Hells Canyon Bighorn Sheep Capture 2025

The Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) is procuring helicopter capture services for the Hells Canyon Bighorn Sheep Restoration project through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP No.: S-63500-00011811). The primary objective is to capture up to 50 bighorn sheep in the greater Hells Canyon area during a capture window from February 1 through March 15, 2025. The selected contractor must provide a fully equipped helicopter with an experienced pilot, a fuel truck with driver, and a wildlife capture crew including a net gunner and muggers. Key deliverables include safe capture, transportation to a base camp, and support for ODFW's biological sampling and radio-collaring efforts. Evaluation criteria appear to include technical qualifications, pilot experience, equipment capabilities, and pricing. The proposal submission deadline is October 31, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. PST, with the contract ultimately awarded to Baker Aircraft of Baker City, Oregon, after a comprehensive evaluation process that considered responsiveness, responsibility, and overall scoring.

The RFP demonstrates a commitment to equal opportunity participation and appears to encourage diverse contractor involvement, though specific set-aside designations are not explicitly detailed. The contract promotes collaboration between Oregon, Idaho, and Washington as part of the Hells Canyon Initiative for bighorn sheep research and management. While specific budget details are not comprehensively disclosed, the tally sheet indicates bid responses ranging from $63,850.00 to $135,625.00. The contractor will not be compensated for any animals that die or must be euthanized due to capture-related injuries, which represents a key risk allocation provision. No incumbent vendor information is provided, and the RFP does not specify integration requirements with existing infrastructure or technology. The contract allows for potential amendments within the original scope of work, providing flexibility for ODFW to adjust project parameters as needed.