Exclusive Use Fire Helicopter Flight Services, Sou

The Department of the Interior, through the Interior Business Center, seeks exclusive use fire helicopter flight services supporting the U.S. Wildland Fire Service in South Florida, with proposals due October 26, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time. The procurement is set aside for Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB) at 100%.

Place of performance is Everglades National Park (X51) or Big Cypress National Preserve (9FL7), with aircraft supporting operations across Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve, Biscayne National Park, and Dry Tortugas National Park. The contract is a five-year IDIQ covering January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2031, with an exclusive use period of 120 calendar days annually (January 15 through May 15). The contract ceiling is $5,000,000, with a minimum guarantee of 120 days of daily availability in the base year and estimated 75 annual flight hours in the base year and 10 hours for extensions.

The contractor must provide one light turbine-powered helicopter with skid landing gear and tundra pads, minimum 1,200-pound payload (HOGE at specified conditions), seating for five insured passengers plus pilot, 120-knot VNE airspeed, dual VHF-AM and dual VHF-FM P25-compliant transceivers, GPS with weather capability, traffic awareness system, satellite phone, emergency locator transmitter, automated flight following satellite tracking compatible with the government's AFF Program, and a 90-inch minimum cargo basket with 250-pound load capacity and quick attach/detach capability. The contractor must also provide one fuel servicing vehicle with minimum 8-hour fuel capacity, relief crews for all positions, and all maintenance. Pricing includes daily availability rates, flight hour rates with fuel included, standby at $70 per hour, fuel servicing vehicle mileage, per diem at GSA rates, and miscellaneous charges at actual cost. Flight rates are subject to economic price adjustment based on jet fuel price fluctuations with a reference base fuel price of $7.21 per gallon effective the award date. Service Contract Act wage determinations apply. NAICS code is 481211; PSC code is V221. Contracting Officer is Melanie Johnson. Amendment 0001 was issued October 19, 2026, clarifying aircraft requirements and confirming cargo basket and tundra pad specifications; acknowledgment of amendment receipt is required prior to the offer deadline.