Forest Service awards $1.8M contract for helicopter transport in Arizona, highlighting air mobility needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,807,433 ($1.8M)

Contractor: Helicopter Express LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2024-05-01

End Date: 2028-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,705 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 44

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: HSS MATOC TYPE 3 WILLIAMS AZ N46HX

Place of Performance

Location: WILLIAMS, COCONINO County, ARIZONA, 86046

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $1.8 million to HELICOPTER EXPRESS LLC for work described as: HSS MATOC TYPE 3 WILLIAMS AZ N46HX Key points: 1. Contract supports essential aerial logistics for wildfire suppression and resource management. 2. Sole provider for this specific type of MATOC contract in the region. 3. Performance period spans over four years, indicating long-term operational requirements. 4. Fixed-price contract type offers cost predictability for the agency. 5. Geographic focus on Arizona suggests specific regional operational demands.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of $1.8 million over approximately four years appears reasonable for specialized helicopter transport services, especially considering the demanding operational environment of wildfire suppression. Benchmarking against similar MATOC (Multiple Award Task Order Contract) awards for aerial firefighting and logistics in the Western US would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract suggests that the agency has negotiated a set rate, which can be advantageous.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 44 bids suggests a robust competitive process. A high number of bidders generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government, as contractors vie for the award. The specific details of the bidding process and the number of proposals received would further illuminate the intensity of the competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are being used efficiently by driving down costs through market forces. This approach maximizes the opportunity for the government to secure the best possible services at the most competitive prices.

Public Impact

Benefits the US Forest Service by providing critical air transport for firefighting and land management operations. Services delivered include nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation, essential for accessing remote areas. Geographic impact is concentrated in Arizona, supporting state and federal resource management efforts. Workforce implications include support for pilots, ground crews, and aviation support personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price escalation if fuel costs or operational demands increase significantly beyond initial projections.
Dependence on a single contractor for this specific MATOC type could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
Limited visibility into the specific performance metrics and quality control measures employed by the contractor.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment.
Fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the duration of the award.
Long-term contract duration (over 4 years) indicates a stable and reliable service provision for critical operations.

Sector Analysis

The aviation services sector, particularly for government contracts, is highly specialized. This contract falls within the broader category of air transportation services, specifically focusing on nonscheduled chartered passenger transport. The market for aerial firefighting and support services is competitive, with numerous providers vying for government contracts. The Forest Service's reliance on such contracts underscores the critical role of aviation in managing vast federal lands, especially in regions prone to wildfires. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found in other agencies like the Department of the Interior or state-level emergency management agencies operating similar aerial support programs.

Small Business Impact

The contract details indicate that small business participation was not a specific set-aside requirement for this particular award, as 'sb' is false. While the primary contractor is Helicopter Express LLC, the extent of small business subcontracting is not detailed in the provided data. Further investigation into the subcontracting plan would be necessary to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem. However, the robust competition suggests that smaller, specialized aviation firms may have had the opportunity to bid or subcontract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the US Forest Service's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded within the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards and payment schedules tied to service delivery. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like SAM.gov, where award details are publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise during the contract's performance.

Related Government Programs

Wildfire Suppression Support
Aerial Firefighting Services
US Forest Service Aviation Management
Department of the Interior Aviation Contracts
Emergency Air Services

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues with a single provider
Dependence on specific geographic region (Arizona)
Unspecified subcontracting details for small businesses

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $1.8 million to HELICOPTER EXPRESS LLC. HSS MATOC TYPE 3 WILLIAMS AZ N46HX

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 $1.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-05-01. End: 2028-12-31.

What is the historical spending pattern of the Forest Service for similar helicopter transport services in Arizona?

Analyzing historical spending for similar helicopter transport services by the Forest Service in Arizona requires access to detailed procurement data over several fiscal years. Typically, agencies like the Forest Service award numerous contracts for aviation support, especially for wildfire suppression. Spending patterns can fluctuate based on fire seasons, budget allocations, and the specific needs for resource management. For instance, a severe fire season might lead to increased spending on on-demand air services, while a period of lower activity might see more strategic, long-term contracts. Benchmarking this $1.8 million award against previous awards for similar services in the same region would reveal whether this represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to provide precise figures, but it's reasonable to assume that aviation support constitutes a significant portion of the Forest Service's operational budget in fire-prone states like Arizona.

How does the pricing structure of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation?

The pricing structure of this contract is 'FIRM FIXED PRICE,' meaning the agreed-upon price will not change regardless of the contractor's actual costs. To compare this to industry benchmarks, one would need to analyze the specific rates for helicopter type, crew, flight hours, and any associated operational costs. Industry benchmarks for nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation can vary widely based on aircraft size, range, specialized equipment (like water buckets for firefighting), and pilot certifications. For a contract of this nature, involving potentially specialized helicopters for demanding operations, the fixed price aims to provide cost certainty. A thorough benchmark analysis would involve comparing the per-hour flight rates, daily rates, and any mobilization/demobilization fees against publicly available rate sheets from other aviation service providers or data from similar government contracts. Given the $1.8 million total value over approximately four years, the average annual value is around $450,000, which needs to be broken down into operational rates to be meaningfully compared.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract?

The provided data does not explicitly detail the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract. However, for a contract involving nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation, particularly for the Forest Service, typical KPIs would likely revolve around aircraft availability, response times to dispatch requests, flight safety records, and adherence to mission objectives (e.g., timely delivery of personnel or equipment to incident sites). SLAs would define the expected standards for these KPIs, such as a maximum response time for critical missions or a required uptime percentage for the aircraft. Failure to meet these KPIs and SLAs could result in penalties, reduced payments, or even contract termination. The Forest Service would have internal documentation outlining these specific requirements to ensure operational effectiveness and accountability.

What is the track record of Helicopter Express LLC in fulfilling similar government contracts, particularly with the Forest Service?

Assessing the track record of Helicopter Express LLC requires a review of their past performance on government contracts, specifically those with the US Forest Service or other agencies requiring similar aviation services. Databases like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) would contain records of their past awards, performance evaluations, and any history of disputes or corrective actions. A positive track record would indicate consistent delivery of services, adherence to contract terms, and high customer satisfaction. Conversely, any negative performance history, such as late deliveries, safety incidents, or contract disputes, would be a significant risk indicator. Without direct access to these performance databases, it's challenging to provide a definitive assessment of Helicopter Express LLC's specific track record for this type of contract.

How does the duration and value of this contract align with the typical operational needs for helicopter support in Arizona's wildfire season?

The contract duration of approximately four years (May 2024 - December 2028) and a total value of $1.8 million suggest a strategic approach to ensuring consistent helicopter support rather than solely relying on short-term, emergency-driven awards. Arizona experiences significant wildfire risk, particularly during its dry seasons. A multi-year contract provides the Forest Service with a degree of certainty regarding resource availability and cost, which is crucial for effective planning and response. The value, averaging around $450,000 annually, needs to be considered in the context of the number of flight hours or missions anticipated. This duration allows for sustained support throughout multiple fire seasons and potentially for other land management activities. It aligns with the need for reliable aerial assets that can be deployed quickly when needed, balancing preparedness with cost-efficiency over the long term.

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: 44

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: $1,807,433

Exercised Options: $1,807,433

Current Obligation: $1,807,433

Actual Outlays: $963,704

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1202SA23T9316

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline