Aerial waterfowl survey bid request.docx

1. DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES AND SERVICES

1.1. SUPPLIES AND/OR SERVICES REQUIRED: IDNR (Illinois Department of Natural Resources) requires services of a vendor to provide a pilot and fixed-wing aircraft (Cessna 182 or similar high wing plane) to complete low-level flight operations to determine weekly estimates of waterfowl use in southern Illinois and biweekly (every other week) estimates of waterfowl use in central, west-central, and northeast Illinois. Thirty-two surveys are scheduled, mid-October 2019 through early February 2020. See attached a map of the general survey area (Attachment A).

Southern Illinois: Sixteen weekly surveys are scheduled. Surveys will involve flying below 500 feet AGL along a set route over 14 waterfowl areas. The following locations are included on each survey: Vandalia Lake (Fayette County), Keck’s Marsh (Fayette County), Carlyle Lake (Fayette and Clinton counties), Ten Mile Creek SFWA (Hamilton County), Rend Lake (Jefferson and Franklin counties), Pyramid SRA (Perry County), DuQuoin (Perry County), Campbell Pond (Jackson County), Burning Star Mine (Jackson County), Cache River (Johnson County), Mermet Lake (Massac County), Horseshoe Lake (Alexander County), Union County FWA (Union County), and Crab Orchard NWR (Williamson County). Note: Two traditional survey locations in Kentucky (Ballard County WMA and Swan Lake) will not be included on the southern Illinois survey this year.

One Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) biologist, and as many as two or three IDNR biologists, will accompany the pilot on each survey. The pilot will pick up IDNR biologists at Shelbyville and Marion airports. Approximately eight surveys will begin at the Shelbyville airport and approximately eight surveys will begin at the Marion airport, but it may be necessary to begin several surveys at an alternate airport. The pilot will coordinate closely with IDNR biologists to determine survey dates, start locations, and IDNR crew for each survey. Flight routes will be determined by an IDNR biologist. Each survey requires approximately 7 to 8 hours of flight time. Flights usually are scheduled to occur on a Monday. If inclement weather or other factors prevent flights on Monday, the Vendor must be available to perform the work on Tuesday or Wednesday. If inclement weather or scheduling conflicts extend through Wednesday, the southern Illinois flight may be canceled.

Central Illinois: This survey will be flown biweekly in conjunction with the southern Illinois survey when the southern survey starts at the Shelbyville airport. There are eight southern Illinois surveys scheduled to begin at the Shelbyville airport. These eight surveys will include three central Illinois survey locations (Lake Shelbyville, Lake Springfield, and Sangchris Lake) and the 14 southern Illinois surveys locations identified above.

West-central Illinois: Eight biweekly surveys are scheduled. Surveys will involve flying along transects at or below 500 feet AGL along a set route over wetlands in portions of Fulton, Knox, Peoria, Stark, Bureau, and Henry counties.

One to three IDNR biologists, but normally two biologists, will accompany the pilot on each survey. The pilot will pick up IDNR biologists at the Canton airport. The pilot will coordinate closely with IDNR biologists to determine survey dates and IDNR crew for each survey. Flight routes will be determined by an IDNR biologist. Each survey will require approximately 4 hours of flight time, departing from and returning to Canton. Additional flight time may be required for commuting to and from the Canton airport. Flights typically are scheduled to occur on a Tuesday. If inclement weather or a schedule conflict prevents flying on a Tuesday, flights must be rescheduled for the next available day with suitable weather of that schedule week. If inclement weather or schedule conflicts extend through Friday, flights may be canceled.

Northeast Illinois: Eight biweekly surveys are scheduled. Surveys will involve flying at or below 500 feet AGL along a set route over lakes, river segments, and other selected wetlands in northeast Illinois. The following locations are included on each survey: Kankakee River, Lake Renwick and nearby wetlands, DesPlaines River, Dresden Cooling Lake, Braidwood Cooling Lake, Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area, Mazonia State Fish and Wildlife Area, Heidecke Lake, Illinois River, and LaSalle Cooling Lake.

One to three IDNR biologists, but normally two biologists, will accompany the pilot on each survey. The pilot will pick up IDNR biologists at the Morris airport. The pilot will coordinate closely with IDNR biologists to determine survey dates and IDNR crew for each survey. Flight routes will be determined by an IDNR biologist. Each survey will require approximately 3 hours of flight time, departing from and returning to Morris. Additional flight time may be required for commuting to and from the Morris airport. Flights usually are scheduled to occur on a Tuesday. If inclement weather or a schedule conflict prevents flying on a Tuesday, flights must be rescheduled for the next available day with suitable weather of that schedule week. If inclement weather or schedule conflicts extend through Friday, flights may be canceled.

For procurements conducted in BidBuy, the State may include in this contract the BidBuy Purchase Order as it contains the agreed Supplies and/or Services.

|_| If checked, see the attached BidBuy Purchase Order for a Description of Supplies and/or Services.

1.2. MILESTONES AND DELIVERABLES: Vendor shall not perform services, provide supplies or incur expenses in amount exceeding the amount shown in this contract, unless the State has authorized a higher amount in writing prior to the Vendor performing the services, providing the supplies, or incurring the expenses.

Vendor’s plane shall be based at or in close proximity to the Springfield airport (≤ 60 miles). Vendor shall be reimbursed for flight time from their base location to the designated airport locations to pick up the biologist(s), time spent conducting surveys and flight time back to airport locations to drop off biologists and back to their base location. Vendor must be flexible about survey dates because weather (high winds, heavy rain, snow, etc.) will dictate when aerial surveys may occur. Number of surveys scheduled per week ranges from one to three, with two per week the most common (13 out of 17 weeks). Occasionally, inclement weather or schedule conflicts may prevent completion of surveys or result in schedule adjustments.

1.3. VENDOR / STAFF SPECIFICATIONS: The Vendor shall provide all necessary equipment, materials, and personnel to complete the project in the time frame specified. The Vendor shall provide a pilot, minimum Cessna 182 or comparable airplane with high wings, fuel and proof of insurance. The Vendor shall have an active low-level waiver through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The vendor’s pilot shall possess the following minimum qualifications:

· A valid and current FAA Commercial pilot certificate/license with the proper ratings for the equipment to be used.

· At least 1,000 hours of pilot in command flight experience in the make and model or equivalent aircraft to be used on this operation.

· At least 250 hours of documented pilot in command low-level flying experience. Low level flight is defined as flight below 500 feet above ground level (AGL) that is not for the purpose of takeoff or landing.

· At least 100 hours of pilot in command experience flying low-level (e.g., powerline/pipeline patrol, agricultural operations, law enforcement or wildlife surveys) in a single engine airplane.

· A valid and current Class 1 or Class 2, FAA medical certificate.

Subcontractors are allowed.

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