Helicopter Part, Maintenance, and Repair Services

The Nevada State Purchasing Division, on behalf of the Nevada Division of Forestry, is seeking a qualified vendor to provide comprehensive helicopter parts, maintenance, and repair services for three helicopters: two Bell aircraft (212S & 205A+) and one UH-1H surplus military helicopter used in state wildland fire protection. The solicitation (RFP 70CNR-S3430) requires vendors to be an FAA Class III certified repair station specializing in Bell Helicopter medium series helicopters, located within 200 +/- 50 miles of Minden, Nevada. Vendor qualifications include being registered on nevadaepro.com, holding a Nevada business license, and maintaining an active SAM.gov registration. The evaluation will be based on demonstrated competence (20%), experience (20%), RFP conformance (20%), key personnel expertise (20%), and cost (20%), with a potential 5% preference for Nevada-based businesses. The contract is expected to be a four-year term, with proposals due by August 21, 2025, and an anticipated contract start date of October 14, 2025. Required services include drive train component overhaul, sheet metal repairs, and avionics support, with all work to be performed by FAA-certificated mechanics.

Vendors can utilize subcontractors, but they must meet the same requirements as the prime contractor, and all must be FAA certified to work on Bell UH-1 helicopters. The state will award a single contract, with insurance requirements including $5,000,000 in Aviation General Liability, $1,000,000 in Aircraft Liability Coverage, and statutory Workers' Compensation coverage. Insurers must be licensed in Nevada with an A.M. Best rating of at least A- VII. While no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are explicitly mentioned, the solicitation does offer a 5% preference for Nevada-based businesses. Vendors must provide detailed pricing information, including hourly rates for business hours, after-hours, weekends, and holidays, as well as emergency repair rates. The cost schedule requires vendors to specify delivery costs, mark-up percentages, and estimated repair turnaround times. Although a specific budget range is not provided, the comprehensive nature of the services and the four-year contract term suggest a substantial contract value for the selected vendor.