Up To A Dozen S-70i Aircraft To Be Acquired By The State

Cal Fire has awarded a contract to Air Methods/United Rotorcraft for up to a dozen S-701 Black Hawk helicopters to replace the aging fleet of Bell Huey aircraft currently operated by the state.

Vertical Mag reports that, according to the RFP, Cal Fire plans to acquire 12 aircraft over a five year period. The contract also has options for three one-year extensions of the deal.

Cal Fire deputy director of communications Janet Upton said that the Hueys have served the state well, "but we’ve exhausted the supply of available parts.” At the same time, she added, “there’s been a drastic increase in the number of large damaging fires in California.”

The aircraft will reportedly cost about $20 million each. The Sikorsky aircraft was selected over a bid from Leonardo company using a "best value" approach. Leonardo Company reportedly did not dispute the award to Sikorsky by the August 4 deadline.

Michael Liang, assistant deputy director of public affairs for California’s Department of General Services, told Vertical that the RFP calls for delivery of the first aircraft within 365 days of receipt of a purchase order from the state.

(Image from file)

FMI: Original Report