USDA Forest Service awards $6.4M contract for exclusive helicopter use to Guardian Helicopters Inc. in California
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $6,442,414 ($6.4M)
Contractor: Guardian Helicopters Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture
Start Date: 2024-01-01
End Date: 2026-12-31
Contract Duration: 1,095 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Transportation
Official Description: TYPE II EXCLUSIVE USE FOR LANCASTER, CA #2
Place of Performance
Location: LANCASTER, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 93534
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Agriculture obligated $6.4 million to GUARDIAN HELICOPTERS INC for work described as: TYPE II EXCLUSIVE USE FOR LANCASTER, CA #2 Key points: 1. Contract awarded for exclusive use of helicopters in Lancaster, CA. 2. Guardian Helicopters Inc. is the sole provider for this specific service. 3. The contract is for nonscheduled chartered freight air transportation. 4. This is a delivery order under a larger contract, indicating potential for future taskings.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $6.44 million over three years for exclusive use of specialized aircraft appears reasonable given the niche service. Benchmarking against similar exclusive-use aviation contracts is difficult without more specific operational details.
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 'exclusive use' nature might limit the scope of competition for specific operational periods or locations.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for specialized aerial transportation services, with the cost determined through a competitive process.
Public Impact
Ensures critical aerial support for Forest Service operations in California. Provides dedicated helicopter services for specific, potentially urgent, needs. Supports wildfire suppression, resource management, or other critical missions.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Exclusive use may limit flexibility if needs change.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical operations.
- Potential for cost creep if not closely monitored.
Positive Signals
- Competitive award process.
- Clear contract duration and pricing structure.
- Supports essential government functions.
Sector Analysis
The aviation services sector, particularly for specialized government contracts, is highly competitive but often involves unique requirements. Benchmarks for exclusive-use contracts are scarce, making direct cost comparisons challenging.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved in this specific delivery order, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further investigation would be needed to assess small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The Forest Service is responsible for overseeing this contract to ensure services are delivered as specified and costs remain within the agreed-upon terms. Delivery orders are typically managed through established procurement oversight processes.
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.
- Limited transparency on specific operational requirements justifying exclusivity.
- Risk of underutilization if operational needs fluctuate.
- Dependence on a single provider for critical services.
Tags
nonscheduled-chartered-freight-air-trans, department-of-agriculture, ca, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Agriculture awarded $6.4 million to GUARDIAN HELICOPTERS INC. TYPE II EXCLUSIVE USE FOR LANCASTER, CA #2
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GUARDIAN HELICOPTERS INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $6.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-01-01. End: 2026-12-31.
What specific operational needs justify the 'exclusive use' designation for this helicopter contract, and how does this impact overall cost-effectiveness?
The 'exclusive use' designation likely stems from critical operational requirements, such as continuous availability for wildfire suppression, emergency response, or sensitive resource monitoring in remote areas. This ensures immediate deployment without competing for aircraft availability. While potentially increasing the per-hour cost compared to on-demand services, it mitigates risks associated with delays and ensures mission success, which can be more cost-effective than the consequences of delayed response.
Given the full and open competition, what prevented other qualified vendors from bidding on this specific exclusive-use requirement, or were there multiple bids?
While the award was under full and open competition, the 'exclusive use' nature might have narrowed the field of bidders. Only companies with the specific aircraft, operational capacity, and willingness to commit to exclusive availability for the contract duration could realistically bid. The number of bids received would clarify the extent of competition for this specialized requirement.
How does the Forest Service ensure that the firm fixed price remains competitive and reflects fair market value throughout the contract's three-year duration, especially for specialized aviation servi
The Forest Service likely established the firm fixed price based on initial market research and competitive bids. Ongoing oversight would involve monitoring performance, comparing costs to industry standards where possible, and potentially exercising contract clauses for adjustments if unforeseen circumstances arise. Regular performance reviews and cost analysis are crucial for ensuring value.
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: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 67 D ST, FILLMORE, CA, 93015
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $6,602,550
Exercised Options: $6,602,550
Current Obligation: $6,442,414
Actual Outlays: $4,910,894
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 1202SA23T9261
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-01-01
Current End Date: 2026-12-31
Potential End Date: 2028-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-06
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