2025 Lower Columbia and Willamette River Angler Effort Aerial Survey

The Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife is seeking a contractor to conduct aerial angler effort surveys on specific river segments in 2025, including the Willamette River from Willamette Falls to its mouth, the Clackamas River from River Mill Dam to its mouth, and the Columbia River from Herman Creek near Cascade Locks to Buoy 10. The procurement requires a contractor to provide an approved aircraft, an experienced pilot, and necessary equipment to perform low-altitude aerial surveys counting boat and bank anglers. Minimum qualifications include 1,000 hours of total flight time, with specific requirements of 100 hours in low elevation flights under 500 feet, 100 hours flying up to 6,500 feet altitude, and 100 hours of wildlife inventory or similar low-altitude survey experience. The aircraft must have radio communications, GPS navigation, and remote tracking capabilities. Evaluation criteria are weighted across four categories: Estimated Fees (30 points), Understanding of Requested Services/Project (25 points), General Qualifications (25 points), and Pilot Qualifications (25 points). The Request for Proposals (RFP #S-63500-00012316) was issued on December 24, 2024, with proposals due on January 31, 2025, at 3:00 PM Pacific Time, and anticipated award notification on February 13, 2025.

The solicitation does not explicitly specify set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged business enterprises, though the RFP does include provisions for trade secret protection and business practice certifications. The contract requires the contractor to maintain multiple insurance types, including workers' compensation, commercial general liability ($2M per occurrence/$4M aggregate), automobile liability ($1M), and aircraft liability ($2M). The procurement anticipates a minimum of 30 flight hours, with potential for 15 additional hours, originating from Troutdale Airport. While no incumbent vendor is mentioned, the contract includes federal funding provisions and requires the contractor to provide seating for one passenger with clear front and side window views. The contractor must be available within 48-hour notice and provide backup aircraft/pilot options. Pricing components include hourly rates for aircraft and pilot services, ferry flights, fuel truck driver rates, mileage, and per diem costs according to state rates. Although a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the detailed pricing structure suggests flexibility in contract value based on actual flight hours and associated services.