Presolicitation
AK Helicopter On Call Flight Services
Department of the Interior · Departmental Offices · Sol. 140D0426R0078
More open Departmental Offices contracts
Due in 27 daysSmall business
AI summary Beta
Some details weren't available to this summary, so it may miss requirements. Check the attachments on SAM.gov.
The Department of the Interior (Aviation Operations and Management) plans to buy on-call helicopter flight services in Alaska, where the contractor supplies the helicopter, pilots and maintenance and the Government directs the missions. It is a pre-solicitation notice only (no proposals requested yet) for multiple IDIQ contracts, set aside 100% for small business, with a five-year ordering period from 01 March 2027 to 29 February 2032.
Watch out for
- Only a pre-solicitation notice. No proposals are being requested and the real solicitation (evaluation, pricing format, aircraft specs) is not out yet, so you cannot size up the bid today.
This is a Pre-Solicitation Notice Only. Proposals are not being requested at this time.
- Aviation certificates are mandatory. Only firms that already hold an FAA Part 121 or Part 135 certificate with the right operations specifications can perform, which shuts out most small businesses.
Aircraft used on this contract must be operated and maintained under provisions of 14 CFR Part 121 or 14 CFR Part 135.
- Government has exclusive control of the aircraft. Aircraft are under the Government's exclusive use during the availability period, so you cannot sell that helicopter's time to other customers while it is under contract.
aircraft furnished shall be subject to the exclusive use and control of the Government
- Dates in the notice do not line up. The notice says the solicitation will be issued around September 25, 2025, which is already past, while the closing date is November 05, 2026, so check SAM.gov for the real schedule.
The anticipated issuance date of the solicitation is on or about September 25, 2025
- Remote, hazardous mission types. Missions include fire support, overwater work and vessel landings in Alaska, which means high insurance and operating costs.
Read from the notice and 2 attachments.
- B01_SPCA_PRESOLICITATION_NOTICE_1_1.docx
- B01_SPCA_PRESOLICITATION_NOTICE_1.docx
Full brief
What they want
- Fully contractor-operated and maintained on-call helicopter flight services in Alaska
- Transport personnel and cargo for Government natural resource missions
- Fire support: fire suppression, monitoring, initial attack, prescribed fire and aerial ignition, rehabilitation seeding
- Search and rescue, animal capture/eradication/tagging, overwater, platform and vessel landings
- Limited law enforcement support (nonthreatening surveillance only) and other administrative natural resource work
- Provide the aircraft, personnel and all related equipment, under Government control during the availability period
- Contract type
- Multiple-award Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ), on-call; commercial services under FAR Parts 12 and 15
- Period of performance
- Five-year ordering period, 01 March 2027 to 29 February 2032
- Place of performance
- Alaska
- Offers due
- Projected closing date November 05, 2026 (SAM.gov response deadline 2026-11-05T17:00:00-05:00); the solicitation itself is not out yet
What to include when you submit
- The Request for Proposals will be posted under Contract Opportunities at www.SAM.gov
- Vendors must be registered in SAM at the time of proposal
You must have
- Small business (100% small business set-aside), NAICS 481211
The Request for Proposals will be solicited as a 100% small business set-aside, under NAICS code 481211.
- Current FAA Air Carrier and/or Operating Certificate, with Operations Specifications covering the aircraft and flight conditions needed
The Contractor must hold a current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Carrier and/or as appropriate an Operating Certificate.
- Aircraft must be operated and maintained under 14 CFR Part 121 or Part 135
Aircraft used on this contract must be operated and maintained under provisions of 14 CFR Part 121 or 14 CFR Part 135.
- Aircraft need a Standard Airworthiness Certificate (and a restricted certificate if required), and any installed equipment must be FAA approved
The installation of any equipment must be Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved.
- Active SAM registration at time of proposal
It is a requirement that vendors be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at time of proposal.
Not in the notice text
- Evaluation method and factors (the solicitation is not released)
- How to submit and the proposal format and page limits
- Estimated value, minimum or maximum order amounts, and expected flight hours
- Required helicopter types, performance specs, crew, and base locations in Alaska
- How many contracts will be awarded
- Whether there is an incumbent or a prior contract
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Key facts
- Response due
- Nov 5, 2026, 10:00 PM UTC
- Posted
- Sep 16, 2026
- Notice type
- Presolicitation
- Solicitation
- 140D0426R0078
- Agency
- Department of the Interior · Departmental Offices
- Office
- Ibc Acq SVCS Directorate (00004)
- Set-aside
- Small Business Set Aside - Total
- NAICS
- 481211
- Product/service code
- V221
- Business type
- Transportation, logistics & vehicles
- Contracting contact
- Gordon, Kellykelly_gordon@ibc.doi.gov0000000000
Full notice text from SAM.gov
Contractor provided helicopter flight services in Alaska
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