RC-12 turboprop, and UC-35 jet aircraft for the Army, Army Reserves (USAR) and the Army National Guard (USARNG).

The work is for a base year and four one-year options. The contract will be awarded late this year.

A pre-solicitation conference is scheduled for April 28, at the Radisson Inn, 8721 Madison Blvd, Madison, Ala. Registration for this conference is required by April 24.

The procurement of LCCS services will be for approximately 190 aircraft that will support the movement of essential cargo and personnel to support peacetime and contingency operations from regional conflicts to global war.

Additional aircraft mission roles include transportation of key command and staff personnel.

During contingency operations, the C-12 and UC-35 aircraft contribute to intra-theater transportation requirements and support mobilization and deployment operations.

The RC-12 mission is a corps-level technical airborne signal intelligence collection/location system for non-communication and communication intercept real time reporting to the tactical commander.

The Hawker Beechcraft (formerly Raytheon Aircraft Co.) C-12 aircraft is a high-performance, fixed-wing, T-tail, pressurized, twin engine turboprop that accommodates places for a pilot, co-pilot, and passengers. The C-12 is powered by two Pratt and Whitney [UTX] PT6A-41/42/65/67 turbo prop engines.

The Army’s C-12 fleet is similar to the Beech King of the A200CT Super King Air (Normal Category) and the RC-12 D/H/K/N/P/Q series aircraft are a derivative of the Beech Model A200CT Super King Air (Restricted Category), operated under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Type Certificate A24CE.

The RC-12 series aircraft is a Special Electronic Mission Aircraft powered by two Pratt and Whitney PT6A-41/67 turbo prop engines.

The UC-35 aircraft, manufactured by Cessna [TXT], is a commercial fixed-wing airplane capable of providing medium range transport for government personnel and equipment. The UC-35 is powered by two Pratt and Whitney JT15D/PW 535 jet engines.

The Army’s current C-12/RC-12/UC-35 LCCS contract expires Jan. 31, 2010. The current LCCS contract was awarded under full and open competition.

Logistics support will apply as follows: transition period will begin at contract award and continue for 60 days. Full maintenance responsibility on the C-12, RC-12 and UC-35 will commence 60 days after contract award. The full LCCS for the C-12, RC-12 and UC-35 aircraft must include both on and off site maintenance, depot, a full range of repair parts, logistics services and a full range of maintenance support equipment.

The key performance parameters are Safety of Flight and aircraft readiness to ensure that: the aircraft is maintained at a minimum of 80 percent mission capable (MC) rate, and that aircraft maintenance complies with FAA, OEM, and AMCOM approved standards.

The contract will contain firm fixed price and cost reimbursable contract line items.