DNR RFB Roseau EU Helicopter for Fire Control

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is soliciting sealed bids for the rental and operation of one rotary wing helicopter with comprehensive fire control support services for operations in Roseau County. This Request for Bid (RFB), designated as Solicitation No. 2026-491, seeks bids for all labor, aircraft, operator, equipment, fuel, lubricants, materials, tools, transportation, and related incidentals necessary to provide fully contractor-operated and equipped helicopter services including an attached fuel truck. Bidders must provide guaranteed exclusive use availability for a minimum of 42 days during the spring fire season (April 7 through June 6, 2026), with optional day-by-day availability for the remainder of the contract year through December 31, 2026, and potential renewal for two additional years by mutual agreement. Required deliverables include current FAA Part 133, 135, and 137 Operating Certificates; load calculations demonstrating required hover performance minimums; pilot qualifications documentation; aircraft maintenance records; and proof of required insurance coverage. The contractor must base operations at Roseau Helibase in Roseau, Minnesota, and provide all mobilization and demobilization costs during the exclusive use period. Compensation includes a daily availability rate for the exclusive use period, fixed hourly flight rates for optional use periods, fuel truck mileage reimbursement at $3.00 per mile for state-ordered dispatches, extended standby pay at $50.00 per hour over 9 hours daily, special use operations fees at $100.00 per day for long-line or aerial ignition missions, and per diem at Federal Travel Rates for operations at alternate bases. Bidders may propose either light or intermediate helicopter classifications, and the State reserves the right to award based on best value considerations. All responses must be submitted electronically through the SWIFT Supplier Portal by January 22, 2026, at 2:00 PM; site visits are available by contacting Project Supervisor Rob Johnson at 218-322-2723 or 218-244-4026.

This procurement contains no identified set-asides for disadvantaged enterprises, minority-owned businesses, or other protected classifications, though the State considers vendor registration status, Minnesota resident vendor status, and small business certification as relevant evaluation factors. All responding vendors must complete and submit the Workforce and Equal Pay Declaration form with their bids; businesses must either provide current Workforce and Equal Pay Certificates from the Minnesota Department of Human Rights or qualify for exemption based on employing fewer than 40 employees on a single day during the prior 12 months in Minnesota or their primary state of business. The specifications document references 2025 contract flight time of 25 hours for the Roseau helicopter contract, as clarified in Addendum 1, providing prospective bidders with historical usage data. No incumbent vendor or current contractor is identified in the solicitation materials. Unit pricing must include all costs such as labor, materials, tools, transportation, equipment, and applicable sales and use taxes, with the final award made to the lowest responsible vendor meeting all specifications and terms and conditions. No specific budget range or award value is disclosed in the available solicitation documents; pricing will be evaluated on a competitive bidding basis using the price schedules submitted for both the guaranteed exclusive use period and optional use periods across the primary contract year and potential renewal years.