Specifications include, but are not limited to: A. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 1) California Highway Patrol (CHP) Office of Air Operations (OAO): The office of primary interest within the CHP charged with oversight of the CHP Air Operations Program (AOP). The OAO acts as the liaison between the CHP air unit and the various CHP and state agencies involved in the contract process, ensure air units follow CHP policies and procedures related to the AOP and ensures Contractors adhere to maintenance agreements. 2) Aerial Unit Supervisor: A supervisor at the CHP air unit responsible for managing maintenance agreements at the local level. 3) Helicopter Maintenance Coordinator: A position within the OAO charged with oversight of the helicopter maintenance program within the AOP. 4) Division Air Operations Base: CHP air operations base within the various divisions of the CHP and located throughout the state of California charged with performing the operational duties required to meet the goals of the CHP AOP. Each base has both helicopter and fixed-wing assets and is staffed by at least two aerial supervisors (generally one for helicopter and one for fixed-wing operations), and qualified officers assigned to the roles of pilot and flight officer. 5) Maintenance Officer: A position at the division air operations base charged with monitoring the maintenance program at the local level. 6) Contractor: A business contractually obligated to provide maintenance support for CHP aircraft and related equipment. B. GENERAL 1) The CHP AOP uses helicopters to provide emergency response services twenty-four hours a day, 365 days of the year throughout California. CHP helicopters respond to law enforcement calls, medical emergencies, provide search and rescue services, and conduct patrol flights. In order to effectively conduct this broad spectrum of duties, CHP helicopters are equipped with special mission equipment packages to include but not limited to the following: communications, gimbal mounted sensors, moving map systems, spotlights, cargo hooks, medical equipment, and rescue hoists. Additionally, all CHP helicopters are equipped for night vision goggle (NVG) flight operations. All special mission packages are installed in accordance with manufacturer and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines and are required to be maintained in an airworthy and operational condition in order for the CHP to meet its obligation to respond to emergencies and perform other duties.
