UNSPSC 25132203: Rescue and firefighting aircraft,1500 gallon

Aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) is a type of firefighting that involves the emergency response, mitigation, evacuation, and rescue of passengers and crew of aircraft involved in aviation accidents and incidents.

UNSPSC 25132203 Rescue and firefighting aircraft, 1500 gallon is a Commodity code encompassing aerial platforms and rotorcraft services that state and local governments procure for utility infrastructure inspection, emergency response, and specialized missions requiring sustained-hover and cargo-carrying capability. Recent opportunities under this code reveal that state and local buyers are acquiring helicopter operator services—not aircraft alone—for post-disaster utility damage assessment, routine transmission-line inspections, engine maintenance and repair support, and firefighting-adjacent roles. Issuing bodies include municipal utilities (Orlando Utilities Commission, Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative), city police aviation divisions (City of Tampa), and fire protection districts (Consolidated Fire Protection District of Los Angeles County). The work spans pilot services with FAA Part 135 certification, 4-seat and larger rotorcraft with extended-hover capability for slow-speed operations, comprehensive maintenance and engine overhaul, parts procurement, and rapid-mobilization on-demand contracts activated through task orders or notices to proceed following storm events.

Activity concentrates in Florida and California, with recent solicitations from the Orlando Utilities Commission, Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative (Florida), the City of Tampa Police Department Aviation Division (Florida), and the Consolidated Fire Protection District of Los Angeles County (California). Representative recent opportunities include the Orlando Utilities Commission's RFP 9002 (posted August 31, 2026, with Chesapeake Bay Helicopters and Heliservice named as awardees on July 7, 2026) procuring FAA-certified helicopter operator services for transmission-line inspections at hourly rates for low-speed flight, ferry, and standby time; Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative's RFP 202607 (posted September 28, 2026, with deadline July 17, 2026, now closed) for post-disaster helicopter utility inspection with 24–48-hour mobilization windows; the City of Tampa Police Department Aviation Division's ITB 26P00177 (posted August 10, 2026, sealed bid deadline April 20, 2026) for Rolls-Royce Model 250 helicopter engine repair, overhaul, parts, and warranty services with an estimated annual expenditure of $275,000 and total contract value of $562,000 across the award and renewal periods; and the Consolidated Fire Protection District of Los Angeles County's Invitation for Bids FDCAWD0526 (posted June 10, 2026, due July 6, 2026) for a three-year helitanker and intelligence helicopter lease and service agreement with two optional one-year extensions.