S 63500 00015402 Notice of Intent to Award OB~1.pdf

This is a Notice of Intent to Award issued by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) Administrative Services Division for helicopter services related to the 2026 Northeast Mule Deer Population Surveys. The solicitation, RFP No. S-63500-00015402, requested proposals for helicopter services to transport three Agency biologists for aerial surveys of mule deer populations in Union and Wallowa Counties. The project requires up to two helicopters with experienced pilots operating under Federal Aviation Regulation Part 135 standards, with anticipated flight operations of approximately 145 hours over 19 or more days at 7-8 flight hours per day between February 1 and March 15, 2026. The proposal submission deadline was December 18, 2025, at 2:00 PM Pacific Time, with the Notice of Intent to Award dated December 24, 2025. ODFW intends to award a Personal Service Contract to Inland Helicopters, Inc. of Spokane, Washington, which received the highest evaluation scores and was deemed responsive and responsible.

The evaluation criteria weighted proposals based on Cost (15 points), References (15 points), Understanding of Requested Services (25 points), General Qualifications (30 points), and Pilot Qualifications (30 points). Helicopter specifications required an R66 or equivalent aircraft with minimum 300 horsepower, GPS navigation, remote tracking, and radio communication equipment. Insurance requirements included $2,000,000 Commercial General Liability, $2,000,000 Aircraft Liability, and $1,000,000 Automobile Liability coverage. The procurement included a $500-per-day penalty provision for equipment repair delays or pilot replacement issues. Proposers were required to provide Oregon business registration, tax compliance certification, and non-discrimination certifications, with contracts anticipated to cost $150,000 or more requiring compliance with HB 3060 requirements regarding sexual harassment and discrimination prevention policies.