DOI Awards $32M for FY26 BSEE Helicopter Flight Services to Bristow LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $32,000,000 ($32.0M)
Contractor: Bristow LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2025-08-15
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 411 days
Daily Burn Rate: $77.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT
Sector: Other
Official Description: FY26 BSEE HELICOPTER FLIGHT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: NEW ORLEANS, ORLEANS County, LOUISIANA, 70129
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $32.0 million to BRISTOW LLC for work described as: FY26 BSEE HELICOPTER FLIGHT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract Value: $32 million for FY26 helicopter flight services. 2. Incumbent: Bristow LLC is the incumbent contractor. 3. Competition: Awarded under full and open competition. 4. Sector: Aviation and transportation services.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $32 million for a one-year period (FY26) appears reasonable for specialized helicopter flight services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for aerial support in remote or hazardous environments would provide further validation.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method allows multiple qualified vendors to bid, promoting competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently by securing the best possible price for essential services.
Public Impact
Ensures critical safety and environmental monitoring operations for the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE). Supports offshore oil and gas regulation and emergency response capabilities. Provides essential transportation for personnel and equipment in challenging operational areas.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for price increases due to economic price adjustment clause.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical flight services.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Supports vital BSEE mission functions.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the aviation services sector, specifically for specialized helicopter operations. Spending in this area is driven by operational needs for remote access, surveillance, and emergency response, often in challenging environments like offshore platforms.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate specific provisions or set-asides for small businesses in this contract award. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the Department of the Interior's BSEE. Oversight would involve monitoring flight hours, safety compliance, and adherence to contract terms to ensure effective service delivery and responsible use of funds.
Related Government Programs
- Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- Departmental Offices Programs
Risk Flags
- Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) clause introduces cost uncertainty.
- Potential for sole-source follow-on contracts if competition is limited in the future.
- Dependence on specialized aviation services can be a single point of failure if not managed.
- Geographic concentration in Louisiana may limit broader competitive options.
Tags
nonscheduled-chartered-passenger-air-tra, department-of-the-interior, la, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $32.0 million to BRISTOW LLC. FY26 BSEE HELICOPTER FLIGHT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BRISTOW LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $32.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-08-15. End: 2026-09-30.
What is the historical performance of Bristow LLC in providing similar helicopter flight services to government agencies?
Bristow LLC has a long history of providing aviation services, including helicopter operations, to various government entities. Their performance typically involves complex logistics, safety-critical missions, and operations in challenging environments. Reviewing past performance evaluations and contract compliance records would offer insight into their reliability and effectiveness in meeting mission requirements and managing costs.
How does the economic price adjustment (EPA) clause in this contract potentially impact the final cost to taxpayers?
The Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) clause allows for adjustments to the contract price based on fluctuations in specific economic factors, such as fuel costs or labor rates. While intended to protect contractors from unforeseen cost increases, it introduces uncertainty for taxpayers. The specific indices and caps within the EPA will determine the extent of potential price increases beyond the initial fixed price.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the effectiveness of these helicopter flight services?
Effectiveness is likely measured through KPIs such as on-time performance for flight schedules, mission completion rates, safety incident rates (zero tolerance expected), fuel efficiency, and adherence to operational requirements. Regular reporting and performance reviews by BSEE would track these metrics to ensure the contractor is meeting all contractual obligations and supporting the agency's mission effectively.
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
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT (K)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Bristow Group Inc.
Address: 600 AIRPORT BLVD, LAKE CHARLES, LA, 70607
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $32,000,000
Exercised Options: $32,000,000
Current Obligation: $32,000,000
Actual Outlays: $10,038,724
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 140D8021D0018
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-08-15
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2026-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-09
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