PILLAR: Safe
AGENDA DATE: October 22, 2025
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): Citywide
DEPARTMENT: Dallas Police Department
PRIORITY: N/A
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize the purchase of an Airbus H125 helicopter for the Dallas Police Department from Helicopter Services, Inc. through the General Services Administration Cooperative Purchasing Program - Not to exceed $3,926,000.00 - Financing: 2025 Master Lease-Equipment Fund (subject to annual appropriations)
Body
BACKGROUND
This agreement will provide for the purchase of one new Airbus H125 helicopter for the Dallas Police Department (DPD), replacing one of the department’s two 2006 Bell 206B3 helicopters and strengthening the City’s public safety infrastructure. The acquisition represents a strategic modernization to the department’s aviation fleet, which currently includes two 2006 Bell 206B3 helicopters and one 2012 Bell 407GX.
DPD’s Helicopter Unit operates 20 hours per day and responds to approximately 3,800 calls annually, providing aerial support to the police and fire departments, code enforcement, and city marshals. The unit is staffed by eight helicopter pilots and three tactical flight officers-sworn personnel trained to deliver real-time aerial assistance that cannot be replicated by ground units. Their presence improves officer safety, response times, and mission effectiveness across a wide range of operations.
Due to the age and heavy usage of the current fleet, aircraft are frequently grounded for both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance. Federal Aviation Administration regulations require servicing at 100-, 300-, 600-, and 1200-hour intervals, with aircraft typically entering maintenance every three weeks. Routine service can take one to two weeks, while unexpected mechanical issues may extend downtime to several months or longer. These overlapping maintenance cycles have led to extended periods when all aircraft are grounded, leaving the City without aerial support and significantly constraining public safety operations.
The Airbus H125 is a single-engine, multi-mission aircraft widely adopted by law enforcement agencies for its reliability, performance, extended service intervals, and operational versatility. By replacing one of the aging Bell 206B3 helicopters, this acquisition will reduce unexpected downtime, extend the lifespan of existing helicopters, and improve overall fleet safety. By distributing flight hours across a modernized fleet, will reduce maintenance downtime, improve reliability, and achieve operational and financial efficiencies.
The replacement will enhance DPD’s ability to provide aerial support for patrol, speeding and racing task force surveillance, and tactical operations, while improving coverage, response times, and mission flexibility across the city. This purchase reflects DPD’s commitment to maintaining a modern, responsive aviation program and its continued investment in public safety infrastructure.
The General Service Administration cooperative agreement is authorized by Chapter 791 of the Texas Government Code and Subchapter F, Chapter 271, Texas Local Government Code. Section 271.102 of the Texas Local Government Code authorizes a local government to participate in a Cooperative Purchasing Program with another local government or a local cooperative organization.
DPD will be presenting a separate agenda item to City Council for the purchase of equipment, parts, and labor to install public safety equipment on the new Airbus H125 helicopter for $3,371,193.00.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
The Public Safety Committee was briefed by memorandum regarding this matter on October 14, 2025.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2026 |
FY 2027 |
Future Years |
|
2025 Master Lease-Equipment Fund |
$3,926,000.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
LOCAL PARTICIPATION
|
Prime |
Status |
Workforce % |
|
Helicopter Services, Inc. |
Non-local |
0.00% |
PROCUREMENT INFORMATION
Method of Evaluation for Award Type:
|
Cooperative Purchasing Agreement |
• Cooperative purchasing agreements enable the City to associate with State agencies, other local governments, or local cooperative organizations comprised of other state and local governments, to leverage market buying power and enable the City to purchase goods or services at lower prices |
|
|
• The cooperative purchasing agreement is an alternative method of meeting the requirements for competitive bidding or competitive sealed proposals, not an exception from that requirement |
OWNER/EXECUTIVE
Helicopter Services, Inc.
19931 Stuebner Airline Road
Spring, Texas 77379
Russell D. Gordy, President