Forest Service Awards $10.8M for Large Airtanker Services in 2025

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,830,100 ($10.8M)

Contractor: 10 Tanker AIR Carrier, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2025-01-01

End Date: 2025-12-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $29.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: EU, NEXT GEN 2.0 TASK ORDER 2025 LARGE AIRTANKER - 10 TANKER AIR CARRIER, LLC

Place of Performance

Location: BOISE, ADA County, IDAHO, 83705

State: Idaho Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $10.8 million to 10 TANKER AIR CARRIER, LLC for work described as: EU, NEXT GEN 2.0 TASK ORDER 2025 LARGE AIRTANKER - 10 TANKER AIR CARRIER, LLC Key points: 1. Contract awarded to 10 TANKER AIR CARRIER, LLC for aerial firefighting. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract is for a firm fixed price, providing cost certainty. 4. This spending supports critical wildfire suppression efforts.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The awarded amount of $10.83 million for a one-year contract appears reasonable given the specialized nature of large airtanker services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for aerial firefighting assets would provide a more precise assessment.

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,' suggesting a competitive process was initiated after initial source exclusions. This method aims to ensure fair pricing and access for qualified vendors.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential wildfire management, a critical public service. The competitive nature of the award suggests efforts to achieve value for money.

Public Impact

Ensures availability of critical firefighting resources during the 2025 wildfire season. Supports the U.S. Forest Service's mission to protect natural resources and communities. Provides rapid aerial response capabilities to combat wildfires effectively. Contributes to the safety of firefighters on the ground.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price escalation in future contract renewals.
Dependence on a single vendor for a critical service.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed price contract provides budget predictability.
Full and open competition promotes market fairness.
Supports essential national security/public safety function.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the transportation and logistics sector, specifically focusing on specialized air charter services for emergency response. Spending benchmarks for such niche services are difficult to establish without detailed operational data, but the amount reflects the high cost of maintaining and operating large airtankers.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved in this specific contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the Department of Agriculture's Forest Service, which has established procurement and oversight processes. The use of a delivery order under a larger contract framework suggests adherence to existing federal acquisition regulations.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Potential for sole-source reliance in future renewals.
High cost associated with specialized aerial assets.
Operational risks inherent in aerial firefighting.
Dependence on weather conditions impacting service delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $10.8 million to 10 TANKER AIR CARRIER, LLC. EU, NEXT GEN 2.0 TASK ORDER 2025 LARGE AIRTANKER - 10 TANKER AIR CARRIER, LLC

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is 10 TANKER AIR CARRIER, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-01-01. End: 2025-12-31.

What is the historical performance and reliability of 10 TANKER AIR CARRIER, LLC in fulfilling similar contracts?

Assessing the past performance and reliability of 10 TANKER AIR CARRIER, LLC is crucial for understanding the risk associated with this contract. Reviewing past contract completion rates, incident response times, and any documented performance issues will provide insight into their capability to meet the demanding requirements of aerial firefighting. This information helps validate the agency's selection and ensures taxpayer funds are allocated to a proven provider.

How does the per-hour or per-mission cost compare to other large airtanker providers or alternative suppression methods?

Benchmarking the cost against similar large airtanker services or alternative wildfire suppression methods is essential for evaluating value. If 10 TANKER AIR CARRIER, LLC's pricing is significantly higher without a justifiable reason (e.g., superior capability, unique availability), it could indicate a lack of competitive pressure or an inefficient use of funds. Understanding these comparisons helps determine if the $10.83 million award represents a fair market price.

What are the contingency plans if 10 TANKER AIR CARRIER, LLC is unable to fulfill its contractual obligations during a critical period?

Contingency planning is vital given the critical nature of wildfire suppression. The Forest Service must have robust backup plans in place should 10 TANKER AIR CARRIER, LLC face operational issues, aircraft unavailability, or other disruptions. This could involve pre-negotiated agreements with secondary providers or alternative strategies. The absence of clear contingency measures represents a significant risk to public safety and resource protection.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Nonscheduled Air Transportation › Nonscheduled Chartered Freight 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

Parent Company: 10 Tanker AIR Carrier LLC

Address: 2503-A CLARK CARR LOOP SE, ALBUQUERQUE, NM, 87106

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,670,100

Exercised Options: $11,670,100

Current Obligation: $10,830,100

Actual Outlays: $10,684,302

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1202SA22T9104

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline