Interior Department awards $17.4K contract for helicopter services in Alaska, highlighting specialized regional needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,369 ($17.4K)

Contractor: Maritime Helicopters, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-11-19

End Date: 2026-02-28

Contract Duration: 101 days

Daily Burn Rate: $172/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 - ADD AIRCRAFT FOR USGS ASC BRADLEY LAKE HYDRO

Place of Performance

Location: HOMER, KENAI PENINSULA County, ALASKA, 99603

State: Alaska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $17,368.57 to MARITIME HELICOPTERS, INC for work described as: ALASKA HELICOPTER ON CALL - ADD AIRCRAFT FOR USGS ASC BRADLEY LAKE HYDRO Key points: 1. Contract value appears modest, suggesting a focused scope of services. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a deliberate choice for full and open competition. 3. Geographic specificity (Alaska) points to unique operational requirements. 4. Contract duration is relatively short, implying potential for future adjustments or re-competition. 5. Fixed-price with economic price adjustment suggests some cost volatility is anticipated. 6. The award to Maritime Helicopters, Inc. warrants a review of their past performance in similar environments.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $17,368.57 is relatively small, making direct comparison to larger contracts difficult. The pricing structure, fixed price with economic price adjustment, allows for some flexibility but also introduces potential for cost increases. Benchmarking this specific type of on-call helicopter service for scientific support in a remote region like Alaska is challenging without more granular data on operational hours and specific mission requirements. However, the modest award suggests a potentially fair price for the defined scope.

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 based on prior determinations or requirements. The presence of 3 bidders suggests a reasonable level of competition for this specialized service. This level of competition is generally positive for price discovery, though the niche nature of the service might limit the pool of qualified bidders.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive process, even with exclusions, is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages multiple vendors to offer their best pricing and service terms, potentially leading to cost savings.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the scientists and researchers within the Department of the Interior's Geological Survey (USGS) who require aerial support for their work. Services delivered include on-call helicopter transportation, crucial for accessing remote field sites. The geographic impact is concentrated in Alaska, specifically around the Bradley Lake Hydro area. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving a small crew from the awarded contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to economic price adjustment clause if fuel or operational costs escalate significantly.
Limited duration of the contract may lead to discontinuity of service if not re-competed promptly.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical access in a remote region poses a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a fair market approach.
The contract specifies fixed price with economic price adjustment, providing some cost control.
The contractor, Maritime Helicopters, Inc., is likely selected based on demonstrated capability for Alaskan operations.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader aviation services sector, specifically focusing on specialized charter services for government agencies. The market for such services in remote and challenging environments like Alaska is limited, often dominated by a few experienced providers. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the highly specific nature of the service and location, but government reliance on aviation for logistical support in such areas is common.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have explicit subcontracting requirements mentioned. The award to Maritime Helicopters, Inc. (assuming it is not a small business itself) suggests that larger or specialized firms are competing for these niche government contracts. Further investigation would be needed to determine the size status of the awardee and any potential subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Interior's contracting officers and program managers responsible for the USGS operations in Alaska. Accountability measures are embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards and payment schedules. Transparency is facilitated through public contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

USGS Aerial Survey Contracts
DOI Helicopter Support Services
Alaska Regional Aviation Support
Nonscheduled Chartered Air Transportation

Risk Flags

Potential for increased costs due to economic price adjustment.
Risk of service disruption due to remote location and weather.
Limited contract duration may impact service continuity.
Dependence on a single awardee for specialized services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $17,368.57 to MARITIME HELICOPTERS, INC. ALASKA HELICOPTER ON CALL - ADD AIRCRAFT FOR USGS ASC BRADLEY LAKE HYDRO

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MARITIME HELICOPTERS, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17,368.57.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-11-19. End: 2026-02-28.

What is the historical spending pattern of the Department of the Interior for similar on-call helicopter services in Alaska?

Analyzing historical spending for similar services by the Department of the Interior in Alaska requires accessing and aggregating data from contract databases over several fiscal years. This would involve filtering for contracts with keywords like 'helicopter,' 'on-call,' 'charter,' and 'Alaska,' and potentially specifying agencies like the USGS. A trend analysis could reveal if spending has increased or decreased, if contract values are generally in this range, and which contractors have been historically successful. Without this specific historical data, it's difficult to definitively state if this $17.4K award represents a typical or anomalous expenditure for such services in the region.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to market rates for similar helicopter services in remote Alaskan regions?

Benchmarking the pricing of this $17,368.57 contract against market rates for similar helicopter services in remote Alaskan regions is challenging due to the lack of specific operational details (e.g., hours flown, type of aircraft, specific mission profiles). However, the contract's fixed-price with economic price adjustment structure suggests an attempt to manage costs while accounting for regional economic factors. Generally, aviation services in Alaska are known to be more expensive than in the contiguous United States due to logistical challenges, weather, and specialized operational requirements. The modest total value might indicate a limited scope or duration, making direct per-hour or per-flight comparisons difficult without more context.

What is the track record of Maritime Helicopters, Inc. with federal contracts, particularly those involving remote operations?

Maritime Helicopters, Inc. has a track record with federal contracts, as evidenced by this award. To assess their performance, a review of their contract history in databases like FPDS would be necessary. This would reveal the types of services they have provided, the agencies they have served, contract values, and performance ratings if available. Special attention should be paid to contracts involving remote or challenging environments similar to Alaska, as well as the types of aircraft and services rendered. A history of successful, on-time, and within-budget performance on comparable contracts would indicate a lower risk profile for this current award.

What are the specific performance risks associated with this contract, given its remote location and specialized nature?

The primary performance risks associated with this contract stem from its remote Alaskan location and the specialized nature of on-call helicopter services. These include potential delays due to adverse weather conditions, mechanical issues with aircraft in isolated areas, and logistical challenges in providing maintenance and support. The 'on-call' aspect introduces a risk of demand fluctuation, requiring the contractor to maintain readiness. Furthermore, the limited competition, even if 'full and open,' could mean fewer options if the primary contractor fails to perform. Ensuring the contractor has robust contingency plans and experienced personnel is crucial for mitigating these risks.

How does the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' clause impact the potential for cost savings for taxpayers?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' clause presents a nuanced impact on taxpayer cost savings. While 'full and open' implies a broad solicitation, the 'exclusion of sources' indicates that certain potential bidders were deliberately not considered. This exclusion could be based on specific technical requirements, past performance issues, or other pre-defined criteria. If the exclusions were justified and based on necessary qualifications, the competition among the remaining qualified bidders could still drive competitive pricing. However, if the exclusions were overly restrictive or not well-justified, it could limit the bidder pool, potentially leading to higher prices than if a truly unrestricted competition had occurred.

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: 3520 FAA RD, HOMER, AK, 99603

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,369

Exercised Options: $17,369

Current Obligation: $17,369

Actual Outlays: $17,369

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140D8122D0015

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline