Forest Service awards $3.4M contract for air transportation services to Minuteman Aviation Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,436,063 ($3.4M)

Contractor: Minuteman Aviation Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2024-01-01

End Date: 2028-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,826 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.9K/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 BLACKSBURG VA, CHALLIS ID, N402MA

Place of Performance

Location: ABINGDON, WASHINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 24210

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $3.4 million to MINUTEMAN AVIATION INC for work described as: HSS MATOC TYPE 3 BLACKSBURG VA, CHALLIS ID, N402MA Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is for nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation, indicating specialized service needs. 3. A firm-fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 4. The contract duration of 1826 days (5 years) suggests a long-term need for these services. 5. The award is a delivery order under a MATOC (Multiple Award Task Order Contract), implying a pre-competed framework. 6. The contract is for services in Virginia, indicating a specific geographic focus.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.4 million over five years appears reasonable for specialized air transportation services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation is difficult without more specific service details (e.g., aircraft type, flight hours, passenger capacity). However, the firm-fixed-price structure provides cost predictability. The award being a delivery order under a MATOC suggests that the initial contract vehicle likely underwent a competitive process, which can lead to better pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The data does not specify the number of bidders, but full and open competition generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The use of a MATOC framework suggests that the initial competition for the base contract was robust.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive bids and potentially lower prices.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the USDA Forest Service personnel who require air transportation for operational needs, potentially for remote area access, fire management support, or other critical missions. The services delivered include nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation, essential for logistical support in areas not easily accessible by conventional means. The geographic impact is focused on Virginia, where the services will be utilized. Workforce implications are indirect, supporting the operational efficiency of the Forest Service workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on the number of bidders in the full and open competition limits the assessment of competitive intensity.
The absence of detailed performance metrics or service level agreements makes it difficult to fully assess the value for money beyond the pricing structure.
The reliance on a MATOC structure means the initial competition for the base contract is key; understanding its parameters is important for a complete picture.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, maximizing potential for competitive pricing.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract is a delivery order under a MATOC, suggesting a pre-vetted and potentially efficient procurement vehicle.
The 5-year duration indicates a stable, long-term need being met.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Air Transportation services sector, specifically nonscheduled chartered passenger transport. This niche market often involves specialized aircraft and operational expertise. The federal government is a significant consumer of such services, particularly for agencies operating in remote areas or requiring rapid deployment capabilities, such as the Forest Service for wildfire response or land management. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more granular data on flight routes, aircraft types, and service frequencies.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, small businesses would have had the opportunity to compete under the full and open competition. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether small businesses participated as prime contractors or subcontractors in this procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Agriculture's Forest Service contracting officers and program managers. As a delivery order under a MATOC, the initial contract vehicle likely had its own oversight mechanisms. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, but detailed performance monitoring and specific accountability measures are typically managed internally by the agency. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

USDA Forest Service Aviation Management
Department of Agriculture Contracts
Air Charter Services
Federal Aviation Contracts
MATOC Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for operational disruptions affecting service continuity.
Risk of safety incidents inherent in aviation operations.
Cost management challenges if fixed price doesn't cover all contingencies.
Dependence on contractor's fleet availability and pilot staffing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $3.4 million to MINUTEMAN AVIATION INC. HSS MATOC TYPE 3 BLACKSBURG VA, CHALLIS ID, N402MA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MINUTEMAN AVIATION INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the track record of Minuteman Aviation Inc. with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Agriculture or Forest Service?

Assessing the track record of Minuteman Aviation Inc. requires a review of their past federal contract performance. This would involve searching databases like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or SAM.gov for previous awards, contract types, agencies served, and performance evaluations. Specific attention should be paid to any contracts with the Department of Agriculture or Forest Service to understand their experience with this particular agency's requirements. A history of successful contract completions, positive past performance reviews, and compliance with federal regulations would indicate a reliable contractor. Conversely, a history of contract disputes, terminations, or negative performance feedback would raise concerns about their capability and reliability for this current award.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation services?

Determining the precise value for money requires a detailed comparison of the awarded price against market rates for comparable nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation services. This comparison should consider factors such as aircraft type and capacity, operational range, flight hours, duration of service, and specific operational requirements (e.g., emergency response capabilities). Benchmarking against publicly available pricing data from other charter providers or similar government contracts, adjusted for geographic location and service specifics, is crucial. Without such granular data, it's challenging to definitively state if the $3.4 million over five years represents excellent, fair, or questionable value. The firm-fixed-price nature provides cost certainty, but the underlying rate competitiveness needs further analysis.

What are the specific risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Potential risks for this contract include operational disruptions (e.g., aircraft maintenance issues, pilot availability, weather delays), safety incidents, cost overruns if the fixed-price model doesn't adequately account for unforeseen operational costs, and potential performance deficiencies in meeting service demands. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust contract oversight by the Forest Service, clear performance standards and reporting requirements, adherence to strict aviation safety regulations, contingency planning for operational disruptions, and potentially requiring the contractor to maintain specific insurance levels. The contractor's own risk management practices, including maintenance protocols and pilot training, are also critical.

How effective has the MATOC (Multiple Award Task Order Contract) vehicle been in facilitating efficient procurement for the Forest Service's air transportation needs?

The effectiveness of the MATOC vehicle hinges on its ability to streamline the procurement process for task orders like this one. MATOCs are designed to pre-qualify a pool of capable contractors, allowing agencies to issue task orders more rapidly than starting a new full and open competition each time. For the Forest Service, if the MATOC was competitively awarded and includes a diverse range of qualified aviation providers, it likely enhances efficiency and potentially reduces administrative burden. However, the overall effectiveness also depends on how well the task order competition process under the MATOC is managed to ensure continued price competition and optimal selection of offerors for specific needs.

What is the historical spending pattern for nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation by the Forest Service or USDA?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation by the Forest Service or USDA is essential for context. This involves examining past contract awards for similar services over several fiscal years. Key metrics to review include the total annual expenditure, the number and value of contracts awarded, the primary contractors utilized, and the types of services procured (e.g., specific aircraft, mission types). Understanding these trends helps determine if the current $3.4 million award is consistent with historical levels, represents an increase or decrease in demand, or indicates a shift in procurement strategy. Significant deviations from historical spending could warrant further investigation into the underlying reasons.

What are the implications of the 'Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation' classification on service flexibility and cost?

The classification 'Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation' implies a high degree of flexibility and customization. Unlike scheduled flights, these services are arranged on demand, allowing the Forest Service to specify flight times, routes, and passenger requirements as needed. This flexibility is crucial for operational agility, especially for missions in remote or time-sensitive situations. However, this bespoke nature often comes at a higher per-unit cost compared to scheduled commercial air travel, as the entire aircraft and crew are dedicated to the charter. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to contain these costs, but the inherent demand-driven nature means efficient planning and utilization by the Forest Service are key to maximizing value.

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: 6337 AVIATION WAY W, MISSOULA, MT, 59808

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,436,063

Exercised Options: $3,436,063

Current Obligation: $3,436,063

Actual Outlays: $2,077,401

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1202SA23T9327

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline