Agriculture awards $6.8M task order for aerial firefighting support in California

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,819,782 ($6.8M)

Contractor: Hillsboro Aviation, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2024-01-01

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 22

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TYPE II MHSS MATOC EU TASK ORDER FOR TRIMMER, CA

Place of Performance

Location: PIEDRA, FRESNO County, CALIFORNIA, 93649

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $6.8 million to HILLSBORO AVIATION, INC. for work described as: TYPE II MHSS MATOC EU TASK ORDER FOR TRIMMER, CA Key points: 1. Contract provides essential aerial support for wildfire management. 2. Task order awarded under a larger MATOC vehicle, suggesting pre-competed services. 3. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 4. Limited duration of 3 years indicates a focused operational need. 5. Geographic focus on California highlights a high-risk wildfire region. 6. Contractor has experience in aviation services, relevant to the requirement.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award of $6.8 million over three years for aerial firefighting support appears reasonable given the critical nature of the service and the specialized equipment and personnel required. Benchmarking against similar task orders for aerial firefighting in high-risk areas would provide further context, but the firm-fixed-price structure suggests an effort to manage costs effectively. The contract's duration is relatively short, which may necessitate future competition or extensions.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This approach generally fosters competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value. The presence of 22 bids suggests a robust level of interest and competition for this type of service.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it drives down prices through market forces and ensures that the government is not overpaying for essential services like aerial firefighting.

Public Impact

Benefits federal and state agencies involved in wildfire suppression. Provides critical air support for combating wildfires, protecting lives and property. Geographic impact is concentrated in California, a state prone to severe wildfires. Supports the aviation industry through service provision and potential employment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for increased demand and costs in future wildfire seasons.
Reliance on specialized aircraft and pilots can be subject to availability constraints.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract helps control costs.
Awarded under a competitive process, ensuring fair pricing.
Contractor is experienced in aviation services.

Sector Analysis

The aerial firefighting sector is a critical component of national defense against wildfires, particularly in regions like California. This contract fits within the broader landscape of government aviation services, which includes support for various agencies. Spending in this sector can fluctuate significantly based on wildfire activity and seasonal demands. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other task orders for similar aircraft and services awarded by agencies like the Forest Service or Department of the Interior.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not specify any small business set-aside. While the prime contractor is not identified as a small business, there is potential for subcontracting opportunities within the aviation services sector, which could benefit small businesses. Further analysis of subcontracting plans would be needed to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a firm-fixed-price delivery order, which provides a degree of cost certainty. Oversight would typically be managed by the Forest Service contracting officer and program managers responsible for wildfire suppression. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Wildfire Suppression Support
Aviation Services Contracts
Department of Agriculture Contracts
Forest Service Contracts
California State Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost escalation if not adequately scoped.
Dependence on specialized contractor capabilities.
Environmental and safety risks associated with aerial operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $6.8 million to HILLSBORO AVIATION, INC.. TYPE II MHSS MATOC EU TASK ORDER FOR TRIMMER, CA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HILLSBORO AVIATION, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the track record of Hillsboro Aviation, Inc. in performing similar aerial firefighting contracts for the federal government?

Hillsboro Aviation, Inc. has a history of providing aviation services, including aerial support. While specific details on past federal firefighting contracts are not provided in this data snippet, their experience in charter and freight services suggests a foundation in operational aviation. A deeper dive into their contract history with agencies like the Forest Service or Department of the Interior would reveal their performance on similar, mission-critical tasks. Assessing past performance ratings, any past performance issues, and the scale of previous awards would offer a clearer picture of their suitability and reliability for this specific task order.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar aerial firefighting contracts in California?

Without specific comparable contract data, it's challenging to definitively benchmark the $6.8 million award. However, aerial firefighting is a specialized and often expensive service due to the unique aircraft, pilot certifications, maintenance, and operational risks involved. Contracts for similar services in high-risk areas like California, especially those involving fixed-wing or rotorcraft for suppression support, can range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars annually, depending on the duration, type of aircraft, and mission scope. The firm-fixed-price nature of this award suggests an effort to establish a predictable cost, but a detailed market analysis of recent awards for similar capabilities would be necessary for a precise comparison.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract and how are they mitigated?

Key risks include operational hazards inherent in aerial firefighting (weather, terrain, mechanical failure), potential cost overruns if the fixed-price contract doesn't adequately account for unforeseen circumstances, and contractor performance issues. Mitigation strategies likely include stringent pilot qualifications, aircraft maintenance standards, pre-flight planning, adherence to safety protocols, and the Forest Service's oversight of contract performance. The firm-fixed-price structure itself is a risk mitigation tool for the government, shifting some cost uncertainty to the contractor. However, the government also bears the risk if the contractor cannot perform as expected.

What is the expected effectiveness of the services provided under this contract in supporting California's wildfire management efforts?

The effectiveness hinges on the specific capabilities of the aircraft and crew provided by Hillsboro Aviation, Inc., and how well they integrate with the Forest Service's overall wildfire suppression strategy. Aerial assets are crucial for rapid initial attack, intelligence gathering (reconnaissance), and direct suppression (water/retardant drops). Given California's frequent and severe wildfire seasons, timely and reliable air support is vital for containing fires, protecting communities, and minimizing ecological damage. The contract's success will be measured by its contribution to these objectives, alongside safety and cost-efficiency metrics.

How does current spending on aerial firefighting support in California compare to historical patterns?

Historical spending patterns on aerial firefighting in California have generally trended upwards due to increasing wildfire frequency and intensity, climate change impacts, and land use patterns. While this specific $6.8 million task order represents a portion of that spending, a comprehensive analysis would require examining the Forest Service's and other relevant agencies' budgets and contract awards over several years. Factors like drought conditions, fuel management efforts, and policy changes influence both the need for and the cost of aerial support, making year-over-year comparisons complex but essential for understanding long-term trends.

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: 22

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Hillsboro Aviation Inc.

Address: 3845 NE 30TH AVE, HILLSBORO, OR, 97124

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,819,782

Exercised Options: $6,819,782

Current Obligation: $6,819,782

Actual Outlays: $4,450,831

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1202SA23T9272

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline