NIGP 03550: Helicopters

NIGP 03550 Helicopters is an Item code covering helicopter acquisition, operation, maintenance, and specialized systems that state and local governments procure for emergency response, law enforcement, natural resource management, and aviation support. State and local solicitations under this code reflect a mix of complete aircraft purchases, lease-and-operate agreements, maintenance contracts, and supporting avionics or safety equipment. The County of Orange Sheriff-Coroner's IFB for helicopter maintenance services (due July 16, 2026) exemplifies the operational scope: uninterrupted maintenance and repair across five aircraft (AS350 and UH-1H models), mechanics with FAA Mechanic Certificates and five years of turbine-helicopter experience, pricing on a per-hour labor basis with material markups, and local small-business and disabled-veteran set-asides (5% and 8% preference deductions). The Florida Department of Law Enforcement's ITB to purchase two Cessna 206 fixed-wing aircraft (bids due August 5, 2026) illustrates capital acquisition activity: aircraft manufactured 2017 or newer with fewer than 2,500 hours, integrated Garmin G1000 NXI avionics, law enforcement mission-console seating, and delivery with four hours of flight instruction included. Issuing bodies span state departments, county sheriffs, police departments, fire protection districts, and resource-management agencies. Counties and state aviation units appear most frequently in recent solicitations.

Recent activity concentrates in California, Florida, and Georgia. California Department of Transportation has posted multiple operator-rental IFBs for avalanche control and as-needed aerial support across Alpine, Amador, El Dorado, Inyo, Mono, Placer, and San Bernardino Counties; the California Department of Water Resources solicited as-needed helicopter services statewide for facilities documentation and mountain-access transport (bid opening April 9, 2026). Florida State Guard has issued single-source procurements for specialized avionics upgrades, intercom systems, surveillance equipment, and training devices tied to its Cessna T206H and King Air B350ER fleet. The Consolidated Fire Protection District of Los Angeles County sought helitanker and intelligence helicopter lease-and-service agreements (proposals due July 6, 2026) with three-year initial term and two optional one-year extensions, contingent on funding availability. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife contracted helicopter services for breeding waterfowl surveys (proposals due March 25, 2026) requiring Bell 206BIII or equivalent, FAR Part 135 certification, and 1,000 pilot hours minimum. The Utah Division of Purchasing published a sole-source notice for helicopter hoist overhaul (July 16, 2026). Geographic spread beyond the top three states includes Texas, Utah, and Georgia. Preference and set-aside activity is consistent: small-business, disabled-veteran, and SLBE (Small Local Business Enterprise) deductions or incentives appear across California, Florida, and Orange County procurements, ranging from 5% to 8%, with combined caps of $50,000 to $100,000.