UNSPSC 25131601: Passenger transport helicopters

UNSPSC 25131601 Passenger transport helicopters (Commodity) covers rotorcraft services for public-agency operations, ranging from wildland resource management and post-disaster utility assessment to routine infrastructure inspection and emergency response. State and local governments procure these services across multiple mission profiles: turbine-powered helicopters equipped with pilots and ground crews for cannabis eradication and watershed protection; FAA Part 135–certified operators for utility line inspection and transmission asset surveys; helitanker platforms for wildland fire suppression; and dedicated maintenance support for in-service helicopter fleets. Issuing bodies include state natural resource departments (California Parks and Recreation), county sheriffs and utilities (Orange County Sheriff-Coroner, Orlando Utilities Commission), municipal police aviation divisions (Tampa Police Department), regional fire districts (Consolidated Fire Protection District of Los Angeles County), state transportation agencies (Caltrans), and special-purpose electric cooperatives (Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative). Recent activity is concentrated in California and Florida, with scattered activity in Texas.

Representative recent opportunities reflect this scope diversity. California Department of Parks and Recreation posted three concurrent IFBs in October 2026 for Type 3 turbine-powered helicopter services supporting cannabis eradication across the Northern, Central, and Coastal/Desert divisions (IFB C26803015, C26803017, C26803019, all due October 27, 2026), each awarding up to two Call When Needed contracts with a three-year term running through February 2030 plus optional extensions, compensation tied to daily operational rates and hourly flight rates pegged to United States Forest Service National CWN Helicopter Flight Rate Chart 2026 rates, and geographic operations requirements tied to specific county bases. Orange County Sheriff-Coroner issued IFB 0603080002-MB for helicopter maintenance services (due July 16, 2026) covering five in-service aircraft with 2,700 estimated annual flight hours, requiring mechanics to hold FAA Mechanic Certificates with Airframe and Powerplant ratings and a minimum five years post-certification turbine-helicopter experience. The City of Tampa Police Department procured Rolls-Royce Model 250 series engine support services (ITB 26P00177, due April 20, 2026) for overhaul, repair, and parts supply with estimated annual expenditure of $275,000, designated as a sheltered procurement for Small Local Business Enterprises with a potential five percent discount capped at $10,000. Caltrans issued IFB 09A1142 (due May 28, 2026) seeking multiple providers for fully operated helicopter rental services in Mono County for avalanche-control equipment transport, with service rates to be determined by competitively bid hourly charges, and award to up to three lowest responsible bidders; the contract runs three years from June 30, 2026.