Alaska Helicopter Services Contract Awarded to TEMSCO for $13,148.55 for USGS Stream Gage Network

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,149 ($13.1K)

Contractor: Temsco Helicopters Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-11-26

End Date: 2026-02-28

Contract Duration: 94 days

Daily Burn Rate: $140/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: ALASKA HELICOPTER ON CALL - CONTRACTOR PROVIDED HELICOPTER FLIGHT SERVICES FOR USGS UNUK STREAM GAGE NETWORK

Place of Performance

Location: KETCHIKAN, KETCHIKAN GATEWAY County, ALASKA, 99901

State: Alaska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $13,148.55 to TEMSCO HELICOPTERS INC for work described as: ALASKA HELICOPTER ON CALL - CONTRACTOR PROVIDED HELICOPTER FLIGHT SERVICES FOR USGS UNUK STREAM GAGE NETWORK Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential helicopter flight services to maintain the USGS Unuk Stream Gage Network in Alaska. 2. TEMSCO Helicopters Inc. secured the contract, indicating a specific regional provider for specialized services. 3. The contract duration is 94 days, suggesting a short-term, critical operational need. 4. Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment (FPEPA) contract type allows for cost fluctuations based on economic factors.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $13,148.55 for 94 days of service appears reasonable for specialized helicopter operations in a remote location like Alaska. Benchmarking against similar on-call aviation services would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' suggesting a competitive process was initiated, but specific sources were excluded. This method aims for fair pricing while potentially leveraging specialized capabilities.

Taxpayer Impact: The relatively low contract value suggests a minimal direct taxpayer impact, primarily supporting essential scientific data collection.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation of the USGS Unuk Stream Gage Network, vital for water resource management and environmental monitoring in Alaska. Supports scientific research and data collection critical for understanding Alaska's unique hydrological systems. Provides essential logistical support for environmental monitoring in remote and challenging terrains.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price increases due to economic price adjustment clause.
Limited contract duration may necessitate future procurements.
Reliance on a single contractor for a critical service.

Positive Signals

Supports critical environmental monitoring infrastructure.
Competitive award process likely ensured fair pricing.
Specific focus on a remote Alaskan region.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Transportation and Logistics sector, specifically focusing on specialized aviation services. Spending benchmarks for on-call helicopter services can vary significantly based on location, duration, and aircraft type, but this appears to be a modest expenditure for its purpose.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this procurement. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Department of the Interior, which has established oversight mechanisms for its procurements. The fixed-price with economic price adjustment structure requires monitoring of cost factors to ensure value.

Related Government Programs

Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation
Department of the Interior Contracting
Departmental Offices Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost escalation due to EPA.
Limited contract duration.
Dependence on specialized aviation services.
Exclusion of sources in competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $13,148.55 to TEMSCO HELICOPTERS INC. ALASKA HELICOPTER ON CALL - CONTRACTOR PROVIDED HELICOPTER FLIGHT SERVICES FOR USGS UNUK STREAM GAGE NETWORK

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TEMSCO 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 $13,148.55.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-11-26. End: 2026-02-28.

What is the specific justification for excluding certain sources in the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' award?

The exclusion of sources in a 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' award typically relates to specific technical requirements, unique capabilities, or past performance that only a limited number of contractors can meet. This ensures the government obtains the best value by considering all eligible sources while acknowledging that not all offerors may possess the necessary specialized qualifications for a particular service or product.

How will the economic price adjustment clause be managed to mitigate potential cost overruns?

The economic price adjustment (EPA) clause will be managed through careful monitoring of the specified economic indicators (e.g., fuel costs, labor rates) outlined in the contract. The contracting officer will review and approve any price adjustments based on documented changes in these indicators, ensuring they align with the contract's terms and prevent excessive cost increases to the government.

What is the long-term strategy for ensuring the continued operation of the Unuk Stream Gage Network beyond this contract's duration?

The long-term strategy likely involves periodic re-competition of services to ensure ongoing operational support for the Unuk Stream Gage Network. Agencies typically plan for future needs by assessing network requirements, market capabilities, and budget allocations to ensure sustained data collection and environmental monitoring.

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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

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

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5411 N TONGASS HWY, KETCHIKAN, AK, 99901

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,149

Exercised Options: $13,149

Current Obligation: $13,149

Actual Outlays: $6,267

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140D8122D0023

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline