Exclusive Use Type III Helicopter Flight Services in Support of the Bureau of I

The Department of the Interior's Interior Business Center is procuring exclusive use Type III helicopter flight services to support the Bureau of Indian Affairs at two Arizona locations: Window Rock and Whiteriver. The contracted helicopter services will support a range of mission types including fire suppression, fire monitoring, initial attack, prescribed fire, aerial ignition, law enforcement surveillance, and administrative resource activities. Contractor-operated helicopters must meet specific minimum requirements including a light helicopter configuration with five passenger seats, a turbine engine, and appropriate FAA certifications along with defined performance capabilities. The solicitation will be issued on or after December 2, 2025, with proposals due by January 5, 2026, and awards anticipated by March 2026. The government will conduct evaluation under full and open competition using NAICS code 481211 (Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation), though specific evaluation criteria have not been detailed in the pre-solicitation notice.

This procurement is designated as a Total Small Business set-aside, with the small business size standard set at 1,500 employees or less. The contract will consist of two separate awards, one for each geographic location, with each helicopter providing services during an estimated 120-day annual period running from May 1 through August 28. The anticipated contract performance period spans five years, from March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2031, with a possible six-month extension option. A prior Request for Information yielded six vendor responses indicating market capability to meet the procurement requirements. The government has not disclosed estimated contract values, specific budget ranges, or identified any incumbent contractors in this pre-solicitation notice.