FWC 26.27.16 Questions & Answers Addendum.pdf
PDF 298 KB Posted
- Attached to
- Right Whale Aerial Surveys
- Solicitation number
- ITB-16909
- Issued by
- Leon County, Florida
About this file
This is a Questions & Answers Addendum issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) for Solicitation No. FWC 26/27-16, Right Whale Aerial Survey. The addendum clarifies specifications for aircraft and equipment required to conduct aerial surveys of Atlantic coastal waters off Florida and Georgia to detect North Atlantic right whales. The FWC will only accept bids for twin-engine, high-wing aircraft specifically limited to the Cessna 337 Skymaster (Cessna T337H variant preferred) and DeHavilland Twin Otter aircraft. The surveys are conducted annually from December 1 through March 31, with an anticipated goal of 350 flight hours per season, and are based out of St. Augustine Airport. The contract term is two years from Purchase Order issuance, with completion required by June 30, 2028. All sealed bids must be received no later than 3:00 PM ET on Thursday, October 1, 2026.
The addendum provides technical clarification regarding wildlife tracking equipment, specifying that FWC supplies directional metal H antennas (Telonics RA-2AHS model) and handheld receivers that are not permanently installed on aircraft but are used only in specific circumstances to relocate tagged animals. Vendors must develop small mounting brackets for antennas on the underside of aircraft booms or wings, with coaxial cables routed through the aircraft interior to cabin seats for FWC staff operation. Billing is based on actual flight hours recorded on the aircraft Hobbs meter and invoiced bi-weekly or monthly in arrears. Contract funding is contingent upon FWC receiving annual NOAA Fisheries funding. The anticipated award date is October 6, 2026.
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Other files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| FWC 26.27-16 ITB Final.pdf |
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Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Commissioners
Rodney Barreto
Chairman
Coral Gables
Steven Hudson
Vice Chairman
Fort Lauderdale
Preston Farrior
Tampa
Joshua Kellam
Palm Beach Gardens
Gary Lester
Oxford
Albert Maury
Coral Gables
Sonya Rood
St. Augustine
Office of the
Executive Director
Roger A. Young
Executive Director
Charles “Rett” Boyd
Assistant Executive Director
George Warthen
Chief Conservation Officer
Jessica Crawford
Chief of Staff
850-487-3796
850-921-5786 FAX
Managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people.
620 South Meridian Street
Tallahassee, Florida
32399-1600
Voice: 850-488-4676
Hearing/speech-impaired:
800-955-8771 (T)
800-955-8770 (V)
MyFWC.com
DATE: SEPTEMBER 22, 2026
ADDENDUM NO.: 1
BID NO.: FWC 26/27-16
BID TITLE: RIGHT WHALE AERIAL SURVEY
UPDATE: QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
The enclosed addendum has been issued for consideration in the preparation of your response to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Solicitation
No. FWC 26/27-16, “ Right Whale Aerial Survey”.
All responses to the subject solicitation must be received no later than 3:00 PM (ET) on
Thursday, October 1, 2026.
A response received after the exact time specified will not be considered. Failure to file a protest within the time prescribed in Section 120.57(3), Florida Statutes (F.S.), or failure to post the bond or other security required by law within the time allowed for filing a bond shall constitute a waiver of proceedings under Chapter 120, Florida Statutes.
Written notices, formal requests and proceedings must conform with the requirements set forth in Chapter 28-110, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.). Protests must be filed with the Purchasing Office, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 1875 Orange
Avenue East, Tallahassee, Florida 32311-6160 within the time prescribed in Section
120.57(3), F.S. and Chapter 28-110, F.A.C.
Sincerely, Randy Golightly
FWC Procurement Manager
FWC SOLICITATION ADDENDUM 2
BEGIN ADDENDUM
QUESTION #1
Could you confirm whether a single-engine, low-wing turboprop would be considered? We would like to explore offering a Pilatus PC-12. The PC-12 offers a spacious cabin with considerably more room for observers and equipment than many smaller high-wing survey aircraft. That additional space could provide a more comfortable working environment during extended survey flights.
ANSWER #1
A twin engine, high-wing aircraft is required. The FWC will only be accepting bids for Cessna 337 Skymaster
(Cessna T337H is the most common variant used) and DeHavilland Twin Otter aircraft.
QUESTION #2
4.2 Could you please let us know how many hours the aircraft flew on this contract each of the last three years? We understand 350 hours are expected. In order to bid as low a rate as possible, we would like to know how previous seasons have gone in terms of hours flown over those four months, if possible.
ANSWER #2
The goal is to fly 350 hours, and this has been accomplished many times.
QUESTION #3
17.6 Does this paragraph apply to this contract, FWC 26/27 - 16, for marine mammal aerial surveys? If so, can we get details on exactly what is needed? Does FWC supply the antenna and receiver? If yes, what is the make and model of the antenna. If not, what is the required frequency range of the antenna? We ask only because we have not seen the requirement in other marine mammal survey work and want to be sure we have the needed hardware and paperwork.
ANSWER #3
The wildlife tracking antennas and receiver are supplied by FWC. Wildlife tracking antennas are only used in specific circumstances (to relocate a tag placed on an animal) and are not permanently installed on the aircraft. These are directional metal H antennas (https://www.telonics.com/products/vhfAntennas/RA-
2AHS.php). The receiver is handheld, located inside the aircraft, and operated by FWC staff. The antennas are mounted outside the aircraft where they have a clear view outward and down towards the surface of the water. Because they are directional, one is mounted on each side of the aircraft. Previous vendors have developed small mounting brackets for the antennas on the underside of the booms or wings (boom-mounted antennas seemed to operate better). The mounting brackets are then paired with a coaxial cable that is routed through the interior of the aircraft and into the cabin where the coaxial cables are attached to the receiver. The coaxial cables need to be long enough to reach the seats for FWC staff.
END ADDENDUM
https://www.telonics.com/products/vhfAntennas/RA-2AHS.php https://www.telonics.com/products/vhfAntennas/RA-2AHS.php
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