Exclusive Use Helicopter Flight Services, Yosemite

The contractor must provide a fully operated and maintained medium helicopter (minimum HOGE payload 1,500 lb at 30°C/7,000 ft PA), a fuel servicing vehicle, fuel, and all associated equipment and personnel, including PIC, relief pilot, mechanic, relief mechanic, fuel service driver, and relief driver. Missions include short-haul, rappel, cargo letdown, search and rescue, STEP (single-skid, toe-in, hover exit/entry procedures) landings, fire suppression, fire monitoring, initial attack, prescribed fire, aerial ignition, law enforcement (non-threatening surveillance/reconnaissance), and other administrative/resource activities. Flight operations are conducted from 2,000 to 14,000 ft MSL. The contract has a base year with four 1-year ordering periods, an exclusive use period of 172 days (May 3–October 22) per year, and the aircraft is subject to exclusive government use 24/7 during that period. The contractor must also provide an office trailer for the crew and comply with extensive technical specifications for aircraft equipment, avionics, fuel servicing vehicle, personnel qualifications, duty limitations, maintenance, and safety.