Utah Division or Wildlife Resources, Helicopter Fish Transfer

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and the State of Utah Division of Purchasing issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB) numbered KI23-4 for a specialized Helicopter Fish Transfer service scheduled for September 14, 2022. The procurement seeks a contractor to provide helicopter services for up to 8.5 hours, with specific requirements including a helicopter capable of transporting one biologist weighing up to 250 pounds and equipped with 6-10 gallon live wells containing water and fish, along with battery-powered aerators. The solicitation was structured as a lowest-cost, responsive, and responsible bidder procurement, with mandatory requirements detailed in Attachments B and C. The bid opened on July 21, 2022, at 2:00 PM MDT and closed on August 10, 2022, at 2:00 PM MDT. Evaluation criteria focused on compliance with detailed transportation specifications, ability to meet the precise service date, and adherence to state procurement regulations.

The contract opportunity did not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Ultimately, Lohman Helicopter LLC was awarded the contract, indicating successful compliance with all procurement requirements. The solicitation included commodity codes spanning aircraft services, transportation services, fishing equipment, and crop production management, reflecting the specialized nature of the helicopter fish transfer service. While specific award value was not disclosed, the procurement suggests a highly specialized, single-award contract with precise operational parameters. The contract necessitated vendor certifications related to potential boycotts, conflicts of interest, and compliance with federal regulations, underlining the comprehensive vetting process for this technical service procurement.