Interior Department awards $35.6K fixed-wing flight contract to Ryan Air, Inc. for Salmon River operations

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $35,606 ($35.6K)

Contractor: Ryan AIR, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-08-13

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 230 days

Daily Burn Rate: $155/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: Other

Official Description: ALASKA FIXED WING ON CALL - FOR FWS FLIGHT 25-14529 SXQ PTU SALMON RIVER OPS

Place of Performance

Location: SOLDOTNA, KENAI PENINSULA County, ALASKA, 99669

State: Alaska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $35,605.94 to RYAN AIR, INC. for work described as: ALASKA FIXED WING ON CALL - FOR FWS FLIGHT 25-14529 SXQ PTU SALMON RIVER OPS Key points: 1. Contract value appears low, suggesting a focused scope or short duration. 2. Limited competition data available, but the contract was competed. 3. Performance risk seems moderate given the nature of on-call flight services. 4. This contract supports essential operational flights for the Fish and Wildlife Service. 5. The sector is niche, focusing on specialized aviation services for government agencies.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $35.6K is relatively small, making direct comparison to larger aviation contracts difficult. However, for on-call fixed-wing services for specific operational support, the price appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar ad-hoc flight services for remote operations would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The fixed-price with economic price adjustment structure offers some cost certainty while accounting for potential fuel price fluctuations.

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 the competition was open, specific sources may have been excluded prior to the final award. The presence of 3 bids suggests a degree of competition, which is generally positive for price discovery. However, the specifics of the exclusion could impact the breadth of competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive bidding process, even with exclusions, likely resulted in a more favorable price for taxpayers compared to a sole-source award.

Public Impact

Benefits the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by providing essential transportation for operational needs. Enables critical activities such as wildlife monitoring, research, or logistical support in remote areas. Geographic impact is focused on Alaska, specifically supporting operations near the Salmon River. Supports specialized aviation workforce within Alaska.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if operational needs expand beyond initial expectations.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical, on-call services could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Contract is for a defined period, limiting long-term commitment.
Fixed-price structure provides some cost predictability.
Awarded through a competitive process, suggesting a vetted selection.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the specialized aviation services sector, specifically supporting government agencies with on-call flight operations. The market for such niche services is often characterized by a limited number of qualified providers capable of operating in remote or challenging environments like Alaska. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more specific details on flight hours and operational requirements, but government agencies frequently contract for such support.

Small Business Impact

The contract details do not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions. Ryan Air, Inc.'s size is not provided, but the nature of specialized aviation contracts often involves larger, established companies. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not explicitly mentioned and would depend on Ryan Air's internal practices.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Department of the Interior's relevant program office. Accountability is ensured through the contract terms, performance standards, and payment schedules. Transparency is facilitated by the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) where this award is reported.

Related Government Programs

FWS Flight Operations
Department of the Interior Aviation Management
On-Call Air Charter Services

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues in remote locations.
Risk of cost escalation due to fuel price volatility.
Limited number of bidders may reduce competitive pressure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $35,605.94 to RYAN AIR, INC.. ALASKA FIXED WING ON CALL - FOR FWS FLIGHT 25-14529 SXQ PTU SALMON RIVER OPS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RYAN AIR, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $35,605.94.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-08-13. End: 2026-03-31.

What is the specific operational need this contract addresses for FWS in the Salmon River area?

This contract, 'ALASKA FIXED WING ON CALL - FOR FWS FLIGHT 25-14529 SXQ PTU SALMON RIVER OPS,' is designed to provide on-call fixed-wing aircraft services for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) in Alaska, specifically supporting operations in the Salmon River region. While the exact nature of these operations is not detailed in the provided data, such contracts typically facilitate critical FWS activities. These can include wildlife surveys and monitoring, transportation of personnel and equipment to remote field sites for research or conservation efforts, aerial observation for habitat assessment, or emergency response support. The 'on-call' nature suggests flexibility is required to meet unpredictable operational demands in this geographically challenging area.

How does the contract value of $35,605.94 compare to typical costs for similar on-call flight services in Alaska?

The contract value of $35,605.94 for on-call fixed-wing flight services in Alaska is relatively modest. Typical costs for such services can vary significantly based on aircraft type, range, duration of flights, operational complexity (e.g., landing on unimproved airstrips), and the specific region within Alaska. For specialized, remote operations, hourly rates for fixed-wing aircraft can range from $1,000 to over $3,000 per flight hour, excluding potential additional charges for fuel, landing fees, or specialized equipment. Given the contract duration of approximately 230 days (from August 2025 to March 2026), this value suggests either a limited number of flight hours are anticipated, or the scope of 'on-call' support is narrowly defined. Without knowing the specific aircraft type and expected utilization, a precise benchmark is difficult, but it appears to be a focused support contract rather than extensive operational coverage.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract for the Department of the Interior?

Several potential risks exist for the Department of the Interior with this contract. Firstly, performance risk is present; if Ryan Air, Inc. fails to provide timely or adequate service, it could disrupt critical FWS operations in the Salmon River area. Given the remote location, logistical challenges in finding alternative support quickly could exacerbate delays. Secondly, there's a risk related to cost escalation, even with an economic price adjustment clause, if fuel prices or other operational costs rise unexpectedly and significantly. Thirdly, if the 'on-call' nature leads to frequent, short-notice activations, it could strain the contractor's resources or lead to higher per-use costs than anticipated if not managed carefully. Finally, ensuring compliance with all safety and regulatory requirements in Alaska's demanding environment is an ongoing oversight risk.

What does the contract type 'FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT' imply for cost management?

The 'FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT' (FP-EPA) contract type aims to balance cost certainty for the government with protection for the contractor against uncontrollable economic fluctuations. The 'fixed price' component means the base cost for the services is set. However, the 'economic price adjustment' allows for modifications to the contract price based on specific, pre-defined economic factors, most commonly changes in fuel costs, labor rates, or material prices. For this aviation contract, it primarily protects Ryan Air, Inc. from significant, unforeseen increases in aviation fuel prices, which can be volatile. This mechanism helps ensure the contractor can maintain profitability and service delivery without needing to build excessive contingency into the initial fixed price, potentially leading to a fairer overall cost for the government compared to a purely fixed-price contract in a fluctuating market.

How does the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' (FCAES) classification impact the competition dynamics?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' (FCAES) classification indicates that the solicitation was initially intended for full and open competition, but specific sources were excluded before the final award decision. This means that while multiple bidders could potentially respond, the pool of eligible bidders was intentionally narrowed. The reasons for exclusion are typically documented and must be justified (e.g., based on past performance, technical capabilities, or specific requirements). While three bids were received, the exclusion of certain potential competitors could limit the breadth of the competition and potentially impact the final price achieved. It suggests a deliberate selection process occurred, moving beyond a completely open market to ensure specific criteria were met by the remaining bidders.

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: 6400 CARL BRADY DR, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99502

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $35,606

Exercised Options: $35,606

Current Obligation: $35,606

Actual Outlays: $14,474

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140D8121D0042

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline