Basic Ordering Agreement 12024B20G5023

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Fire and Aviation Management National Interagency Fire Center awarded a multiple-award Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) contract to obtain aerial firefighting services and logistical support for wildland fire management operations on an as-needed basis. The BOA, valued at up to $2 million, was awarded to Heli Carrier USA LLC, a self-certified small disadvantaged business and limited liability company based in Buckeye, Arizona. Heli Carrier provides a variety of aviation capabilities under this contract, including helicopter water and fire retardant drops, aerial reconnaissance, transport of firefighting personnel and equipment, and packaging/logistics to deliver resources to incident locations. The Forest Service has issued numerous firm fixed-price delivery orders against the BOA to procure Heli Carrier's services, with contract values ranging from $20,000 to over $650,000. This contract vehicle enables the Forest Service to rapidly acquire aerial firefighting assets and support services from pre-qualified contractors to aid in wildfire suppression and management efforts across its jurisdictions.

The original solicitation sought to establish multiple BOA contracts to obtain heavy and medium helicopter services on a call-when-needed basis for the Forest Service and other federal agencies party to interagency agreements with the National Interagency Fire Center. The BOAs were awarded for a 48-month base period with an option to extend services for up to 6 additional months. Awards were to be made to offerors proposing reasonable prices and submitting technically acceptable proposals, with price reasonableness determined based on historical pricing data. This contracting approach allows the Forest Service to rapidly acquire aerial firefighting capabilities from pre-qualified vendors to bolster its wildland fire management programs.