Agriculture's Forest Service awards $20M for helicopter transport, highlighting air cargo needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,089,193 ($20.1M)

Contractor: Helicopter Transport Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2025-03-25

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 646 days

Daily Burn Rate: $31.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 28

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: HTS - T1 EU FOR PORTERVILLE, CA

Place of Performance

Location: PORTERVILLE, TULARE County, CALIFORNIA, 93257

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $20.1 million to HELICOPTER TRANSPORT SERVICES, LLC for work described as: HTS - T1 EU FOR PORTERVILLE, CA Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the duration and service type. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these services. 3. Potential risks include operational disruptions and weather dependency. 4. This contract supports critical wildfire suppression and resource management efforts. 5. Positioned within the air transportation sector, specifically for specialized cargo. 6. The fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the agency.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $20 million over two years for helicopter transport services seems aligned with industry standards for specialized aerial logistics. Benchmarking against similar contracts for wildfire support or remote cargo delivery would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price nature of the award helps control costs for the Forest Service, but the total cost is contingent on actual flight hours and operational needs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors were likely invited to bid. The presence of 28 bids suggests a competitive marketplace for these specialized helicopter transport services. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs through market forces.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the US Forest Service and the communities they protect through wildfire suppression and land management. Services delivered include critical aerial transport of personnel, equipment, and supplies to remote or inaccessible areas. The geographic impact is focused on California, a state prone to significant wildfire activity. Workforce implications include support for pilots, mechanics, and ground crews involved in aerial operations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Dependency on weather conditions can lead to operational delays and impact mission timelines.
The specialized nature of helicopter operations carries inherent safety risks.
Ensuring consistent availability of qualified pilots and aircraft throughout the contract period is crucial.

Positive Signals

The firm fixed-price contract provides budget predictability for the Forest Service.
Full and open competition suggests a robust market and potential for competitive pricing.
The contract duration allows for sustained support during critical operational periods.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the air transportation services sector, specifically focusing on non-scheduled chartered freight and passenger transport via helicopter. The market for such services is often niche, driven by demand for operations in remote, rugged, or disaster-affected areas where traditional infrastructure is lacking. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found in contracts supporting emergency response, resource management, or specialized logistics for government agencies operating in challenging terrains.

Small Business Impact

While the contract was awarded under full and open competition, there is no explicit indication of a small business set-aside. The prime contractor, HELICOPTER TRANSPORT SERVICES, LLC, is likely a specialized firm. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses could exist in areas such as maintenance, fuel supply, or logistical support, but this would depend on the prime contractor's strategy.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the US Forest Service contracting officers and program managers responsible for aerial operations. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific operational details may be sensitive. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Wildfire Suppression Support Services
Aerial Firefighting Contracts
US Forest Service Aviation Management
Department of Agriculture Logistics Contracts
Remote Area Support Operations

Risk Flags

Weather Dependency
Safety Risk
Operational Availability

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $20.1 million to HELICOPTER TRANSPORT SERVICES, LLC. HTS - T1 EU FOR PORTERVILLE, CA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HELICOPTER TRANSPORT SERVICES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $20.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-03-25. End: 2026-12-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for helicopter transport services by the US Forest Service in California?

Analyzing historical spending for helicopter transport by the US Forest Service in California requires access to detailed procurement data over several fiscal years. Generally, spending in this category fluctuates based on wildfire seasons, budget allocations, and the specific needs for resource management and fire suppression. Contracts for such services are often awarded on a task-order or delivery-order basis against larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicles or through competitive solicitations like this one. Factors influencing spending include the number of active fires, the severity of conditions, and the agency's strategic priorities for aerial support. Without specific historical data for this exact service code and region, it's difficult to provide precise figures, but it's reasonable to assume consistent, albeit variable, annual expenditures driven by the state's environmental conditions.

How does the per-hour cost of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar helicopter transport services?

Determining the precise per-hour cost requires breaking down the total contract value ($20,089,193.25) by the estimated duration or flight hours, which are not explicitly provided. The contract duration is 646 days, but this refers to the period of performance, not necessarily the total flight hours. Helicopter transport costs vary significantly based on aircraft type, mission complexity, location, and fuel prices. Industry benchmarks for heavy-lift helicopters used in demanding operations like firefighting can range from $5,000 to over $15,000 per hour, including pilot, fuel, and basic operational costs. Given the firm fixed-price nature, the Forest Service has likely negotiated rates that reflect expected operational efficiency and market conditions. A detailed analysis would require comparing the effective hourly rate derived from this contract against publicly available data for similar government or commercial contracts, considering factors like aircraft size and mission profile.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risks associated with this helicopter transport contract include operational delays due to weather, potential safety incidents inherent in aviation, and ensuring the availability of specialized aircraft and qualified personnel throughout the contract period. Weather dependency is a significant risk, particularly in California's diverse climate and during fire season, which can impact mission timelines and effectiveness. Safety risks are mitigated through stringent FAA regulations, pilot certifications, aircraft maintenance standards, and the contractor's own safety management systems. Ensuring personnel and aircraft availability is managed through contract terms that specify performance requirements and potentially include incentives or penalties. The Forest Service also typically maintains contingency plans and may have backup contracts or resources available to address critical shortfalls.

What is the track record of HELICOPTER TRANSPORT SERVICES, LLC in fulfilling government contracts, particularly for the Department of Agriculture?

Assessing the track record of HELICOPTER TRANSPORT SERVICES, LLC requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts, accessible through databases like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS). Information typically includes contract history, past performance ratings, and any instances of disputes or corrective actions. For this specific contract, the award to a company with experience in helicopter transport suggests they have met the necessary qualifications and demonstrated capability. A deeper dive into their history with the Department of Agriculture or other agencies would reveal their reliability, quality of service, and adherence to contract terms, providing insight into the likelihood of successful performance on this current award.

How does the number of bidders (28) impact the value proposition for the taxpayer in this specific contract?

A high number of bidders, such as the 28 received for this contract, generally indicates a robust and competitive market for the services being procured. From a taxpayer perspective, this strong competition is highly beneficial as it typically drives down prices. When multiple qualified vendors vie for a contract, they are incentivized to offer their most competitive rates and terms to win the award. This process enhances price discovery, ensuring that the government is likely paying a fair market price, or potentially even a below-market price, for the helicopter transport services. It reduces the risk of overpayment and maximizes the value derived from taxpayer funds allocated to this contract.

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

Offers Received: 28

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 701 WILSON POINT RD, BALTIMORE, MD, 21220

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $20,089,193

Exercised Options: $20,089,193

Current Obligation: $20,089,193

Actual Outlays: $8,191,225

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1202SA25T9217

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline