US Forest Service Smokejumper Aircraft Services

The USDA Forest Service issued solicitation 12024B19R9008 to secure commercially provided aircraft services for the administration and protection of public lands throughout the United States. These services require aircraft fully operated by qualified personnel and equipped to meet specific smokejumper program specifications. The procurement is classified under NAICS 481211 Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation and PSC W015 Lease or Rental of Equipment- Aircraft and Airframe Structural Components. This opportunity was designated as an SBA Small Business Administration set-aside.

The government awarded multiple firm-fixed-price contracts with economic price adjustments to Bighorn Airways and Leading Edge Aviation Services. The contract structure includes a base year and three option years, establishing a performance period not to exceed four years total. Under this smokejumper program, contractors must provide aircraft during designated Mandatory Availability Periods for the exclusive use of the government. Compensation consists of a fixed daily availability rate and a fixed hourly flight rate, which is only paid when the aircraft is flown.

Flight rates are subject to adjustments based on the volatile fluctuation of aviation fuel prices as indicated in the contract’s economic price adjustment clause. While one aircraft was awarded for line items one through six, the agency reserved the right to award multiple aircraft for line item seven. The solicitation process concluded with a response deadline of February 11, 2020, and the final award notice was published on March 20, 2020. The procurement included six attachments, including the original solicitation and four amendments.