Interior Department awards $3.1M contract for helicopter services to Brainerd Helicopters, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,117,639 ($3.1M)

Contractor: Brainerd Helicopters, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-05-06

End Date: 2025-10-15

Contract Duration: 162 days

Daily Burn Rate: $19.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: BLM EU T1 BOISE

Place of Performance

Location: BOISE, ADA County, IDAHO, 83701

State: Idaho Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $3.1 million to BRAINERD HELICOPTERS, INC for work described as: BLM EU T1 BOISE Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. Fixed-price contract with economic price adjustment offers some flexibility for fluctuating costs. 3. Short performance period of 162 days indicates a specific, time-bound need. 4. The contract is for nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation. 5. Geographic focus on Idaho (ID) suggests localized operational requirements. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized for this award.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $3.1 million for a 162-day period for nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized aviation services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for helicopter charters in remote or specific operational areas would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The fixed-price with economic price adjustment structure aims to manage cost volatility, but the final expenditure could be influenced by market conditions.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' which implies that while the competition was open, specific sources may have been excluded prior to the final award. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' nature suggests multiple entities had the opportunity to compete, which generally supports price discovery and competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The open competition, even with potential source exclusions, is intended to ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by encouraging multiple vendors to offer their best pricing.

Public Impact

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Idaho is the likely beneficiary of these services, utilizing helicopter transport for operational needs. Services will support nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation, crucial for accessing remote areas or specific mission requirements. The geographic impact is concentrated within Idaho, supporting federal land management activities. The contract supports the aviation services sector, potentially involving pilots, mechanics, and support staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to economic price adjustment clause if market prices increase significantly.
Limited duration may require follow-on contracts if needs extend beyond October 2025.
Exclusion of certain sources prior to competition could limit the breadth of competitive offers.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a full and open competition process, indicating a structured procurement.
Fixed-price element provides a baseline cost control measure.
Specific NAICS code (481211) suggests a well-defined service requirement.

Sector Analysis

The aviation services sector, particularly charter and nonscheduled air transport, is a critical component of federal operations, especially for agencies managing vast or remote territories like the Bureau of Land Management. This contract falls within the broader transportation and logistics industry. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar helicopter charter services can vary widely based on aircraft type, duration, mission complexity, and geographic location, making direct comparisons challenging without more specific operational details.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor does it indicate any specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the primary award went to a larger entity or that the nature of the service did not lend itself to a small business set-aside under the current procurement strategy.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Interior's contracting officers and program managers responsible for the services procured. Transparency is facilitated through public contract databases like FPDS. Accountability measures are inherent in the fixed-price contract terms and performance delivery requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) operational support
Department of the Interior aviation contracts
Nonscheduled Air Carrier Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost escalation due to EPA clause.
Limited competition pool due to source exclusion.
Short contract duration may necessitate follow-on actions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $3.1 million to BRAINERD HELICOPTERS, INC. BLM EU T1 BOISE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BRAINERD HELICOPTERS, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-05-06. End: 2025-10-15.

What is the specific operational need driving this helicopter charter contract for the BLM in Idaho?

The specific operational need for this $3.1 million contract for nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation, awarded to Brainerd Helicopters, Inc. by the Department of the Interior, is likely related to supporting the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) activities within Idaho. This could include tasks such as aerial surveys of public lands, transportation of personnel and equipment to remote field sites for land management, fire suppression support, wildlife monitoring, or infrastructure inspection. The short performance period (May 6, 2025, to October 15, 2025) suggests a seasonal or project-specific requirement, possibly tied to summer field operations or a particular land management initiative. Without more detailed documentation, the precise mission remains inferred from the service description and the agency's typical responsibilities in the region.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar helicopter charter services in the region or for federal agencies?

Directly comparing the pricing of this $3.1 million contract for Brainerd Helicopters, Inc. without detailed specifications is challenging. The contract value covers nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation for a period of 162 days, with a fixed-price structure adjusted by an economic price adjustment clause. Key factors influencing helicopter charter costs include aircraft type and capacity, flight hours, crew costs, fuel, maintenance, insurance, and operational complexity (e.g., remote landings, specialized equipment). Federal agencies often negotiate rates based on bulk usage, long-term agreements, or competitive bidding outcomes. To benchmark effectively, one would need to compare this contract's implied hourly or daily rates against publicly available data for similar helicopter services procured by other federal or state agencies in the Western United States, considering the specific mission profile and aircraft utilized.

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

Primary risks associated with this contract include potential cost increases due to the economic price adjustment (EPA) clause, especially if fuel prices or other operational costs escalate significantly. The short performance period also poses a risk if the operational needs extend beyond the contract end date, potentially requiring a new, time-consuming procurement process. Furthermore, the 'exclusion of sources' in the competition, while potentially valid for specific reasons, could limit the pool of qualified bidders and potentially impact the final price or service quality. Mitigation strategies include the fixed-price component which caps the base cost, the EPA which allows for adjustments rather than outright cost overruns, and the agency's planning for potential follow-on needs. The competitive nature of the award, even with exclusions, aims to mitigate risks related to contractor performance and pricing.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation services by the Department of the Interior?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation by the Department of the Interior (DOI) requires examining contract data over several fiscal years. The DOI, particularly agencies like the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the National Park Service (NPS), frequently utilizes aviation services for managing vast and often remote federal lands. Spending on such services can fluctuate annually based on specific program needs, fire seasons, land management projects, and budget allocations. Historically, the DOI has awarded numerous contracts for various aviation services, including helicopter charters, often through competitive processes. The total annual expenditure for these services can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars across the department, depending on the scale of operations and available funding. This specific $3.1 million award represents one component of that broader spending.

What is the track record of Brainerd Helicopters, Inc. in performing federal contracts, particularly for the Department of the Interior?

Brainerd Helicopters, Inc. has a track record of performing federal contracts, including those with agencies within the Department of the Interior. Information available through federal procurement databases typically details past performance, contract values, and award types. A review of their contract history would reveal the types of services previously rendered, their performance ratings (if available), and any instances of contract disputes or successes. For this specific contract, the award suggests they met the qualifications and competitive requirements set forth by the Department of the Interior for nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation. Assessing their overall track record would involve looking at the consistency and quality of their past performance across multiple federal awards.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Nonscheduled Air Transportation › Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation

Product/Service Code: TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCATION › TRAVEL, LODGING, RECRUITMENT SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT (K)

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: $3,117,639

Exercised Options: $3,117,639

Current Obligation: $3,117,639

Actual Outlays: $3,117,639

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140D8022D0008

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline