South coast aerial ELK survey

The State of Oregon, acting through the Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a South Coast Aerial Elk Survey contract. The procurement seeks a contractor to provide a helicopter, experienced pilot, fuel truck, and licensed driver to conduct elk population surveys in Western Douglas, Coos, and Curry Counties across multiple Wildlife Management Units. The primary deliverable involves flying up to three ODFW biologists during the first and last hours of daylight, with an anticipated usage of 30 total flight hours. Specific aircraft requirements include a Bell 206BIII or equivalent helicopter, operated by pilots with a minimum of 1,000 total helicopter flight hours and 100 hours of low-elevation flight experience. The contractor must also provide a 4x4 fuel service truck with a licensed driver. Key proposal dates include a submission deadline of January 17, 2023, with ODFW expecting to issue a Notice of Intent to Award on January 23, 2023, and a contract term beginning February 1, 2023. The initial contract period is one year, with an option to renew for an additional year.

The RFP does not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged business enterprises. While no incumbent vendor information is provided, the contract appears structured for professional aviation services with specific technical qualifications. The document does not explicitly state a total contract value or budget range, though the scope suggests a medium-scale wildlife survey project requiring specialized aviation resources. The procurement is open to contractors meeting the detailed technical and operational requirements outlined in the RFP, with an emphasis on pilot experience, aircraft capabilities, and the ability to support scientific wildlife population assessment. Potential respondents will need to demonstrate technical competence in low-elevation helicopter operations, wildlife survey support, and mobile fuel service capabilities to be considered for the contract.