DOI awards $5.7M for SEAT Flight Services to Evergreen Flying Service Inc. under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,739,779 ($5.7M)

Contractor: Evergreen Flying Service Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-05-02

End Date: 2026-05-31

Contract Duration: 759 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SINGLE ENGINE AIR TANKER (SEAT) EXCLUSIVE USE FLIGHT SERVICES - CEDAR CITY, UT

Place of Performance

Location: RAYVILLE, RICHLAND County, LOUISIANA, 71269

State: Louisiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $5.7 million to EVERGREEN FLYING SERVICE INC for work described as: SINGLE ENGINE AIR TANKER (SEAT) EXCLUSIVE USE FLIGHT SERVICES - CEDAR CITY, UT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Evergreen Flying Service Inc. for critical aerial firefighting support. 2. The contract utilizes a firm-fixed-price structure, providing cost certainty. 3. Full and open competition was employed, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The duration of the contract is 759 days, ending May 31, 2026. 5. This award supports forestry management and wildfire suppression efforts.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award amount of $5.74 million over approximately 2.5 years appears reasonable for specialized aerial firefighting services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for exclusive-use air tanker services would provide a more precise assessment, but the fixed-price nature suggests a negotiated value.

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,' indicating that while competition was sought, specific sources may have been excluded initially before a broader competition was opened. This method aims to ensure fair pricing through market forces.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is intended to secure the best value for taxpayers by encouraging multiple bids and potentially driving down costs.

Public Impact

Ensures critical aerial firefighting capacity is available to combat wildfires. Supports the Department of the Interior's land management and public safety missions. Provides essential services for protecting natural resources and communities. Contributes to the operational readiness of wildfire suppression efforts.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for increased costs if initial source exclusion limited competition.
Dependence on a single provider for exclusive-use services.
Geographic concentration of service delivery (Cedar City, UT).

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Supports critical national security/public safety function.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader category of aviation services supporting natural resource management. Spending on aerial firefighting assets is crucial for agencies like the Department of the Interior, especially during peak fire seasons. Benchmarks for similar exclusive-use contracts vary based on aircraft type, duration, and operational requirements.

Small Business Impact

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

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Department of the Interior, indicating agency-level oversight. The use of a competitive process suggests adherence to procurement regulations, but ongoing monitoring of performance and costs is essential for accountability.

Related Government Programs

Support Activities for Forestry
Department of the Interior Contracting
Departmental Offices Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources'.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical services.
Lack of detailed cost-per-unit data for direct benchmarking.
Geographic concentration of service delivery.
Potential for cost increases if market conditions change unfavorably during the contract term.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $5.7 million to EVERGREEN FLYING SERVICE INC. SINGLE ENGINE AIR TANKER (SEAT) EXCLUSIVE USE FLIGHT SERVICES - CEDAR CITY, UT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EVERGREEN FLYING SERVICE INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-05-02. End: 2026-05-31.

What specific criteria were used to exclude certain sources before opening the competition, and did this exclusion impact the final price?

The specific criteria for excluding sources prior to the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' are not detailed in the provided data. Typically, such exclusions might relate to specialized capabilities, past performance, or specific certifications required for unique services like exclusive-use air tanker operations. Understanding these criteria is crucial to assess if the exclusion unduly limited competition and potentially inflated the final price paid by taxpayers.

How does the per-hour or per-flight-hour cost of this SEAT contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar services, considering the aircraft type and operational demands?

Without specific operational metrics like hours flown or detailed cost breakdowns, a precise per-unit cost benchmark is difficult. However, the total award of $5.74 million over approximately 759 days suggests a significant investment. Comparing this to publicly available data on exclusive-use SEAT contracts, factoring in aircraft model (e.g., Air Tractor AT-802), required equipment, and geographic operational scope, would reveal if the pricing is competitive or potentially elevated.

What is the contingency plan if Evergreen Flying Service Inc. is unable to fulfill its contractual obligations, and what are the potential impacts on wildfire response?

The contract's reliance on a single provider for exclusive-use services necessitates robust contingency planning by the Department of the Interior. This would likely involve pre-established agreements with other providers or government assets for surge capacity or immediate replacement. Failure to have adequate contingency plans could severely impact wildfire response capabilities, leading to delayed suppression efforts and increased damage to natural resources and property.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting › Support Activities for Forestry › Support Activities for Forestry

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVERVAT SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 140D0424D0063

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 111 ELLIS LN, RAYVILLE, LA, 71269

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,821,139

Exercised Options: $5,739,779

Current Obligation: $5,739,779

Actual Outlays: $5,699,779

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140D0424D0063

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline