ESBD_465679_1763149735616_Addendum #1.pdf

Purchasing Department 200 Technology Way Suite 1151 ■ College Station, Texas 77845-3424

Phone (979) 458-7381 Fax (979) 458-7387

ALL BIDDERS

FROM: Terry Smith

DATE: 11/14/2025

RE: #RFP-26-003

(Purchase of Medium Lift Helicopters) Addendum #001

The following clarifications, additions, corrections and/or deletions are made to the above referenced Request for Proposal:

Clarifications:

Question 1:

TCAS: Avidyne 605A or Garmin GTS800?

Answer 1:

Please provide the solution you feel best meets our needs. Make sure to include weight and performance data.

Question 2:

Weather Radar: Garmin GDL69 Satellite Weather or Dedicated Weather Radar in the hose (Garmin GWX 75H Weather Radar 12" Array)?

Answer 2:

Question 3:

EMS Interior SAR: Rescue Stretcher or Med Deck?

Answer 3:

Question 4:

EMS Interior - Modular Advanced Life Support – is this intended to be a single modular unit with all medical equipment installed with the litter so that its easily removed when SAR or Fire Fighting missions are being done?

Answer 4:

The aircraft is intended to serve multiple missions (fire, EMS, search and rescue).

Modular and easily removable life support equipment would best serve the diverse mission needs.

Question 5:

USB Ports: We typically add dual usb charging ports (A&C) does this meet the requirement or are you needing two separate ports?

Answer 5:

Please provide the solution you feel best meets our needs.

Question 6:

High Skids: The Bell high skids can handle the belly tank. Is this sufficient or is the "extended height 39” gear” required (much heavier)?

Answer 6:

Please base your bid on standard equipment which is sufficient to accommodate the tank.

Question 7:

For the HEC Hook: Currently vendor is not certified. We will quote both the Bell 5000lb hook and the Mechanical Specialty HEC hook (pending certification).

Answer 7:

Please base your bid on the hook with current certification.

Question 8:

Cargo Restraint: What are the expectations around what needs to be provided? We can provide cargo nets. Tiedowns are typically mission equipment that customers take care of.

Answer 8:

Question 9:

For the 2 TDFM Radios, do you have a Project number? How many frequencies need to be monitored? Typically, we see QTY 2 TDFM 136 Series Radios on USFS aircraft.

Answer 9:

The project number is still pending. Please base your bid on Technisonic 2 TDFM 9000 with MCP ports and 2 TDFM Rear Control heads and AEM audio panels.

TDFM 136 will not meet the interoperability requirements.

Question 10:

All required positions must have JJ-033 and JJ034 type microphone and headphone jacks – These are fixed wing connections. Is a straight pin U-174 (helicopter) acceptable?

Answer 10:

Yes.

Question 11:

Provisions to install Stratus 3 - The Garmin Flight Stream 510 will do the same thing as the Stratus 3. Is this acceptable or are you wanting both for redundancy?

Answer 11:

Please provide the solution you feel best meets our needs. Make sure to include weight and performance data.

Question 12:

Certified PEDs is historically a fixed wing STC. The Liberty Partners STC11071SC is not currently certified but can be quoted for the 412. Is this required or carry over from Fixed Wing RFP?

Answer 12:

This is a carry over. This provision is not required. Delete this section in its entirety.

Question 13:

Are Minor Alterations in accordance with FAA regulations 14CFR part 43 acceptable? This is how Bell does customizing installations such as USB ports.

Answer 13:

Question 14:

Trakka pedestal control panel – with or without joystick?

Answer 14:

With joystick.

Question 15:

How do you want the Hobbs meter to function?(power on, engine running, airborne) Answer 15:

Airborne.

Question 16:

Clarify Delivery Timelines – If 6 helicopters are ordered, is the intent to have all 6 helicopters delivered within 30 months?

Answer 16:

Please provide your capability for delivery timelines for each aircraft. Responses will be evaluated accordingly.

Question 17:

Is there an idea on the custom paint scheme? Will the logos be painted or decals? How many color choices?

Answer 17:

Three colors. Logos will be decals.

Question 18:

To ensure we submit the most comprehensive and responsive proposal that truly represents the best value to the Texas A&M Forest Service, we respectfully request an extension of the proposal deadline to 5:00 P.M. CST on December 23, 2025.

Answer 18:

We will not be extending the proposal deadline

Question 19:

Section 3.1.3 indicates a Best and Final Offer (BAFO) may be requested, and Section 4.5.2 indicates no BAFO process is anticipated. Please clarify which procedure will be followed for proposal revision and selection?

Answer 19:

TFS reserves the right to request a best and final offer but doesn’t anticipate doing so.

Question 20:

Please describe the mission requirements driving the aircraft gross weight requirements (9,000lbs to 16,000lbs). We recommend Texas A&M Forest Service use mission driven performance requirements such as HOGE performance or useful load performance versus weight limitations to procure the best aircraft for the mission.

Answer 20:

The parameters are intended to set minimum performance and design requirements.

Question 21:

Most EMS helipads have weight restrictions for operating aircraft. Please provide a list of approved helipad locations which TFS will be using with a certified landing weight of 16,000 lbs. We recommend the use of any aircraft which can complete the operator's mission and operate within the common EMS landing pad weight restrictions.

Answer 21:

This information is not necessary for completing a response.

Question 22:

Please clarify how much water is needed for an initial attack and over what time period to be successful. What is the mission scenario expected?

