Right Whale Aerial Surveys
Cancelled State & local contract opportunity Posted
- Solicitation number
- ITB-16909
- State
- Florida
- Responses due
Opportunity facts
- Jurisdiction
- NIGP codes
- UNSPSC codes
- Point of contact
-
- Randy Golightly randolph.golightly@myfwc.com (850) 617-9648
Opportunity details come from vendor.myfloridamarketplace.com. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is requesting bids for aircraft and pilot services to conduct aerial surveys of Atlantic coastal waters off Florida and Georgia to detect North Atlantic right whales, with sealed bids due October 1, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET and public opening the same date.
Only Cessna 337 Skymaster (Cessna T337H variant preferred) and DeHavilland Twin Otter aircraft will be considered. The surveys operate annually from December 1 through March 31, based out of St. Augustine Airport, requiring approximately 350 flight hours per calving season contingent on funding, weather, and aircraft availability. The contract term is two years from Purchase Order issuance, with completion by June 30, 2028.
All pilots must hold minimum 1,500 total pilot hours, 1,200 pilot-in-command hours, 100 hours in category within the preceding 12 months, and demonstrated experience in low-level, slow-flight operations over water. The aircraft must be equipped with GPS navigation compatible with ForeFlight, marine VHF radio, automated flight following (e.g., Spider Tracks), traffic awareness and avoidance systems (TCAS), and an opening window for photography. The vendor must submit a current FAA Air Carrier Certificate, certificate of insurance, and evidence of satisfactory FAA flight checks with the bid package.
Bidders must provide per-flight-hour pricing for both Year 1 and Year 2; the contract is awarded to the responsive, responsible bidder submitting the lowest total average price. Billing is based on actual flight hours recorded on the aircraft Hobbs meter, invoiced bi-weekly or monthly and paid in arrears. Travel expenses for overnight stays away from the base airport are reimbursable in accordance with Florida Statute 112.061. Contract funding is contingent upon FWC receiving annual NOAA Fisheries funding. Vendors must register in MyFloridaMarketPlace and with SunBiz prior to bid opening. Written questions are due September 17, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET. The anticipated award date is October 6, 2026.
Opportunity text
3 versions
Update #3 · Latest ·
The Commission, having received less than two responsive bids on FWC 26/27-16 states its intent to withdraw FWC 26/27-16 and its intent to proceed with the purchase of Right Whale Aerial Surveys, pursuant to section 287.057(6), Florida Statutes, in lieu of re-soliciting for competitive sealed bids. This is the final posting by the Commission on the Vendor Information Portal (VIP) regarding this ITB.
The Commission intends to proceed to negotiate on the best terms and conditions for the State of Florida. This is not an award for Solicitation FWC 26/27-16. This is a notice of withdrawal and proceeding as an exceptional purchase after receipt of less than two (2) responsive bids, per section 287.057(6), Florida Statutes. This purchase is excepted by law from the requirements for competitive procurement.
Failure to file a protest within the time prescribed in section 120.57(3), Florida Statutes, or failure to post the bond or other security required by law within the time allowed for filing a bond shall constitute a waiver of proceedings under chapter 120, Florida Statutes.
Any protests must be filed with the Purchasing Office, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 1875 Orange Avenue East, Tallahassee, Florida 32311-6160 and within the time prescribed in section 120.57(3), Florida Statutes, and Chapter 28-110, Florida Administrative Code.
Addendum 1 posted on 9/22/26.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is seeking competitive pricing for aerial surveys of the Atlantic coastal waters of Florida and Georgia annually from December through March to detect the presence of right whales. The purpose of this bid is to obtain aircraft and pilot services, per the specifications contained herein.
A vendor submitting a bid should be registered in the MyFloridaMarketPlace (MFMP) system and with SunBiz prior to the bid opening.
For a copy of this bid, click on the link at the bottom of the advertisement page on the Florida Vendor Information Portal (VIP) website to download.
Update #2 ·
Addendum 1 posted on 9/22/26.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is seeking competitive pricing for aerial surveys of the Atlantic coastal waters of Florida and Georgia annually from December through March to detect the presence of right whales. The purpose of this bid is to obtain aircraft and pilot services, per the specifications contained herein.
A vendor submitting a bid should be registered in the MyFloridaMarketPlace (MFMP) system and with SunBiz prior to the bid opening.
For a copy of this bid, click on the link at the bottom of the advertisement page on the Florida Vendor Information Portal (VIP) website to download.
Update #1 ·
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is seeking competitive pricing for aerial surveys of the Atlantic coastal waters of Florida and Georgia annually from December through March to detect the presence of right whales. The purpose of this bid is to obtain aircraft and pilot services, per the specifications contained herein.
A vendor submitting a bid should be registered in the MyFloridaMarketPlace (MFMP) system and with SunBiz prior to the bid opening.
For a copy of this bid, click on the link at the bottom of the advertisement page on the Florida Vendor Information Portal (VIP) website to download.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| FWC 26.27-16 ITB Final.pdf | ||
| FWC 26.27.16 Questions & Answers Addendum.pdf |
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