DOI awards $20.4K for Montana helicopter services to Minuteman Aviation Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $20,363 ($20.4K)
Contractor: Minuteman Aviation Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2026-04-10
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 173 days
Daily Burn Rate: $118/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Transportation
Official Description: ON-CALL SMALL HELICOPTER FLIGHT SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR/NATIONAL PARK SERVICE FOR CHALET BARREL WASTE REMOVAL, MONTANA
Place of Performance
Location: WEST GLACIER, FLATHEAD County, MONTANA, 59936
State: Montana Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $20,362.5 to MINUTEMAN AVIATION INC for work described as: ON-CALL SMALL HELICOPTER FLIGHT SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR/NATIONAL PARK SERVICE FOR CHALET BARREL WASTE REMOVAL, MONTANA Key points: 1. Low contract value suggests a niche service or short duration. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. Risk appears low due to the small contract amount and specific service need. 4. Sector is transportation, specifically air charter services.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $20,362.50 is relatively small. Benchmarking against similar on-call helicopter services is difficult without more data on flight hours or specific mission requirements. However, the firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty.
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 robust bidding process. This method generally leads to better price discovery and value for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is minimal given the low contract value of $20,362.50 for essential waste removal services.
Public Impact
Ensures critical waste removal operations for the National Park Service in Montana. Supports environmental protection and visitor experience by maintaining park cleanliness. Provides essential logistical support for remote park areas.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for limited vendor pool for specialized helicopter services in remote areas.
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
- Full and open competition utilized.
- Supports critical environmental service for National Parks.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the air transportation sector, specifically nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation. Spending in this area can vary significantly based on agency needs for specialized transport, emergency services, or logistical support in remote locations.
Small Business Impact
The contract does not indicate if small businesses were involved or if it was set aside for them. Given the small value, it's possible small businesses participated in the full and open competition.
Oversight & Accountability
The award was made by the Department of the Interior's Departmental Offices. Oversight would focus on ensuring timely and effective service delivery as per the contract terms and conditions.
Related Government Programs
- Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- Departmental Offices Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for limited vendor pool.
- Dependence on specialized equipment and personnel.
- Geographic remoteness may impact service availability.
Tags
nonscheduled-chartered-passenger-air-tra, department-of-the-interior, mt, delivery-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $20,362.5 to MINUTEMAN AVIATION INC. ON-CALL SMALL HELICOPTER FLIGHT SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR/NATIONAL PARK SERVICE FOR CHALET BARREL WASTE REMOVAL, MONTANA
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is MINUTEMAN 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 $20,362.5.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2026-09-30.
What is the typical cost per flight hour for similar on-call helicopter services in this region?
Determining the typical cost per flight hour for specialized helicopter services in Montana requires detailed market research. Factors like helicopter type, crew size, fuel costs, insurance, and required response times significantly influence pricing. Without specific mission parameters, a precise benchmark is challenging, but costs can range from several hundred to over a thousand dollars per hour.
What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single vendor for such a critical service?
While this contract was competitively awarded, reliance on a single vendor for critical services like waste removal carries inherent risks. These include potential service disruptions due to equipment failure, staffing issues, or unforeseen events. The low contract value and short duration may mitigate some risks, but contingency planning for vendor failure should be considered.
How effectively does this service contribute to the National Park Service's overall mission in Montana?
This service directly contributes to the National Park Service's mission by ensuring the proper disposal of chalet barrel waste, which is crucial for maintaining environmental health and visitor safety in Montana's parks. Effective execution of this contract supports the preservation of natural resources and enhances the visitor experience by preventing pollution and maintaining park aesthetics.
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: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 5225 US HIGHWAY 10 W, MISSOULA, MT, 59808
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $20,363
Exercised Options: $20,363
Current Obligation: $20,363
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 140D8022D0105
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-10
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2026-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-10
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