NIGP 90514: Airplane/Helicopter Services (Not Otherwise Classified)

NIGP 90514 Airplane/Helicopter Services (Not Otherwise Classified), an Item code, covers helicopter and aircraft rental, charter, and specialized operations that state and local governments buy for wildlife management, emergency response, survey work, and law enforcement support. Recent solicitations show state fish and wildlife agencies, county parks and public works departments, city police and emergency services, and regional transit authorities contracting for turbine-powered helicopters with certified pilots to conduct aerial captures of bighorn sheep and wolves, conduct low-altitude surveys of fish spawning sites and game populations, transport personnel and equipment to remote locations, and apply aerial treatment in mosquito control operations—typically on hourly or task-order bases with multi-year initial terms and optional renewals.

Activity spans wildlife agencies in Oregon, California, Utah, and Florida, as well as city and county departments in Arizona, Texas, and Pennsylvania. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has posted multiple RFPs over the past four months—for Chinook redd surveys on the Lower Deschutes River (RFP S6350000016646, due June 3, 2026), northeast Oregon big-game helicopter surveys across Wallowa, Union, and Baker Counties (RFP S6350000016646, due June 3, 2026), and eastern Oregon wolf telemetry and capture operations (RFP S6350000015974, due June 2, 2026)—each seeking experienced pilots holding FAR Part 135 certification, commercial-pilot ratings with minimum 1,000 to 3,000 hours pilot-in-command experience, aircraft capable of low-level operations, and comprehensive liability and workers' compensation insurance. California Department of Fish and Wildlife issued IFB P2680002 for three-year helicopter services supporting large-mammal aerial captures statewide at elevations up to 13,000 feet (due June 30, 2026), requiring pilots with 2,000 hours pilot-in-command and 300 hours in low-level wildlife operations experience; the State of Utah Division of Purchasing solicited helicopter transportation for guzzler repairs in Uintah and Daggett Counties (RFQ BD26-76, due June 18, 2026); and Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners posted dual RFQs for aerial helicopter survey services on term-contract basis with 5% local preference and up to 10% SBE pricing preference (RFQ 26-0163/JC, due July 1 and July 15, 2026). Pinellas County, Florida and the City of Tucson Police Department sought aerial larvicide application and aviation fuel delivery, respectively, while the City of Fort Worth and Texas A&M Forest Service procured helicopter parts and pre-buy inspection services for C-130H airtankers.