USDA Forest Service Awards $17M for Air Tanker Services to Coulson Aviation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,084,134 ($17.1M)

Contractor: Coulson Aviation (USA), Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2024-05-17

End Date: 2025-12-31

Contract Duration: 593 days

Daily Burn Rate: $28.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: COULSON - AIRTANKER MATCO 2023 EXCLUSIVE USE TASK ORDER 120 DAY MAP

Place of Performance

Location: BOISE, ADA County, IDAHO, 83705

State: Idaho Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $17.1 million to COULSON AVIATION (USA), INC. for work described as: COULSON - AIRTANKER MATCO 2023 EXCLUSIVE USE TASK ORDER 120 DAY MAP Key points: 1. Significant award for aerial firefighting capabilities. 2. Competition method suggests potential for price discovery. 3. Risk of reliance on a single provider for specialized services. 4. Sector: Transportation/Government Services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award of $17,084,133.70 for 593 days of service appears to be a substantial investment. Benchmarking against similar exclusive-use air tanker contracts is necessary to assess value, as pricing can vary significantly based on aircraft type, mission duration, and specific capabilities.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating a limited competition. While this method can be justified for specialized services, it may limit the potential for achieving the lowest possible price compared to unrestricted full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for critical wildfire suppression, aiming for effective resource deployment. The cost-effectiveness hinges on the necessity of this specific provider and the competitive range achieved.

Public Impact

Ensures critical aerial firefighting resources are available for wildfire suppression. Supports national and regional efforts to combat wildfires. Potential impact on the availability and cost of similar services in the future.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may lead to higher costs.
Dependence on a single provider for essential services.
Potential for price escalation in future contract renewals.

Positive Signals

Secures vital operational capacity for wildfire management.
Addresses a critical need for specialized aerial support.
Contract duration provides a period of stable resource availability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the government services and transportation sector, specifically focusing on aerial firefighting. Spending in this area is driven by seasonal demands and the increasing severity of wildfires, often requiring specialized, high-cost equipment and services.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific provisions or set-asides for small businesses in this particular task order. Analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were excluded or had opportunities to participate in the supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

The Forest Service is responsible for managing this contract, ensuring adherence to terms and conditions. Oversight would involve monitoring performance, delivery, and financial expenditures to ensure accountability and value for taxpayer money.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Limited competition may result in suboptimal pricing.
Potential for sole-source dependency if future needs arise.
High cost associated with specialized, exclusive-use assets.
Reliance on a single provider for critical national security/safety function.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $17.1 million to COULSON AVIATION (USA), INC.. COULSON - AIRTANKER MATCO 2023 EXCLUSIVE USE TASK ORDER 120 DAY MAP

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is COULSON AVIATION (USA), INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the benchmark cost per operational hour or day for similar exclusive-use air tanker contracts in the current market?

Determining the benchmark cost requires comparing this contract's terms (aircraft type, duration, included services, geographic coverage) with publicly available data or industry reports on similar exclusive-use air tanker contracts. Factors like aircraft model (e.g., BAe-146, DC-10), crew costs, maintenance, and availability premiums significantly influence pricing. Without specific comparable data, assessing the $17M award's value is challenging.

What are the specific risks associated with relying on a limited competition for essential wildfire suppression assets?

Limited competition increases the risk of vendor lock-in and potentially higher prices due to reduced market pressure. It can also concentrate operational risk with a single provider; if Coulson Aviation faces unforeseen issues (mechanical, financial, or regulatory), the government may struggle to secure alternative assets quickly, impacting wildfire response capabilities. This also limits opportunities for new entrants to develop and offer competing services.

How effectively does this contract ensure the government's readiness and capability to respond to diverse wildfire scenarios?

The effectiveness hinges on whether the specific air tanker provided by Coulson Aviation meets the diverse needs of the Forest Service's wildfire response strategy. Exclusive-use contracts guarantee availability but might lack flexibility compared to on-call services. The contract's success in ensuring readiness depends on the aircraft's suitability for various terrains and fire types, as well as the provider's operational reliability and integration with incident command structures.

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: 1200 NW NAITO PKWY STE 200, PORTLAND, OR, 97209

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: $46,088,066

Exercised Options: $18,380,704

Current Obligation: $17,084,134

Actual Outlays: $16,211,182

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1202SA23T9103

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline