Agriculture's Forest Service Awards $691K Contract for Nonscheduled Air Transport to Brainerd Helicopters

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $691,664 ($691.7K)

Contractor: Brainerd Helicopters, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2025-01-01

End Date: 2029-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $379/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 17

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: HSS MATOC TYPE 3 WIGGINS, MS N173BH

Place of Performance

Location: WIGGINS, STONE County, MISSISSIPPI, 39577

State: Mississippi Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $691,664.23 to BRAINERD HELICOPTERS, INC for work described as: HSS MATOC TYPE 3 WIGGINS, MS N173BH Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Brainerd Helicopters, Inc. for nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation. 2. The contract has a total value of $691,664.23 and spans 5 years. 3. Full and open competition was utilized for this award. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 481211. 5. The contract is a Firm Fixed Price type.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $691,664.23 over five years appears reasonable for specialized air transportation services. Benchmarking against similar MATOC (Multiple Award Task Order Contract) awards for aviation services 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, suggesting a robust process for soliciting bids and ensuring fair pricing. This method typically leads to competitive pricing as multiple vendors have the opportunity to participate.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down costs through market forces, ensuring the government receives competitive pricing for services rendered.

Public Impact

Ensures critical air transportation for Forest Service operations in Mississippi. Supports the agency's ability to conduct aerial surveys, transport personnel, or respond to emergencies. Provides a reliable service for a 5-year period, offering stability for operational planning. The use of a MATOC structure allows for efficient task order issuance.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price escalation over the 5-year term.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical air transport.
Geographic limitations of service delivery.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Firm Fixed Price contract type limits cost uncertainty.
Long-term contract provides service continuity.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the transportation sector, specifically air transportation services. Spending benchmarks for nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation can vary significantly based on aircraft type, duration, and operational requirements. The value appears moderate for a 5-year service contract.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). While Brainerd Helicopters, Inc. may be a small business, the award itself was not made under a small business set-aside program. Further analysis would be needed to determine the size status of the awardee.

Oversight & Accountability

The use of a MATOC structure implies that oversight is managed through the issuance and monitoring of individual delivery orders. The Department of Agriculture's Forest Service is responsible for ensuring performance and compliance with the contract terms.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Potential for price increases over the contract duration.
Vendor dependency and associated risks.
Lack of small business participation noted in award.
Geographic concentration of service.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $691,664.23 to BRAINERD HELICOPTERS, INC. HSS MATOC TYPE 3 WIGGINS, MS N173BH

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BRAINERD HELICOPTERS, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $691,664.23.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-01-01. End: 2029-12-31.

What is the typical cost per flight hour or per mile for similar nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation services in Mississippi?

Benchmarking the per-unit cost against industry standards for nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation in Mississippi is crucial. Factors like aircraft type, passenger capacity, flight duration, and operational complexity influence these costs. Without specific details on the service's operational tempo and aircraft utilized, a precise comparison is difficult, but the total contract value suggests a moderate level of service provision over the five-year period.

What are the specific risks associated with relying on a single vendor for critical air transportation services over a five-year period?

Relying on a single vendor for five years introduces risks such as potential service disruptions due to the vendor's financial instability, operational issues, or loss of key personnel. Price escalation beyond initial projections, even with a fixed-price contract, can occur through change orders or contract modifications if scope changes. Furthermore, the government may lose leverage for negotiating better terms if alternative vendors are not readily available or competitive at the contract's end.

How effectively does this contract support the Forest Service's mission in Mississippi, particularly in terms of operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness?

The effectiveness of this contract hinges on its ability to provide timely and reliable air transportation, which is crucial for Forest Service operations like fire management, resource monitoring, or personnel deployment in potentially remote areas of Mississippi. If the service enables efficient access and reduces ground travel time, it enhances operational effectiveness. Cost-effectiveness is supported by the full and open competition and firm fixed-price structure, aiming to secure necessary services at a competitive rate.

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

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 17

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8850 AIRPORT BLVD, LEESBURG, FL, 34788

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $691,664

Exercised Options: $691,664

Current Obligation: $691,664

Actual Outlays: $350,492

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1202SA23T9312

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline