USDA Forest Service awards $9.3M contract for aircraft and crew services to Spur Aviation Services, LC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,339,416 ($9.3M)

Contractor: Spur Aviation Services, LC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2024-06-03

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 941 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROVIDE AIRCRAFT AND CREW TO PERFORM IAA SERVICES

Place of Performance

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

State: Idaho Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $9.3 million to SPUR AVIATION SERVICES, LC for work described as: PROVIDE AIRCRAFT AND CREW TO PERFORM IAA SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the duration and scope of aerial services required. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration of over two years indicates a need for sustained operational support. 4. Fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 481211 points to specialized air charter services. 6. This award represents a specific instance of federal spending within the aviation support sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $9.3 million over 941 days (roughly 2.5 years) for aircraft and crew services suggests an average annual cost of around $3.7 million. This figure needs to be benchmarked against similar contracts for aerial firefighting or specialized transport services. Without specific details on aircraft type, crew size, and operational tempo, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that the solicitation was publicly advertised and all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The presence of six bids (no: 6) suggests a healthy level of competition for this specialized service.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for taxpayers compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the USDA Forest Service, which will receive essential aircraft and crew services for its operations. These services are crucial for supporting various land management, firefighting, or other aerial support missions. The contract is geographically focused on Idaho (sn: IDAHO), indicating support for regional Forest Service activities. The contract supports jobs within the aviation sector, including pilots, mechanics, and support staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if operational requirements change significantly during the contract period.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical aerial services could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
Ensuring consistent availability and readiness of aircraft and crew throughout the contract term.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
Contract duration of over two years allows for stable planning and execution of services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader aviation services sector, specifically focusing on nonscheduled chartered air transportation (NA: 481211). This segment of the industry provides specialized flight services not covered by scheduled airlines. The market for such services is often driven by government needs for unique operational capabilities, such as those required by the Forest Service for land management and emergency response. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal and state contracts for similar aerial support, factoring in aircraft type, mission profile, and geographic region.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not appear to be a small business set-aside (sb: false). Therefore, the direct impact on small business set-asides is minimal. However, the prime contractor, Spur Aviation Services, LC, may engage small businesses as subcontractors, depending on their subcontracting plan and the nature of the services required. Further analysis would be needed to determine subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the USDA Forest Service contracting officer and their representatives. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract simplifies some aspects of financial oversight. Accountability measures are embedded in the contract terms and conditions, including performance standards and delivery schedules. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though specific operational details may be sensitive. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Wildland Firefighting Support Services
Aerial Surveillance and Reconnaissance Contracts
Specialized Air Charter Services
Department of Agriculture Aviation Contracts

Risk Flags

Contract Duration
Performance Risk
Scope Definition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $9.3 million to SPUR AVIATION SERVICES, LC. PROVIDE AIRCRAFT AND CREW TO PERFORM IAA SERVICES

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 $9.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-06-03. End: 2026-12-31.

What is the track record of Spur Aviation Services, LC with federal contracts, particularly with the USDA Forest Service?

A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to fully assess Spur Aviation Services, LC's track record. This would involve examining past contract awards, performance evaluations (if publicly available), and any history of contract disputes or terminations. Understanding their experience with similar types of aircraft, crew operations, and mission requirements, especially for agencies like the Forest Service, is crucial for evaluating their capability to fulfill this current contract. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to definitively gauge their reliability and past performance.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar aerial support contracts awarded by other federal agencies or state governments?

Benchmarking the pricing of this $9.3 million contract requires comparing it against similar services procured by other entities. Key comparison points would include the type and size of aircraft, crew qualifications and hours, operational tempo (e.g., flight hours per month), geographic operating area, and the specific services provided (e.g., transport, surveillance, firefighting support). Contracts for similar nonscheduled chartered air transportation, especially those supporting land management or emergency services, would be the most relevant comparators. A significant deviation from established market rates for comparable services could indicate either exceptional value or potential overpricing.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Primary risks include potential performance failures by the contractor (e.g., aircraft unserviceability, crew availability issues), changes in operational requirements leading to scope creep, and potential cost increases if not managed tightly under the fixed-price structure. Mitigation strategies likely include robust performance monitoring by the Forest Service, clear contract terms defining service level agreements, and contingency planning for aircraft or crew replacement. The firm fixed-price nature itself acts as a risk mitigation tool against cost overruns for the government, provided the scope is well-defined.

How effective is the Forest Service in utilizing aerial assets for its land management and operational objectives?

The effectiveness of the Forest Service's utilization of aerial assets is generally considered high, given their critical role in operations like wildfire suppression, aerial surveys for forest health, and logistical support in remote areas. Contracts like this one provide the necessary specialized capabilities that the agency may not possess internally. Measuring effectiveness would involve analyzing mission success rates, response times to incidents, cost-efficiency compared to ground-based alternatives, and the overall contribution of aerial support to achieving the Forest Service's land management and conservation goals.

What has been the historical spending trend for similar aerial support services by the USDA Forest Service over the past five years?

Analyzing historical spending trends for similar aerial support services by the USDA Forest Service over the past five years would reveal patterns in demand, pricing, and contractor landscape. This data could indicate whether spending has been increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable, potentially influenced by factors like wildfire activity, budget allocations, or changes in operational strategies. Understanding these trends helps contextualize the current $9.3 million award and assess if it aligns with historical investment levels or represents a significant shift in resource allocation for aerial support.

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: 6

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: $9,339,416

Exercised Options: $9,339,416

Current Obligation: $9,339,416

Actual Outlays: $6,247,256

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1202SA23T9427

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline