Full Description
PLEASE NOTE: Do not contact any POC's other than the names listed on this solicitation. Amendment 4 (8/11/2026)- Answer bidder questions. Q1) My understanding from Attachment 1 is that pricing will include freight to the destination of Elizabeth City, NC. Will all 117 vehicles will be sent to Elizabeth City? A1) Yes, all untis will be shipped to the Aviation Logistics Center in Elizabeth City, NC. (This resposne provides additional information to Amendment 3, question 4). Amendment 3 (8/11/2026)- Answer bidder questions. Q1) Could the Government identify the specific aircraft type(s) this tractor is intended to tow (e.g., particular USCG fixed-wing or rotary-wing airframes)? A1) Answered on amendment 2 question 2. Q2) Could the Government clarify the operational rationale for requiring the same Draw Bar Pull rating at both the front and rear of the tractor? A2) The USCG does both, push (front) and pull (rear), our aircraft. The rating will be for both front and rear. Our primary method for aircraft movement in to and out of the hangars is pushing (front). Towing (rear) is used for long distances, more than quarter of a mile. Q3) Hydrostatic steering systems are hydraulically actuated and rely on a continuously running, engine- or motor-driven pump to generate steering assist; if that pump loses power, the system has no inherent backup steering capability unless additional components (e.g., a hydraulic accumulator or an auxiliary electric backup pump) are added. An electric power steering (EPS) system, by contrast, can be supplied from a battery/backup power source and inherently supports fail-safe operation in the event of a power loss. Could the Government clarify how “emergency steering in the event of power failure” is intended to be achieved with a hydrostatic system, and whether the Government will consider an electric power steering (EPS) system as an alternative that natively meets the emergency-steering intent? A3) Objective or idea behind this requirement is for the steering to NOT lock-up in the case of power loss. Steering should be free without power applied. This is more like a car with power steering, and the power steering goes out. We can still steer, it is just more difficult and requires more strength. Not sure how to explain that more simply. How this is accomplished, is for the vendor to decide. Q4) Where will the delivered tractor(s) be based and operated (e.g., specific air station(s) or region(s))? This will help us confirm the topographic environment these units will operate in and additional engineering considerations for performance. A4) All USCG air stations will be supplied with this tow tractor for either movement of aircraft under 80k lbs. or as a burden carrier for GSE for all USCG aircraft. The CG is located on coastal environments and our air station in Hawaii is our most severe, only 400 feet from the ocean surf and winds. Other CG air station cities are Clearwater, FL, San Diego, CA, Kodiak, AK, Atlantic City, NJ, Corpus Christie, TX, Houston, TX, and more. There are 27 CG air station locations and all but one are coastal within 50 miles of the ocean. Q5) Amendment 1 adds a new minimum 8-hour duty cycle requirement for the battery/batteries. Please define “duty cycle” as intended for this requirement. For example, continuous operation under full/rated load for 8 hours, or 8 cumulative operating hours per shift with intermittent use. This materially affects the required battery capacity. A5) An aircraft tow tractor duty cycle defines its operational runtime and rest intervals. Electric tugs handle continuous or intermittent duty on flight lines, balancing runtimes of 4 to 8 hours with required recharging windows based on ramp intensity. 8 cumulative operating hours per shift with intermittent use. Electric Tugs should deliver 8 hours of continuous operation on a single charge under standard ramp conditions. Q6) Please confirm whether the Tropical Rustproofing package should be priced and proposed as an optional line item or required for all units contemplated for purchase. A6) See amendment 1 question 5. Amendment 2 (8/11/2026)- answer bidders questions. Questions and answers: Q1) Can you advise what brand of tractors the USCG is currently using in a similar capacity, is it TLD? A1) No, Tug/Textron MX4, MZ and NMC Wollard MT3 SATS. Q2) What aircraft would these tractors be required to tow? A2) H65, H60, and C144. Amendment 1 - answer bidders questions and provide updates to the schedule, requirements document and acknowledgment certification to reflect the information in the bidder questions responses. Questions and answers: Q1) Does USCG intend to buy 1 machine to test and then execute the rest of the order? A1) The Government will procure a single first article unit for evaluation against the approved test plan. Production-unit acquisition is strictly contingent upon this first article unit successfully meetin