Agriculture's Forest Service awards $12.2M contract for helicopter transport services to Helicopter Transport Services, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,209,145 ($12.2M)

Contractor: Helicopter Transport Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2025-05-06

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 604 days

Daily Burn Rate: $20.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 27

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: HTS - T1 EU FOR EAST WENATCHEE, WA #4

Place of Performance

Location: WENATCHEE, CHELAN County, WASHINGTON, 98801

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $12.2 million to HELICOPTER TRANSPORT SERVICES, LLC for work described as: HTS - T1 EU FOR EAST WENATCHEE, WA #4 Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 604 days indicates a medium-term need for these services. 3. The firm-fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 4. The primary service is nonscheduled chartered freight air transportation. 5. The award was made as a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger agreement or schedule. 6. The contractor, Helicopter Transport Services, LLC, has been awarded contracts dating back to 2021.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $12.2 million for approximately two years of helicopter transport services appears reasonable given the nature of the work. Without specific details on the scope of operations (e.g., flight hours, cargo capacity, geographic coverage), a direct per-unit cost comparison is challenging. However, the firm-fixed-price structure provides cost predictability. Benchmarking against similar aerial firefighting or transport contracts would offer further insight into value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of 27 bids suggests a robust level of interest and a competitive marketplace for these services. A higher number of bidders generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The extensive competition for this contract is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely drove down prices and ensured the government received competitive offers for essential helicopter transport services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the US Forest Service, which will utilize these services for operational needs. Services include nonscheduled chartered freight air transportation, crucial for remote access and logistics. The geographic impact is focused on Washington state, where the services will be performed. This contract supports the aviation sector and specialized transport services, potentially impacting pilots and support staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for increased operational costs if demand exceeds initial projections within the fixed-price structure.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical transport services could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a healthy market and competitive pricing.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for the Forest Service.
Contract duration allows for sustained operational support.
The contractor has a history of federal awards, suggesting some level of established performance.

Sector Analysis

The aviation services sector, particularly charter and freight, is a critical component of government logistics and operations, especially for agencies like the Forest Service that operate in remote areas. The market for specialized air transport, including helicopter services, is competitive but requires specific certifications and equipment. This contract fits within the broader category of transportation and logistics services supporting federal land management and emergency response.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, and the contractor, Helicopter Transport Services, LLC, is not listed as a small business. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this award notice. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist and are being utilized.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the US Forest Service's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, requiring delivery of services as specified. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Forest Service Aviation Management
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Oversight
Department of Agriculture Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues if contractor lacks sufficient capacity or experience.
Risk of cost overruns if fixed-price contract does not adequately account for all operational variables.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $12.2 million to HELICOPTER TRANSPORT SERVICES, LLC. HTS - T1 EU FOR EAST WENATCHEE, WA #4

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HELICOPTER TRANSPORT SERVICES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $12.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-05-06. End: 2026-12-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for helicopter transport services by the US Forest Service?

Analyzing historical spending for helicopter transport services by the US Forest Service requires access to comprehensive federal procurement data. Based on the provided data, Helicopter Transport Services, LLC has received federal awards dating back to 2021, indicating a sustained relationship. To understand the broader pattern, one would need to query databases like FPDS or USASpending.gov for all contracts awarded by the Forest Service (and potentially other agencies) for similar services (NAICS code 481212) over the past 5-10 years. This would reveal trends in contract values, number of awards, dominant contractors, and fluctuations in spending based on agency needs, budget appropriations, and operational priorities, such as wildfire suppression or land management activities.

How does the per-hour cost of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar helicopter transport services?

Determining the precise per-hour cost requires breaking down the total contract value ($12.2 million) by the estimated total flight hours or operational days. The contract duration is 604 days, but this does not directly translate to flight hours. Industry benchmarks for helicopter transport vary significantly based on helicopter type (e.g., light, medium, heavy-lift), mission complexity (e.g., cargo, personnel transport, specialized operations like firefighting), location, and required certifications. General market rates can range from $1,500 to over $10,000 per hour. Without specific operational details and the number of flight hours anticipated under this firm-fixed-price contract, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the total value suggests a substantial operational commitment.

What specific types of missions or operations is this helicopter transport contract intended to support?

The contract specifies 'Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation' (NAICS 481212). This broad description suggests the primary purpose is the movement of goods and potentially personnel to locations not served by regular scheduled flights. For the US Forest Service, such services are critical for supporting a wide range of activities, including: logistical support for remote field operations, transportation of equipment and supplies to fire suppression sites, aerial surveys, personnel transport to inaccessible areas for research or maintenance, and potentially emergency response or disaster relief efforts. The exact mission profile would be detailed in the contract's statement of work, which is not provided here.

What is the track record of Helicopter Transport Services, LLC in fulfilling federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Agriculture?

Helicopter Transport Services, LLC has a history of receiving federal contracts, with awards noted dating back to 2021. To assess their track record thoroughly, one would need to examine past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), any past disputes or contract terminations, and the successful completion of previous similar service agreements. The fact that they were awarded this $12.2 million contract through full and open competition suggests they met the qualifications and demonstrated capability. However, a deeper dive into their performance history, especially with the Department of Agriculture or Forest Service, would provide a more complete picture of their reliability and quality of service.

Are there any specific performance risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Potential performance risks for a helicopter transport contract include aircraft mechanical failures, pilot availability issues, weather-related disruptions, and challenges in meeting specific delivery timelines or operational demands. Given the firm-fixed-price nature, the contractor bears the primary financial risk if costs escalate beyond projections. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust maintenance schedules, pilot training and certification requirements, contingency planning for weather delays, and clear communication protocols between the contractor and the Forest Service. The Forest Service would also monitor performance through contract surveillance and potentially utilize clauses allowing for remedies in case of contractor default or substandard performance.

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

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 27

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 701 WILSON POINT RD, BALTIMORE, MD, 21220

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,209,145

Exercised Options: $12,209,145

Current Obligation: $12,209,145

Actual Outlays: $7,129,788

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1202SA25T9217

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline