Domestic Charter Airlift Services FAA Part 121 - HTC711-23-R-CC01
DEPT OF DEFENSE.US TRANSPORTATION COMMAND (USTRANSCOM).USTRANSCOM-AQ · Response deadline: Tue, 05 Sep 2023
What the government is buying
USTRANSCOM is soliciting bids for domestic charter airlift services under FAA Part 121 certification requirements. This involves commercial air carriers transporting personnel or cargo within the continental United States under Department of Defense contract.
Part 121 operations refer to scheduled or charter air carrier services conducted with aircraft that have 10 or more passenger seats or a payload capacity exceeding 6,000 pounds—this is the standard regulatory framework for U.S. commercial airlines, as distinct from smaller Part 135 charter operations.
The notice does not specify mission types, aircraft requirements, or service volumes. See the solicitation.
Key facts
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | DEPT OF DEFENSE.U.S. TRANSPORTATION COMMAND (USTRANSCOM).USTRANSCOM-AQ |
| Notice type | Solicitation |
| Solicitation number | HTC711-23-R-CC01 |
| NAICS | 481211 |
| Set-aside | None (unrestricted competition) |
| Response deadline | September 5, 2023 at 4:30 PM CDT |
| Place of performance | Illinois (state-level only) |
Who can bid
This is an unrestricted solicitation with no small business set-aside. Large and small businesses may compete directly.
NAICS 481211 covers Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation, which includes charter air transportation services. To bid, a firm typically needs:
- FAA Part 121 certification (explicitly required by the title)
- Department of Transportation economic authority
- Current Air Carrier Certificate and Operations Specifications
- TSA security programs as applicable for DOD operations
- Ability to meet USTRANSCOM's unique military requirements (see the solicitation)
The unrestricted status means small businesses compete against major established carriers. Consider whether your operation can realistically meet USTRANSCOM's scale and reliability requirements.
How to put together a competitive bid
Verify operational scale compatibility. Part 121 certification indicates the government expects airline-level capacity, not small-aircraft charter service. Confirm your fleet and crew resources align with anticipated demand.
Emphasize DOD experience if you have it. USTRANSCOM values carriers with prior military airlift performance, including familiarity with the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) program, cargo handling procedures, and security protocols.
Address Illinois operational requirements. With performance based in Illinois, identify your maintenance base proximity, ground handling arrangements, and quick-response capabilities at key military installations in that state, such as Scott Air Force Base (USTRANSCOM headquarters).
Price strategically for unrestricted competition. Without set-aside protection, your pricing competes directly against national carriers with economies of scale. Focus on efficiency, specialized capabilities, or geographic advantages you may hold.
Prepare for security clearance and inspection requirements. DOD airlift contracts typically involve facility security clearances, aircraft inspection protocols, and crew vetting beyond standard commercial aviation.
Next steps
Access the full solicitation on SAM.gov using number HTC711-23-R-CC01. Review the statement of work for aircraft specifications, minimum service levels, and any CRAF-related requirements.
Critical deadline: Responses are due September 5, 2023 at 4:30 PM Central Time. Note this is a past deadline—the posted date shows October 7, 2026, which appears to be a system update rather than original posting. Verify current status on SAM.gov, as this solicitation may be closed, amended, or replaced.
View the official notice on SAM.gov →