DOI awards $2.4M for amphibious scooping seat flight services to Fletcher Flying Service Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,421,621 ($2.4M)

Contractor: Fletcher Flying Service Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-06-10

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 324 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ON-CALL AMPHIBIOUS SCOOPING SEAT FLIGHT SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF BLM.

Place of Performance

Location: LABELLE, HENDRY County, FLORIDA, 33935

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $2.4 million to FLETCHER FLYING SERVICE INC for work described as: ON-CALL AMPHIBIOUS SCOOPING SEAT FLIGHT SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF BLM. Key points: 1. Contract awarded for specialized aviation support for BLM's land management activities. 2. Fletcher Flying Service Inc. secured the contract through full and open competition. 3. The contract duration is 324 days, with a firm fixed price. 4. This service is crucial for wildfire suppression and land management operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.42 million for approximately 10 months of service appears reasonable given the specialized nature of amphibious aircraft and on-call support. Benchmarking against similar aviation support contracts would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded using full and open competition, indicating a robust price discovery process. This method generally leads to competitive pricing as multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for essential services.

Public Impact

Supports critical Bureau of Land Management (BLM) operations, including wildfire response. Ensures availability of specialized aircraft for environmental and land management tasks. Provides essential aerial support for conservation and resource management efforts.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 75 / 10

Positive Signals

Full and open competition ensures fair pricing.
Specialized service supports critical agency mission.
Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically aviation support for government agencies. Spending in this area is often driven by operational needs like land management and emergency response.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates the awardee is Fletcher Flying Service Inc. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors or if this award represents an opportunity for them.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the Department of the Interior's Departmental Offices. Standard oversight procedures for delivery orders under a larger contract would apply to ensure performance and financial accountability.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if specialized capabilities are scarce.
Dependence on vendor's operational readiness and maintenance schedules.
Risk of price escalation in future contract renewals.
Limited surge capacity if demand exceeds vendor's capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $2.4 million to FLETCHER FLYING SERVICE INC. ON-CALL AMPHIBIOUS SCOOPING SEAT FLIGHT SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF BLM.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FLETCHER 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 $2.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-06-10. End: 2026-04-30.

What is the specific operational need for 'amphibious scooping seat' flight services?

Amphibious scooping seat flight services likely refer to aircraft equipped for water landings and takeoffs, capable of scooping water for firefighting or other environmental applications. This specialized capability is crucial for remote areas or operations requiring direct water access, such as wildfire suppression or environmental monitoring in wetlands.

What are the risks associated with relying on a single vendor for such specialized aviation services?

While awarded competitively, reliance on a single vendor for highly specialized services like amphibious scooping seat flights carries risks. These include potential price increases in future renewals, limited surge capacity during peak demand, and dependency on the vendor's operational continuity and maintenance capabilities. Ensuring robust performance standards and contingency planning is vital.

How effective is this type of contract in ensuring timely and efficient support for BLM's mission?

This type of contract, a delivery order under a broader agreement, is generally effective for ensuring timely and efficient support for specific operational needs like those of the BLM. The firm fixed price and defined period of performance provide clarity and cost control, while the competitive award process helps secure necessary services at a reasonable value.

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

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1000 G RD, LA BELLE, FL, 33935

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,421,621

Exercised Options: $2,421,621

Current Obligation: $2,421,621

Actual Outlays: $1,889,691

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140D8021D0011

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline