Aircraft Services - LDWF

The State of Louisiana, Office of State Procurement, is requesting bids for aircraft rental services to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) under solicitation 3000026482, with bids due August 13, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. Central Time. Award will be made on an all-or-none basis to the overall lowest responsive, responsible bidder.

The scope is provision of a Cessna 210 or equivalent single-engine, high-wing aircraft with pilot for waterfowl surveys in Northeast Louisiana. The contractor must conduct two monthly surveys in December and January annually, each comprising four full flight days with a one-week commitment to accommodate weather delays. Total flight hours per survey will not exceed 90, with daily flight time ranging from four to eight hours. The aircraft must be capable of flying at 200–250 feet above ground level over aquatic, agricultural, and forested habitats throughout the Louisiana portion of the Mississippi River Alluvial Valley and must accommodate a pilot and minimum two state-employed observers. Equipment must include 12V or USB power sources for survey recording equipment and onboard GPS for pilot navigation and transect line maintenance. Flights will be scheduled mid-December and early January with approximately 24 hours advance notice. The contractor's aircraft should be geographically based within specified parishes (Avoyelles, Caldwell, Catahoula, Concordia, East Carroll, Franklin, LaSalle, Madison, Morehouse, Ouachita, Rapides, Richland, Tensas, West Carroll) or Mississippi counties bordering the Mississippi River–Louisiana border to minimize daily travel time.

The initial contract term is 12 months commencing September 1, 2026, or the date of award, whichever is later. The contract may be extended for two additional 12-month periods at the State's option, with a maximum total duration of 36 months. The contract includes an increase/decrease clause for additional hours or surveys as needed. Pricing shall be quoted on a unit basis for 6-hour, 7-hour, and 8-hour rental periods, with all freight charges included and F.O.B. Destination terms. Bid prices must be firm for a minimum of 30 days.

The contractor must maintain comprehensive insurance: Workers Compensation ($1 million employers liability minimum), Commercial General Liability ($1 million per occurrence / $2 million aggregate minimum), Automobile Liability ($1 million combined single limits per occurrence minimum), and Aircraft Liability ($5 million per occurrence minimum). Written inquiries are due July 30, 2026, with responses by August 6, 2026. Bids must be submitted online through the LaGov vendor portal. The buyer is Raymond McKnight, 225-342-9200 or raymond.mcknight2@la.gov.