Forest Service Awards $4.8M for Type II Exclusive Use Helicopter Services in California

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,839,627 ($4.8M)

Contractor: Heli-1 Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2024-01-01

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 31

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TYPE II EXCLUSIVE USE FOR SPRINGVILLE, CA

Place of Performance

Location: SPRINGVILLE, TULARE County, CALIFORNIA, 93265

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $4.8 million to HELI-1 CORP for work described as: TYPE II EXCLUSIVE USE FOR SPRINGVILLE, CA Key points: 1. Contract awarded to HELI-1 CORP for exclusive use helicopter services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized for this award. 3. The contract duration is 3 years, with a total value of $4,839,626.71. 4. This spending falls under nonscheduled chartered freight air transportation. 5. The contract is for services in Springville, California.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The firm fixed price contract value of $4.8M over three years appears reasonable given the specialized nature of exclusive use helicopter services for firefighting and other critical operations. Benchmarking against similar exclusive use contracts would provide further validation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The use of full and open competition suggests a robust price discovery process. This method allows multiple qualified vendors to bid, driving competitive pricing and ensuring the government receives the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for essential services.

Public Impact

Ensures critical aerial support for wildfire suppression and other emergency response needs in California. Supports local operations and potentially jobs within the aviation sector in the region. Provides specialized equipment and trained personnel for demanding environmental conditions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price escalation in future contract periods.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical services.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition utilized.
Firm fixed price contract type.
Long-term commitment ensures service availability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the aviation services sector, specifically focusing on specialized aerial support. Spending benchmarks for exclusive use aircraft in government contracts vary widely based on aircraft type, mission, and duration, but this award appears within a typical range for such services.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved in this specific contract award. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The award was made under a delivery order, suggesting it is part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar framework. Oversight would focus on performance, adherence to terms, and financial management.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Potential for sole-source extension if competition is not re-initiated.
Geographic concentration of service delivery.
Reliance on specialized, high-demand equipment.
Weather and environmental dependency impacting service availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $4.8 million to HELI-1 CORP. TYPE II EXCLUSIVE USE FOR SPRINGVILLE, CA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HELI-1 CORP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-01-01. End: 2026-12-31.

What is the specific type of aircraft and its capabilities being procured under this contract?

The data provided does not specify the exact aircraft type or its capabilities. 'Type II Exclusive Use' typically refers to a category of helicopters suitable for firefighting and other demanding missions, often with specific payload and performance requirements. Further details would be found in the contract's statement of work.

How does the per-hour or per-flight-hour cost compare to industry benchmarks for similar exclusive-use helicopter services?

Without specific aircraft details and operational hours, a precise per-hour benchmark is difficult. However, the total contract value of $4.8M over 1095 days suggests an average annual cost of approximately $1.6M. This figure needs to be divided by expected flight hours to compare against industry rates for Type II helicopters.

What are the contingency plans if HELI-1 CORP is unable to fulfill its contractual obligations?

Given the critical nature of exclusive use helicopter services, the Forest Service likely has contingency plans. These could include pre-negotiated agreements with other vendors, activating backup aircraft, or utilizing other available government or commercial resources to ensure continuity of operations.

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

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 1202SA22R9202

Offers Received: 31

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 485 S ROCK BLVD, RENO, NV, 89502

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,839,627

Exercised Options: $4,839,627

Current Obligation: $4,839,627

Actual Outlays: $3,391,357

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1202SA23T9264

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline