AB-2025-06864 - Cold Lake Air Weapons Range – Alternate Prey Survey

As part of its core function in monitoring provincial caribou populations, Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (EPA) also monitors alternate prey (e.g., moose) in those ranges. In the winter of 2025-26, EPA requires the contracting of rotary-wing aircraft to complete an alternate prey survey within the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range (CLAWR; WMU 726; Figure 1). Three helicopters (AS 350 or equivalent) will be required to complete the survey over a single weekend once snow and environmental conditions become suitable, and air access to the CLAWR is approved by the Department of National Defence (DND). Two helicopters and crews will be based out of Cold Lake, while the third aircraft and crew will be based out of Lac la Biche. Surveys will follow EPA’s standard aerial ungulate survey (AUS) approach by flying pre-defined transects. Once animals are observed, aircraft will deviate off the transect to measure the distance from the transect to those animals. Each aircraft will be assigned a specific portion of the study area to limit the potential for conflicts between aircraft. Surveys require pilots that have extensive experience delivering wildlife and/or transect based surveys, flying at low level and low airspeed. Pilot experience conducting these types of operations on the appropriate aircraft type will be crucial to ensure the safety of the pilot and survey staff. Aircraft may be provided by one or more companies, and companies may submit bids to supply one or multiple aircraft. That is, a single company may supply bids providing one, two, or three helicopters. Bids should specify the number of aircraft being proposed as set out in the Fixed Hourly Rate Table in Attachment #3 to Appendix C to this RFP. Both wet and dry rates should be provided as part of the bid package (Attachment #3 of this RFP package). Wet rates (Base fuel) should reflect fuel usage from a proponent’s base of operations in Cold Lake or Lac la Biche. If a proponent has remote (i.e., non-base) fuel, that pricing should be reflected under the Wet Rate (Remote fuel). The location of remote fuel accessible by a proponent should be explicitly identified (e.g., Conklin airport). Dry rates reflect pricing in which EPA provides fuel. EPA has access to bulk fuel at CNRL’s Kirby Lake aerodrome.