Forest Service Awards $5.6M Contract for Nonscheduled Air Transportation to Helicopter Express LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $562,549 ($562.5K)

Contractor: Helicopter Express LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2025-01-01

End Date: 2028-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $385/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 NEW BERN, NC N35HX

Place of Performance

Location: NEW BERN, CRAVEN County, NORTH CAROLINA, 28560

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $562,549.01 to HELICOPTER EXPRESS LLC for work described as: HSS MATOC TYPE 3 NEW BERN, NC N35HX Key points: 1. The contract is for nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation, primarily supporting operations in North Carolina. 2. Helicopter Express LLC, the sole awardee, has secured a significant portion of the contract value. 3. The contract duration spans nearly four years, indicating a long-term need for these services. 4. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $5.6 million over four years appears reasonable for specialized air transportation services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for aerial support in remote or challenging terrains would provide further validation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, which typically allows for the best price discovery and ensures a wide range of potential bidders can participate. This method is generally favorable for achieving competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award suggests that taxpayer funds are being utilized efficiently for essential air transportation services.

Public Impact

Ensures critical air transport for Forest Service operations, potentially including firefighting, personnel transport, and equipment delivery. Supports economic activity in North Carolina through the provision of specialized aviation services. Provides a reliable aerial logistics solution for managing natural resources and responding to emergencies.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price increases over the contract term.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical services.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Long-term contract provides stability for service provision.

Sector Analysis

The aviation services sector is crucial for government operations, especially for agencies like the Forest Service that operate in remote areas. Spending benchmarks for nonscheduled air transportation can vary widely based on aircraft type, duration, and operational complexity.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was awarded to Helicopter Express LLC, and there is no specific information provided regarding small business participation or subcontracting. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

The award process under full and open competition suggests a degree of oversight. However, ongoing monitoring of performance, adherence to contract terms, and cost control will be essential for accountability.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Potential for price escalation over the contract duration.
Reliance on a single provider for critical air services.
Geographic concentration of operations in North Carolina.
Lack of explicit small business participation details.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $562,549.01 to HELICOPTER EXPRESS LLC. HSS MATOC TYPE 3 NEW BERN, NC N35HX

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 $562,549.01.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-01-01. End: 2028-12-31.

What is the specific nature of the 'nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation' and how does it align with the Forest Service's core mission requirements?

This service likely involves on-demand flights for transporting personnel, potentially including firefighters, researchers, or administrative staff, to and from remote or difficult-to-access locations. It could also support emergency response operations or logistical movements critical to the Forest Service's mandate of managing national forests and grasslands, including wildfire suppression and conservation efforts.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will the Forest Service ensure the contractor meets them effectively?

Key performance indicators would likely include on-time performance, safety record, aircraft availability, and adherence to flight plans. The Forest Service will ensure effectiveness through regular performance reviews, monitoring of flight logs, incident reporting, and potentially site visits to operational bases. Contract clauses will specify remedies for non-performance.

Are there any environmental considerations or sustainability requirements associated with the use of these aircraft, particularly given the Forest Service's focus on conservation?

While not explicitly stated, government contracts often include clauses related to environmental compliance. The Forest Service may require adherence to noise abatement procedures, emissions standards, or specific fuel efficiency targets where feasible. The contractor's operational practices will be evaluated for their environmental impact.

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: $562,549

Exercised Options: $562,549

Current Obligation: $562,549

Actual Outlays: $220,174

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1202SA23T9316

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline