USGS contract for fixed-wing flight services awarded to Golden Eagle Outfitters, Inc. for $397,530

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $39,753 ($39.8K)

Contractor: Golden Eagle Outfitters, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2026-10-30

Contract Duration: 204 days

Daily Burn Rate: $195/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: FIXED WING ON CALL FLIGHT SERVICES- USGS FAIRBANKS FIELD OFFICE: TRANSPORT GEAR AND PERSONNEL FROM FIARBANKS TO STREAMGAGES

Place of Performance

Location: FAIRBANKS, FAIRBANKS NORTH STAR County, ALASKA, 99701

State: Alaska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $39,753 to GOLDEN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC for work described as: FIXED WING ON CALL FLIGHT SERVICES- USGS FAIRBANKS FIELD OFFICE: TRANSPORT GEAR AND PERSONNEL FROM FIARBANKS TO STREAMGAGES Key points: 1. The contract aims to provide essential transportation for gear and personnel, supporting critical USGS operations in Alaska. 2. Competition was conducted under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources,' suggesting a potentially complex procurement process. 3. The contract duration is 204 days, indicating a short-term operational need. 4. The fixed-price contract with economic price adjustment introduces some risk of cost escalation. 5. The primary service is nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation, a niche but vital service for remote operations. 6. The awardee, Golden Eagle Outfitters, Inc., will be responsible for ensuring timely and safe transport.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $397,530 for 204 days of fixed-wing flight services appears reasonable for specialized, on-call transportation in remote Alaskan regions. Benchmarking against similar contracts for charter air services in Alaska would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The fixed-price nature with economic price adjustment offers some cost certainty but also carries a risk of price increases due to fuel or operational cost fluctuations, which is common in the aviation sector.

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.' This specific procurement method implies that while the competition was intended to be open, there might have been initial exclusions or specific requirements that narrowed the field before the final open competition phase. The number of bidders (3) suggests a moderate level of competition for this specialized service.

Taxpayer Impact: The open competition, despite its specific designation, aims to ensure that the government receives competitive pricing by allowing multiple qualified vendors to bid, ultimately benefiting taxpayers through potentially lower costs than a sole-source award.

Public Impact

USGS Fairbanks Field Office personnel and essential gear will be transported, enabling scientific data collection and equipment maintenance. The services directly support USGS streamgage operations, crucial for water resource management and flood/drought monitoring in Alaska. Geographic impact is concentrated in Alaska, specifically between Fairbanks and streamgage locations, requiring specialized aviation capabilities. The contract supports the operational workforce of the USGS and potentially the aviation services sector in Alaska.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Risk of cost escalation due to economic price adjustment clause in a fixed-price contract.
Potential logistical challenges and safety concerns associated with operating in remote Alaskan environments.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical transportation, which could lead to service disruptions if the contractor faces issues.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a full and open competition, indicating a structured procurement process.
The contract supports vital scientific research and monitoring operations for the USGS.
The fixed-price element provides a baseline cost control, with adjustments for known economic factors.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader aviation services sector, specifically focusing on specialized charter operations. The market for such services in Alaska is characterized by high operational costs, unique logistical demands due to terrain and weather, and a limited number of providers capable of meeting stringent safety and performance requirements. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found within government contracts for remote area transportation and scientific support services.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business set-aside was not utilized for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside provision. The primary contractor, Golden Eagle Outfitters, Inc., may itself be a small business, but this contract was not awarded under a small business set-aside program.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the USGS Fairbanks Field Office and relevant contracting officers within the Department of the Interior. Accountability measures would include adherence to the delivery schedule, service quality standards, and safety protocols outlined in the contract. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are published. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

USGS Alaska Science Center Operations
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Carrier Certification
Department of the Interior - Office of Aviation Services
National Science Foundation - Polar Programs Support

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to economic price adjustment.
Dependence on a single provider for critical remote transportation.
Complexity of 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' procurement method.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $39,753 to GOLDEN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC. FIXED WING ON CALL FLIGHT SERVICES- USGS FAIRBANKS FIELD OFFICE: TRANSPORT GEAR AND PERSONNEL FROM FIARBANKS TO STREAMGAGES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GOLDEN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $39,753.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2026-10-30.

What is the track record of Golden Eagle Outfitters, Inc. in fulfilling government contracts, particularly for similar flight services in remote regions?

A thorough review of Golden Eagle Outfitters, Inc.'s past performance is crucial. This would involve examining their contract history with federal agencies, specifically looking for awards related to charter flight services, particularly in challenging environments like Alaska. Key performance indicators to assess would include on-time delivery, safety records, compliance with contract terms, and any history of disputes or contract terminations. Information from sources like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) and past performance evaluations would be essential to gauge their reliability and capability for this USGS contract. Without specific historical data on this contractor's performance, it is difficult to definitively assess their track record.

How does the awarded price of $397,530 for 204 days of service compare to market rates for similar fixed-wing charter flights in Alaska?

Benchmarking this contract's value requires comparing the per-day or per-flight-hour cost against prevailing market rates for comparable services in Alaska. Factors influencing these rates include aircraft type, payload capacity, flight distance, operational complexity (weather, terrain), and the on-call nature of the service. Given Alaska's high operational costs for aviation, the $397,530 for approximately 204 days (roughly $1,948 per day) could be within a reasonable range if it covers significant flight hours or complex routes. However, a detailed analysis would necessitate obtaining quotes from other Alaskan charter operators for similar services or reviewing data from previously awarded government contracts for comparable transportation needs in the region.

What are the specific risks associated with the 'fixed price with economic price adjustment' (FP-EPA) contract type for this service?

The FP-EPA contract type introduces a degree of uncertainty regarding the final cost. While the 'fixed price' component provides a baseline, the 'economic price adjustment' clause allows for modifications to the contract price based on fluctuations in specified economic factors, most commonly fuel costs. For aviation services in Alaska, where fuel prices can be volatile and subject to significant regional variations, this clause presents a risk of cost overruns for the government if these economic factors increase substantially during the contract period. The government's exposure is mitigated by the specific indices and caps defined within the EPA clause, but it necessitates careful monitoring and potential adjustments to the contract value.

What is the effectiveness of 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' in ensuring competitive pricing for specialized services like this?

The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method is a nuanced procurement approach. It suggests that initial market research or pre-solicitation activities may have identified specific requirements or potential sources that were then excluded before the main solicitation was opened to all qualified bidders. While intended to ensure broad competition, the 'exclusion of sources' aspect can sometimes limit the pool of potential bidders if not carefully justified. The fact that three bidders participated indicates some level of competition was achieved. The effectiveness in ensuring competitive pricing hinges on whether the exclusion criteria were appropriate and if the remaining pool of bidders was sufficiently competitive to drive down prices.

How does this contract align with broader USGS objectives for scientific data collection and monitoring in Alaska?

This contract directly supports the USGS's mission to monitor water resources and collect scientific data in Alaska. The ability to transport personnel and gear to remote streamgage locations is fundamental for maintaining the infrastructure necessary for continuous data acquisition. Reliable and timely transportation ensures that scientists can perform necessary maintenance, calibration, and repairs on monitoring equipment, thereby maintaining the integrity and continuity of vital hydrological data. This data is critical for understanding water availability, predicting floods and droughts, and supporting water management decisions within the state and beyond.

What are the potential implications of the contract's short duration (204 days) on service continuity and contractor performance?

The relatively short duration of 204 days suggests this contract addresses a specific, time-bound operational need, likely tied to a particular field season or project phase. For the contractor, it implies a need for rapid mobilization and efficient execution within a defined window. For the government, it means that planning for follow-on requirements or potential service gaps will be necessary well in advance of the expiration date. A short duration can sometimes lead to higher per-unit costs as contractors may factor in mobilization/demobilization expenses. However, it also allows the government to re-evaluate needs and market conditions more frequently, potentially leading to better pricing in subsequent contract actions.

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: LOT 1A BLOCK 3 KOTZEBUE AIRPORT, KOTZEBUE, AK, 99752

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $39,753

Exercised Options: $39,753

Current Obligation: $39,753

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140D0426D0020

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline