Federal Capture Intelligence

Top DOI nonscheduled chartered freight air transportation contractors (NAICS 481212)

Contract actions: October 1, 2021 – September 10, 2026 Updated September 11, 2026 Department of the Interior agency guide NAICS 481212 · Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation
Latest 12 months
$32.3M
Net obligations · Up $15.9M vs. $16.4M preceding
Prime contractors
26
With positive obligations in the latest 12 months

Research the DOI federal contracting market for nonscheduled chartered freight air transportation under NAICS 481212. Compare top federal contractors and market share, reported contract obligations and spending trends, funding-office attribution, recent award activity, contract types, competition, and procurement methods, and observed contract vehicle usage.

Contract obligation trends for Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation at the Department of the Interior

Federal records show $66.1M in net obligations across 255 awards in Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation at the Department of the Interior from Oct 1, 2021 through Sep 10, 2026. This market accounts for 0.26% of $25.8B in agency-wide net prime contract obligations over the period shown. Latest 12-month net obligations increased 96.6% from $16.4M to $32.3M. 11 prime contractors accounted for at least 80% of positive obligations in that latest period.

Fiscal-year activity

FY26 is year-to-date through Sep 10, 2026; earlier years show complete fiscal-year totals.

FY26 year-to-date: $29.9M versus $14.2M through the same date in FY25 (+110.1%).
Net obligations · complete fiscal yearNet obligations · FY26 YTDContract actions
View fiscal-year data table
Fiscal yearNet obligationsContract actionsCoverage
FY2022$6.5M167Complete
FY2023$8.8M89Complete
FY2024$4.4M44Complete
FY2025$16.6M51Complete
FY2026$29.9M68YTD through Sep 10, 2026

Market at a glance

All reported prime contract awards
All-period net obligations
$66.1M
255 awards · 73 prime contractors
Latest 12-month movement
+96.6%
$32.3M vs. $16.4M
Leading eight prime share
69.7%
Share held by the eight leading prime contractors in the latest 12 months
View agency share, denominators, and set-aside reporting
Agency context
0.26% of $25.8B in agency-wide net obligations.
Set-aside share when reported
11.8% of 76 awards with reported set-aside status.
Set-aside reporting
9 set aside · 67 no set-aside · 179 not reported

What changed in the last 12 months?

Sep 11, 2025–Sep 10, 2026, compared with Sep 11, 2024–Sep 10, 2025.

Competitive shifts

HELIQWEST INTERNATIONAL INC. climbed the most in the contractor rankings
#15→#6Up 9 places
The contractor accounts for 7.2% of positive obligations across 2 reported actions.
SALMON RIVER HELICOPTERS, INC. fell the most in the contractor rankings
#3→#12Down 9 places
The contractor accounts for 3.1% of positive obligations across 4 reported actions.
6 contractors were first observed in this market during the latest 12 months
$11.4MLatest 12-month obligations
Contractor-level obligations and first-observed dates appear below. “First observed” applies only to this market and the period shown.
View 6 contractors
ContractorLatest 12 months
COULSON AVIATION (USA), INC. was the largest newly observed contractor
$3.9MLatest 12-month obligations
First observed in this market on Jul 2, 2026, the contractor now ranks #1 by positive obligations across 3 reported actions.

Market structure

Top-five contractor share decreased
85.0%→51.1%−33.9 percentage points
Contractors outside the top five now account for 48.9% of positive obligations.
View 2 additional material changes

Buyer demand

Reported obligations through NATIONAL INTERAGENCY FIRE CENTER increased
$15.5M→$22.4M+$6.9M
Latest-period activity spans 21 awards across 18 prime contractors.

Competitive shifts

HELICOPTER TRANSPORT SERVICES, LLC had no reported activity in the latest 12 months
$1.3M→$0No latest-period activity
It previously ranked #4 by positive obligations, based on 5 reported actions.
How these findings are calculated

Findings are selected from matched-period changes in obligations, share, rank, funding offices, concentration, reported set-asides, material award actions, and agency-peer outliers. Related signals are combined, and only material evidence-backed changes are shown. Review the full methodology.

Federal contract obligations by funding office

See how positive obligations were attributed across funding offices in the 12 months ending Sep 10, 2026.

69.3% of positive obligations were attributed to NATIONAL INTERAGENCY FIRE CENTER. That represents $22.4M, up $6.9M from the preceding 12 months.

Latest 12-month share of positive obligations; the gray segment represents all other reported offices.

  1. NATIONAL INTERAGENCY FIRE CENTER69.3% · $22.4M · up $6.9M
  2. OFFICE OF AVIATION SERVICES (00082)23.2% · $7.5M · up $7.5M
  3. ALBUQUERQUE DISTRICT OFFICE5.8% · $1.9M · up $1.9M
  4. CALIFORNIA STATE OFFICE0.60% · $194K · up $194K
  5. IMR INTERMOUNTAIN REGION(1200)0.40% · $128K · up $83K
  6. All other reported offices0.68% of positive obligations
View reported office rankings, comparisons, and evidence

USAspending assigns each award to a funding office. That office may differ from the requiring activity, program office, contracting office, individual buyer, or actual customer.

  1. Reported funding office

    NATIONAL INTERAGENCY FIRE CENTER

    #1Rank unchanged

    Latest 12 months

    $22.4M

    69.3% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$6.9M

    18 active prime contractors · 21 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations increased 44.2% from $15.5M to $22.4M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 94.4% to 69.3%, a change of −25.0 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 42 actions across 21 awards and 9 newly active prime contractors. The preceding period contained 12 active prime contractors and 16 awards.

  2. Reported funding office

    OFFICE OF AVIATION SERVICES (00082)

    #2New to the positive-obligation ranking

    Latest 12 months

    $7.5M

    23.2% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$7.5M

    2 active prime contractors · 2 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations rose from $0 to $7.5M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0% to 23.2%, a change of +23.2 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 2 actions across 2 awards and 2 newly active prime contractors. The preceding period contained 0 active prime contractors and 0 awards.

    Leading award-level changes

  3. Reported funding office

    ALBUQUERQUE DISTRICT OFFICE

    #3New to the positive-obligation ranking

    Latest 12 months

    $1.9M

    5.8% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$1.9M

    1 active prime contractor · 1 award

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations rose from $0 to $1.9M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0% to 5.8%, a change of +5.8 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 3 actions across 1 award and 1 newly active prime contractor. The preceding period contained 0 active prime contractors and 0 awards.

  4. Reported funding office

    CALIFORNIA STATE OFFICE

    #4New to the positive-obligation ranking

    Latest 12 months

    $194K

    0.60% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$194K

    1 active prime contractor · 1 award

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations rose from $0 to $194K. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0% to 0.60%, a change of +0.6 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 2 actions across 1 award and 1 newly active prime contractor. The preceding period contained 0 active prime contractors and 0 awards.

  5. Reported funding office

    IMR INTERMOUNTAIN REGION(1200)

    #5Down 1 from #4

    Latest 12 months

    $128K

    0.40% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$83K

    2 active prime contractors · 4 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations increased 180.5% from $46K to $128K. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0.28% to 0.40%, a change of +0.1 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 6 actions across 4 awards and 1 newly active prime contractor. The preceding period contained 1 active prime contractor and 2 awards.

  6. Reported funding office

    IMR NORTHERN ROCKIES(12200)

    #6New to the positive-obligation ranking

    Latest 12 months

    $108K

    0.34% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$141K

    2 active prime contractors · 5 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations moved from $33K in net deobligations to $108K in net obligations. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0% to 0.34%, a change of +0.3 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 6 actions across 5 awards and 1 newly active prime contractor. The preceding period contained 2 active prime contractors and 4 awards.

  7. Reported funding office

    PWR OLYM MABO(83000)

    #7New to the positive-obligation ranking

    Latest 12 months

    $105K

    0.32% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$105K

    2 active prime contractors · 2 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations rose from $0 to $105K. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0% to 0.32%, a change of +0.3 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 3 actions across 2 awards and 2 newly active prime contractors. The preceding period contained 1 active prime contractor and 1 award.