Answer 22:

Question 23:

What is the intended payload carried on the cargo hook, given aircraft mission configured weight? Is there a mission scenario that can be provided?

Answer 23:

Question 24:

Please confirm if the awarded contractor's proposal response will be incorporated into the resulting contract.

Answer 24:

Please see section 1.1 of the RFP

Question 25:

Please confirm if TFS will accept including the proposer's terms and conditions as a supplemental attachment where they do not conflict with TFS's solicited T&Cs.

Answer 25:

No. Contract negotiations will happen later in the process.

Question 26:

Please clarify if Attachment A, Section 5 - Inspection and Tests is limited to inspection and flight test only during delivery and acceptance.

Answer 26:

TFS will need to make inspections during the manufacturing process if progress payments are to be made.

Question 27:

Please clarify the applicability expectations, if any, under RFP, Section 5, Clause 5.5.4 - Technology Access clause of this solicitation as it relates to the purchase and operation of a rotorcraft?

Answer 27:

This section is being deleted. See change section below.

Question 28:

Please advise the requisite insurance requirements, as referenced under RFP, Section 8.1 - Proposer Affirmation, Affirmation 20.

Answer 28:

Please provide the insurance you currently have.

Question 29:

Due to the complexity of the Helicopter Requirement and to ensure that all of the Potential Respondents to the RFP have sufficient time to Prepare a Proper and Complete Response to the RFP; We Respectfully Request that the State of Texas and Texas A&M Forest Service Department of Procurement extend the November 24, 2025 @ 2:00 p.m. Deadline for vendors to submit responses to the RFP until to Monday December 22, 2025.

Answer 29:

We will not be extending the proposal deadline.

Question 30:

Can Texas A&M Forestry Service provide a brief explanation (e.g., clarifications) of the Clause 5.5.4 “TECHNOLOGY ACCESS CLAUSE” of the RFP?

Answer 30:

This section is being deleted. See change section below.

Question 31:

With Respect to Clause 5.8 “Acceptance of Goods and Services”, we would like to know if a Ferry Flight is an acceptable mode of transportation for the delivery of the aircraft. As Clause 5.8 states that “[a] all goods and equipment furnished must be new and unused at the time of delivery?

Answer 31:

Question 32:

With Respect to Clause 5.8 can Texas A&M Forestry Service acknowledge the need for testing the aircraft prior to delivery and as such it will be considered to be tested but not “used.”

Answer 32:

Acknowledged.

Question 33:

Can you please describe the type of “EMS” missions you will be conducting. This is imperative as to what configuration items (type of stretcher, oxygen needed/required, suction, etc.) needed/required from an air medical. This will significantly impact the configuration of the machine

Answer 33:

Please provide the solution you feel best meets our needs. Make sure to include weight and performance data. The aircraft is intended to serve multiple missions (fire, EMS, search and rescue). Modular and easily removable life support equipment would best serve the diverse mission needs.

Question 34:

Does Texas A&M Forestry Service or its chosen operator plan on conducting Human External Cargo from both the hoist and cargo hook?

Answer 34:

Question 35:

Can you describe “operating in high pressure altitude and hot temperature conditions.;” what are the conditions you are referring to? And does all equipment need to be on the aircraft during this time as well?

Answer 35:

This is a multi-mission aircraft which will include firefighting. All equipment will need to be in the aircraft during this mission.

Question 36:

Are you looking for SAR Patterns as well as Advanced Hover hold?

Answer 36:

Question 37:

Does the aircraft need to be skidded or is wheeled landing gear an alternative?

Answer 37:

Wheeled is also acceptable.

Question 38:

With the Trakka TLX request, will the Texas A&M Forest Service require the need for IR Filters?

Answer 38:

Yes, IR filters may be used.

Question 39:

Are responders able to adjust their submission based upon when the Project Number for the TDFM 9300 will be given?

Answer 39:

The project number is still pending. Please base your bid on Technisonic 2 TDFM 9000 with MCP ports and 2 TDFM Rear Control heads and AEM audio panels.

Question 40:

Can the Texas A&M Forest Service provide an indication as to the number of pilots and maintainers they are looking to train as part of this RFP?

Answer 40:

Please provide pricing on your standard number of trainings you would provide per aircraft.

Question 41:

If required, will Texas A&M Forest Service operate the Trakka TLX (with IR Filters) under Public Use?

Answer 41:

All possible missions will be conducted in standard category.

Changes:

Change #1: Change section 5 A. of Attachment B:

From: Radios – Aircraft shall have two (2) TDFM 9300 radios. Project number will be provided by TFS to respondents at or just after prebid meeting.

To: The project number is still pending. Please base your bid on Technisonic 2 TDFM 9000 with MCP ports and 2 TDFM Rear Control heads and AEM audio panels.

Change #2: Delete the Certified PED requirement in section 6 of Attachment B.

Change #3: Delete section the second and third sentences of section 1.4 of the RFP and replace with: Please provide your capability for delivery timelines for each aircraft. Responses will be evaluated accordingly.

Change #4: Delete section 5.5.4 of the RFP in its entirety.

In addition to submitting a completed RFP, responding bidders must return signed/dated addendum by either including the addendum with the RFP submittal, or by fax at 979-458-7387. Failure to submit signed/dated addendum may result in disqualification of your bid.

Note: It is the responsibility of the bidder to ensure completed addendum is received in full by the Purchasing Office.

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