PILLAR: Safe
AGENDA DATE: October 22, 2025
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): Citywide
DEPARTMENT: Dallas Police Department
PRIORITY: N/A
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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)
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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 Cit...
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