Helicopter Aerial Gunning

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is requesting proposals for blanket helicopter aerial gunning services under an RFP issued June 3, 2026, with proposals due June 18, 2026 at 2:00 PM CST and questions due June 12, 2026 at 2:00 PM CST. TPWD intends to award multiple contracts and will select contractors for individual projects based on best value determinations.

The scope covers lethal removal of exotic ungulates, predators, and feral animals including coyotes, aoudad, feral hogs, and other species in the Trans-Pecos and Panhandle regions. Projected service hours total approximately 155 hours for coyote gunning (120 hours Trans-Pecos, 35 hours Panhandle) and 230 hours for aoudad gunning, scheduled during consecutive five to seven-day periods as needed. Operations span multiple management areas near Marfa, Marathon, Van Horn, Hudspeth County, Pronghorn Herd Units 202 and 204, Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area, and Big Bend Ranch State Park.

Respondents must submit an all-inclusive hourly rate covering all flight hours, ferry time, refueling, and related travel expenses. Contractors provide aircraft, pilots, guns, ammunition, radios, fuel, fuel trucks, gunners, and all necessary consumables and equipment. Minimum qualifications require five years of helicopter wildlife/livestock services experience including aerial gunning in mountainous terrain. Pilots must hold a Commercial Pilot License with current medical certificate, possess minimum 2,000 hours pilot-in-command time in helicopters with at least 1,000 hours in aerial gunning operations in mountainous terrain, and be approved under FAA Part 135. Approved aircraft include Hughes 500E, Hughes MD 500E, Hughes MD 530F, Bell 206, Robinson R66, or TPWD-approved helicopters for aoudad missions; Robinson R44 Raven II is permitted for lower elevation coyote gunning.

Contractors must carry comprehensive insurance: aircraft general liability of $1 million per occurrence, aircraft passenger liability of $100,000 per person / $400,000 per occurrence, workers' compensation at statutory limits, and automobile liability of $500,000 combined single limit, with certificates of insurance required within ten days of award.

The initial contract term runs September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2028, with renewal options for up to three additional one-year periods by mutual written agreement. Evaluation weights: compensation and fees (15%), technical proposal (15%), qualifications and experience (35%), and expertise and ability of pilot and key personnel with safety records (35%). TPWD reserves the right to conduct reference checks and facility/equipment inspections before award.