38 Vendors Win Spots on $3.5B Forest Service Contract for Type 1 Helicopter Support

The U.S. Forest Service has selected 38 offerors for a potential 10-year, $3.5 billion contract to provide helicopter support services.

According to an award notice published Monday, USFS conducted a full and open competition for the indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract requiring vendors to provide Type 1 helicopters.

The agency said most of the awardees under the firm-fixed-price IDIQ contract are small businesses.

According to a solicitation notice, the agency needs Type 1 helicopters weighing over 12,501 pounds to support natural resources and wildland fire management programs.

Type 1 helicopters will support various missions, including fire suppression and monitoring, initial attack, prescribed fire and aerial ignition, rappel, short-haul and related resource activities.

USFS may also use the aircraft to perform law enforcement, project and administrative flights.

The contract has a one-year base term and nine option years and includes the development of a safety management system program to ensure safe ground and flight operations.

Type 2 and Type 3 Helicopter Support Contract Awards

In August 2023, USFS awarded 44 vendors spots on the 10-year, $1.5 billion contract to provide Type 2 helicopters weighing between 7,000 pounds and 12,501 pounds.

Four months before that, the agency selected 41 companies to supply helicopters in the Type 3 category under a $1 billion contract vehicle.

Click here to view the full list of awardees under the Type 1 helicopter support contract.

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