Prelim resutls OB~1.pdf

This is a preliminary evaluation results document for an intermediate procurement conducted by the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) for helicopter services to support the 2026 Northeast Mule Deer Populations Survey. The project requires a contractor to provide up to two helicopters with experienced pilots to transport three Agency biologists for aerial surveys in Union and Wallowa Counties. The survey will span approximately 145 flight hours over 19 or more days between February 1 and March 15, 2026, with typical daily operations of 7–8 flight hours. Pilots must comply with Federal Aviation Regulation Part 135 standards and operate an R66 helicopter or equivalent with minimum 300 horsepower, GPS navigation, remote tracking, and radio communication equipment. The proposal submission deadline was December 18, 2025, at 2:00 PM Pacific Time, with a Notice of Award anticipated on January 8, 2026.

The evaluation was conducted by a three-member panel using a scoring rubric allocating 15 points for Cost, 15 points for References, 25 points for Understanding of Requested Services, 30 points for General Qualifications, and 30 points for Pilot Qualifications. Three proposals were received and evaluated: Elkhorn Aviation (84.00 ranking score), Inland Helicopters Inc. (91.21 ranking score), and Lohman Helicopters (70.53 ranking score). Cost proposals ranged from $8.29 to $15.00 per flight hour. The contract includes performance provisions such as a $500-per-day penalty for equipment repair delays or pilot replacement issues. Insurance requirements include $2,000,000 Commercial General Liability, $2,000,000 Aircraft Liability, and $1,000,000 Automobile Liability. Proposers were required to provide proof of Oregon business registration, tax compliance certification, non-discrimination certifications, and compliance with HB 3060 requirements regarding sexual harassment and discrimination prevention policies for contracts anticipated to cost $150,000 or more.