Forest Service awards $2.45M contract for air transportation to Helicopter Express LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,447,710 ($2.4M)

Contractor: Helicopter Express LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2024-01-01

End Date: 2028-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,826 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 51

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: HSS MATOC TYPE 3 PAYSON AZ N6HE

Place of Performance

Location: PAYSON, GILA County, ARIZONA, 85541

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $2.4 million to HELICOPTER EXPRESS LLC for work described as: HSS MATOC TYPE 3 PAYSON AZ N6HE Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is for nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation. 3. The duration of the contract is 5 years, indicating a long-term need. 4. The award amount is $2.45 million, spread across 51 delivery orders. 5. The contract is firm fixed price, providing cost certainty.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's firm fixed price structure provides cost certainty. Benchmarking against similar air transportation contracts would be beneficial to confirm optimal pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically leads to better price discovery and value for the government. The use of delivery orders allows for flexibility in service needs.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award suggests taxpayers are likely receiving a fair price for the required air transportation services.

Public Impact

Ensures critical air transportation services for the Forest Service, likely for personnel and equipment movement. Supports operational needs in Arizona, potentially for firefighting, resource management, or other land management activities. The contract's duration suggests a sustained requirement for these services over several years. Provides a reliable provider for nonscheduled charter flights, crucial for remote or difficult-to-access areas.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data.
Potential for price fluctuations if fuel costs rise significantly over the contract term.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical service.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Firm fixed price contract offers cost predictability.
Long contract duration indicates a stable, ongoing need.
Clear geographic focus on Arizona.

Sector Analysis

The Forest Service frequently utilizes contracts for air transportation to support its vast land management responsibilities across the United States. Benchmarks for similar services vary widely based on aircraft type, duration, and operational complexity.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded via full and open competition, suggesting adherence to standard procurement regulations. Oversight would involve monitoring delivery orders and contractor performance against contract terms.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Contract duration is long (5 years).
Contract is firm fixed price.
Awarded via full and open competition.
Specific performance metrics not detailed.
No indication of small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $2.4 million to HELICOPTER EXPRESS LLC. HSS MATOC TYPE 3 PAYSON AZ N6HE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HELICOPTER EXPRESS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-01-01. End: 2028-12-31.

What is the typical cost per flight hour or mile for similar nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation services in Arizona?

Benchmarking per-unit costs for nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation is complex due to variables like aircraft size, range, crew, and specific mission requirements. However, industry averages can range from $1,500 to $5,000+ per flight hour, depending on the aircraft type and services included. Without specific details on the aircraft used and the nature of the flights (e.g., distance, passenger load), a precise comparison is difficult.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract for the Forest Service?

Key risks include potential contractor performance issues (e.g., aircraft availability, maintenance delays), unforeseen increases in operational costs (like fuel prices) that could strain the fixed-price agreement, and reliance on a single provider for critical transportation needs. Ensuring robust oversight and contingency planning is crucial to mitigate these risks.

How effectively does this contract support the Forest Service's mission in Arizona?

This contract likely supports the Forest Service's mission by providing essential, flexible air transportation for personnel, equipment, and potentially emergency response across Arizona's diverse and often remote terrain. The long-term, fixed-price nature suggests a reliable and predictable resource for ongoing operational requirements, contributing to efficient land management and public safety.

Industry Classification

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

Offers Received: 51

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2025 FLIGHTWAY DR, ATLANTA, GA, 30341

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,447,710

Exercised Options: $2,447,710

Current Obligation: $2,447,710

Actual Outlays: $1,510,233

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1202SA23T9316

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline