The United States Air Force (USAF) is looking for a new contractor to maintain and operate its fleet of passenger-configured B737-600s out of Las Vegas Harry Reid and also provide some support for its fleet of Beech (twin turboprop) King Airs based at the same airport.
The USAF issued its request for information on November 7, 2023, saying the planned contract would be for ten years and involve "transportation operations out of a variety of locations, including both open commercial airfields and restricted access, highly secure, government-controlled sites."
The six-strong B737-600s fleet ferries USAF personnel, contractors, and United States Department of Defense employees and is colloquially known as Janet. The six B737-600s include the 22.26 year-old N869HH (msn 28650); the 22.24-year-old N859WP (msn 28652); the 20.71-year-old N365SR (msn 29891); the 22.4-year-old N319BD (msn 28649); the 20.65-year-old N288DP (msn 29892); and the 20.82-year-old N273RH (msn 29890). The five Beechcraft B200Cs include N654BA (msn BL-54); N661BA (msn); N662BA (msn BL-62); N989RR (msn BL-63); and N910CB (msn BL-64).
“The government has a requirement for safe, secure and reliable air transportation between various points within the continental United States," the RFI reads. "This critical operation should be considered a ‘no fail’ mission.” The current operator is Amentum (Washington Dulles), a Maryland-based government and commercial services contractor established in 2020 after AECOM Federal Services (Las Vegas Harry Reid) restructured its businesses. While the Janet flights operate across the US, most flights link Las Vegas to nearby Special Access Program Facilities, namely the Nevada Test and Training Range.
The RFI notes that prospective bidders must be a Part 121 certificated carrier and a Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) member. The USAF will require the successful bidder to operate up to 200 flights per week, with aircraft available around the clock. The RFI notes that a single B737-600 can expect to operate approximately 1,700 flight cycles annually, comprising around 850 hours of flying time. Under the terms of any contract, the USAF says it may require the operator to initiate a fleet replacement program that will involve the contractor supporting "the analysis and inspection of any potential replacement aircraft and provide an acceptability recommendation."
The contract for the successful bidder will commence on October 1, 2025. The USAF will host industry briefing days on December 14 and 15.