Forest Service awards $10.7M contract for air transportation to BODE AVIATION, INC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,712,955 ($10.7M)

Contractor: Bode Aviation, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2024-05-18

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 957 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NATIONAL INCIDENT AWARENESS AND ASSESSMENT (IAA) BOISE, ID

Place of Performance

Location: ALBUQUERQUE, BERNALILLO County, NEW MEXICO, 87120

State: New Mexico Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $10.7 million to BODE AVIATION, INC. for work described as: NATIONAL INCIDENT AWARENESS AND ASSESSMENT (IAA) BOISE, ID Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is for nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation, indicating specialized service needs. 3. The duration of the contract is 957 days, spanning over two years. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which provides cost certainty for the government. 5. The award was a Delivery Order, suggesting it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a pre-existing agreement. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 481211 points to a specific segment of the air transportation industry.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific delivery order is challenging without knowing the scope of services and the underlying IDIQ contract terms. The total award amount of $10.7 million over approximately 2.6 years suggests a significant operational commitment. However, without comparable contract data for similar air charter services, it's difficult to definitively assess if the pricing represents excellent value for money. The firm fixed-price structure offers predictability, but the overall cost-effectiveness hinges on the utilization and necessity of these services.

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,' which implies that while the competition was broad, certain sources may have been excluded based on specific criteria. The presence of 4 bids indicates a degree of competition. However, the 'after exclusion of sources' clause warrants further investigation to understand the rationale behind any exclusions and their potential impact on the breadth of competition and final pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive bidding process, even with exclusions, aims to secure the best possible pricing for taxpayers. The fact that multiple bids were received suggests that the government received options that likely contributed to a fair market price.

Public Impact

This contract directly supports the operational needs of the U.S. Forest Service, likely for personnel transport, equipment, or emergency response in remote areas. Beneficiaries include Forest Service personnel who require air transport for their duties, potentially including firefighting, land management, and research. The geographic impact is likely concentrated in areas served by the Forest Service, particularly in regions requiring air access due to terrain or lack of infrastructure. The contract supports the aviation services sector, contributing to the revenue and operations of the awarded contractor and potentially its subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'after exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type could potentially limit the number of viable bidders and may warrant scrutiny to ensure it was justified.
The specific nature of 'nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation' might indicate a niche market where competition could be inherently limited, potentially impacting long-term pricing.
Without details on the specific services rendered and their necessity, it's difficult to fully assess the efficiency and value derived from the $10.7 million expenditure.

Positive Signals

The contract was awarded through a full and open competition process, indicating an effort to solicit a wide range of potential offerors.
The firm fixed-price contract type provides budget certainty for the Forest Service, protecting against cost overruns.
The award of a delivery order suggests it aligns with a broader contracting strategy, potentially leveraging existing frameworks for efficiency.

Sector Analysis

The air transportation sector, particularly nonscheduled charter services, is a critical component of logistics and operations for various government agencies, including those managing vast natural resources like the Forest Service. This contract falls within the broader aviation services industry, which is characterized by specialized equipment, stringent safety regulations, and variable demand. The market size for such specialized charter services can fluctuate based on agency needs, operational tempo, and geographic requirements. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other government contracts for similar air charter services, factoring in aircraft type, flight hours, and operational areas.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract, nor does it detail subcontracting plans. The contractor, BODE AVIATION, INC., is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear without further information on subcontracting opportunities or the size status of the prime contractor.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the U.S. Forest Service's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is facilitated by contract award databases, though detailed operational reports may be internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Regulations
Department of the Interior Aviation Management
National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) Support Services
General Services Administration (GSA) Schedules (if applicable)
Department of Agriculture - Other Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources'.
Dependence on specialized aviation services.
Contract duration extends over multiple fiscal years.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $10.7 million to BODE AVIATION, INC.. NATIONAL INCIDENT AWARENESS AND ASSESSMENT (IAA) BOISE, ID

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BODE AVIATION, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-05-18. End: 2026-12-31.

What is the specific nature of the 'exclusion of sources' in the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' award type, and how did it impact the number of bids received?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' award type indicates that while the solicitation was intended to be open to all responsible sources, certain potential sources were excluded prior to or during the solicitation process. The reasons for exclusion are typically based on specific government requirements, such as security clearances, specialized certifications, past performance issues, or unique capabilities not met by all potential offerors. In this case, the Forest Service received 4 bids, suggesting that the exclusion criteria did not unduly limit the competitive pool to a single source. However, understanding the exact criteria used for exclusion is crucial to determine if it was justified and if it potentially influenced the final pricing by reducing the number of highly competitive bidders.

How does the cost of this contract compare to similar nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation services procured by other federal agencies?

Direct comparison of this $10.7 million contract for nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation to similar federal procurements is challenging without detailed service scope and performance metrics. Factors such as aircraft type, passenger/cargo capacity, flight hours, operational range, and specific mission requirements (e.g., emergency response vs. routine transport) significantly influence pricing. While the firm fixed-price nature provides budget certainty, the overall value proposition depends on the efficiency and necessity of the services rendered. A comprehensive benchmark analysis would require access to detailed contract line item data and operational logs from comparable contracts across agencies like the Department of the Interior or Department of Defense, which often utilize similar aviation services.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Primary risks for this contract include potential cost overruns if the scope of services expands beyond initial estimates (though mitigated by firm fixed-price), contractor performance issues (e.g., safety incidents, reliability), and potential disruptions to service delivery due to unforeseen events (e.g., aircraft maintenance, weather). Mitigation strategies typically involve robust contract oversight by the Forest Service, clear performance standards and reporting requirements, adherence to strict aviation safety protocols, and contingency planning by the contractor. The 'exclusion of sources' could also be a risk if it unnecessarily limited competition, potentially leading to higher prices or reduced innovation. The Forest Service would monitor performance closely and have remedies for non-performance.

What is the historical spending pattern for nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation by the U.S. Forest Service, and how does this award fit within that trend?

Historical spending on nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation by the U.S. Forest Service is likely influenced by factors such as wildfire seasons, land management activities, and the need for access to remote areas. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to definitively place this $10.7 million award. However, the Forest Service consistently requires aviation support for its diverse operations. This contract, awarded over approximately 2.6 years, suggests a sustained need for these services. If historical spending has been in a similar range for comparable durations and service levels, this award would be consistent with past trends. Significant deviations might indicate increased operational tempo, changes in service requirements, or shifts in contracting strategies.

What is the track record of BODE AVIATION, INC. in performing similar federal contracts, particularly regarding safety, reliability, and cost-effectiveness?

Assessing the track record of BODE AVIATION, INC. requires examining their past performance on federal contracts, specifically those involving nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation. Key metrics would include on-time performance, safety incident rates (as reported by FAA or relevant agencies), client satisfaction feedback (if available through contract performance evaluations), and adherence to budget. A review of their contract history, including any past delivery orders or prime contracts with the Forest Service or other agencies, would reveal their experience level and reliability. Without access to specific performance reports or a detailed contract history database, it is difficult to provide a definitive assessment of their track record.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Nonscheduled Air Transportation › Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger 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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7401 ATRISCO VISTA BLVD NW, ALBUQUERQUE, NM, 87120

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,712,955

Exercised Options: $10,712,955

Current Obligation: $10,712,955

Actual Outlays: $6,403,147

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1202SA23T9403

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline