Agriculture Forest Service awards $5.6M contract for helicopter services to Capitol Helicopters, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,613,482 ($5.6M)

Contractor: Capitol Helicopters, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2025-05-06

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 604 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 28

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: CAPITOL HELICOPTERS -T1 EU FOR BOISE, ID #2

Place of Performance

Location: BOISE, ADA County, IDAHO, 83701

State: Idaho Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $5.6 million to CAPITOL HELICOPTERS, INC. for work described as: CAPITOL HELICOPTERS -T1 EU FOR BOISE, ID #2 Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single vendor, Capitol Helicopters, Inc. 2. The contract is for nonscheduled chartered freight air transportation. 3. The contract duration is 604 days. 4. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 5. The contract is a delivery order under a larger agreement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $5.6M over approximately 20 months suggests a monthly cost of around $280,000. Without specific service details or benchmarks for similar helicopter charter services, it's difficult to definitively assess pricing. However, the benchmark of $9294 (likely per hour or day) provides a reference point for comparison.

Cost Per Unit: $9294

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives fair market value. The specific pricing outcomes are not detailed here, but the process itself supports price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently by securing competitive pricing for essential services.

Public Impact

Ensures critical air transportation services for the Forest Service's operations in Idaho. Supports the agency's ability to conduct freight transport for remote or difficult-to-access areas. The contract's duration suggests ongoing operational needs for helicopter services. Potential impact on local economies through the provision of specialized aviation services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed service scope for the $5.6M award.
Benchmark cost ($9294) needs context (per hour, day, flight hours?).
No information on small business participation.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Clear contract duration and delivery order structure.
Specific agency and location identified.

Sector Analysis

The aviation services sector, particularly specialized charter and freight, is critical for government agencies operating in remote or challenging terrains like national forests. Spending benchmarks vary widely based on aircraft type, mission complexity, and duration. This contract falls within the broader transportation and logistics spending categories.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a delivery order, suggesting it falls under a pre-existing master agreement or contract. Oversight would involve monitoring performance against the terms of this delivery order and the parent contract, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to specifications.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed service scope.
Ambiguous benchmark cost.
No small business participation data.
Potential for cost overruns if operational needs change.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $5.6 million to CAPITOL HELICOPTERS, INC.. CAPITOL HELICOPTERS -T1 EU FOR BOISE, ID #2

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CAPITOL HELICOPTERS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-05-06. End: 2026-12-31.

What specific types of freight will be transported, and what are the operational requirements that necessitate this level of spending on helicopter services?

The data indicates 'Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation' but lacks specifics on the cargo or mission profile. Understanding the nature of the freight (e.g., equipment, supplies, personnel) and the operational context (e.g., firefighting support, remote site access, research) is crucial for evaluating the necessity and efficiency of the $5.6M expenditure. This detail would clarify if the spending is justified by unique operational demands.

How does the benchmark cost of $9294 compare to industry standards for similar helicopter charter services, considering the aircraft type and mission profile?

The benchmark cost of $9294 requires further context to be meaningful. It's essential to know if this figure represents an hourly rate, a daily rate, or a cost per flight hour, and what type of helicopter is being utilized. Comparing this to industry averages for similar aircraft (e.g., Bell 407, UH-60) performing comparable freight or charter missions in the Idaho region would reveal whether the pricing is competitive or potentially inflated.

What measures are in place to ensure the effectiveness and safety of Capitol Helicopters' operations throughout the contract duration?

Effectiveness and safety are paramount in aviation contracts. Oversight mechanisms likely include performance monitoring by the Forest Service, adherence to strict aviation regulations (FAA), and potentially specific safety protocols outlined in the contract. Ensuring qualified pilots, well-maintained aircraft, and robust emergency procedures are critical to the successful and safe execution of nonscheduled chartered freight air transportation.

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: 5957 FREEPORT BLVD, SACRAMENTO, CA, 95822

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,613,482

Exercised Options: $5,613,482

Current Obligation: $5,613,482

Actual Outlays: $3,794,872

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1202SA25T9206

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline