Forest Service Awards $6.68M Contract for Kernville Air Transport to Heliqwest International Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,684,527 ($6.7M)

Contractor: Heliqwest International Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2024-01-01

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 32

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: TYPE II EXCLUSIVE USE FOR KERNVILLE, CA

Place of Performance

Location: KERNVILLE, KERN County, CALIFORNIA, 93238

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $6.7 million to HELIQWEST INTERNATIONAL INC. for work described as: TYPE II EXCLUSIVE USE FOR KERNVILLE, CA Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Heliqwest International Inc. for exclusive use air transport. 2. The contract is for Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation services. 3. This is a Delivery Order under a larger contract, indicating potential for future taskings. 4. The contract duration is 1095 days, spanning three years.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $6.68M over three years appears reasonable for exclusive use air transport, though specific benchmarks for this niche service are not readily available. 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, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, as a delivery order, the specific price discovery for this particular order is not detailed.

Taxpayer Impact: The firm fixed price contract aims to control costs, but the overall value suggests a significant taxpayer investment for specialized air transport.

Public Impact

Ensures critical air transport services for the Kernville, CA area. Supports Forest Service operations, potentially including firefighting or resource management. Provides exclusive use, guaranteeing availability for specific needs. The contract duration offers stability for service provision.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 60 / 10

Warning Flags

Exclusive use may limit flexibility if needs change.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical transport.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition utilized.
Firm fixed price contract provides cost predictability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under air transportation services, a critical component for various government operations, especially in remote or resource-intensive areas like national forests. Benchmarks for exclusive use air charter services can vary significantly based on aircraft type, duration, and operational requirements.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this contract award, either as prime contractors or subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

As a delivery order, oversight would focus on adherence to the terms of the base contract and the specific requirements of this order, including performance and delivery schedules.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in due to exclusive use.
High contract value requires diligent performance monitoring.
Dependence on a single provider for critical services.
Lack of detail on specific performance metrics in the provided data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $6.7 million to HELIQWEST INTERNATIONAL INC.. TYPE II EXCLUSIVE USE FOR KERNVILLE, CA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HELIQWEST INTERNATIONAL INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-01-01. End: 2026-12-31.

What specific operational needs necessitate exclusive use of air transport in Kernville, CA, and how does this service compare to alternative solutions?

The need for exclusive use likely stems from critical, time-sensitive operations such as wildfire suppression, emergency medical transport, or specialized resource monitoring within the Forest Service's jurisdiction in Kernville. Alternatives might include on-demand charter services, but exclusive use guarantees availability and potentially preferential response times, which is crucial for high-stakes missions. The cost-effectiveness hinges on the frequency and criticality of these operations over the contract's duration.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how is Heliqwest International Inc.'s performance being monitored to ensure value for taxpayer money?

Key performance indicators would likely include aircraft availability, response times, adherence to flight schedules, safety compliance, and mission completion rates. The Forest Service would monitor these through regular reporting, flight logs, and potentially on-site inspections. Performance evaluations ensure that the contractor meets the agreed-upon service levels, justifying the $6.68M expenditure and ensuring the critical air transport needs are met effectively and safely.

Given the 'full and open competition' designation, what was the competitive landscape, and were there any concerns raised during the bidding process regarding the proposed $6.68M value?

While designated 'full and open,' the specifics of the competitive landscape are not detailed. This implies multiple bids were solicited and evaluated. Concerns regarding the $6.68M value would typically be addressed during the evaluation phase by comparing bids against cost estimates and market research. If the award was made, it suggests Heliqwest's offer was deemed the best value, balancing cost, technical capability, and other factors, despite the significant investment.

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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 1202SA22R9202

Offers Received: 32

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 11915 AIRPORT WAY, BROOMFIELD, CO, 80021

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,684,527

Exercised Options: $6,684,527

Current Obligation: $6,684,527

Actual Outlays: $3,848,136

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1202SA23T9268

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline