Forest Service awards $23.5M for exclusive use of 10 Tanker airtanker fleet through 2028

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,466,387 ($23.5M)

Contractor: 10 Tanker AIR Carrier, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2024-05-17

End Date: 2025-12-31

Contract Duration: 593 days

Daily Burn Rate: $39.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 10 TANKER - AIRTANKER MATCO EXCLUSIVE USE TASK ORDER 2024-2028 - 120 DAY MAP

Place of Performance

Location: BOISE, ADA County, IDAHO, 83705

State: Idaho Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $23.5 million to 10 TANKER AIR CARRIER, LLC for work described as: 10 TANKER - AIRTANKER MATCO EXCLUSIVE USE TASK ORDER 2024-2028 - 120 DAY MAP Key points: 1. The contract provides exclusive access to a critical firefighting asset, ensuring rapid deployment capabilities. 2. Pricing appears competitive given the specialized nature and operational demands of exclusive-use airtankers. 3. The duration of the contract suggests a long-term commitment to aerial firefighting resources. 4. This task order is part of a broader strategy to enhance wildfire suppression efforts. 5. The Forest Service relies on such contracts to maintain a ready fleet during high-risk periods. 6. Performance will be closely monitored to ensure availability and operational readiness.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The awarded amount of $23.5 million for a period extending through December 2025 (with a 120-day MAP) represents a significant investment in aerial firefighting. Benchmarking against similar exclusive-use airtanker contracts is challenging due to the unique nature of these assets and their availability. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests that the government has secured predictable costs for this critical service. The value is derived from guaranteed availability and rapid response, which are paramount in wildfire suppression.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating that multiple vendors were likely considered. The presence of 5 bids suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this specialized service. A competitive bidding process is expected to drive more favorable pricing and terms for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely resulted in a more cost-effective solution compared to a sole-source or limited competition scenario.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are communities and ecosystems threatened by wildfires, through enhanced suppression capabilities. The service delivered is the exclusive use of a large airtanker for wildfire suppression missions. The geographic impact is national, with the airtanker deployable to any region experiencing significant wildfire activity. This contract supports specialized aviation jobs within the firefighting sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for increased demand and costs in future contract renewals due to the critical nature of the asset.
Reliance on a single platform for exclusive use could pose risks if maintenance or operational issues arise.
The 120-day MAP introduces a degree of flexibility but also requires careful planning for transition periods.

Positive Signals

Secures a vital, high-capacity aerial firefighting asset for a defined period.
The firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the duration of the order.
Full and open competition suggests a robust market and potentially competitive pricing.

Sector Analysis

The aerial firefighting sector is a critical component of national wildfire management strategies. This contract falls within the broader aerospace and defense services industry, specifically focusing on specialized aviation for emergency response. The market for exclusive-use airtankers is limited due to the high capital investment and specialized operational requirements. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish publicly, but the Forest Service's consistent investment in such assets highlights their perceived value in mitigating wildfire damage.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. Given the specialized nature and high cost of operating large airtankers, it is unlikely that small businesses would be primary bidders for exclusive-use contracts of this magnitude. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist in areas such as maintenance, ground support, or logistics, but are not explicitly detailed in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

The Forest Service, as part of the Department of Agriculture, operates under established federal procurement regulations and oversight. Task orders issued under larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts are subject to review. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) can review protests related to contract awards. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like SAM.gov, where award details are published.

Related Government Programs

Wildfire Suppression Support
Aviation Services Contracts
Large Airtanker Contracts
Department of Agriculture Procurement
Forest Service Operations

Risk Flags

Critical Asset Dependency
Potential for Increased Future Costs
Limited Market for Specialized Assets

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $23.5 million to 10 TANKER AIR CARRIER, LLC. 10 TANKER - AIRTANKER MATCO EXCLUSIVE USE TASK ORDER 2024-2028 - 120 DAY MAP

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is 10 TANKER AIR CARRIER, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $23.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-05-17. End: 2025-12-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for exclusive-use airtanker contracts by the Forest Service?

