Forest Service awards $1.38M contract for air transportation services to HELI-1 CORP

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,376,322 ($1.4M)

Contractor: Heli-1 Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2024-01-01

End Date: 2027-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $943/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 ALEXANDRIA, GREENWOOD N74WL

Place of Performance

Location: GREENWOOD, GREENWOOD County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29646

State: South Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $1.4 million to HELI-1 CORP for work described as: HSS MATOC TYPE 3 ALEXANDRIA, GREENWOOD N74WL 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. Fixed-price contract type may offer cost certainty for the government. 4. The duration of the contract is approximately 4 years, suggesting a long-term need. 5. The award is a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle. 6. The contractor, HELI-1 CORP, is the sole awardee for this specific order. 7. The contract is not set aside for small businesses. 8. The contract is not subject to small business subcontracting requirements.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific delivery order is challenging without knowing the scope of services and the underlying MATOC contract terms. However, the total award amount of $1.38 million over nearly four years suggests a moderate investment. Further analysis would require comparing the per-flight costs or hourly rates to similar air charter services procured by the Forest Service or other agencies for comparable missions. The firm fixed-price nature provides some predictability, but the overall value depends heavily on the efficiency and necessity of the flights provided.

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 bids. The data does not specify the number of bids received, but the competitive nature of the award process is a positive sign for price discovery. A full and open competition generally leads to a wider range of potential contractors and can drive down prices compared to sole-source or limited competition scenarios.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to better pricing and service quality.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely Forest Service personnel and potentially other government agencies requiring air transportation for operational needs, such as fire management, resource monitoring, or remote access. The services delivered include nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation, essential for reaching areas inaccessible by other means or for time-sensitive operations. The geographic impact is focused on South Carolina, as indicated by the 'SN' field, suggesting operations within or originating from this state. Workforce implications are minimal in terms of direct job creation from this contract, but it supports the operational capacity of the Forest Service workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if the scope of services is not clearly defined or if unforeseen operational challenges arise.
Dependence on a single contractor for this specific delivery order could lead to service disruptions if the contractor faces issues.
Limited transparency on the specific metrics used to evaluate performance beyond delivery completion.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Long contract duration (nearly 4 years) indicates a stable, ongoing need and potential for established working relationship.
The contractor is identified as HELI-1 CORP, suggesting a specialized provider in the aviation sector.

Sector Analysis

The aviation services sector is critical for government operations, particularly for agencies like the Forest Service that manage vast, often remote, natural resources. This contract falls under nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation, a niche within the broader aerospace and defense industry. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other government contracts for similar air charter services, considering factors like aircraft type, flight hours, and operational complexity. The market for such services is competitive, with specialized operators vying for government contracts.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the 'sb' field is false. There is no indication of mandatory subcontracting requirements for small businesses associated with this specific delivery order. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this particular award is likely minimal, as the primary contract is with HELI-1 CORP.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the designated contract specialist within the Forest Service. Performance monitoring would likely involve tracking flight schedules, adherence to safety regulations, and delivery of services as specified in the contract. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like SAM.gov, where award details are published. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Forest Service Aviation Management
Department of Agriculture Air Operations
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Oversight
General Services Administration (GSA) Schedules (if applicable to underlying MATOC)

Risk Flags

Potential for service disruption due to contractor reliance
Ensuring adherence to stringent aviation safety standards
Cost-effectiveness relative to alternative transportation methods
Clarity and scope definition of 'nonscheduled' services

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $1.4 million to HELI-1 CORP. HSS MATOC TYPE 3 ALEXANDRIA, GREENWOOD N74WL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HELI-1 CORP.

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: 2027-12-31.

What is the track record of HELI-1 CORP in performing similar government contracts?

Information regarding HELI-1 CORP's specific track record with government contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, any reported disputes or contract terminations, and the types and values of previous awards. Agencies often maintain past performance information that can be accessed during future procurement processes. Without this data, it's difficult to definitively assess their reliability and past success in fulfilling similar aviation service requirements for federal agencies.

How does the awarded amount compare to market rates for similar air charter services?

Direct comparison to market rates is challenging without specific details on the aircraft type, flight hours, operational complexity, and geographic area of service. However, the total award of $1.38 million over approximately 4 years for nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation suggests an average annual value of around $345,000. To benchmark effectively, one would need to research current charter rates for comparable aircraft (e.g., helicopters, small fixed-wing planes) in South Carolina or similar regions, factoring in factors like availability, demand, and the specific mission requirements of the Forest Service. The firm fixed-price nature aims to control costs, but the ultimate value depends on the negotiated rates within the MATOC.

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

Key risks include potential service disruptions if HELI-1 CORP experiences operational issues (e.g., aircraft maintenance, pilot availability), or if the contract is terminated. There's also a risk of cost inefficiency if the actual flight hours or operational needs exceed initial projections, although the firm fixed-price structure mitigates some of this. Safety is a paramount concern in aviation; therefore, ensuring the contractor maintains rigorous safety standards and compliance with FAA regulations is critical. Lastly, reliance on a single provider for this delivery order could limit flexibility if needs change rapidly.

How effective is the Forest Service in managing its aviation contracts?

The effectiveness of the Forest Service in managing its aviation contracts can be inferred from its consistent use of aviation assets for critical missions like wildfire suppression and resource management. The agency typically operates under strict regulations and safety protocols, often overseen by specialized aviation management branches. Success is often measured by mission accomplishment rates, safety records, and cost-effectiveness. While this specific contract's effectiveness is yet to be determined, the Forest Service's long-standing reliance on aviation suggests a mature capability in contract management, though challenges related to cost, availability, and safety are inherent in the sector.

What are the historical spending patterns for nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation by the Forest Service?

Historical spending data for nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation by the Forest Service would reveal trends in demand, pricing, and contractor utilization. Analyzing past awards for similar services would indicate whether this $1.38 million contract is typical, an increase, or a decrease in spending for this category. Such analysis could highlight periods of higher demand (e.g., during fire seasons) and identify key geographic areas or types of operations that frequently require chartered air services. Understanding these patterns helps in forecasting future needs and budgeting appropriately.

What is the significance of the contract being a 'Delivery Order' under a MATOC?

The designation as a 'Delivery Order' under a Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC) signifies that HELI-1 CORP was previously awarded a position on a larger, pre-competed contract vehicle. This MATOC likely established terms, conditions, and potentially pricing structures under which multiple task orders or delivery orders could be issued to various awardees. Issuing a delivery order allows the Forest Service to procure specific services (like this air transportation) efficiently, without needing to conduct a full, separate competition for each individual need. It streamlines the acquisition process for recurring or defined requirements.

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: 485 S ROCK BLVD, RENO, NV, 89502

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,376,322

Exercised Options: $1,376,322

Current Obligation: $1,376,322

Actual Outlays: $852,112

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1202SA23T9314

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline