National Park Service awards $13.6K contract for Alaska moose survey, highlighting specialized aviation needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,615 ($13.6K)

Contractor: Shadow Aviation, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-11-17

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 134 days

Daily Burn Rate: $102/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ALASKA FIXED WING ON CALL - 2026 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE (NPS) YUKON-CHARLIE RIVERS NATIONAL PRESERVE (YUCH) FALL MOOSE SURVEY 2

Place of Performance

Location: EAGLE, SOUTHEAST FAIRBANKS County, ALASKA, 99738

State: Alaska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $13,614.54 to SHADOW AVIATION, INC. for work described as: ALASKA FIXED WING ON CALL - 2026 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE (NPS) YUKON-CHARLIE RIVERS NATIONAL PRESERVE (YUCH) FALL MOOSE SURVEY 2 Key points: 1. Contract addresses a niche requirement for wildlife surveys in remote Alaskan terrain. 2. Limited contract duration suggests a focused, seasonal operational need. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government. 4. The award to Shadow Aviation, Inc. indicates a specific capability within the aviation sector. 5. Geographic focus on Yukon-Charlie Rivers National Preserve underscores operational challenges. 6. The contract's value is relatively small, suggesting it's part of a larger conservation effort.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $13,614.54 is modest, reflecting a specialized, short-term service. Benchmarking against similar on-call aviation services for remote surveys is difficult due to the niche nature of the requirement. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor has assessed the risks and costs associated with operating in the specified remote location. Without more comparable contracts, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the price appears reasonable for a specialized task.

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 full and open competition was sought, specific sources were initially excluded, possibly due to unique qualifications or prior performance. The number of bidders is not specified, but the competition type suggests an effort to ensure fair pricing and access to qualified providers. The exclusion of certain sources warrants further investigation to understand its impact on the competitive landscape.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive process, even with initial exclusions, aims to secure the best value for taxpayers by allowing multiple qualified vendors to bid on specialized services.

Public Impact

Benefits the National Park Service by enabling critical wildlife population monitoring. Delivers essential data for the fall moose survey in the Yukon-Charlie Rivers National Preserve. Geographic impact is concentrated in remote areas of Alaska, requiring specialized logistical support. Workforce implications include the need for experienced pilots and potentially field biologists familiar with Arctic environments.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for increased costs if unforeseen operational challenges arise in remote Alaskan terrain.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical, time-sensitive survey could pose a risk if performance issues emerge.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides budget certainty for the National Park Service.
Award to a specific aviation company suggests established expertise in supporting remote operations.
Clear delivery dates and a defined scope of work minimize ambiguity.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader aviation services sector, specifically focusing on specialized charter operations for government agencies. The market for on-call, remote fixed-wing aircraft services is niche, often requiring operators with specific certifications, experience in challenging environments, and robust safety protocols. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the unique geographic and operational requirements of wildlife surveys in remote national preserves.

Small Business Impact

The contract data does not indicate any small business set-aside provisions or subcontracting requirements. Given the specialized nature of the service and the likely limited number of qualified providers, it is plausible that larger, specialized aviation firms would be the primary bidders. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses could have realistically competed or participated as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Park Service contracting officer and program managers responsible for the Yukon-Charlie Rivers National Preserve. Accountability is ensured through the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring specific deliverables (completion of the survey) by a set deadline. Transparency is facilitated by the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), which records contract awards. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

National Park Service Wildlife Surveys
Department of the Interior Aviation Contracts
Remote Area Support Services
Alaska Conservation Programs

Risk Flags

Remote Operations Risk
Weather Dependency
Specialized Equipment Requirement
Time-Sensitive Deliverable

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $13,614.54 to SHADOW AVIATION, INC.. ALASKA FIXED WING ON CALL - 2026 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE (NPS) YUKON-CHARLIE RIVERS NATIONAL PRESERVE (YUCH) FALL MOOSE SURVEY 2

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SHADOW AVIATION, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $13,614.54.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-11-17. End: 2026-03-31.

What is the track record of Shadow Aviation, Inc. with federal contracts, particularly for similar remote aviation services?

A review of federal procurement data indicates that Shadow Aviation, Inc. has received federal contracts primarily from agencies operating in Alaska, including the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These contracts often involve specialized aviation support for remote field operations, such as wildlife surveys, logistical support, and personnel transport. While specific details on performance for each contract are not publicly available in summary data, the recurring awards suggest a satisfactory performance history and established capability to meet the unique demands of operating in challenging Alaskan environments. Further investigation into past performance evaluations, if available, would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their track record.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar on-call fixed-wing aviation services for wildlife surveys in remote regions?

Benchmarking the pricing for this specific contract ($13,614.54 for approximately 134 days) is challenging due to the highly specialized nature of the service and the remote location in Alaska. On-call aviation services for wildlife surveys in remote areas are typically priced based on factors such as aircraft type, flight hours, specialized equipment (e.g., observation gear), pilot expertise, insurance, fuel costs in remote locations, and logistical support. Without access to detailed cost breakdowns or comparable contract data for similar operations in comparable regions (e.g., other remote national parks or wildlife refuges), a precise value-for-money comparison is difficult. However, the firm fixed-price nature suggests the contractor has factored in these variables and risks.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risks associated with this contract include operational challenges due to the remote Alaskan environment (weather, terrain, limited infrastructure), potential for equipment failure in isolated areas, and the time-sensitive nature of wildlife surveys. Mitigation strategies likely include the contractor's demonstrated experience in operating in such conditions, robust pre-flight planning, contingency plans for emergencies, and the firm fixed-price contract structure which incentivizes the contractor to manage costs and risks effectively. The National Park Service's oversight and clear performance requirements also serve as mitigation factors. The limited duration of the contract also helps to contain exposure to these risks.

How effective is this type of contract in ensuring the successful completion of the fall moose survey?

This type of contract, a Firm Fixed Price Delivery Order under a broader agreement, is generally effective for ensuring the successful completion of well-defined, short-term projects like a seasonal wildlife survey. The fixed price provides cost certainty for the agency, while the delivery order mechanism allows for task-specific execution. The success hinges on the contractor's capability and adherence to the specified requirements, including survey methodology and reporting. The National Park Service's role in defining the scope, monitoring progress, and accepting the final deliverables is crucial for overall effectiveness. The limited duration and specific objective suggest a high likelihood of successful completion if the contractor is competent.

What are the historical spending patterns for similar aviation support services by the National Park Service in Alaska?

Historical spending patterns for similar aviation support services by the National Park Service in Alaska typically show a consistent need for specialized aircraft for various purposes, including wildlife monitoring, search and rescue, logistical support for remote field stations, and fire management. Contracts often involve fixed-wing aircraft for transport and observation, and sometimes helicopters for more specialized access. Spending can fluctuate annually based on specific program needs, research priorities, and available funding. While this particular contract is small, it represents a recurring type of expenditure necessary for managing vast and remote park areas like the Yukon-Charlie Rivers National Preserve. Analyzing broader NPS spending in Alaska would reveal a significant investment in aviation support over time.

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: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1320 SKYLINE DR, FAIRBANKS, AK, 99712

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: $13,615

Exercised Options: $13,615

Current Obligation: $13,615

Actual Outlays: $13,615

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140D8121D0024

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline