Interior Dept. Awards $20.5K Contract for Alaska Wildlife Surveys via Fixed-Wing Aircraft

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,546 ($20.5K)

Contractor: Harley B. Mcmahan

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-06-25

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 644 days

Daily Burn Rate: $32/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: ALASKA FIXED WING ON CALL FOR NPS WRST CAKN WILDLIFE SURVEY AND CENSUS

Place of Performance

Location: GLENNALLEN, COPPER RIVER County, ALASKA, 99588

State: Alaska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $20,546.04 to HARLEY B. MCMAHAN for work described as: ALASKA FIXED WING ON CALL FOR NPS WRST CAKN WILDLIFE SURVEY AND CENSUS Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential wildlife survey and census in Alaska. 2. Fixed-price contract with economic price adjustment for potential fuel cost fluctuations. 3. Competition method indicates a focus on broad market access. 4. Small business participation is not explicitly noted in this award.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $20,546.04 appears reasonable for specialized aerial survey services over a 644-day period. Benchmarking against similar on-call fixed-wing charter services would provide further validation.

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, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method aims to ensure the government receives competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The relatively low contract value suggests a minimal direct taxpayer impact, primarily funding critical environmental monitoring.

Public Impact

Supports vital wildlife management and conservation efforts in Alaska. Ensures accurate data collection for ecological research and policy decisions. Facilitates understanding of wildlife populations for resource management.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for economic price adjustment to increase final cost.
Limited duration may require follow-on contracts for continuous surveys.

Positive Signals

Supports critical environmental data collection.
Utilizes competitive procurement for potential cost savings.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the transportation sector, specifically air charter services. Spending benchmarks for similar aerial survey contracts can vary significantly based on aircraft type, duration, and geographic complexity.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract was set aside for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation in this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of the Interior's oversight ensures the proper execution of wildlife surveys. Accountability is maintained through delivery order tracking and performance monitoring against contract requirements.

Related Government Programs

Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation
Department of the Interior Contracting
Departmental Offices Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost escalation due to economic price adjustment.
Limited contract duration may not cover long-term survey needs.
Lack of explicit small business set-aside information.
Geographic remoteness of Alaska can increase operational costs and risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $20,546.04 to HARLEY B. MCMAHAN. ALASKA FIXED WING ON CALL FOR NPS WRST CAKN WILDLIFE SURVEY AND CENSUS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HARLEY B. MCMAHAN.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $20,546.04.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-06-25. End: 2026-03-31.

What is the typical cost per flight hour for similar fixed-wing charter services in Alaska for wildlife surveys?

The typical cost per flight hour for similar fixed-wing charter services in Alaska for wildlife surveys can range widely, often from $500 to $1,500 or more, depending on the aircraft size, specialized equipment (like cameras or sensors), pilot experience, and operational complexity. This contract's total value, spread over its duration, would need to be broken down into an hourly rate for a direct comparison.

What are the primary risks associated with using fixed-price contracts with economic price adjustment for aerial surveys?

The primary risk with fixed-price contracts with economic price adjustment (FP-EPA) is the potential for cost overruns if economic factors, such as fuel prices, increase significantly beyond initial projections. While EPA aims to mitigate contractor risk and ensure service availability, it shifts some of the cost uncertainty to the government, potentially increasing the final expenditure beyond the initial fixed price.

How effective is this type of contract in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of wildlife census data?

The effectiveness of the contract in ensuring data accuracy relies heavily on the specific requirements outlined in the statement of work, the qualifications of the air carrier and survey personnel, and the oversight provided by the Department of the Interior. The contract type itself (FP-EPA) primarily addresses cost and schedule; data quality is managed through performance standards and monitoring.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Nonscheduled Air Transportation › Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT (K)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: MILE 1.5 TOK CUTOFF, GAKONA, AK, 99586

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $20,546

Exercised Options: $20,546

Current Obligation: $20,546

Actual Outlays: $20,546

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140D8121D0018

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline