Interior Department's $351K Aircraft Rental for Waterfowl Survey Competed Under SAP
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $35,100 ($35.1K)
Contractor: Aberdeen Flying Service
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2026-04-02
End Date: 2026-06-30
Contract Duration: 89 days
Daily Burn Rate: $394/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: AIRCRAFT RENTAL AGREEMENT FOR FWS FOUR SQ MILE WATERFOWL SURVEY
Place of Performance
Location: ABERDEEN, BROWN County, SOUTH DAKOTA, 57401
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $35,100 to ABERDEEN FLYING SERVICE for work described as: AIRCRAFT RENTAL AGREEMENT FOR FWS FOUR SQ MILE WATERFOWL SURVEY Key points: 1. Spending on aircraft rental for environmental surveys is a recurring need. 2. Competition under SAP suggests a potentially limited but accessible market. 3. Risk of price escalation exists if demand for specialized aircraft increases. 4. Sector context: Environmental services often involve specialized equipment and logistics.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's firm fixed price structure provides cost certainty. However, without specific benchmarks for similar specialized aircraft rentals for environmental surveys, a precise value assessment is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
Competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating competition was sought but potentially limited to a smaller pool of vendors. This method aims for efficiency but may not always yield the lowest price compared to full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for essential environmental monitoring. The use of SAP suggests an effort to balance cost and efficiency, but the ultimate impact depends on the pricing achieved.
Public Impact
Supports critical wildlife and habitat monitoring for the Fish and Wildlife Service. Ensures data collection for waterfowl population estimates and conservation efforts. Facilitates research in remote or inaccessible areas via aerial surveys.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 39 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
- Potential for cost overruns if survey scope expands.
- Dependence on a single vendor for a critical service.
Positive Signals
- Supports essential environmental research.
- Firm fixed price contract offers cost predictability.
- Contract duration aligns with survey needs.
Sector Analysis
Spending in the environmental services sector, particularly for specialized aerial surveys, can vary significantly based on project scope and equipment needs. Benchmarks are difficult without more specific data on aircraft type and operational requirements.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this procurement. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded under Departmental Offices within the Department of the Interior, suggesting internal oversight. The use of SAP implies adherence to specific procurement regulations for acquisitions below certain thresholds.
Related Government Programs
- Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- Departmental Offices Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition potential
- Price volatility for specialized services
- Vendor capacity and reliability
- Scope creep impacting budget
Tags
nonscheduled-chartered-passenger-air-tra, department-of-the-interior, sd, bpa-call, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $35,100 to ABERDEEN FLYING SERVICE. AIRCRAFT RENTAL AGREEMENT FOR FWS FOUR SQ MILE WATERFOWL SURVEY
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ABERDEEN FLYING SERVICE.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $35,100.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-06-30.
What is the typical cost range for similar aerial survey services in South Dakota?
Determining a precise cost range for similar aerial survey services in South Dakota requires detailed information on aircraft type, flight hours, sensor equipment, and specific survey objectives. Without these specifics, it's challenging to benchmark against industry standards. However, specialized charter services can command premium rates due to operational complexity and regulatory compliance.
What are the primary risks associated with using Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) for this type of service?
Using SAP for this aircraft rental may limit the pool of potential bidders, potentially resulting in higher prices than if the contract were competed more broadly. There's also a risk that less experienced vendors might be awarded contracts, potentially impacting service quality or delivery timelines. Ensuring adequate vetting of vendors under SAP is crucial.
How effectively does this contract support the FWS's long-term conservation goals?
This contract directly supports the FWS's conservation goals by enabling essential data collection for waterfowl populations. The data gathered from the four square mile survey is crucial for understanding habitat use, population trends, and informing management strategies. The timely execution of this survey contributes to the agency's ability to make informed conservation decisions.
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: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 4430 US HIGHWAY 12 E, ABERDEEN, SD, 57401
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $35,100
Exercised Options: $35,100
Current Obligation: $35,100
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 140D0423A0001
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-02
Current End Date: 2026-06-30
Potential End Date: 2026-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-02
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