NIGP 03520: Airplanes

NIGP 03520 Airplanes, Item tier, encompasses the purchase of aircraft and aircraft components by state and local governments, with recent solicitations focusing on fixed-wing and rotary-wing acquisitions for law enforcement, search and rescue, training, and emergency response missions. State and local buyers under this code include state law enforcement departments, state guard and military divisions, county sheriff's offices, community colleges, municipal water agencies, and special districts, with the Florida Division of the Florida State Guard appearing as a repeat buyer across multiple single-source procurements for aircraft modifications, surveillance systems, and rescue equipment. The work solicited ranges from complete aircraft acquisitions (new and used single-engine and twin-engine fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters) to specialized airborne systems (imaging and surveillance equipment, mission seating, flight training devices) and supporting services including pilot training, aircraft brokerage, and aerial application contracting.

Recent opportunities span multiple states and span both competitive and noncompetitive procurement vehicles. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement issued ITB FDLE-ITB-2700 on July 15, 2026, due August 5, 2026, to purchase two Cessna 206 fixed-wing aircraft with specified avionics and law enforcement mission configurations. Jefferson County Purchasing Department in Texas posted IFB 26-017/MR on May 14, 2026, for a used King Air 90 or equivalent to replace an aging Mitsubishi MU2/J, with a bid deadline of April 15, 2026. The California Department of Water Resources issued IFB 10217159 on March 19, 2026, seeking professional helicopter services on an as-needed and emergency basis, with bids due April 9, 2026. Holmes Community College in Mississippi has posted two separate sealed bid solicitations for used Cessna 172M aircraft (Bid File #49 due February 10, 2026, and Bid File #70 due April 16, 2026, both followed by reverse auctions). Sourcewell, a Minnesota cooperative purchasing vehicle, issued RFP #061626 on May 12, 2026, for law enforcement equipment with a June 16, 2026 response deadline, serving participating Washington counties and broader public sector entities. The New Jersey Department of Treasury solicited pilot and technician training services for rotary and fixed-wing aircraft on January 28, 2026, with quotes due March 26, 2026. The Florida State Guard has issued multiple single-source procurements for aircraft components, imaging systems, and rescue equipment at estimated values ranging from $42,415 to $2,018,769 across the January–April 2026 period.