  8. Reported funding office

    IMMEDIATE OFC THE SECRETARY(00001)

    #8New to the positive-obligation ranking

    Latest 12 months

    $7K

    0.020% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$7K

    1 active prime contractor · 1 award

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations rose from $0 to $7K. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0% to 0.020%, a change of 0.0 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 2 actions across 1 award and 1 newly active prime contractor. The preceding period contained 0 active prime contractors and 0 awards.

  9. Reported funding office

    LEWISTOWN FIELD OFFICE

    No positive-obligation rank

    Latest 12 months

    $0

    0% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$799K

    0 active prime contractors · 0 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations decreased 100.0% from $799K to $0. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 4.8% to 0%, a change of −4.8 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 0 actions across 0 awards. The preceding period contained 1 active prime contractor and 1 award.

    Leading award-level changes

  10. Reported funding office

    PWR SF/SEA MABO(85000)

    No positive-obligation rank

    Latest 12 months

    −$2K

    0% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$182

    1 active prime contractor · 2 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations widened from $2K to $2K in net deobligations. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0% to 0%, a change of 0.0 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 2 actions across 2 awards. The preceding period contained 4 active prime contractors and 4 awards.

  11. Reported funding office

    PWR HONO MABO(82000)

    No positive-obligation rank

    Latest 12 months

    −$7K

    0% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$89K

    1 active prime contractor · 3 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations moved from $82K in net obligations to $7K in net deobligations. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0.50% to 0%, a change of −0.5 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 5 actions across 3 awards. The preceding period contained 1 active prime contractor and 2 awards.

Contract types, competition, and procurement methods

From Sep 11, 2025 through Sep 10, 2026, 37 awards had positive obligations totaling $32.4M. Mafo was the leading reported procedure, accounting for 60.4% of positive obligations. Awards with a reported parent IDV accounted for 99.7%. Reported awards used contract vehicles such as Airtanker MATOC 2023 and HSS Type 2.

Leading award type
99.7%
Delivery Order
Leading reported procedure
60.4%
Mafo
Reported parent IDV
99.7%
of positive obligations had a reported parent IDV
Median reported offers
1
37 of 37 awards reported offers

Observed contract vehicles

Only exact reported parent-PIID matches are shown; missing parent IDs are not inferred.

Buying method changes

Compared with Sep 11, 2024–Sep 10, 2025. Based on 37 current awards and 20 preceding awards with positive net obligations.

Reported full-and-open obligation share
39.4%
Down from 86.1% in the preceding period
Median positive award obligations
$459K
Up from $145K in the preceding period
Exactly matched vehicle obligation share
29.8%
Up from 16.9% in the preceding period
How to read these changes

Directional color and the Up or Down labels show historical movement only. Green does not mean favorable and red does not mean unfavorable; neither predicts a future procurement method.

Same-NAICS comparison

Compared with the NAICS 481212 peer median, parent-IDV obligation share is 1.2 percentage points higher, reported full-and-open obligation share is 20.5 percentage points higher, delivery-order obligation share is 1.2 percentage points higher, and median positive award obligations are 17.3% lower.

MeasureThis marketPeer medianDifference
Parent-IDV obligation share99.7%98.5%+1.2 pts
Reported full-and-open obligation share39.4%18.9%+20.5 pts
Delivery-order obligation share99.7%98.5%+1.2 pts
Median positive award obligations$459K$555K-17.3%
Peer cohort and comparison limits

The peer median gives each of the 3 eligible agency markets equal weight. The included agency markets are:

Agency mission, scale, and acquisition context can differ. Peer position does not establish market attractiveness or predict a future procurement method.

