Interior Department awards $117,882 for Alaska helicopter services for wildlife capture and transport

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $117,883 ($117.9K)

Contractor: Chena River Aviation Incorporated

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-11-18

End Date: 2026-04-06

Contract Duration: 504 days

Daily Burn Rate: $234/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 HELICOPTER ON CALL - CONTRACTOR PROVIDED HELICOPTER FLIGHT SERVICES FOR NPS DENA WOLF AND CARIBOU CAPTURE AND MORT PICK UPS

Place of Performance

Location: DENALI NATIONAL PARK, DENALI County, ALASKA, 99755

State: Alaska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $117,882.5 to CHENA RIVER AVIATION INCORPORATED for work described as: ALASKA HELICOPTER ON CALL - CONTRACTOR PROVIDED HELICOPTER FLIGHT SERVICES FOR NPS DENA WOLF AND CARIBOU CAPTURE AND MORT PICK UPS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Chena River Aviation Inc. for essential wildlife management support. 2. Fixed-price contract with economic price adjustment offers some cost flexibility. 3. Limited small business participation noted. 4. Services are critical for remote operations in Alaska's Denali National Park.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $117,882 for approximately 1.5 years of service appears reasonable given the specialized nature of helicopter operations in remote Alaskan environments. Benchmarking against similar specialized aviation contracts would provide further context.

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 competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and potentially better value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The cost is a small fraction of the overall Interior Department budget, with the value derived from essential wildlife management and research support.

Public Impact

Supports critical wildlife research and management activities in Denali National Park. Ensures timely response for animal capture, monitoring, and sample collection. Facilitates essential logistical support for park personnel in challenging terrain.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price increases due to economic price adjustment clause.
Limited small business involvement.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Supports essential conservation efforts.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation, a niche sector often characterized by specialized equipment and operational expertise. Spending in this area is typically driven by specific project needs, such as remote research or emergency response.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small businesses were not significantly involved in this contract, as indicated by 'sb': false. Efforts to increase small business participation in specialized service contracts could be explored.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the Department of the Interior's Departmental Offices. Oversight would focus on ensuring service delivery meets the specified requirements for flight hours, safety, and operational support for wildlife capture missions.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Economic price adjustment may lead to cost overruns.
Lack of small business participation.
Potential for operational risks due to remote and challenging environment.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $117,882.5 to CHENA RIVER AVIATION INCORPORATED. ALASKA HELICOPTER ON CALL - CONTRACTOR PROVIDED HELICOPTER FLIGHT SERVICES FOR NPS DENA WOLF AND CARIBOU CAPTURE AND MORT PICK UPS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CHENA RIVER AVIATION INCORPORATED.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $117,882.5.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-11-18. End: 2026-04-06.

What is the typical hourly or daily rate for similar helicopter services in remote Alaskan regions to assess cost-effectiveness?

Benchmarking hourly or daily rates for specialized helicopter services in remote Alaskan regions is complex due to variable factors like aircraft type, mission duration, fuel costs, and required certifications. However, rates can range significantly, often from $2,000 to $10,000+ per hour, depending on the helicopter's capabilities and the remoteness of the operational area. A detailed comparison would require specific mission profiles and aircraft specifications.

What are the specific risks associated with operating helicopters in Alaska for wildlife capture, and how are they mitigated?

Risks include challenging weather conditions (sudden storms, low visibility), remote terrain (difficult landing zones, potential for accidents), wildlife encounters (risk to aircraft and personnel), and mechanical failures far from support. Mitigation strategies involve rigorous pre-flight planning, experienced pilots familiar with the area, adherence to strict safety protocols, use of appropriate aircraft, and emergency response plans.

How effectively does this contract support the long-term conservation goals of the National Park Service in Denali?

This contract is crucial for the short-to-medium term operational effectiveness of wildlife research and management within Denali. It enables essential activities like population monitoring, capture for tagging or health assessments, and sample collection, all of which contribute to informed conservation strategies. Its effectiveness is tied to reliable service delivery and the data gathered from these operations.

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: 1366 WIKE WAY, FAIRBANKS, AK, 99709

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $117,883

Exercised Options: $117,883

Current Obligation: $117,883

Actual Outlays: $117,883

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140D8122D0011

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline