The Department of the Interior seeks responses from helicopter service providers for exclusive use Type III Helicopter Aviation Services. The primary objective is to obtain fully contracted helicopter services for natural resource missions, primarily wildland firefighting. The government requires aircraft, personnel, and equipment to be provided by the contractor, including light Type III helicopters, with specific seating and payload capacities. These helicopters must be equipped to meet technical specifications and operate within regulatory frameworks. The contract's scope involves exclusive use periods for each fire season, during which the government can direct aircraft for various missions. Key dates include a submission deadline of August 15, 2024. The requested information relates to company capabilities, aircraft details, and business size/type. Evaluations will consider the extent to which potential vendors can meet these requirements. This is a sources sought notice, and no funding or contracts are currently committed.
The Interior Business Center (IBC) is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to secure contractor-operated helicopter flight services for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). The services include the provision of a helicopter, necessary personnel, fuel, and equipment to support Government natural resource missions such as fire suppression, aerial monitoring, and law enforcement surveillance. The contract emphasizes exclusive use of the aircraft by the Government 24/7 during specified periods at designated bases in New Mexico, Minnesota, and Montana.
Contractors must have the appropriate Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certifications and meet specific aircraft requirements, including a light helicopter with seating for five passengers and the capacity to carry a minimum payload. The solicitation is set under a 100 percent small business set-aside, with responses due on January 28, 2025, and contract awards expected by April 2025.
The IBC previously engaged in an RFI to identify eligible small businesses, receiving four capable responses. Interested contractors must register in the System for Award Management (SAM) to qualify. This process highlights the Government's commitment to supporting small businesses while addressing critical resource management needs.