Chartering of Helicopters for Migratory Bird Surveys in British Columbia

As part of its mandate to conserve migratory birds, Environment and Climate Change Canada's Canadian Wildlife Service (ECCC-CWS) uses aircrafts to conduct annual surveys of waterfowl and other migratory birds over various suitable habitats in British Columbia.

The bases of operations (points of flight origin) for this project are:

1. Kamloops, BC
2. Quesnel, BC,
3. Williams Lake, BC
4. Smithers, BC
5. Prince George, BC

ECCC-CWS requires air charter services of a rotary-wing aircraft (hereafter, helicopter) in the Interior of British Columbia (BC) to conduct the Principal Work.

Pilots are required to fly extended periods of up to 7 hours per day, at low speeds and low elevation (i.e. less than 200 feet above ground level), often at tree top, among trees, power lines and wildlife (birds). 

ECCC-CWS requires that pilots fly the helicopter in a manner that provides the best possible view of aquatic habitats to one or more observers, but without causing birds to flee due to the presence of the aircraft.

The helicopter Pilot In Command (PIC) must accommodate up to three observers.

The PIC will navigate from a moving map software run on a Toughbook CF-31 or CF-33 computer installed on a floor mount screwed to existing foot pedal holes at the front left of the helicopter. The moving map software will display transect route, transect width, flight track and position against the transect and aquatic features (wetlands, lakes, streams, rivers and marshes) found within each transect. The PIC will monitor aircraft position on the Toughbook, navigate from the moving map software, and remain within the 400m transect at all times while providing optimal viewing conditions of aquatic habitats to the observers. Aquatic habitats might be circled once or more as needed, until observers are satisfied that all birds have been identified and counted. 

The Principal Work is to be conducted during a specific time window period that coincides with the arrival of breeding pairs of waterfowl to their breeding grounds. This time window might vary slightly from year to year depending on winter and spring weather conditions. However, the general survey window is from the last week of April to the first week of June for each year of the Contract. Expected start date (unusual weather conditions pending) is May 1 (plus or minus 2-3 days) and expected survey completion date is May 22 (plus or minus 2-3 days). Unless delays are encountered, the survey should be delivered over 15-17 flying days.

For the first two weeks of the survey, surveys will only be flown from Monday to Friday to allow time off and repositioning of the crews to the next base of operation. Weather, mechanical issues and other setbacks might lead to the cancellation of part of or a full day of survey. Additional survey day(s) will be added at the end of the survey to make up for any lost survey days. Weekend flying might occur near the end of the survey if both crew and PIC are available and agree to weekend flying.

ECCC-CWS cannot readily postpone flights, as timing is critical to accurately survey migratory bird populations before nests are initiated. Therefore, the Contractor must be able to provide a substitute aircraft if mechanical problems lead to a delay in meeting the required service. The substitute aircraft must also meet the aircraft requirements identified in Section 4, Rotary-wing Aircraft (helicopter) Requirements, Rotary-wing Aircraft (helicopter) Requirements.

The Contractor must adhere to flight schedules as strictly as possible to allow ECCC-CWS to maintain the required statistical qualities of the waterfowl counts. However, the Contractor must be prepared for in-season schedule changes due to unforeseen events such as unsuitable weather that preclude safe flying. .

Anticipated flight schedules covering the entire flying season will be forwarded to the Contractor as early as possible and ECCC-CWS will finalize survey dates at least two weeks before May 1 each year of the Contract. Survey dates cannot be determined earlier as they partly depend on spring weather conditions and the speed of snowpack melt across Interior British Columbia.

The Contractor must confirm, within 5 days of receipt of the flight schedule, that it will provide pilot and helicopter to meet the schedule.

The Contractor must provide access to copies of valid Transport Canada Air Operator Certificate including the Table of Contents and all pages to which that Table of Contents refers to at any time during the Contract as requested by the Technical Authority.