USDA Forest Service awards $18M for exclusive airtanker use to Aero-Flite, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,052,911 ($18.1M)

Contractor: Aero-Flite, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2024-05-17

End Date: 2025-12-31

Contract Duration: 593 days

Daily Burn Rate: $30.4K/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: AERO FLITE - AIRTANKER MATCO 2023 EXCLUSIVE USE TASK ORDER 160 DAY MAP

Place of Performance

Location: BOISE, ADA County, IDAHO, 83705

State: Idaho Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $18.1 million to AERO-FLITE, INC. for work described as: AERO FLITE - AIRTANKER MATCO 2023 EXCLUSIVE USE TASK ORDER 160 DAY MAP Key points: 1. Aero-Flite, Inc. secured an $18M contract for exclusive use of an airtanker. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 3. This spending addresses critical wildfire suppression needs. 4. The sector is primarily aviation services supporting natural resource management.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The $18M award for 593 days of service appears reasonable given the specialized nature of exclusive-use airtankers for wildfire suppression. Benchmarking against similar exclusive-use contracts would provide further validation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' suggesting a limited competition where specific sources were identified and competed. This method can be efficient for specialized services but may limit broader price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers fund this critical service for wildfire management, with the cost reflecting the specialized equipment and operational readiness required.

Public Impact

Ensures critical aerial firefighting resources are available for the upcoming fire seasons. Supports the Department of Agriculture's mission to protect natural resources. Provides specialized aviation services, contributing to the broader emergency response infrastructure.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition after exclusion of sources may not yield the lowest possible price.
Contract duration and cost should be monitored for efficiency.

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical need for wildfire suppression.
Utilizes specialized aviation assets.
Awarded under a competitive process.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the aviation services sector, specifically supporting government needs for natural resource management and emergency response. Spending benchmarks for exclusive-use airtankers are highly variable based on aircraft type, duration, and operational requirements.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any direct subcontracting to small businesses. The primary contractor, Aero-Flite, Inc., is not listed as a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation is incorporated.

Oversight & Accountability

The Forest Service manages these contracts to ensure resource availability and effectiveness. Oversight would typically involve monitoring operational performance, adherence to safety standards, and contract compliance.

Related Government Programs

Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Forest Service Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition may impact price optimization.
High cost per day requires ongoing value assessment.
Dependence on a single provider for exclusive use.
Potential for cost overruns if operational needs change.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $18.1 million to AERO-FLITE, INC.. AERO FLITE - AIRTANKER MATCO 2023 EXCLUSIVE USE TASK ORDER 160 DAY MAP

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AERO-FLITE, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $18.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the cost per operational day for this airtanker?

The total contract value is $18,052,911.19 over 593 days. This equates to approximately $30,443 per day. This figure represents the total cost and needs to be compared against industry standards for similar exclusive-use airtanker services to assess value.

What are the specific criteria for excluding other sources in this competition?

The exclusion of sources typically occurs when only a limited number of responsible sources are capable of meeting the government's requirements. This could be due to specialized equipment, unique operational capabilities, or specific certifications required for wildfire suppression aircraft.

How does the daily rate compare to historical or benchmark airtanker contracts?

The daily rate of approximately $30,443 needs to be benchmarked against similar exclusive-use airtanker contracts. Factors like aircraft type, age, payload capacity, and required readiness levels significantly influence pricing. Without specific benchmark data, a definitive assessment of cost-effectiveness is challenging.

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

Address: 8520 W ELECTRIC AVE, SPOKANE, WA, 99224

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $46,801,734

Exercised Options: $18,052,911

Current Obligation: $18,052,911

Actual Outlays: $18,052,910

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1202SA23T9102

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline