Forest Service Awards $3.06M Contract for Air Transportation to Spur Aviation Services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,062,214 ($3.1M)

Contractor: Spur Aviation Services, LC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2024-04-08

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 997 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: ATGS GRANGEVILLE ID

Place of Performance

Location: TWIN FALLS, TWIN FALLS County, IDAHO, 83301

State: Idaho Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $3.1 million to SPUR AVIATION SERVICES, LC for work described as: ATGS GRANGEVILLE ID Key points: 1. Contract awarded for nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation. 2. Spur Aviation Services, LC is the sole awardee. 3. The contract has a duration of 997 days. 4. The award is a Firm Fixed Price type. 5. The contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.06 million over nearly three years appears reasonable for specialized air transportation services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for charter flights in remote areas would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded using full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive process. This method aims to ensure fair pricing and access for qualified vendors.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process is designed to secure the best value for taxpayer funds, ensuring efficient use of resources for essential services.

Public Impact

Ensures critical air transportation for Forest Service operations in Idaho. Supports wildfire suppression, resource management, and personnel transport. Provides essential logistical support in remote or inaccessible areas. Contributes to the operational readiness of the Forest Service.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price increases if fuel costs fluctuate significantly.
Dependence on a single provider for critical services.

Positive Signals

Competitive award process ensures fair pricing.
Long-term contract provides service stability.
Firm fixed price mitigates cost overrun risk.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the transportation services sector, specifically air charter. Spending in this area is often driven by operational needs in remote regions, such as those managed by the Forest Service, and can vary based on agency priorities and environmental factors.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved in this specific contract award. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a structured procurement process. Oversight would involve monitoring performance, adherence to terms, and financial accountability throughout the contract period.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Potential for sole-source dependency if follow-on contracts are needed.
Geographic remoteness may limit alternative service providers.
Dependence on specific aircraft types may pose availability risks.
Fluctuations in fuel prices could impact long-term cost predictability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $3.1 million to SPUR AVIATION SERVICES, LC. ATGS GRANGEVILLE ID

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SPUR AVIATION SERVICES, LC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-04-08. End: 2026-12-31.

What is the typical cost per flight hour for similar nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation in this region?

Benchmarking the per-flight-hour cost against regional averages for similar aircraft and service types is crucial. Without specific data on flight hours and aircraft utilized, a precise comparison is difficult. However, given the contract value and duration, the implied hourly rate should be assessed against industry standards to ensure cost-effectiveness for the taxpayer.

What are the specific risks associated with relying on a single provider for air transportation in remote areas?

Risks include service disruptions due to the provider's operational issues (e.g., mechanical failures, pilot availability), limited flexibility in scaling services up or down quickly, and potential price increases upon contract renewal if competition is limited. Emergency response capabilities could also be impacted if the sole provider faces unforeseen challenges.

How effectively does this contract support the Forest Service's mission in the Grangeville, ID area?

This contract is vital for enabling the Forest Service to conduct essential operations, including wildfire management, resource monitoring, and personnel deployment in the rugged terrain of Idaho. Reliable air transportation ensures timely access to remote areas, directly contributing to the agency's ability to protect natural resources and respond to emergencies effectively.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 203 JOSLIN WAY, TWIN FALLS, ID, 83301

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,573,214

Exercised Options: $3,062,214

Current Obligation: $3,062,214

Actual Outlays: $1,876,914

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1202SA23T9427

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline