T3026 - Wildlands Fire Fighting Aircraft Service (Supplemental)

The State of New Jersey, through the Department of the Treasury's Division of Purchase and Property and in collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and New Jersey Forest Fire Services, is soliciting bids for Wildland Fire Fighting Aircraft Services. The procurement seeks fixed-wing aircraft services across three geographic regions (North, Central, and South) with two distinct aircraft groups based on tank capacities of 400 and 600 gallons. Contractors must provide fully equipped aircraft, including pilots, aviation facilities, maintenance, and fuel, with an expected minimum of two aircraft activated during a four-week period. Bidders must meet rigorous qualifications, including FAA certifications, water bombardment proficiency testing, and capabilities to service all three regions. The bid solicitation includes eighteen price lines covering flight time, daily standby fees, and call-when-needed costs, with vendors required to submit pricing for all lines within their chosen group. The optional pre-quote conference is scheduled for June 9, 2025, with questions due by June 17, 2025, and final quotes due on July 8, 2025, at 2:00 PM Eastern Time through the NJSTART electronic procurement system.

The contract does not specify explicit set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, though standard New Jersey procurement forms suggest a commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity. The three-year contract includes potential extensions up to two additional years, with an anticipated start during the spring fire season. Contractors must provide a performance bond of $250,000 and may potentially support fire suppression services for Middle-Atlantic Interstate Forest Fire Protection Compact member states. While no specific budget range is detailed, the comprehensive pricing structure suggests flexibility in service deployment and potential variability in contract value. The state emphasizes that there is no guaranteed minimum work volume, and award will be based on comprehensive evaluation of technical capabilities, past performance, and precise pricing submissions. Vendors must complete numerous standard procurement forms, including ownership disclosures, conflict of interest declarations, and compliance certifications, with potential disqualification for incomplete or non-responsive submissions.