Forest Service awards $990K contract for air transportation to Helicopter Express LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $990,367 ($990.4K)

Contractor: Helicopter Express LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2025-02-16

End Date: 2029-12-29

Contract Duration: 1,777 days

Daily Burn Rate: $557/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 17

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: HSS MATOC TYPE 3 MENA, AR #1 N46HX

Place of Performance

Location: MENA, POLK County, ARKANSAS, 71953

State: Arkansas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $990,367.3 to HELICOPTER EXPRESS LLC for work described as: HSS MATOC TYPE 3 MENA, AR #1 N46HX Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is for nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation. 3. The duration of the contract is approximately 1777 days. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which provides cost certainty. 5. The award was a delivery order under a MATOC (Multiple Award Task Order Contract). 6. The contractor, Helicopter Express LLC, has been awarded this contract. 7. The contract is for services in Arkansas.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $990,367.30 for approximately 1777 days of service represents an average daily cost of roughly $557. The specific nature of 'nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation' makes direct benchmarking difficult without more context on flight hours, routes, and passenger capacity. However, the firm fixed-price nature provides some cost predictability. Further analysis would require understanding the operational tempo and specific service requirements.

Cost Per Unit: $557 per day (estimated)

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 17 bids suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this requirement. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the competitive bidding process, which aims to secure the best value for the government by encouraging multiple vendors to offer their most competitive pricing.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely Forest Service personnel requiring air transportation for operational purposes, such as fire suppression support, resource management, or remote site access. The services delivered include nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation, facilitating movement of personnel and potentially light equipment. The geographic impact is focused on Arkansas, where the Forest Service operates. Workforce implications may include support for pilots, ground crew, and administrative staff associated with Helicopter Express LLC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited public information on the specific performance metrics or historical performance of Helicopter Express LLC for this type of service.
The 'nonscheduled' nature of the flights could lead to variable utilization and potential cost fluctuations if not managed tightly.
Dependence on a single delivery order under a MATOC means the contractor's future work is tied to subsequent tasking.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition with a significant number of bidders (17), indicating a robust market.
Firm Fixed Price contract type offers cost certainty for the government.
The contract duration of nearly five years provides stability for service provision.

Sector Analysis

The aviation services sector is critical for various government functions, including emergency response, logistics, and personnel transport. The Forest Service, in particular, relies on aviation for wildfire management and land monitoring. This contract fits within the broader category of specialized air charter services, which can range from scheduled airline operations to highly specialized aerial firefighting or surveillance. Benchmarking this specific contract is challenging without detailed operational data, but the overall market for government aviation services is substantial.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses within this award. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific contract is likely minimal unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small business subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the Firm Fixed Price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver services as specified. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award data being publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Forest Service Aviation Management
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Air Transportation Services
MATOC Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for underutilization of services
Operational risks inherent in aviation (weather, maintenance)
Dependence on contractor's operational capacity and pilot availability

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $990,367.3 to HELICOPTER EXPRESS LLC. HSS MATOC TYPE 3 MENA, AR #1 N46HX

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HELICOPTER EXPRESS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $990,367.3.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-02-16. End: 2029-12-29.

What is the track record of Helicopter Express LLC in performing similar nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation services for federal agencies?

Information regarding Helicopter Express LLC's specific track record for nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation for federal agencies is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract histories, and any reported issues or commendations from previous government contracts. Without this, it's difficult to definitively assess their experience and reliability for this specific service. However, the award through full and open competition with 17 bidders suggests that the Forest Service likely conducted some level of due diligence on potential offerors.

How does the estimated daily cost of $557 compare to market rates for similar nonscheduled air charter services?

The estimated daily cost of approximately $557 for nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation is difficult to benchmark directly without specific details on aircraft type, capacity, flight hours included, and operational area. Market rates for air charters can vary significantly based on these factors. For instance, chartering a small turboprop or helicopter for a few hours can easily cost several thousand dollars. If this daily rate implies a full day's availability of a larger aircraft or extensive flight hours, it might represent a competitive price. Conversely, if it's for minimal service, it could be high. Further analysis would need to compare against quotes for similar service levels and aircraft.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Key risks include potential underutilization of the chartered services if flight needs are lower than anticipated, leading to inefficient use of funds. Operational risks, such as weather delays, mechanical issues, or pilot availability, are also present in aviation. The firm fixed-price nature helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. The Forest Service's oversight and the contractor's own operational protocols are expected to manage performance and safety risks. The competitive award process also suggests a selection of a capable provider, mitigating some performance risks.

What is the historical spending pattern for nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation by the Forest Service or Department of Agriculture?

The provided data snippet does not include historical spending patterns for this specific service category by the Forest Service or the Department of Agriculture. To analyze historical spending, one would need access to broader contract databases or agency procurement reports. This would allow for an examination of trends in contract values, number of awards, and average costs over time, providing context for the current $990K award. Understanding past investments can help assess if current spending aligns with historical levels or represents a significant shift.

How does the selection of a MATOC (Multiple Award Task Order Contract) impact the overall value and efficiency of this award?

The use of a MATOC allows the Forest Service to pre-qualify multiple vendors for a broad category of services (HSS MATOC TYPE 3 MENA, AR #1 N46HX), streamlining the process for awarding individual task orders like this one. This can lead to faster procurement cycles and potentially better pricing due to pre-negotiated terms and established competition among MATOC holders. For this specific award, it means Helicopter Express LLC was one of several pre-vetted contractors eligible to receive this delivery order, contributing to efficiency. However, the ultimate value depends on the competition and pricing achieved at the task order level.

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: 2025 FLIGHTWAY DR, ATLANTA, GA, 30341

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $990,367

Exercised Options: $990,367

Current Obligation: $990,367

Actual Outlays: $195,377

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1202SA23T9316

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline