Helicopter Sellers: GSA Wants Your Input

GSA is thinking about giving helicopters a permanent home on the Multiple Award Schedule, and it wants to hear from industry before it writes a single line of solicitation language. The Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) just extended its Request for Information (RFI) deadline to Wednesday, October 23, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET. If you sell commercial rotorcraft, this is your chance to help shape the rules before they are set.

GSA FAS is evaluating a long-term Special Item Number (SIN) for fully assembled, commercially available rotary-wing aircraft. A SIN is the category on the GSA Schedule where specific products and services are listed and bought. Without the right SIN, agencies have a harder time finding and buying what they need. Right now, helicopters sit on the Schedule only on a temporary basis under an existing Security and Protection SIN. That stopgap stays in place until GSA builds a long-term acquisition strategy for this product category.

A dedicated SIN would support federal, state, and local agencies that depend on commercial rotorcraft for law enforcement, border security, emergency medical services, search and rescue, and firefighting. That is a wide buyer base with real, recurring mission needs.

One important note, fully assembled fixed-wing aircraft are excluded from the MAS program, and that is not changing. This RFI is only about helicopters.

Who Should Respond

GSA is directing this RFI to rotorcraft original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), authorized dealers and distributors, and other interested parties. If you build, sell, or distribute commercial helicopters, you belong in this conversation.

GSA wants your input on three things before it drafts the solicitation. First, the proposed scope of the new SIN. Second, the draft eligibility criteria that will decide who can get on it. Third, how the industry actually handles commercial pricing, delivery, and reporting.

Here is what most businesses miss. If you stay quiet now, you may end up competing under eligibility rules, pricing expectations, or reporting requirements that do not fit how you actually do business. Speak up now and you help write requirements you can meet.

An RFI is not a proposal and there is no award at stake, it is market research. A clear, thoughtful response puts your company on the radar of the people building this SIN.

The response deadline is Wednesday, October 23, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET. You can find the full RFI and response instructions on SAM.gov. Read the RFI carefully, answer every question GSA asks, and back up your points with how your business actually prices, delivers, and reports. Specific, real-world answers carry far more weight than general comments.

Thinking about getting on the GSA Schedule once this SIN takes shape? That is exactly what we help small businesses do. Reach out to GSA Proposal Maven® and let’s talk about getting you contract-ready.