The City of Mesa awarded a $2.7 million contract to MD Helicopter, LLC for converting a helicopter to the N505MP F‑Model configuration. The solicitation was initially published as a sole‑source opportunity, with a brief window for competing bids that ultimately went unanswered, leading to a direct award. This contract represents a sizable aerospace modification effort undertaken by a local vendor, highlighting municipal preference for nearby specialized service providers.
• Scope: Full conversion of an existing helicopter to the N505MP F‑Model, encompassing engineering, parts, and labor.
• Value: $2,700,000 fixed‑price award to a single vendor.
• Timeline: Intent to award announced Nov 29 2023; final award issued Dec 12 2023, with a 7‑day bid response window that closed Dec 6 2023.