Forest Service Awards $2.3M Pilot Services Contract to Western Air Pilots LLC for FY26

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,313,320 ($2.3M)

Contractor: Western AIR Pilots LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-01-11

End Date: 2027-01-10

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.4K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PILOT SERVICES 1202SA22T9700 WESTERN AIR PILOTS LLC. FY 26 FUNDING CO MATT OLSON

Place of Performance

Location: BOISE, ADA County, IDAHO, 83705

State: Idaho Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $2.3 million to WESTERN AIR PILOTS LLC for work described as: PILOT SERVICES 1202SA22T9700 WESTERN AIR PILOTS LLC. FY 26 FUNDING CO MATT OLSON Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Western Air Pilots LLC for pilot services. 2. Funding allocated for Fiscal Year 2026. 3. Contract type is Firm Fixed Price. 4. Competition method was Competed Under SAP. 5. The contract duration is 364 days.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.3 million for 364 days of service appears reasonable given the specialized nature of pilot services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for aerial support in remote or specialized operations would provide further validation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting a limited competition environment. While this can lead to faster procurement, it may not always yield the lowest possible price compared to full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The $2.3 million expenditure for pilot services represents a necessary investment for the Forest Service's operations. The use of SAP suggests an effort to streamline procurement, but the ultimate taxpayer impact depends on the price discovery achieved through this limited competition.

Public Impact

Ensures critical pilot services for Forest Service operations, likely supporting firefighting or resource management. Supports a specific vendor, Western Air Pilots LLC, contributing to their business revenue. The use of SAP indicates a focus on efficiency for smaller contract values. The contract duration of one year allows for flexibility in future procurement decisions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP may not guarantee the best price.
Contract duration is short, requiring potential re-competition soon.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded for essential pilot services.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
Procurement completed under SAP for efficiency.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under 'Other Support Activities for Air Transportation' and is relevant to the government's need for specialized aviation services, often crucial for agencies like the Forest Service for operations such as wildfire suppression or aerial surveys. Spending benchmarks for such niche services can vary significantly based on aircraft type, pilot qualifications, and operational region.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if Western Air Pilots LLC is a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine the impact on small business participation in this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded under SAP, which typically has less stringent oversight than larger procurements. However, the agency's internal controls and Matt Olson's role as contract manager would be key to ensuring accountability and proper execution.

Related Government Programs

Other Support Activities for Air Transportation
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Forest Service Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition (SAP)
Potential for price not being optimal
Short contract duration requires future action
Small business status unknown

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $2.3 million to WESTERN AIR PILOTS LLC. PILOT SERVICES 1202SA22T9700 WESTERN AIR PILOTS LLC. FY 26 FUNDING CO MATT OLSON

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WESTERN AIR PILOTS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-01-11. End: 2027-01-10.

What specific operational needs does this pilot service contract fulfill for the Forest Service, and how critical are these services to the agency's mission?

This pilot service contract likely supports critical Forest Service operations such as aerial firefighting, wildlife monitoring, or transportation of personnel and equipment to remote areas. The specific nature of the services dictates their criticality to the agency's mission, impacting resource management, public safety, and environmental protection efforts.

Given the use of SAP, what steps were taken to ensure fair pricing and prevent potential overpayment, and what is the risk associated with limited competition?

Using SAP implies simplified procedures, which may limit the scope of competition. To ensure fair pricing, the agency likely relied on market research, historical pricing data, or pre-negotiated rates. The risk with limited competition is potentially higher prices than could be achieved through a broader solicitation, necessitating careful price analysis.

How effective is this contract in meeting the Forest Service's pilot service requirements, and what metrics are used to evaluate performance?

Effectiveness is evaluated based on the contractor's adherence to the Statement of Work, including flight hours, safety records, and timely service delivery. Performance metrics might include on-time performance, incident rates, and client satisfaction. The agency's contract management team would monitor these to ensure the services meet operational needs.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Support Activities for Air Transportation › Other Support Activities for Air Transportation

Product/Service Code: TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCATION › TRAVEL, LODGING, RECRUITMENT SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 10033 E 150TH AVE, BRIGHTON, CO, 80602

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,313,320

Exercised Options: $2,313,320

Current Obligation: $2,313,320

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1202SA22T9700

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline