Forest Service awards $58.8M for helicopter services to HELIMAX AVIATION INC under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $58,797,905 ($58.8M)

Contractor: Helimax Aviation Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2016-04-10

End Date: 2019-04-30

Contract Duration: 1,115 days

Daily Burn Rate: $52.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 17

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF CRITICAL FUNCTIONS - LARGE FIRE SUPPORT EU HELICOPTER SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: MCCLELLAN, SACRAMENTO County, CALIFORNIA, 95652

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $58.8 million to HELIMAX AVIATION INC for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF CRITICAL FUNCTIONS - LARGE FIRE SUPPORT EU HELICOPTER SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded for critical fire support helicopter services. 2. HELIMAX AVIATION INC is the sole awardee. 3. Contract duration is 1115 days. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type. 5. Awarded by the Department of Agriculture, Forest Service.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $58.8 million over approximately three years appears reasonable for specialized helicopter services. Benchmarking against similar large-scale aerial support contracts would provide a more definitive 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, indicating a competitive process. This method generally promotes price discovery and ensures fair market value.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award suggests taxpayers are likely receiving fair value for essential firefighting resources.

Public Impact

Ensures critical aerial support for wildfire suppression efforts. Supports national and regional firefighting capabilities. Provides essential services for protecting lives and property.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if operational demands exceed projections.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical services.

Positive Signals

Competitive award process.
Clear definition of services required.
Firm Fixed Price contract limits cost uncertainty.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the transportation sector, specifically air charter services. Spending on aerial firefighting support is crucial for agencies like the Forest Service, with significant annual budgets allocated to these operations.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific provisions or set-asides for small businesses in this contract award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had an opportunity to participate.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract's oversight would typically fall under the Department of Agriculture's Inspector General and the Forest Service's contracting officers to ensure performance and compliance.

Related Government Programs

Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Forest Service Programs

Risk Flags

Contract duration is substantial.
Potential for sole-source follow-on contracts.
Dependence on a single provider for critical services.
Limited information on specific performance metrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $58.8 million to HELIMAX AVIATION INC. IGF::CT::IGF CRITICAL FUNCTIONS - LARGE FIRE SUPPORT EU HELICOPTER SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HELIMAX AVIATION INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $58.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-04-10. End: 2019-04-30.

What is the historical performance of HELIMAX AVIATION INC on similar contracts?

Information on HELIMAX AVIATION INC's historical performance on similar contracts is not provided in the data. A review of past performance, including on-time delivery, quality of service, and adherence to safety standards, would be crucial for assessing future reliability and value. This data is typically available through contract performance reports and agency databases.

Are there any identified risks associated with the specific helicopter models or operational areas for this contract?

The provided data does not detail specific risks related to the helicopter models or operational areas. Potential risks could include aircraft availability, maintenance issues, pilot qualifications, and suitability of aircraft for challenging terrain or weather conditions. A thorough risk assessment by the Forest Service would have addressed these factors during the procurement process.

How does the pricing structure compare to industry benchmarks for similar helicopter services?

The data does not provide enough detail to compare the pricing structure to industry benchmarks. Factors like aircraft type, capacity, operational hours, specialized equipment, and geographic location significantly influence pricing. A detailed cost analysis comparing rates per flight hour or mission against market averages is necessary for a comprehensive assessment.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: AG-024B-S-15-9007

Offers Received: 17

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Construction Helicopters, Inc. (UEI: 021837109)

Address: 5825 PRICE AVE, MCCLELLAN, CA, 95652

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $61,348,029

Exercised Options: $58,977,582

Current Obligation: $58,797,905

Actual Outlays: $1,701,781

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline