2023 deschutes fall chinook aerial redd surveys

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the 2023 Deschutes Fall Chinook Aerial Redd Surveys, specifically seeking a contractor to provide an aircraft and experienced pilot to conduct aerial surveys in Wasco County. The primary objective is to count Chinook Salmon spawning sites (redds) along the lower 100 miles of the Deschutes River, with up to three aerial survey flights scheduled between October 2023 and January 2024. The contractor must provide a helicopter with specific airframe specifications, equipped with necessary monitoring capabilities, and a licensed pilot with appropriate qualifications to transport up to three ODFW observers during the surveys. Key deliverables include approximately 20 flight hours, 6 ferry flight hours, and support from a fuel/service truck driver, with surveys planned for mid-November and early December 2023. The proposal due date is October 10, 2023, and ODFW will evaluate proposals based on multiple criteria, with pricing being one component of the assessment. The contract will be effective upon full execution and terminate on January 31, 2024, with potential for extension up to four additional years.

There are no specific set-aside designations or restrictions on respondent organizations mentioned in the procurement documents. The RFP does not indicate preferences for disadvantaged enterprises or list any incumbent vendors. The maximum contract compensation is pending, but the cost sheet includes estimated quantities for flight hours, ferry flights, truck driver hours, and per diem expenses for two people over eight days. The contract requires the selected contractor to maintain comprehensive insurance coverages, including aircraft liability insurance, and potentially adhere to federal terms and conditions if federal funding is involved. ODFW reserves the right to increase, decrease, or remove deliverables to meet budgetary constraints and will award the contract to the offeror providing the best overall value. While exact budget ranges are not explicitly specified, the cost sheet suggests a comprehensive pricing structure that will help determine the total contract value based on unit prices for various services and expenses related to the aerial salmon redd surveys.