Forest Service Awards $51.5K for Aviation Maintenance Support to Air Cargo Carriers, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $51,488 ($51.5K)

Contractor: AIR Cargo Carriers, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-07

End Date: 2026-04-15

Contract Duration: 8 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.4K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: WCF AVIATION SHERPA MAINTENANCE IDIQ CONTRACT # 1202SA24T9500 INVOICE # 6041F

Place of Performance

Location: MILWAUKEE, MILWAUKEE County, WISCONSIN, 53207

State: Wisconsin Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $51,487.55 to AIR CARGO CARRIERS, LLC for work described as: WCF AVIATION SHERPA MAINTENANCE IDIQ CONTRACT # 1202SA24T9500 INVOICE # 6041F Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Air Cargo Carriers, LLC for aviation maintenance. 2. The contract is a Firm Fixed Price type, indicating predictable costs. 3. Competition method was 'COMPETED UNDER SAP', suggesting a streamlined process. 4. The contract duration is short (8 days), implying a specific, immediate need.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The awarded amount of $51,487.55 for a short duration seems reasonable for specialized aviation maintenance. Benchmarking against similar short-term, specialized support contracts would provide a clearer picture of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which typically involves a limited number of quotes. While this can be efficient for smaller procurements, it may not always yield the lowest possible price compared to full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is relatively small given the contract's value and short duration. The use of SAP suggests an effort to procure efficiently for this specific need.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operational readiness for critical Forest Service aviation assets. Supports the agency's ability to conduct its missions, including firefighting and resource management. The short duration suggests a focused, immediate need for maintenance services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP may not guarantee the best price.
Short contract duration could indicate a reactive need rather than planned maintenance.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
Supports essential aviation operations for the Forest Service.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under 'Other Support Activities for Air Transportation'. Spending in this sector is crucial for government agencies relying on air assets for operations, such as the Forest Service for wildfire suppression and land management.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved in this procurement. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded under SAP, which has its own set of oversight requirements. The short duration and specific nature of the service may limit the scope for extensive oversight, but invoice review and performance monitoring are standard.

Related Government Programs

Other Support Activities for Air Transportation
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Forest Service Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Short contract duration
Lack of detailed service description
No indication of small business participation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $51,487.55 to AIR CARGO CARRIERS, LLC. WCF AVIATION SHERPA MAINTENANCE IDIQ CONTRACT # 1202SA24T9500 INVOICE # 6041F

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AIR CARGO CARRIERS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $51,487.55.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2026-04-15.

What is the specific nature of the 'SHERPA MAINTENANCE' and why was it needed urgently?

The term 'SHERPA MAINTENANCE' likely refers to maintenance services for a specific type of aircraft or equipment used by the Forest Service, possibly a Sherpa aircraft. The urgency would stem from operational requirements, such as an upcoming mission, a critical repair needed to maintain fleet readiness, or a gap in existing maintenance capabilities.

How does the price of $51,487.55 compare to industry benchmarks for similar short-term aviation maintenance services?

Without specific details on the type of maintenance (e.g., routine inspection, component repair, unscheduled repair) and the aircraft model, direct benchmarking is difficult. However, for specialized aviation maintenance on a short notice, this price appears within a reasonable range for a few days of work by skilled technicians and necessary parts, assuming it's not for a major overhaul.

What are the potential risks associated with using SAP for this type of specialized aviation maintenance?

The primary risk of using SAP is potentially limited price competition, which could lead to paying a higher price than if the contract were fully competed. Additionally, the streamlined process might reduce the depth of due diligence on the contractor's capabilities or past performance, although for a short-term, low-value contract, this risk is often mitigated.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Support Activities for Air Transportation › Other Support Activities for Air Transportation

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4940 S HOWELL AVE, MILWAUKEE, WI, 53207

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $51,488

Exercised Options: $51,488

Current Obligation: $51,488

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1202SA24T9500

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline