Type 1 Turbine Powered Helicopter - Bonanza

The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) is procuring a Type 1 Twin-Turbine Powered Helicopter for wildfire operations, specifically for use in Jackson County. The primary objective is to secure an exclusive-use helicopter for a 75-calendar day Mandatory Availability Period (MAP), based in Bonanza, Oregon, with capabilities for bucket work involving water or fire suppression chemical application and cargo movement. The procurement requires a helicopter that can lift at least 3,000 pounds at 8,000 feet mean sea level, with two fully qualified pilots (Pilot in Command and Second in Command) who meet USFS/OAS Carding specifications. Evaluation of proposals will be comprehensive, with 210 total possible points distributed across aircraft performance (30 points), pilot desirable features (80 points), references (30 points), and pricing (70 points). The solicitation, identified as RFP #S-62900-00013119, has a proposal opening date of April 18, 2025, at 2:00 PM PST, with a potential contract term extending up to six years. Proposers must submit detailed documentation including USFS/OAS Cards for the helicopter, pilots, and support vehicles, along with performance and pilot summaries.

The contract encourages participation from diverse business enterprises, specifically targeting certified small businesses, disadvantaged businesses, minority-owned businesses, woman-owned businesses, service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, and emerging small businesses. While no specific incumbent vendor is mentioned, the contract includes comprehensive insurance requirements covering workers' compensation, commercial general liability, automobile liability, pollution liability, and aircraft liability. The pricing structure is designed to compensate the contractor based on a daily availability rate calculated by multiplying the flight hour minimum by the flight rate, with provisions for payment of actual flight time or the daily availability rate, whichever is greater. Additional compensation is outlined for extended standby, overnight stays, and vehicle mileage. Though a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the detailed contract suggests a substantial investment in helicopter services for wildfire protection, with flexibility for potential contract extensions beyond the initial 75-day period. The procurement emphasizes technical competence, operational readiness, and the ability to support critical wildfire management operations in Oregon.