Type 3 Standard Category Turbine Powered Helicopter - Klamath Falls

The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) is procuring a Type 3 Standard Category Turbine Powered Helicopter through OregonBuys Bid #S-62900-00013094, specifically for wildland fire suppression operations in the South Central/Eastern Oregon region. The contract seeks one exclusive-use helicopter based near Klamath Falls, Oregon, to provide 75 consecutive calendar days of helicopter services annually with a potential five-year contract term. The helicopter must be capable of personnel transport, fire suppression bucket work, and cargo movement, with specific technical requirements including the ability to lift 850 pounds at 7,000 feet mean sea level at 30 degrees Celsius. Proposers must meet rigorous qualifications, including pilots with extensive wildland fire suppression experience and United States Forest Service (USFS) national helicopter support services certification. The evaluation will consider multiple factors: aircraft performance (30 points), pilot qualifications (80 points), references (30 points), and pricing (70 points), totaling a possible 210 points. The proposal submissions are due on April 14, 2025, at 2:00 PM PST, with a public opening meeting scheduled via Microsoft Teams, and an anticipated Notice of Intent to Award on May 1, 2025.

The procurement encourages participation from small businesses, with specific preferences for disadvantaged, minority-owned, woman-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, and emerging small businesses. The State of Oregon will provide a potential 10% price reduction for proposals involving entirely Oregon-fabricated or performed services. While no incumbent vendor is specifically mentioned, the contract requires compliance with existing USFS National Helicopter Support Services Type 3 Multiple Award Task Order Contract specifications. The pricing structure includes a daily availability rate and an hourly flight rate, subject to a 2% annual adjustment, with additional compensation provisions for extended standby time, mileage, and per diem rates for secondary operations. Although a precise budget range is not explicitly stated, the comprehensive requirements suggest a significant investment in specialized emergency response helicopter services. Proposers must demonstrate financial responsibility, provide current USFS cards for the helicopter, mechanic, and support vehicles, and meet minimum qualifications that underscore the critical nature of these emergency fire response services.