View buying-method details and data coverage

Award types

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Delivery Order(C)35$32.3M99.7%
Definitive Contract(D)1$69K0.21%
Purchase Order(B)1$15K0.050%

Reported parent-award types

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
IDC(B)35$32.3M99.7%
Not reported2$84K0.26%

Single- or multiple-award parent structure

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Multiple Award(M)35$32.3M99.7%
Not reported2$84K0.26%

Solicitation procedures

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Mafo(SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY)11$19.6M60.4%
Subject to Multiple Award Fair Opportunity(MAFO)24$12.8M39.4%
Simplified Acquisition(SP1)2$84K0.26%

Extent competed

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Full and Open Competition(A)24$12.8M39.4%
A(FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION)9$12.1M37.2%
D(FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES)2$7.5M23.1%
Competed Under SAP(F)2$84K0.26%

Fair-opportunity and limited-source reporting

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Urgency(URG)23$24.5M75.4%
Fair Opportunity Given(FAIR)12$7.9M24.3%
Not reported2$84K0.26%

Other-than-full-and-open reasons

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Not reported37$32.4M100.0%

Contract pricing types

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
J(FIRM FIXED PRICE)11$19.6M60.4%
Firm Fixed Price(J)26$12.9M39.6%

Product or Service Codes

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Transportation/Travel/Relocation- Travel/Lodging/Recruitment: Passenger Air Charter(V221)33$24.8M76.6%
Natural Resources/Conservation- Forest-Range Fire Suppression/Presuppression(F003)2$7.5M23.1%
Transportation/Travel/Relocation- Transportation: Air Freight(V111)2$84K0.26%

Awarding subagencies

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Departmental Offices(1406)35$32.3M99.7%
National Park Service(1443)2$84K0.26%

Awarding offices

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Ibc Acq Svcs Directorate (00004)(140D04)35$32.3M99.7%
Pwr Hono Mabo(82000)(140P82)2$84K0.26%

Reported parent IDVs

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
1202SA23T9103(12C2)1$3.9M12.0%
1202SA25T9204(12C2)1$3.7M11.3%
1202SA23T9102(12C2)1$3.6M11.2%
1202SA25T9216(12C2)2$2.8M8.7%
1202SA25T9236(12C2)2$2.5M7.8%
1202SA25T9219(12C2)1$2.3M7.2%
1202SA25T9201(12C2)1$1.9M5.7%
1202SA25T9200(12C2)1$1.8M5.6%
Other reported values25$9.8M30.3%
Not reported2$84K0.26%

Exact vehicle-match evidence

Reported award data linked 11 awards to a specific catalog vehicle.

Offers, award size, and timing

Median reported offers
1 median
37 reported · 0 not reported
Positive award obligations
$459K median
$50K–$1.3M middle 50%
Reported performance period
140 days (~5 months) median
37 reported · 0 not reported

Calculations group latest-period actions by award, retain awards with positive net obligations for share denominators, and use each award's latest reported USAspending procurement fields as of Sep 10, 2026. Blank competition, pricing, PSC, or parent-IDV values remain not reported; they are not inferred. Offer counts must be positive and below the FPDS 999 placeholder. Awarding organizations can differ from the funding agency that defines this page.

Top federal contractors

Latest 12-month market share, concentration, and complete prime contractor rankings across the period shown.

Prime contractor concentration
11 of 26prime contractors account for at least 80% of positive obligations in the last 12 months
Largest prime contractor
12.0%of positive obligations in the last 12 months
Leading four prime contractors
43.3%of positive obligations in the last 12 months
Leading eight prime contractors
69.7%of positive obligations in the last 12 months

Based on $32.3M in positive obligations during the 12 months ending Sep 10, 2026. Individual shares and movement appear in the searchable rankings below. Movement compares with Sep 11, 2024–Sep 10, 2025.

Last 12mo obligation volume: Highest positive obligations first; net deobligations follow by magnitude; contractors with no activity in the last 12 months follow by all-period obligations. Ranks use the complete contractor list and remain fixed when search narrows the results.

15 leading contractors
  1. #1

    Last 12mo obligations

    $3.9M

    12.0%

    Dollar movement

    +$3.9M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    2 awards

    3 actions

    Historical and award details for COULSON AVIATION (USA), INC.
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $0 → $3.9M
    Not comparable
    Share: prior → latest
    0% → 12.0%
    +12.0 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $3.9M
    5.9% of all-period positive obligations · 2 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Jul 2, 2026
    through Aug 11, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported20
    Reported small business20
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  2. #2

    Last 12mo obligations

    $3.7M

    11.4%

    Dollar movement

    +$3.7M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    4 actions

    Historical and award details for BLUESKY HELICOPTERS INC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $0 → $3.7M
    Not comparable
    Share: prior → latest
    0% → 11.4%
    +11.4 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $3.7M
    5.5% of all-period positive obligations · 1 award
    Recorded activity
    Since Jul 30, 2026
    through Sep 9, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported10
    Reported small business10
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  3. #3

    Last 12mo obligations

    $3.6M

    11.2%

    Dollar movement

    +$3.6M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    1 action

    Historical and award details for AERO-FLITE, INC.
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $0 → $3.6M
    Not comparable
    Share: prior → latest
    0% → 11.2%
    +11.2 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $3.6M
    5.5% of all-period positive obligations · 1 award
    Recorded activity
    Since Aug 17, 2026
    through Aug 17, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported10
    Reported small business10
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  4. #4

    Last 12mo obligations

    $2.8M

    8.7%

    Dollar movement

    −$1.7M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    3 awards

    6 actions

    Historical and award details for HELICOPTER EXPRESS LLC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $4.5M → $2.8M
    −38.0%
    Share: prior → latest
    27.4% → 8.7%
    −18.7 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $14.6M
    22.1% of all-period positive obligations · 18 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Oct 27, 2021
    through Aug 6, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside03
    Not reported33
    Reported small business36
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  5. #5

    Last 12mo obligations

    $2.5M

    7.8%

    Dollar movement

    +$1.8M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    2 awards

    5 actions

    Historical and award details for TIMBERLINE HELICOPTERS INC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $748K → $2.5M
    +239.0%
    Share: prior → latest
    4.5% → 7.8%
    +3.3 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $3.3M
    5.0% of all-period positive obligations · 2 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Aug 12, 2025
    through Aug 21, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported21
    Reported small business21
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  6. #6

    Last 12mo obligations

    $2.3M

    7.2%

    Dollar movement

    +$2.3M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    2 actions

    Historical and award details for HELIQWEST INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $52K → $2.3M
    +4433.5%
    Share: prior → latest
    0.31% → 7.2%
    +6.9 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $3.5M
    5.2% of all-period positive obligations · 8 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Jun 9, 2022
    through Aug 27, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside01
    Not reported10
    Reported small business11
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  7. #7

    Last 12mo obligations

    $1.9M

    5.8%

    Dollar movement

    +$1.7M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    3 actions

    Historical and award details for AIR RESOURCES HELICOPTERS, INC.
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $175K → $1.9M
    +965.8%
    Share: prior → latest
    1.1% → 5.8%
    +4.7 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $2.0M
    3.1% of all-period positive obligations · 2 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Sep 18, 2024
    through Aug 26, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported11
    Reported small business11
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  8. #8

    Last 12mo obligations

    $1.8M

    5.6%

    Dollar movement

    +$1.8M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    3 actions

    Historical and award details for 5-STATE HELICOPTERS, INC.
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $0 → $1.8M
    Not comparable
    Share: prior → latest
    0% → 5.6%
    +5.6 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $1.8M
    2.7% of all-period positive obligations · 1 award
    Recorded activity
    Since Apr 30, 2026
    through Jun 23, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported10
    Reported small business10
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  9. #9

    Last 12mo obligations

    $1.5M

    4.8%

    Dollar movement

    −$2.4M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    2 actions

    Historical and award details for SKYDANCE HELICOPTERS OF NORTHERN NEVADA
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $3.9M → $1.5M
    −60.7%
    Share: prior → latest
    23.7% → 4.8%
    −18.9 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $5.5M
    8.3% of all-period positive obligations · 1 award
    Recorded activity
    Since Jul 17, 2025
    through Jan 27, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported11
    Reported small business11
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  10. #10

