Stratos Recovery Service

The Vendor is required to provide stratos recovery service
- Each recovery includes two (2) items:
• A flight train with the payload gondola at one end, and
• A balloon envelope.
- Pre-recovery
• Attend a 2-hour training on the standard recovery procedure, flight train equipment and handling procedures followed by a 1-hour Q&A session;
• Attend pre-flight briefings for each flight, including a short procedure describing the payload de-activation steps, as well as a 1-hour Q&A session during which the hardware will be available for the recovery team to familiarize with;
- Recovery
• Travel to rendezvous point by car/light truck towing trailers and carrying jet-a fuel drums for helicopter refueling;
• Travel from rendezvous point to landing site by helicopter;
• Hike/travel in remote areas;
• Locate the landed cargo in remote areas using GPS and maps;
• Upon reaching the landing site, perform a site survey and document the state of the equipment as it has landed;
• If required, create a safety perimeter around the recovery area and keep curious onlookers outside this zone;
• Clear debris, branches and trees as needed to ensure a safe retrieval from the forest canopy by helicopter;
• De-activate/secure the flight equipment and payload for transportation by following provided procedures;
• Handle cargo to secure the equipment in cargo nets, on trucks or on a trailer;
• Return the flight equipment such as the flight train elements (gondola, parachutes, etc.) and the balloon elements (envelope, valve, etc.) to the county base;
• Ensure security of the flight equipment after recovery;
• Communicate by satellite phone, in reach, cell phone and text messaging with agency recovery chief to keep him informed of the progress and obtain access permits (if and when required);
• Ensure personnel safety during field operations.
- Contract Period/Term: 4 years