Aircraft Training

The Texas Department of Public Safety is conducting an open enrollment solicitation for multiple FAA-certified flight training contracts (Solicitation No. 405-25R0021451), with applications due August 31, 2030, and a contract term commencing on award through August 31, 2030 with an optional six-month extension. This is a significant procedural change: Addendum 1 (effective May 26, 2026) removes all Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Subcontracting Plan requirements from the original solicitation, eliminating the need for vendors to submit HUB subcontracting documentation or demonstrate good faith efforts in utilizing HUB subcontractors.

Qualified applicants must be FAA-certified Part 61 or Part 141 flight training academies located in Texas, capable of providing instruction across private, instrument, commercial, ATP, CFI, and CFII ratings for single-engine land, multi-engine land, and rotorcraft aircraft including the AS350 B3, H125, Bell 407GXI, EC 145, H145, Bell 412, Cessna Caravan 208, Pilatus PC12, BE300, and King Air 350. Applicants must demonstrate a minimum of five years' experience training in the specified aircraft and at least ten years' experience providing hoist, search and rescue, aerial use of force, and water egress training for law enforcement or military personnel. Training services are to be performed within 500 nautical miles of Austin, Texas, on an as-needed, as-requested basis with no minimum compensation guaranteed.

DPS will evaluate applications on best value standards under Texas Government Code, considering past performance through the Vendor Performance Tracking System, ability to meet advertised specifications, financial capability, and organizational capacity. Applicants must submit all required documentation including the Information and Certifications Form, tax identification forms, direct deposit authorization, business continuity and disaster recovery plans, references for similar past projects, and resumes of key personnel. Pricing must be submitted on the Mandatory Pricing Schedule with all-inclusive costs; vendors may not include exceptions or assumptions in applications. Applicants must provide evidence of financial stability through audited financial statements from the preceding two years or alternative documentation and maintain appropriate insurance coverage throughout the contract term. Applications must be submitted electronically to DPS_Solicit_Response@dps.texas.gov by 5:00 p.m. Central Time on August 31, 2030. Offerors must acknowledge receipt of Addendum 1 prior to submission or face offer rejection.