Aerial Fixed-Wing Surveys and Telemetry Services

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is requesting proposals for statewide aerial fixed-wing surveys and telemetry services on a blanket contract basis, with proposals due November 12, 2026 and questions due October 30, 2026.

TPWD has established a Texas Veteran Heroes United in Business (VetHUB) subcontracting goal of 0.05 percent of the contract value. The contract value is estimated to exceed $100,000.

Contractors must provide fixed-wing aircraft, pilots, personnel, equipment, and fuel for pronghorn population surveys in the Trans-Pecos and Panhandle regions (130 and 140 flight hours respectively), statewide waterfowl surveys (80 flight hours), and aerial radio-telemetry services for locating radio-collared game species (50 flight hours). Operations are based at designated airports including Alpine, El Paso, Fabens, Van Horn, Dalhart, Amarillo, Pampa, and Lubbock. All-inclusive hourly rates must cover related travel expenses, mileage, and ferry time; ferry time from the pilot's home base to designated survey locations and return is not paid by TPWD.

Minimum qualifications include five years of experience in fixed-wing low-level aerial wildlife surveys within the past five years, current FAA Commuter or On Demand Operator Certificate (14 CFR Part 135), and pilots with a minimum of 2,000 pilot-in-command hours with at least 1,000 hours conducting low-level wildlife surveys. Aircraft must be Cessna 180/182, Cessna 206, Kodiak 100, or turbine equivalent, equipped with laser altimeters, GPS systems, and distance band markers. Contractors must maintain aircraft general liability ($1,000,000 each occurrence), aircraft passenger liability ($100,000 per person/$400,000 per occurrence), and workers compensation at statutory limits.

The initial contract term runs from award through August 31, 2027, with options to renew for up to four additional one-year periods and potential extension up to an additional twelve months. Evaluation weights qualifications and experience (30 percent), expertise and safety records of pilots and personnel (35 percent), aircraft specifications and priority features including fuel injection, gross weight of 3,100 pounds or greater, and turbocharging (5 percent), compensation and fees (15 percent), and technical proposal (15 percent). Contract award is anticipated November 30, 2026.