EU Helicopter Flight Services Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

The Department of the Interior's National Park Service is seeking fully contractor-operated exclusive use helicopter flight services to support Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks through a comprehensive aviation contract. The procurement requires one light helicopter to be based at Ash Mountain Helibase, California, capable of performing search and rescue, fire management, law enforcement, and resource management missions. The helicopter must meet specific minimum requirements including five passenger seats, turbine engine, 350-pound non-jettisonable payload capacity, and crash-resistant fuel system. Contractors must hold FAA Part 133, 135, and 137 certificates and maintain active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM). The contract will be awarded using a best-value determination approach, with the solicitation scheduled for release on or after October 10, 2025, proposal submissions due by November 12, 2025, and anticipated contract award by April 2026.

This opportunity is designated as a 100% small business set-aside under NAICS code 481211 for Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation. The contract structure includes a five-year ordering period spanning from April 2026 through March 2031, with a 160-day exclusive use period annually during peak operational seasons. No current incumbent contractors or specific budget ranges were disclosed in the pre-solicitation materials. The procurement falls under PSC category V221 for Passenger Air Charter services, and interested parties should direct inquiries to Contracting Officer Melanie Johnson. The extended timeline provides contractors nearly five years of potential service delivery, representing a substantial long-term aviation support commitment for these critical national park operations.