Forest Service awards $67M contract for amphibious water scoopers to Aero-Flite, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $66,993,041 ($67.0M)

Contractor: Aero-Flite, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2016-03-24

End Date: 2018-03-23

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $91.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF CRITICAL FUNCTION AMPHIBIOUS WATER SCOOPER AIRCRAFT

Place of Performance

Location: SPOKANE, SPOKANE County, WASHINGTON, 99219

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $67.0 million to AERO-FLITE, INC. for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF CRITICAL FUNCTION AMPHIBIOUS WATER SCOOPER AIRCRAFT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single vendor, Aero-Flite, Inc. 2. The contract is for nonscheduled chartered freight air transportation. 3. Spending is concentrated in the aviation and transportation sector. 4. The contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $66.99M over two years appears reasonable for specialized aircraft services. Benchmarking against similar specialized air transport contracts would provide further validation.

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 aims to ensure fair pricing and access for eligible vendors.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are utilized for essential aerial firefighting resources, aiming for efficient resource allocation in wildfire suppression.

Public Impact

Enhances aerial firefighting capabilities for wildfire suppression. Supports critical infrastructure for emergency response. Ensures availability of specialized aircraft for national needs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price escalation in future contract renewals.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical services.

Positive Signals

Ensures availability of specialized firefighting assets.
Awarded through a competitive process.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the aviation and transportation sector, specifically focusing on specialized air charter services for government use. Spending benchmarks for similar government air transport contracts are typically high due to the specialized nature and operational costs.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses, as the vendor is Aero-Flite, Inc., a larger entity. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Department of Agriculture's Forest Service, a key agency for managing natural resources and responding to wildfires. Oversight would involve monitoring performance, delivery, and adherence to contract terms.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Sole source award after exclusion of sources may limit future competition.
High contract value requires diligent oversight.
Dependence on specialized aircraft can create single points of failure.
Potential for price increases in follow-on contracts.
Limited transparency on specific performance metrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $67.0 million to AERO-FLITE, INC.. IGF::CT::IGF CRITICAL FUNCTION AMPHIBIOUS WATER SCOOPER AIRCRAFT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AERO-FLITE, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $67.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-03-24. End: 2018-03-23.

What is the operational effectiveness of these amphibious water scoopers in diverse wildfire conditions?

The effectiveness of amphibious water scoopers is generally high in areas with accessible water sources, allowing for rapid water collection and deployment. Their performance can be influenced by factors such as aircraft capacity, pilot skill, and the specific topography and fuel load of the wildfire. While crucial for certain scenarios, they are part of a broader suite of firefighting tools.

What are the long-term maintenance and operational risks associated with these specialized aircraft?

Long-term risks include the high cost of specialized maintenance, potential for component obsolescence, and the need for highly trained personnel. Aircraft availability can be impacted by mechanical issues or the availability of spare parts. The aging of the fleet and the specialized nature of repairs contribute to ongoing operational risks and costs.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to industry standards for similar aerial firefighting services?

Without specific per-hour or per-mission rates, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the overall contract value suggests a significant investment. Industry standards for specialized aerial firefighting aircraft are generally high due to acquisition, maintenance, and operational costs. A detailed cost-benefit analysis would be needed to fully assess value for money.

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: AG024BS159022

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8520 W ELECTRIC AVENUE, SPOKANE, WA, 99219

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $131,920,543

Exercised Options: $66,993,041

Current Obligation: $66,993,041

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline