24AQP008 California Aircraft Temperature Soundings (Fresno)

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has issued Invitation for Bid (IFB) No. 24AQP008 for California Aircraft Temperature and Ozone Soundings in Fresno County, seeking a contractor to conduct specialized aerial data collection services. The procurement requires daily flights at the Fresno Air Terminal, with precise temperature measurements taken at 500-foot intervals from ground surface to 5,000 feet above ground, and operating seven days per week (reduced to five days per week in March, April, and May). Contractor pilots must meet stringent qualifications, including a minimum of five years of licensing, Instrument Flying Rules rating, current biennial flight review, and valid FAA medical certification. The contract term spans 24 months, from June 1, 2025 to May 31, 2027, with a bid submission deadline of April 18, 2024 at 1:00 PM PST. Bids must be electronically submitted to Purchasing@arb.ca.gov with a 50 MB file size limit, and bidders will be evaluated based on responsiveness, responsibility, and compliance with detailed IFB instructions.

The procurement includes specific set-aside guidelines for Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation and requires compliance with COVID-19 prevention protocols. Bidders must submit monthly reports and provide their own temperature sensing equipment to perform the required data collection services. The total project budget is $70,000, with bids exceeding this amount potentially deemed non-responsive. While no incumbent vendor is specifically mentioned, the contract requires integration with existing meteorological data collection protocols and adherence to state and federal regulatory standards. Successful contractors will need to demonstrate technical capabilities in aerial data collection, precise measurement techniques, and comprehensive reporting mechanisms to meet the California Air Resources Board's scientific research and environmental monitoring objectives.