Prairie Dog Aerial Survey

2026-11-03

SPECIFICATIONS Prairie Dog Surveys Scope of Work : Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks ( KDWP ) is accepting bids for aircraft and pilot services to fly KDWP personnel during aerial prairie dog surveys in western Kansas . Pilots and aircraft must be capable of flying across all habitats of Kansas consistent with existing aviation laws . Pilots will need to be comfortable at flying temporarily at low - levels (~ 100 - 400 feet above ground level ). Services for aircraft and a pilot must be available during a 2 - day survey period within a 2 - week period of notification . It is anticipated surveys will take place during March / April / May , but timing is dependent upon an ongoing analysis , and some flexibility survey date is required . Timeframe for Work : Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks needs Aerial Services for Prairie Dog surveys throughout western Kansas . The intent and purpose of this solicitation is to establish a contract , for a period of 12 months , with a Contractor or Contractors , to provide a pilot and aircraft for the purpose of assisting Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks in conducting surveys . Separate bids will be accepted for a north route and a south route . Specifications : • Plane specs - A fixed wing airplane like a Cessna 172 or 182 capable of holding 3 people is required . In addition to the pilot , up to 2 KDWP personnel will accompany the pilot to potential prairie dog colony locations and then assess their status ( active , inactive , or not prairie dogs ). • Survey methodology – These surveys will take place out of a base airport ( Colby or Garden City ) and will be conducted by flying from one pre - determined potential colony site to the next . At each site , the pilot will maneuver close enough for the KDWP observer ( s ) to determine whether the colony represents prairie dogs , and if so , whether prairie dogs are present . • Flights will originate from the Colby ( north route ) or Garden City ( south route ) airport unless both parties agree to an alternative location . • Two consecutive full - day surveys ( approx . 8 hours ) will occur from each location , with the potential for adding an additional day , if necessary , based on the number and spacing of potential prairie dog colonies detected . • Aircraft , fuel , pilot rate , and travel costs ( meals , lodging , if necessary , etc .) should be included in a single hourly rate . • Ferrying time ( round - trip from the airplane ’ s source location to the survey origin ( Colby or Garden City airport ) and back ) will be incorporated to calculate a bid total . Survey areas : NORTH SURVEY : • The north survey area will consist of approximately the northern half of Kansas , but regarding county line boundaries . The anticipated area is shown in Figure 1 below along with cells currently being searched using aerial imagery for prairie dog colonies . Only those cells suspected of having prairie dogs present will be aerially surveyed . This survey will originate from Colby airport . It will be completed at one time at the earliest availability of the potential colony locations ( currently being identified using aerial imagery ), which is anticipated to be during March . SOUTH SURVEY : • The south survey area will consist of approximately the southern half of Kansas , but regarding county line boundaries . The anticipated area is shown in Figure 1 below along with cells currently being searched using aerial imagery for prairie dog colonies . Only those cells suspected of having prairie dogs present will be aerially surveyed . This survey will originate from the Garden City airport .

Kansas

2026-04-08