Elkhorn Aviation awarded $70.9K contract for wolf eradication flights in Washington state

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $70,890 ($70.9K)

Contractor: Elkhorn Aviation, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2027-04-08

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $195/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE WOLF ERADICATION IN LOOMIS, WA

Place of Performance

Location: LOOMIS, OKANOGAN County, WASHINGTON, 98827

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $70,890 to ELKHORN AVIATION, INC. for work described as: U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE WOLF ERADICATION IN LOOMIS, WA Key points: 1. Contract awarded via GSA Federal Supply Schedule, indicating potential for competitive pricing. 2. Fixed-price contract type limits cost overrun risk for the government. 3. Short duration (364 days) suggests a focused operational need. 4. Nonscheduled air transportation is a specialized service, potentially limiting the bidder pool. 5. Awarded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, aligning with agency conservation and wildlife management missions. 6. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a localized or specific operational requirement.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $70,890 for 364 days of service appears reasonable for specialized aerial services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for wildlife management or aerial surveillance in remote areas would provide further context. The fixed-price nature of the contract is a positive indicator for cost control. Without specific per-flight or per-hour rates, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the overall contract size suggests efficient resource allocation for the stated purpose.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which allows for full and open competition but with streamlined processes. The presence of 3 bidders indicates a degree of competition, which is generally favorable for price discovery and achieving a fair market price. The specific details of the bidding process and the number of proposals received would offer deeper insight into the competitive landscape.

Taxpayer Impact: Competition under SAP helps ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment, even for smaller contract values.

Public Impact

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service benefits from essential aerial support for wildlife management operations. Residents and livestock in Loomis, WA, may experience reduced threats from wolf predation. The contract supports specialized aviation services, potentially benefiting a niche segment of the aerospace industry. The successful execution of this contract contributes to the agency's broader conservation goals in the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition due to the specialized nature of aerial wildlife management services.
Geographic remoteness of the operational area could impact logistical costs and service availability.
Dependence on specific aircraft and pilot qualifications may narrow the pool of qualified contractors.

Positive Signals

Awarded under a competitive process, suggesting a fair market price was likely achieved.
Fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for the government.
Short contract duration allows for flexibility and reassessment of future needs.
Contracting through a Federal Supply Schedule can streamline acquisition and potentially offer pre-negotiated rates.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader aviation services sector, specifically focusing on specialized aerial operations for government agencies. The market for such services is often niche, requiring specific certifications, equipment, and operational expertise. While general aviation services are extensive, contracts for wildlife management or environmental support represent a smaller, specialized segment. Benchmarking would involve comparing rates for similar aerial survey or support missions conducted by government entities or for conservation organizations.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans was not explicitly provided in the data. As the contract was competed under SAP and awarded to Elkhorn Aviation, Inc., further investigation would be needed to determine if small business participation was a factor or requirement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight of this contract would typically fall under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's program managers and contracting officers. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight by limiting potential cost increases. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are recorded. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Wildlife Damage Management
Aerial Wildlife Surveys
Conservation Operations
Federal Aviation Services
Department of the Interior Contracts

Risk Flags

Specialized Service Requirement
Geographic Isolation
Weather Dependency

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $70,890 to ELKHORN AVIATION, INC.. U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE WOLF ERADICATION IN LOOMIS, WA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ELKHORN AVIATION, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $70,890.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2027-04-08.

What is Elkhorn Aviation, Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly for wildlife management services?

A review of federal procurement data indicates that Elkhorn Aviation, Inc. has received federal contracts primarily for aviation services. While specific details on past performance related to wildlife eradication or management are not immediately apparent from the provided data, their experience in aerial transportation suggests a foundational capability. Further investigation into their contract history, including past performance evaluations and any specific task orders related to environmental or wildlife support, would be necessary to fully assess their track record in this specialized niche. Understanding their experience with similar agencies or mission types would provide valuable context for this award.

How does the per-day cost of this contract compare to similar aerial services for wildlife management?

The contract value of $70,890 over 364 days equates to approximately $194.75 per day. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for aerial services in wildlife management or environmental monitoring is challenging without access to a broader dataset of comparable awards. Factors such as aircraft type, operational complexity, geographic location, and specific mission requirements (e.g., surveillance, transport, specialized equipment) significantly influence per-day costs. Generally, specialized aerial operations can range widely, from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per day, depending on these variables. This daily rate appears on the lower end, suggesting either a very specific, limited scope of service or potentially favorable pricing.

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

Key risks include operational challenges in remote or challenging terrain, potential weather disruptions impacting flight schedules, and the availability of qualified pilots and aircraft. Given the specialized nature of wolf eradication, there's also a risk associated with the effectiveness of the aerial operations themselves. Mitigation strategies likely involve detailed operational planning by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, clear performance standards in the contract, and contingency planning for weather and operational delays. The fixed-price nature of the contract mitigates financial risk for the government, shifting cost overrun risks to the contractor. Ensuring the contractor maintains necessary certifications and insurance is also a critical risk mitigation factor.

What is the expected effectiveness of these aerial services in achieving the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's wolf eradication goals in Loomis, WA?

The effectiveness of aerial services in wolf eradication depends heavily on the specific tactics employed, the terrain, and the behavior of the wolf population. Aircraft can be used for surveillance to locate wolf packs, for rapid deployment of personnel, or potentially for direct intervention in certain scenarios. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service likely has specific operational plans that leverage these capabilities to complement ground-based efforts. The success will be measured against the agency's defined objectives for population control or management in the specified area. The relatively modest contract value suggests this may be a supporting role rather than the sole method of eradication.

How has federal spending on aerial wildlife management services trended over the past five years?

Analyzing federal spending trends on aerial wildlife management services requires a detailed query across relevant agencies and contract categories. Broadly, spending in this area is influenced by conservation priorities, wildlife population dynamics, and the availability of funding for agencies like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and USDA Wildlife Services. While specific figures for 'aerial wildlife management' as a distinct category are not readily available without deep data mining, overall spending on aviation support services for environmental and natural resource management has likely remained relatively stable or seen modest increases, driven by the need for efficient monitoring and intervention in vast or remote areas. Factors like increased human-wildlife conflict or shifts in endangered species management could also influence spending patterns.

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

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 43769 HEILNER RD, BAKER CITY, OR, 97814

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $70,890

Exercised Options: $70,890

Current Obligation: $70,890

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140D0425A0016

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline