Forest Service awards $1.37M contract for air transportation to Brainerd Helicopters, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $1,371,532 ($1.4M)
Contractor: Brainerd Helicopters, Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture
Start Date: 2024-01-01
End Date: 2028-12-31
Contract Duration: 1,826 days
Daily Burn Rate: $751/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 44
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Transportation
Official Description: HSS MATOC TYPE 3 LAUREL N31BH
Place of Performance
Location: LAUREL, JONES County, MISSISSIPPI, 39440
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Agriculture obligated $1.4 million to BRAINERD HELICOPTERS, INC for work described as: HSS MATOC TYPE 3 LAUREL N31BH Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting market availability. 2. The contract value of $1.37M over 5 years is moderate. 3. Risk appears low due to fixed-price contract and established service. 4. Sector is transportation, specifically air charter services for the Forest Service.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $1.37M over 1826 days suggests a reasonable annual spend. Benchmarking against similar nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation contracts would provide further insight into pricing efficiency.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded using full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives fair value.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is expected to yield competitive pricing, maximizing taxpayer value for the air transportation services procured.
Public Impact
Ensures continued operational support for Forest Service activities requiring air transport. Supports critical functions like firefighting, resource management, and personnel transport. Provides essential aerial capabilities for remote or difficult-to-access areas.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 75 / 10
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition utilized.
- Firm fixed price contract type.
- Long-term contract provides stability.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the air transportation sector, specifically focusing on nonscheduled chartered passenger services. Spending in this area is crucial for agencies operating in remote or expansive regions, like the Forest Service, for logistical and operational needs.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved in this procurement. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is a delivery order under a MATOC, suggesting a framework for multiple awards and ongoing oversight. The duration and value indicate a need for consistent monitoring of performance and adherence to terms.
Related Government Programs
- Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation
- Department of Agriculture Contracting
- Forest Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for price creep if fuel costs or operational demands increase significantly.
- Dependence on a single vendor for critical air transport services.
- Limited visibility into specific operational metrics and utilization rates.
- Potential for underutilization of the contract if demand fluctuates.
Tags
nonscheduled-chartered-passenger-air-tra, department-of-agriculture, ms, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Agriculture awarded $1.4 million to BRAINERD HELICOPTERS, INC. HSS MATOC TYPE 3 LAUREL N31BH
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BRAINERD HELICOPTERS, INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $1.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-01-01. End: 2028-12-31.
What is the historical performance of Brainerd Helicopters, Inc. on similar government contracts?
Assessing Brainerd Helicopters, Inc.'s past performance on comparable government contracts is crucial for evaluating reliability and service quality. Reviewing past contract awards, performance reviews, and any documented issues can provide insight into their track record and ability to meet the Forest Service's specific needs for nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation.
How does the per-hour or per-mile cost compare to industry benchmarks for similar air charter services?
Comparing the contract's pricing structure to industry benchmarks for similar air charter services is essential for determining cost-effectiveness. Analyzing rates based on flight hours, mileage, or passenger capacity against market averages can reveal potential overpricing or significant savings, directly impacting taxpayer value and budget efficiency for the Forest Service.
Are there alternative or emerging technologies that could provide more cost-effective or efficient air transportation solutions in the future?
Exploring alternative or emerging technologies is vital for long-term cost efficiency and operational effectiveness. Investigating advancements in drone technology, electric aircraft, or improved logistical software could reveal more sustainable and economical solutions for the Forest Service's air transportation needs, potentially reducing reliance on traditional charter services over time.
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: 8850 AIRPORT BLVD, LEESBURG, FL, 34788
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $1,371,532
Exercised Options: $1,371,532
Current Obligation: $1,371,532
Actual Outlays: $917,732
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 1202SA23T9312
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-01-01
Current End Date: 2028-12-31
Potential End Date: 2028-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-08
More Contracts from Brainerd Helicopters, Inc
- Critical Functions - Large Fire Support EU Helicopter Services — $47.1M (Department of Agriculture)
- Critical Functions - National Exclusive USE Large Fire Support Helicopter Services for Wildland Firefighting — $31.0M (Department of Agriculture)
- Eclusive USE Helicopter for Wildland Fire Services — $15.6M (Department of Agriculture)
- BLM EU T1 Boise — $3.1M (Department of the Interior)
- HSS Matoc Type 3 Lufkin Airport TX N234BH — $1.2M (Department of Agriculture)
Other Department of Agriculture Contracts
- Usda Enterprise-Scale Fedramp Certified Cloud Hosting Services. Igf::ot::igf — $336.8M (Accenture Federal Services LLC)
- Usda Disc Enterprise Wide Salesforce Software&support Services — $294.8M (Carahsoft Technology Corp)
- Provide Removal of Carcasses AT Premise X Igf::ot::igf Hpai — $292.5M (Clean Harbors Environmental Services Inc)
- Financial Management Modernization Initiative — $291.0M (Accenture LLP)
- Enterprise Application Services — $273.5M (Synergy Business Innovation & Solutions Inc.)