Helicopter maintenance - IFB 26C018006

The California Highway Patrol is requesting bids on helicopter maintenance and repair services for its Office of Air Operations under IFB 26C018006, with sealed bids due June 16, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. The contractor must hold FAA-approved Repair Station certification and demonstrate a minimum of three years of verifiable experience performing maintenance, inspection, and repair on turbine-powered helicopters in law enforcement, emergency response, or comparable high-reliability missions — a hard capability gate.

The scope covers comprehensive maintenance and repair services for a minimum of twelve Airbus Helicopters AS350B3E aircraft operated by CHP. The contractor must maintain a regular workplace physically located within California. Pricing is structured on a low-bid basis with itemized rates for regular labor, overtime labor, second mechanic labor, flight time transportation, ground transportation, parts with allowable markup not to exceed 10%, subscription costs with allowable markup not to exceed 5%, and subcontracted maintenance services. Evaluation will include location adjustments for aircraft transportation from three California airports (Fullerton, Jacqueline Cochran, and Apple Valley).

The initial contract term runs three years (February 1, 2027 through January 31, 2030), with two one-year extension options subject to satisfactory performance, funding availability, and Department of General Services approval if required. A DVBE participation requirement has been waived, but bidders may opt for DVBE participation to receive an incentive of up to 5 percent or $100,000, whichever is less. Small/micro business preferences (up to 5 percent), non-small business subcontractor preferences (up to 5 percent for 25 percent small business participation), and nonprofit veteran service agency small business preferences (up to 5 percent) are available. Combined preference and incentive adjustments cannot exceed 10 percent or $100,000, whichever is less. Written questions are due June 5, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Before agreement execution, the successful bidder must provide proof of liability insurance, pass a driver's license check, and clear a fingerprint background check through California Criminal History Information System and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.