Interior Department Awards $54.7K Contract for Yellowstone Helicopter Flights to Brainerd Helicopters
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $54,673 ($54.7K)
Contractor: Brainerd Helicopters, Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2026-06-02
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 120 days
Daily Burn Rate: $456/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Transportation
Official Description: EU HELICOPTER FLIGHT SERVICE, SHORT-HAUL, YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, WY
Place of Performance
Location: YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, PARK County, WYOMING, 82190
State: Wyoming Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $54,673.37 to BRAINERD HELICOPTERS, INC for work described as: EU HELICOPTER FLIGHT SERVICE, SHORT-HAUL, YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, WY Key points: 1. Contract awarded for short-haul helicopter flight services in Yellowstone National Park. 2. Competition method was 'COMPETED UNDER SAP', indicating a potentially limited but documented process. 3. The award value is relatively low, suggesting a focused scope of work. 4. The sector is primarily transportation services within a national park setting.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $54,673.37 appears reasonable for specialized helicopter services within a national park for a limited duration. Benchmarking against similar short-haul aerial services in remote or protected areas would provide further context.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which typically involves a less extensive competition than full and open procedures. This method can be efficient for smaller dollar amounts but may limit the pool of potential bidders and potentially impact price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential park operations and visitor services, with the cost appearing modest for the services rendered.
Public Impact
Ensures essential transportation and operational support within Yellowstone National Park. Supports park management and potentially visitor access or emergency services. The contract duration is limited to the peak season, aligning with park operational needs.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition due to SAP.
- Potential for higher costs due to specialized nature of service in a remote location.
Positive Signals
- Clear need for specialized service.
- Short duration limits financial exposure.
- Awarded to a single vendor, simplifying administration.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the transportation sector, specifically nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation. Spending in this area for national parks often supports critical infrastructure, emergency response, and visitor experience, with costs varying significantly based on aircraft type, duration, and operational complexity.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether Brainerd Helicopters, Inc. is a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine the impact on small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The award was made by the Department of the Interior's Departmental Offices, suggesting internal oversight. The use of SAP implies adherence to specific procurement regulations for simplified acquisitions.
Related Government Programs
- Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- Departmental Offices Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition (SAP).
- Potential lack of price optimization.
- Vendor performance risk.
- Geographic remoteness may increase costs.
Tags
nonscheduled-chartered-passenger-air-tra, department-of-the-interior, wy, delivery-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $54,673.37 to BRAINERD HELICOPTERS, INC. EU HELICOPTER FLIGHT SERVICE, SHORT-HAUL, YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, WY
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 $54,673.37.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-06-02. End: 2026-09-30.
What is the specific operational need for helicopter flights in Yellowstone National Park under this contract?
The specific operational need likely relates to supporting park management activities, such as transporting personnel or equipment to remote areas inaccessible by road, conducting wildlife surveys, or providing emergency medical evacuation services. The short-haul nature suggests localized, frequent trips rather than long-distance transport.
How does the per-hour or per-flight cost compare to industry benchmarks for similar helicopter services in protected natural areas?
Without specific details on flight hours, duration of flight, or aircraft type, a direct per-unit cost benchmark is difficult. However, the total award of $54,673.37 over approximately three months suggests a moderate operational tempo. Costs for specialized services in remote, environmentally sensitive areas like national parks can be higher due to logistical challenges and regulatory requirements.
What are the potential risks associated with using a single vendor under SAP for this type of service?
The primary risk is potentially paying a non-competitive price due to limited vendor engagement. There's also a risk if the vendor experiences operational issues, as finding a replacement quickly under SAP might be challenging. However, for a short-duration, low-value contract, these risks are often mitigated by the limited scope and oversight.
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: $54,673
Exercised Options: $54,673
Current Obligation: $54,673
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 140D8022D0003
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-06-02
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2026-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
More Contracts from Brainerd Helicopters, Inc
- Critical Functions - Large Fire Support EU Helicopter Services — $47.1M (Department of Agriculture)
- Critical Functions - National Exclusive USE Large Fire Support Helicopter Services for Wildland Firefighting — $31.0M (Department of Agriculture)
- Eclusive USE Helicopter for Wildland Fire Services — $15.6M (Department of Agriculture)
- BLM EU T1 Boise — $3.1M (Department of the Interior)
- HSS Matoc Type 3 Laurel N31BH — $1.4M (Department of Agriculture)
Other Department of the Interior Contracts
- Department of Health and Human Services, Administration of Children and Families, Office of Refugee Resettlement's Legal Services for Unaccompanied Children — $832.4M (Acacia Center for Justice)
- Military Family Life Counseling Program Igf::ot::igf — $638.8M (MHN Government Services LLC)
- Military Family Life Counseling Program — $637.0M (Magellan Healthcare Inc)
- Grants Program Solutions and Information Technology Support Services — $446.3M (Guidehouse Digital LLC)
- THE Purpose of This Requirement for Grants Program Solutions and IT Support Services IS to Provide Efficient and Effective Grant, Financial, and Contract Management Services, IT Solutions, and Support to the Grantsolutions and ITS Partners — $403.1M (Guidehouse Inc.)