Helicopter Upgrades and Retrofitting

The City of Tampa Police Department is seeking bids for a comprehensive helicopter upgrade and retrofitting project (Bid No. 25-P-00014) for its Aviation Unit. The procurement involves multiple critical system upgrades, including Garmin installation, downlink upgrades, dual hook upgrades, Radalt 5G filter installation, and Night Vision Imaging System (NVIS) updates to ensure full operational compliance with FAA regulations. Bidders must have a minimum of 10 downlink installations in the last 5 years, hold a valid FAA 145 Repair Station certificate, and operate within a 150-nautical-mile radius of the Tampa Police Aviation Hangar. All physical and technical work must be performed 100% in-house, with engineering services permitted to be outsourced. The bid is scheduled to be opened on December 24, 2024, at 3:00 pm, with electronic submissions required through the OpenGov eProcurement Portal. The initial contract period is one year, with potential renewal options for three additional one-year periods, and the City reserves the right to extend the original term for up to three additional 30-day periods.

The procurement follows the City of Tampa's Equal Business Opportunity Program guidelines, though no specific subcontracting goals for Small Local Business Enterprises (SLBE) or Underutilized Women and Minority Business Enterprises (U-WMBE) were established for this project. The estimated contract value is $71,000, with comprehensive insurance requirements including commercial general liability, automobile liability, worker's compensation, and excess liability insurance. Bidders must complete various forms including the MBD-40 Letter of Intent and MBD-30 Payments Form to document potential diverse business participation. While the solicitation is open to traditional market participation, the City encourages engagement with local business resources such as the Small Business Development Center and Hillsborough County Economic Development Department. The procurement approach allows for open competition without specific set-asides or bid preferences for minority-owned businesses, focusing instead on technical capability and compliance with detailed upgrade specifications.