Electric 5k - 6k DBP Burden Carrier Tractor

PLEASE NOTE: Do not contact any POC's other than the names listed on this solicitation. 

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 meeting all established test plan criteria.

Q2) How does the USCG intend to manage the installation of the external charger?

A2) The Government prefers an onboard charging system but will accept proposals for optional external charging systems as stated in the requirements document. If proposing an external charger, offerors must complete the external charger line item on the schedule. Evaluation of total unit cost will include the cost of both the burdened carrier and the external charging system.

Q3) What is the USCG definition of safety glass? 

A3) Tempered safety glass.

Q4) For optional air conditioning, should this be included as a “LISTED OPTION” for the USCG to decide on need?

A4) Vendors shall use column H of Attachment 2 to provide the optional cost of adding AC to each unit.

Q5) For Tropical Rustproofing, is this to be listed as an “OPTION” or do all the tractors get this coating?

A5) This is not an option, IAW SOW all units shall have the coating.

Q6) How many battery packs are requested for the Electric Tractor?

A6) The solicitation documents have been updated to state an 8-hour minimum duty cycle. Vendors shall propose a battery configuration to meet this requirement.  

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with (IAW) the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 12.6 and part 13 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice.  This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.  Solicitation number 70Z03826QE0000050 is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ).  This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect as of November 28, 2025, IAW the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO), initiated under Executive Order 14275: Restoring Common Sense to Federal Procurement.

The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 333924. The small business-size standard is 900 employees. This is an unrestricted requirement. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation which shall be considered by the agency. 

As a result of this synopsis/solicitation, it is anticipated that a one (1) firm-fixed price purchase order will be awarded for the following items. All parts shall be NEW approved parts. All quoted Electric 5k - 6k DBP Burden Carrier Tractors must meet the required salient characteristics. Only the items requested in this solicitation will be considered for award.

                                                                              SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES

**Must fill out Attachment 1: Schedule of Supplies. Failure to completely fill out “Attachment 1 – Schedule and Attachment 2 - Acknowledgement Certification” shall result in the quote not being considered**

Line Item 1
Description: Electric 5k - 6k DBP Burden Carrier Tractor (First Article)
Quantity: One (1) each
Required Delivery Date: 90-120 days after receipt of order (ARO­)

Line Item 2
Description: Electric 5k - 6k DBP Burden Carrier Tractor (Production Run)
Quantity: 116 each - *Production run estimated quantity as per page 3 of the Terms and Conditions under First Article Testing and Approval Section A*
Required Delivery Date: 90 day after first Burden Carrier Tractor passes USCG Test and Evaluation

NOTE: NO DRAWINGS, SPECIFICATIONS OR SCHEMATICS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THIS AGENCY.

Please carefully review this solicitation’s attachments for additional information on this requirement including evaluation criteria, salient characteristics, and applicable clauses.

Attachments

1. Attachment 1 – Schedule of Supplies – 70Z03826QE0000050
2. Attachment 2 – Acknowledgement Certification – 70Z03826QE0000050
3. Attachment 3 – Terms and Conditions – 70Z03826QE0000050
4. Attachment 4 – Requirements – 70Z03826QE0000050
5. Attachment 5 – Test and Evaluation Plan – 70Z03826QE0000050

All bidder’s questions shall be submitted by 12:00pm on 10 August 2026. The closing date and time for receipt of offers is 17 August 2026 at 12:00p.m Eastern Time. The anticipated award date is 3 September 2026.  Email quotations to William.T.Swinson3@uscg.mil and William.P.Morris@uscg.mil. Please indicate 70Z03826QE0000050 in the subject line.