Agriculture's Forest Service Spends $36.4M on Helicopter Services with Eagle Helicopters, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $36,379,263 ($36.4M)
Contractor: Eagle Helicopters, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture
Start Date: 2010-05-20
End Date: 2014-10-20
Contract Duration: 1,614 days
Daily Burn Rate: $22.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 23
Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT
Sector: Transportation
Official Description: NATIONAL INITIAL ATTACK HELICOPTER SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: NAMPA, CANYON County, IDAHO, 83687
State: Idaho Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Agriculture obligated $36.4 million to EAGLE HELICOPTERS, INC. for work described as: NATIONAL INITIAL ATTACK HELICOPTER SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract value of $36.4 million for helicopter services is significant. 2. Eagle Helicopters, Inc. is the sole awardee, raising questions about competition. 3. The fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract type carries some risk of cost overruns. 4. This spending falls within the transportation and logistics sector, crucial for agency operations.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The $36.4 million contract value appears substantial for specialized helicopter services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for aerial firefighting or remote access support would be necessary for a precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the single awardee implies that only one offeror met the requirements or was selected.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential services, with the expectation that competition drove the best possible price.
Public Impact
Ensures critical aerial support for the Forest Service's operations, potentially including firefighting or remote area access. Supports specialized aviation services, contributing to the operational capacity of federal land management agencies. The use of taxpayer funds for these services is subject to public scrutiny regarding efficiency and necessity.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Economic price adjustment clause could lead to increased costs.
- Lack of multiple awardees despite full and open competition warrants further investigation.
- Contract duration of over 4 years may not reflect current market conditions.
Positive Signals
- Provides essential services for critical agency missions.
- Awarded through a competitive process, indicating an attempt to secure value.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under nonscheduled chartered freight air transportation, a niche within the broader transportation sector. Spending benchmarks for similar aerial support services for federal agencies would be relevant for comparison.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses, as the 'sb' field is false. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had an opportunity to compete or if the scope of work favored larger entities.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would involve monitoring contract performance, adherence to terms, and the justification for the economic price adjustment. The Forest Service is responsible for ensuring accountability and value for taxpayer money.
Related Government Programs
- Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation
- Department of Agriculture Contracting
- Forest Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to economic price adjustment.
- Limited demonstrated competition despite 'full and open' designation.
- Contract duration may exceed optimal period for market competitiveness.
- Lack of small business participation.
Tags
nonscheduled-chartered-freight-air-trans, department-of-agriculture, id, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Agriculture awarded $36.4 million to EAGLE HELICOPTERS, INC.. NATIONAL INITIAL ATTACK HELICOPTER SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is EAGLE HELICOPTERS, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $36.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2010-05-20. End: 2014-10-20.
What specific services are covered under 'NATIONAL INITIAL ATTACK HELICOPTER SERVICES' and how do they align with the Forest Service's mission?
These services likely encompass rapid deployment of helicopters for initial attack on wildfires, including transport of personnel, equipment, and potentially water or retardant. They are critical for containing fires in their early stages, a core mission of the Forest Service in protecting national forests and grasslands.
Given the 'full and open competition' award, why was there only one awardee, and what was the competitive landscape?
While advertised as full and open, the single awardee suggests that only one firm submitted a compliant and competitive offer, or that the evaluation criteria heavily favored a specific capability. Understanding the number of proposals received and the reasons for disqualification or non-selection of others is key to assessing true competition.
How does the economic price adjustment clause impact the final cost and taxpayer exposure for these helicopter services?
The economic price adjustment (EPA) allows for changes in contract price based on fluctuations in specific economic factors, such as fuel costs or labor rates. This protects the contractor from unforeseen cost increases but exposes taxpayers to potentially higher final costs than a fixed-price contract, especially in volatile markets.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Nonscheduled Air Transportation › Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation
Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVERVAT SVCS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: AG024BS099004
Offers Received: 23
Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT (K)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 4130 HELIPORT RD, NAMPA, ID, 01
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $36,379,263
Exercised Options: $36,379,263
Current Obligation: $36,379,263
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2010-05-20
Current End Date: 2014-10-20
Potential End Date: 2014-10-20 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2015-02-25
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