The Forest Service has a long history of utilizing exclusive-use airtanker contracts to ensure the availability of critical firefighting assets. While specific historical dollar amounts for individual contracts fluctuate based on fleet size, contract duration, and market conditions, the agency consistently allocates significant funding towards these resources. For instance, prior years have seen multi-year contracts for similar large airtanker platforms, often exceeding tens of millions of dollars annually. The current $23.5 million award for a period through late 2025 aligns with this established pattern of substantial investment in securing dedicated aerial firefighting capacity. Analyzing trends over the past decade would reveal an increasing reliance on these assets due to growing wildfire seasons and the need for rapid initial attack capabilities.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to other exclusive-use airtanker contracts?

Direct, apples-to-apples comparisons of pricing for exclusive-use airtankers are complex due to variations in aircraft type, age, capabilities, contract duration, and the specific terms of service (e.g., number of flight hours included, maintenance responsibilities). However, the firm-fixed-price nature of this $23.5 million award for a period extending through December 2025 suggests a negotiated rate that balances the government's need for guaranteed availability with the contractor's operational costs and profit margin. Given the specialized equipment, highly trained crews, and stringent readiness requirements, the pricing is generally considered within the expected range for such critical, on-demand assets. The fact that it was awarded under full and open competition with multiple bids further supports the likelihood that the price reflects a competitive market assessment.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how is performance monitored?

Key performance indicators for this exclusive-use airtanker contract would primarily focus on availability, response time, and operational readiness. The contractor, 10 Tanker Air Carrier, LLC, is expected to maintain the aircraft in a constant state of readiness, capable of deploying within a specified timeframe (likely hours) upon notification. Performance monitoring would involve tracking the number of missions flown, adherence to flight safety regulations, aircraft maintenance logs, and overall mission effectiveness. The Forest Service contracting officer and technical representatives would oversee these aspects, potentially utilizing performance metrics documented in the contract's statement of work. Failure to meet availability or response time requirements could result in penalties or contract termination, underscoring the critical nature of these KPIs.

What is the track record of 10 Tanker Air Carrier, LLC in fulfilling similar federal contracts?

10 Tanker Air Carrier, LLC has a well-established track record of providing large airtanker services to federal agencies, primarily the U.S. Forest Service, for wildfire suppression. They are known for operating the large, multi-engine VLAT (Very Large Air Tanker) known as '10 Tanker'. The company has been a significant player in the aerial firefighting community for many years, consistently securing contracts for exclusive use of their aircraft during fire seasons. Their operational history includes numerous deployments across various regions of the United States, demonstrating their capability to meet the demanding requirements of rapid response and sustained operations inherent in wildfire management. Past performance reviews and contract awards from agencies like the Forest Service generally reflect their experience and reliability in this specialized field.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single provider for exclusive use of this airtanker?

Relying on a single provider for the exclusive use of a critical asset like the '10 Tanker' airtanker introduces several potential risks. Firstly, there's the risk of operational disruption; if the aircraft experiences unforeseen mechanical issues, extensive maintenance needs, or accidents, its availability could be compromised for extended periods, leaving the Forest Service without this specific capability. Secondly, dependence on one contractor might reduce leverage in future negotiations, potentially leading to higher costs in subsequent contract renewals if the market for such specialized assets remains limited. Thirdly, while competition was present for this award, the long-term nature of exclusive-use agreements can sometimes lead to market consolidation, potentially limiting future competitive options. Ensuring robust contingency planning and maintaining strong oversight are crucial to mitigate these risks.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Nonscheduled Air Transportation › Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVERVAT SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: FS-AT23-EU-01

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: 10 Tanker AIR Carrier LLC

Address: 2503-A CLARK CARR LOOP SE, ALBUQUERQUE, NM, 87106

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $63,938,325

Exercised Options: $26,393,137

Current Obligation: $23,466,387

Actual Outlays: $23,431,843

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1202SA23T9100

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline