The Department of the Interior (DOI) is issuing a pre-solicitation notice for exclusive use helicopter flight services to support the National Park Service (NPS) from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2031. This 100% small business set-aside under NAICS code 481211 seeks a contractor to provide a light helicopter, crew (pilot, fuel service driver, mechanic), fuel servicing vehicle, and fuel cache. The helicopter must meet specific requirements, including five insured passenger seats, a non-jettisonable payload of 350 pounds, a turbine engine, 110 knots VNE, BLR FastFin© or equivalent, and a crash-resistant fuel system. Services will include various missions like short-haul, search and rescue (SAR), fire suppression, and law enforcement, with the aircraft under exclusive government control 24/7. Contractors must be FAA Part 133, 135, and 137 certified and registered in SAM. The solicitation is expected on October 10, 2025, with offers due November 12, 2025.
This government Request for Proposal (RFP) (Solicitation #140D0425R0111) outlines the requirements for exclusive-use helicopter flight services for the National Park Service (NPS) at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. The contract, with a five-year ordering period (April 2026 to March 2031), mandates a fully contractor-operated and maintained Type 3 helicopter, crew (pilot, relief pilot, fuel service driver, relief driver, mechanic, and relief mechanic), and a fuel servicing vehicle. The designated base is Ash Mountain Helibase, with an exclusive use period of 160 days annually (May 18 to October 27). Missions include short-haul, search and rescue, fire suppression, law enforcement, and other administrative activities, requiring operations at altitudes up to 18,000 feet. Technical specifications detail aircraft equipment, avionics, personnel qualifications, and operational procedures. The RFP also includes pricing schedules for daily availability and flight hours, economic price adjustment for fuel, and clauses for contract terms, conditions, and invoicing.
This document is a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Exclusive Use (EU) Helicopter Flight Services at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. The solicitation number is 140D0425R0111, issued by the DOI ACQ SVCS DIRECTORATE. The offer due date is November 14, 2025, at 1400 PS. The acquisition is set aside for small businesses, with a NAICS code of 481211 and a size standard of 1,500 employees. The period of performance for these services is from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2031. The document outlines the administrative and delivery addresses, payment instructions, and references relevant Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) clauses. Melanie Johnson is listed as the contact for solicitation information.