Rotary-Wing Flight Services in Nevada

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is soliciting quotations for rotary-wing flight services to support wildlife damage management operations in Nevada and bordering states. This Request for Quotation (RFQ) number 12639526Q0099 seeks a single contractor to provide comprehensive helicopter flight services, including operation and maintenance of one turbine-powered helicopter and one fuel truck for daylight VFR operations supporting predation mitigation, disease monitoring, invasive species removal, and emergency response. The pilot must hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate with instrument rating and meet specific experience requirements, including 1,500 total flight hours (250 pilot-in-command hours, 100 in the preceding 12 months, and 75 night hours), plus additional low-level flight experience credentials. The Government will evaluate proposals based on best value to the agency, considering price, past performance, and technical capability in meeting the requirements outlined in the Statement of Work. The deadline for quotation submission has been extended to April 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM Central Time, with all submissions required via email to Amanda Barbosa at amanda.barbosa@usda.gov.

This acquisition is designated as a Total Small Business Set-Aside with a size standard of $25 million, making it available exclusively to small business concerns. The contract is structured as a firm, fixed-price, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) award with a five-year period of performance, beginning May 1, 2026, and extending through April 30, 2031, comprising five one-year ordering periods. The contract ceiling is $1,500,000.00 with a guaranteed minimum of $7,000.00, and the Government estimates 60-100 helicopter flight hours per ordering period, with additional charges for fuel truck and trailering mileage and fixed daily travel rates. The contractor must maintain comprehensive insurance coverage, including aircraft public and passenger liability ($200,000 per person, $500,000 per occurrence), general liability ($500,000), and workers' compensation with Public Aircraft Operations endorsements, and comply with all FAA regulations and Wildlife Services Aviation Safety and Operations Manual requirements. Performance will occur in Reno, Nevada, with the contracting office located in Minneapolis, Minnesota.