Interior Department awards $2.5M for 2026 wildland fire aircraft, excluding sources

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,514,500 ($2.5M)

Contractor: Bridger Aerospace Group, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-01-14

End Date: 2026-07-15

Contract Duration: 182 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TASK ORDER FOR THE 2026 WILDLAND FIRE SEASON UNDER CONTRACT 140D0423D0083 FOR AN EXCLUSIVE USE (EU) FIXED WING ATGS WITH SENSOR BASED IN BARTLESVILLE, OK, SHOW LOW, AZ, AND MOSES LAKE, WA.

Place of Performance

Location: SHOW LOW, NAVAJO County, ARIZONA, 85901

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $2.5 million to BRIDGER AEROSPACE GROUP, LLC for work described as: TASK ORDER FOR THE 2026 WILDLAND FIRE SEASON UNDER CONTRACT 140D0423D0083 FOR AN EXCLUSIVE USE (EU) FIXED WING ATGS WITH SENSOR BASED IN BARTLESVILLE, OK, SHOW LOW, AZ, AND MOSES LAKE, WA. Key points: 1. Spending focuses on critical wildland firefighting resources. 2. Sole provider Bridger Aerospace Group, LLC holds the contract. 3. Risk of limited competition impacting price and availability. 4. Sector is aviation support for emergency services.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The $2.5M award for a single task order appears high for a 6-month period, especially considering the exclusion of sources. Benchmarking against similar exclusive-use fixed-wing aircraft contracts for firefighting is difficult without more detailed specifications, but the price warrants scrutiny.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' suggesting a limited competition where only specific sources were considered. This method can lead to higher prices and reduced innovation compared to full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for essential but potentially over-priced services due to limited competition.

Public Impact

Ensures critical aerial support for the 2026 wildland fire season. Supports operational readiness in key fire-prone regions (AZ, WA, OK). Potential for increased costs to taxpayers due to limited competition. Highlights reliance on specific contractors for specialized services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition raises price concerns.
Potential for sole-source dependency.
Exclusion of sources needs justification.

Positive Signals

Addresses critical need for fire suppression.
Secures essential assets for a specific season.
Utilizes specialized aircraft with sensors.

Sector Analysis

This spending falls within the aviation services sector, specifically supporting government emergency response. Benchmarks for exclusive-use fixed-wing aircraft in wildland firefighting are highly variable based on aircraft type, duration, and equipment, but this award warrants comparison to similar contracts.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific provisions or benefits for small businesses in this contract award. The focus appears to be on specialized, large-scale aviation services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is crucial to ensure the necessity and cost-effectiveness of excluding sources and to validate the pricing against market rates for similar exclusive-use aircraft.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Limited competition may inflate costs.
Potential for contractor dependency.
Lack of transparency in source exclusion.
High cost for a single task order.
Need for detailed cost-benefit analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $2.5 million to BRIDGER AEROSPACE GROUP, LLC. TASK ORDER FOR THE 2026 WILDLAND FIRE SEASON UNDER CONTRACT 140D0423D0083 FOR AN EXCLUSIVE USE (EU) FIXED WING ATGS WITH SENSOR BASED IN BARTLESVILLE, OK, SHOW LOW, AZ, AND MOSES LAKE, WA.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BRIDGER AEROSPACE GROUP, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-01-14. End: 2026-07-15.

What is the justification for excluding other potential sources for this critical wildland firefighting service, and how does this exclusion impact the overall cost-effectiveness of the award?

The justification for excluding other sources is not provided in the data. However, 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' implies a deliberate narrowing of the field. This exclusion likely limits price discovery and competition, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers than if a broader competition were held. Further analysis would require understanding the specific technical or operational reasons for this exclusion.

How does the $2.5 million cost for a 6-month exclusive-use fixed-wing aircraft contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar services, considering the included sensor technology?

Benchmarking this specific contract is challenging without detailed specifications of the aircraft, sensor capabilities, and operational requirements. However, $2.5 million for a 6-month period for exclusive-use fixed-wing aircraft, even with sensors, warrants scrutiny. Industry rates can vary significantly, but a thorough review against comparable government or commercial contracts is needed to assess if the price is reasonable and reflects fair market value.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single contractor, Bridger Aerospace Group, LLC, for this specific type of wildland firefighting aircraft, particularly given the limited comp

Relying on a single contractor under limited competition presents several risks. It can create dependency, potentially leading to price increases in future contracts or reduced service quality if the contractor faces operational issues. Furthermore, it limits the government's ability to leverage competitive pressures to ensure the best possible value and innovation in critical services like wildland firefighting.

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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8 THE GREEN, STE B, DOVER, DE, 19901

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,514,500

Exercised Options: $2,514,500

Current Obligation: $2,514,500

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140D0423D0083

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline