Interior Department awards $838K for helicopter services in Mesa Verde National Park

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $838,260 ($838.3K)

Contractor: Brainerd Helicopters, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-05-01

End Date: 2026-10-03

Contract Duration: 155 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.4K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: EU HELICOPTER FLIGHT SERVICE, SHORT-HAUL, MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK, CO

Place of Performance

Location: MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK, MONTEZUMA County, COLORADO, 81330

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $838,260 to BRAINERD HELICOPTERS, INC for work described as: EU HELICOPTER FLIGHT SERVICE, SHORT-HAUL, MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK, CO Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Brainerd Helicopters, Inc. for short-haul flight services. 2. Service period spans approximately 5 months, concluding in October 2026. 3. The contract is a delivery order under a larger agreement. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 481211 for Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation. 5. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, indicating predictable costs. 6. The base contract value is $540,800, with potential for modifications. 7. The contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP).

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The awarded amount of $838,260 for approximately 5 months of helicopter flight services appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the service and the location. Benchmarking against similar contracts for national park aviation support is challenging due to unique operational requirements and geographic constraints. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests cost certainty for the government. The base value of $540,800 provides a clear initial cost, with the remaining amount allocated for potential task orders or modifications.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involve a limited number of bidders and less formal solicitation processes compared to full and open competition. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP is designed for smaller dollar value procurements where full and open competition may not be practical or cost-effective. The limited competition may result in less aggressive pricing than a broader solicitation.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP suggests an effort to streamline the procurement process for a relatively modest contract value, potentially saving administrative costs for taxpayers. However, it also means that the government may not have received the absolute lowest price achievable through a wider competitive bid.

Public Impact

Provides essential short-haul helicopter flight services within Mesa Verde National Park. Supports park operations, potentially including visitor access, resource management, or emergency response. Benefits park visitors by enabling access to remote or difficult-to-reach areas. Impacts the local Colorado workforce through employment opportunities with the contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP may not yield the most cost-effective pricing for taxpayers.
Lack of detailed performance metrics or outcome-based measures makes assessing true value for money difficult.
The duration of the contract (155 days) is relatively short, raising questions about long-term operational efficiency and potential for frequent re-competition.
Geographic isolation of Mesa Verde National Park could present logistical challenges and potentially increase operational costs.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty and predictability for the government.
Award to a specific company suggests a known entity with potentially relevant experience.
Contract is for essential park operations, indicating a clear need and public service purpose.
Delivery order structure allows for flexibility within a pre-established framework.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the air transportation services sector, specifically focusing on nonscheduled chartered passenger air transport. The market for specialized aviation services in national parks is niche, often requiring unique certifications, equipment, and operational expertise due to challenging terrain and environmental regulations. Spending in this area is typically driven by the operational needs of agencies like the Department of the Interior to manage and provide access to vast natural resources. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the highly specific nature of park operations.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business set-aside was not utilized for this contract (ss: false). There is no information regarding subcontracting plans. The impact on the small business ecosystem is therefore neutral to potentially negative if larger companies are awarded contracts that could have been set aside for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officer and the relevant program managers within the Department of the Interior. As a delivery order under a larger agreement, oversight may be integrated into the existing framework of that parent contract. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, but detailed performance monitoring and accountability measures are not explicitly detailed in the provided data. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

National Park Service Aviation Management
Department of the Interior Helicopter Services
Air Charter Services
Nonscheduled Air Transportation

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Potential for Cost Overruns if Scope Expands
Weather Dependency
Geographic Isolation Challenges

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $838,260 to BRAINERD HELICOPTERS, INC. EU HELICOPTER FLIGHT SERVICE, SHORT-HAUL, MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK, CO

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 $838,260.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-05-01. End: 2026-10-03.

What is the track record of Brainerd Helicopters, Inc. with federal contracts, particularly for aviation services in remote or park environments?

A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to fully assess Brainerd Helicopters, Inc.'s track record. Key indicators to examine would include past performance ratings on similar contracts, any history of contract disputes or terminations, and the types of services they have previously provided to government agencies. Experience with operating in environmentally sensitive areas like national parks, adherence to safety regulations, and timely delivery of services are crucial factors. Without specific past performance data, it is difficult to definitively gauge their reliability and suitability for this specific contract beyond the current award.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar helicopter flight services procured by other federal agencies or for comparable national park operations?

Benchmarking the pricing of this $838,260 contract against similar services is challenging due to the unique operational context of Mesa Verde National Park and the limited competition under SAP. A comprehensive comparison would require identifying contracts for helicopter services in other national parks or remote federal lands, considering factors like flight hours, type of helicopter, mission complexity (e.g., passenger transport vs. cargo or specialized surveys), and duration. The firm fixed-price nature provides cost certainty, but without comparative data on per-hour rates or cost-per-mile for similar operations, it's difficult to ascertain if this represents optimal value for money. The base value of $540,800 offers a starting point for comparison.

What are the specific risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Potential risks include operational challenges due to Mesa Verde's remote location and terrain, potential for adverse weather impacting flight schedules, and the possibility of equipment malfunction. Given the short-haul nature and fixed duration, risks related to contractor performance over extended periods are less pronounced. Mitigation strategies likely involve the Department of the Interior's oversight of the contractor's safety protocols, adherence to flight plans, and contingency planning for weather delays or emergencies. The firm fixed-price contract also mitigates financial risk for the government, provided the scope of work is well-defined.

How effective is the current contract in meeting the operational needs of Mesa Verde National Park for short-haul helicopter services?

The effectiveness of this contract hinges on the successful execution of the services by Brainerd Helicopters, Inc. as outlined in the delivery order. Its primary purpose is to provide necessary flight support, which could range from visitor access to resource monitoring. Effectiveness can be measured by the contractor's ability to meet scheduled flights, maintain safety standards, and fulfill the specific requirements of the park's operational plan. Without post-award performance reports or defined key performance indicators (KPIs), a definitive assessment of effectiveness is premature. The contract's duration of approximately five months suggests it addresses a specific, time-bound operational need.

What has been the historical spending pattern for helicopter flight services at Mesa Verde National Park or similar Department of the Interior sites?

Analyzing historical spending for helicopter services at Mesa Verde and comparable DOI sites would provide context for the current $838,260 award. This would involve examining past contracts, their values, durations, and the services provided. Understanding trends in spending, frequency of contract awards, and the primary drivers for helicopter use (e.g., visitor access, fire suppression, wildlife surveys, infrastructure maintenance) is crucial. Significant year-over-year increases or decreases in spending could indicate shifts in park management priorities, operational challenges, or changes in the cost of aviation services. This contract's value should be compared against these historical figures to assess its relative scale.

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: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

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: $838,260

Exercised Options: $838,260

Current Obligation: $838,260

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140D8022D0002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline