Exclusive Use Fixed Wing Smokejumper Fire Support Services - Alaska

The Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management is seeking exclusive use, fixed-wing flight services for smokejumper operations at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. The procurement requires two contractor-operated, multi-engine turboprop airplanes to support fire and natural resource management activities, including transporting and dropping smokejumpers, conducting paracargo operations, reconnaissance missions, and search and rescue operations. Contractors must possess an FAA Air Carrier Certificate and provide aircraft with Standard Airworthiness Certificates, along with engineering support for continued airworthiness. The solicitation is anticipated to be released on October 15, 2025, with a proposal closing date of November 19, 2025. Vendors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at the time of proposal submission.

This opportunity is designated as a 100% small business set-aside under NAICS code 481211 (Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation). The current incumbent contractor is Bighorn Airways, Inc., operating under contract 140D8121D0001 with a $17 million ceiling value. The government plans to award a single Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) firm fixed-unit price contract with a five-year ordering period from March 1, 2026, through February 28, 2031. The exclusive use periods are estimated to be 120 calendar days each year, beginning around March 29th and April 30th annually. The contract structure indicates substantial multi-year aviation service requirements supporting critical wildfire response operations in Alaska.