Type 3 Helicopter Support Services 2023 - 2032

The Department of Agriculture Forest Service Fire and Aviation Management National Interagency Fire Center established a multiple-award Master IDIQ on April 25, 2023, to procure Type 3 helicopter support services for wildland fire management, resource administration, and protection of public lands through December 31, 2032. The vehicle carries no set-aside and supports fire suppression, monitoring, initial attack, prescribed fire and aerial ignition, short-haul, rappel, and limited law enforcement surveillance missions.

The vehicle remains active with approximately six years and five months of ordering authority remaining. Through June 1, 2026, the vehicle has issued 412 task orders generating $197.1 million in combined potential value, of which $194.8 million (99%) has been obligated. Ordering momentum accelerated in 2024 (154 orders) before normalizing in 2025 (122 orders) and declining in 2026 to date (55 orders through June).

Competition is moderately concentrated among 36 awardees. Helicopter Express LLC dominates with 75 orders and $50.2 million in combined potential value, representing roughly 25% of the vehicle's total value. P.J. Helicopters, Brainerd Helicopters, Capitol Helicopters, and Minuteman Aviation follow as secondary players. The top five contractors by potential value (Helicopter Express, Brainerd, Capitol, Minuteman, and Hillcrest Aircraft) collectively hold approximately 47% of the vehicle's value. The remaining 31 contractors share the balance in smaller allocations.

Ordering is heavily concentrated at the originating customer: the Forest Service Fire and Aviation Management National Interagency Fire Center placed 411 of 412 orders ($197 million combined potential value); the Department of Interior Bureau of Land Management Idaho Region placed one order worth $81 thousand. All task orders are awarded as unrestricted competitive and firm fixed price with typical durations extending through December 31, 2027. Representative order values range from under $10 thousand to over $1.2 million (one standout mega-order to Helicopter Express at $1.2 million awarded April 1, 2026).

Helicopters operated by fully qualified and proficient personnel to be used in the administration and protection of public lands to supplement the United States Forest Service's (USFS) natural resources and wildland fire management programs. Missions will include, but are not limited to, fire suppression, fire monitoring, initial attack, prescribed fire and aerial ignition, short-haul, rappel, law enforcement limited to non-threatening surveillance, reconnaissance, and other administrative and related resource activities.