Interior Department awards $4.1M for aerial firefighting, highlighting critical wildfire suppression needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,094,007 ($4.1M)

Contractor: Henrys Aerial Service Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-08-28

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 245 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SINGLE ENGINE AIR TANKER (SEAT) FLIGHT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: GREENBRIER, FAULKNER County, ARKANSAS, 72058

State: Arkansas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $4.1 million to HENRYS AERIAL SERVICE INC for work described as: SINGLE ENGINE AIR TANKER (SEAT) FLIGHT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in critical wildfire suppression capabilities. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a potentially competitive market for specialized aerial firefighting services. 3. Performance period of 245 days indicates a focused operational window for the services. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type offers cost certainty for the government. 5. The contract is a delivery order, suggesting it's part of a larger framework agreement or existing contract. 6. Geographic focus on Arkansas (AR) points to regional wildfire risk management priorities.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $4.1 million for Single Engine Air Tanker (SEAT) flight services appears reasonable given the specialized nature of aerial firefighting. Benchmarking against similar contracts for SEAT services would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, the firm fixed-price structure helps mitigate cost overruns. The duration of the contract (245 days) suggests a focused operational period, likely aligned with peak fire seasons.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' which indicates that while full and open competition was intended, specific sources were excluded. This could be due to pre-qualification requirements, specific capabilities needed, or other justifiable reasons. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'exclusion of sources' suggests a potentially narrower field than true full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: While not fully open, the competition method aims for a balance between ensuring qualified providers and potentially limiting administrative burden. Taxpayers benefit from qualified providers being considered, but the exclusion of some sources might limit the potential for the lowest possible price.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are federal agencies responsible for wildfire suppression, particularly within the Department of the Interior. The services delivered are critical flight operations for single-engine air tankers used in combating wildfires. The geographic impact is focused on Arkansas, addressing regional wildfire risks. Workforce implications include the employment of pilots, ground crews, and support staff for aerial firefighting operations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition due to exclusion of sources, which could impact price discovery.
Reliance on specialized aircraft and personnel introduces operational risks if availability is constrained.
The firm fixed-price contract, while offering cost certainty, may not fully account for unforeseen operational challenges.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides budget predictability.
Focus on a specific geographic area (Arkansas) allows for tailored resource allocation.
The contract supports critical national security and environmental protection missions.

Sector Analysis

The aerial firefighting sector is a specialized niche within the broader aerospace and defense industry. It requires highly trained personnel and certified aircraft capable of demanding operations. Spending in this sector is often driven by seasonal needs and the increasing threat of wildfires, influenced by climate change and land management practices. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other contracts for SEAT services across different federal agencies and regions.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. Without this information, it's difficult to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem. However, large prime contracts often have subcontracting goals, which could provide opportunities for qualified small businesses in specialized areas like aviation support or maintenance.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Interior's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed budget. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases, though specific performance metrics and oversight reports may not always be publicly detailed.

Related Government Programs

Wildfire Management Services
Aviation Support Services
Emergency Response Contracts
Forestry and Land Management Support

Risk Flags

Limited competition due to source exclusion
Potential for service disruption if contractor faces operational issues
Dependence on specialized aircraft and personnel

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $4.1 million to HENRYS AERIAL SERVICE INC. SINGLE ENGINE AIR TANKER (SEAT) FLIGHT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HENRYS AERIAL SERVICE INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-08-28. End: 2026-04-30.

What is the historical spending pattern for Single Engine Air Tanker (SEAT) flight services by the Department of the Interior?

Analyzing historical spending for SEAT flight services by the Department of the Interior requires access to detailed contract databases over multiple fiscal years. Typically, spending in this area fluctuates based on wildfire activity, budget allocations, and the procurement strategies employed. Factors such as the number of active contracts, contract durations, and average award values would contribute to the overall spending trend. Without specific historical data for this contract vehicle or similar SEAT services, it's challenging to provide precise figures. However, it's reasonable to assume that spending increases during periods of heightened wildfire risk and may be subject to appropriations cycles.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar SEAT flight services?

A precise comparison of the awarded price ($4.1 million) to market rates for similar SEAT flight services requires access to a benchmark database of recent contract awards for comparable services, considering factors like aircraft type, operational hours, geographic location, and contract duration. Given the specialized nature of aerial firefighting, market rates can vary significantly. The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' award type suggests that while competition was sought, the pool of eligible bidders might have been constrained. A thorough analysis would involve comparing the per-hour or per-mission cost against industry standards and other government contracts for similar capabilities to determine if the price represents good value for money.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how is performance being monitored?

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for a Single Engine Air Tanker (SEAT) flight services contract typically revolve around mission readiness, availability, safety compliance, and operational effectiveness. Specific KPIs might include on-time dispatch rates, aircraft availability percentages, adherence to flight safety regulations, successful completion of assigned missions (e.g., retardant drops), and fuel efficiency. Performance monitoring is usually conducted by the contracting officer's representative (COR) or a designated technical point of contact, who would track flight logs, incident reports, and contractor adherence to the contract's terms and conditions. Regular performance reviews and milestone assessments would be part of the oversight process.

What is the track record of Henry's Aerial Service Inc. with federal contracts, particularly in aerial firefighting?

Assessing the track record of Henry's Aerial Service Inc. requires reviewing their past performance on federal contracts, specifically those related to aerial firefighting or similar aviation services. Information on contract history, past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of disputes or contract terminations would be crucial. A positive track record with successful past performance on similar contracts would indicate reliability and capability. Conversely, any negative performance history would raise concerns about the contractor's ability to meet the requirements of this new award. Publicly available contract databases can provide insights into their federal award history.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single provider for SEAT services in a specific region like Arkansas?

Relying on a single provider, even if selected through a competitive process, can introduce several risks. These include potential disruptions to service due to unforeseen contractor issues (e.g., mechanical failures, personnel shortages, financial instability), reduced leverage for the government in negotiating future services or addressing performance issues, and a potential lack of surge capacity if multiple large incidents occur simultaneously. For this specific contract, the 'exclusion of sources' in the competition method might further concentrate risk if the selected provider faces operational challenges. Mitigation strategies could involve robust contract management, clear performance expectations, and contingency planning.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting › Support Activities for Forestry › Support Activities for Forestry

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVERVAT SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 140D0424D0065

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 55 LUKEFIELD DR, GREENBRIER, AR, 72058

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,094,007

Exercised Options: $4,094,007

Current Obligation: $4,094,007

Actual Outlays: $3,338,132

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140D0424D0065

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline