Agriculture Forest Service Awards $5.2M Contract for Air Transportation Services to HELIQWEST INTERNATIONAL INC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $5,236,581 ($5.2M)
Contractor: Heliqwest International Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture
Start Date: 2025-05-06
End Date: 2026-12-31
Contract Duration: 604 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 28
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Transportation
Official Description: HELIQWEST - T1 EU FOR CHESTER, CA #2
Place of Performance
Location: CHESTER, PLUMAS County, CALIFORNIA, 96020
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Agriculture obligated $5.2 million to HELIQWEST INTERNATIONAL INC. for work described as: HELIQWEST - T1 EU FOR CHESTER, CA #2 Key points: 1. Contract awarded to HELIQWEST INTERNATIONAL INC. for air transportation. 2. Full and open competition was utilized for this award. 3. The contract is for a duration of 604 days. 4. The total award amount is $5,236,581.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's price of $5,236,581 for 604 days of service appears reasonable given the specialized nature of nonscheduled chartered freight air transportation. Benchmarking against similar contracts for aerial firefighting or remote cargo delivery would provide a clearer picture of value.
Cost Per Unit: $8,670
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method typically leads to more competitive pricing as multiple vendors have the opportunity to bid.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently by securing the best possible price for the required services.
Public Impact
Ensures critical air transportation services for the Forest Service's operations in California. Supports the agency's ability to manage resources and respond to needs in remote areas. Provides economic activity through the contract with HELIQWEST INTERNATIONAL INC.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for price escalation in specialized air charter services.
- Dependence on a single vendor for critical operational support.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Clear contract duration and delivery dates.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the transportation sector, specifically air charter services. Spending on such services can fluctuate based on agency needs, such as wildfire suppression, resource management, or logistical support in challenging terrains. Benchmarks for similar services are often tied to aircraft type, operational hours, and geographic scope.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this specific contract award, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is a delivery order under a larger agreement, suggesting it has undergone some level of review. Oversight will be crucial to ensure service delivery meets requirements and that costs remain within the awarded amount.
Related Government Programs
- Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation
- Department of Agriculture Contracting
- Forest Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns if mission scope expands.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical air support.
- Geographic limitations of service delivery.
- Weather-dependent operational reliability.
Tags
nonscheduled-chartered-freight-air-trans, department-of-agriculture, ca, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Agriculture awarded $5.2 million to HELIQWEST INTERNATIONAL INC.. HELIQWEST - T1 EU FOR CHESTER, CA #2
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is HELIQWEST INTERNATIONAL INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $5.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-05-06. End: 2026-12-31.
What specific types of freight or missions will this air transportation service support for the Forest Service?
The contract specifies nonscheduled chartered freight air transportation. This likely includes the movement of personnel, equipment, supplies, and potentially specialized resources to support Forest Service operations, which could range from fire suppression efforts to ecological surveys and remote site maintenance in California.
Are there any identified risks associated with the duration or scope of this contract for the Forest Service?
A primary risk is the potential for unforeseen operational needs or emergencies that may exceed the contract's scope or require additional resources not covered. The 604-day duration also means the agency is committed to this vendor for an extended period, potentially limiting flexibility if needs change significantly.
How does the per-unit cost benchmark of $8,670 compare to industry standards for similar air charter services?
The per-unit cost benchmark of $8,670, likely representing an average daily or hourly rate, needs to be compared against industry data for similar aircraft types and operational contexts. Factors like aircraft size, range, payload capacity, and specific mission requirements (e.g., emergency response) heavily influence these rates.
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: 28
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 11915 AIRPORT WAY, BROOMFIELD, CO, 80021
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $5,236,581
Exercised Options: $5,236,581
Current Obligation: $5,236,581
Actual Outlays: $2,818,169
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 1202SA25T9219
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-05-06
Current End Date: 2026-12-31
Potential End Date: 2029-12-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-15
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