    Last 12mo obligations

    $1.3M

    4.0%

    Dollar movement

    +$241K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    2 actions

    Historical and award details for TRANS AERO LLC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $1.0M → $1.3M
    +23.3%
    Share: prior → latest
    6.3% → 4.0%
    −2.3 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $2.3M
    3.5% of all-period positive obligations · 1 award
    Recorded activity
    Since Jul 23, 2025
    through Jan 28, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported11
    Reported small business11
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  11. #11

    Last 12mo obligations

    $1.1M

    3.5%

    Dollar movement

    +$1.1M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    2 actions

    Historical and award details for ORBIC AIR, LLC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $0 → $1.1M
    Not comparable
    Share: prior → latest
    0% → 3.5%
    +3.5 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $1.1M
    1.7% of all-period positive obligations · 1 award
    Recorded activity
    Since Jun 24, 2026
    through Jul 21, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported10
    Reported small business10
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  12. #12

    Last 12mo obligations

    $1.0M

    3.1%

    Dollar movement

    −$2.3M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    2 awards

    4 actions

    Historical and award details for SALMON RIVER HELICOPTERS, INC.
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $3.3M → $1.0M
    −69.2%
    Share: prior → latest
    19.8% → 3.1%
    −16.6 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $4.3M
    6.5% of all-period positive obligations · 2 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Jul 11, 2025
    through Jul 29, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported21
    Reported small business21
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  13. #13

    Last 12mo obligations

    $991K

    3.1%

    Dollar movement

    +$773K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    2 actions

    Historical and award details for BRAINERD HELICOPTERS, INC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $218K → $991K
    +354.1%
    Share: prior → latest
    1.3% → 3.1%
    +1.8 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $2.3M
    3.5% of all-period positive obligations · 6 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Jul 27, 2022
    through Jul 20, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported11
    Reported small business11
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  14. #14

    Last 12mo obligations

    $791K

    2.5%

    Dollar movement

    +$791K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    1 action

    Historical and award details for HELIMAX AVIATION LLC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $0 → $791K
    Not comparable
    Share: prior → latest
    0% → 2.5%
    +2.5 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $1.0M
    1.5% of all-period positive obligations · 2 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Feb 3, 2022
    through Aug 10, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported10
    Reported small business10
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  15. #15

    Last 12mo obligations

    $533K

    1.6%

    Dollar movement

    +$405K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    2 actions

    Historical and award details for HILLSBORO AVIATION, INC.
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $128K → $533K
    +316.9%
    Share: prior → latest
    0.77% → 1.6%
    +0.9 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $660K
    1.0% of all-period positive obligations · 2 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Dec 18, 2024
    through Aug 11, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported11
    Reported small business11
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

Recent federal contract award activity

Recent contract actions with unusually large obligation changes or meaningful shifts in contractor and funding-office activity.

Modification

This action

+$3.9M

COULSON AVIATION (USA), INC.

OFFICE OF AVIATION SERVICES (00082)

CALL WHEN NEEDED (UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE-FOREST SERVICE) AIRTANKETER FLIGHT SERVICE IN SUPPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FIRE SUPPRESSION MISSION- 2026 HELICOPTER EXPRESS

Why it stands out

No activity for this contractor was reported in this market during the preceding 12 months.

The modification placed the contractor #1 in this market by positive obligations over the latest 12 months.

Award net obligations
$8.4M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
12.0%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#1 · 12.0% share
Newly active in this market; no actions were reported in the preceding 12 months
Funding office
#2 · 23.2% attributed share
+23.2 percentage points · $7.5M net increase; action accounted for 51.7%
Related:Newly observed contractor cohortLargest newly observed contractor
PIID 140D0426F0760 · Mod P00001
Base award

This action

+$3.6M

AERO-FLITE, INC.

OFFICE OF AVIATION SERVICES (00082)

CALL WHEN NEEDED (UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE-FOREST SERVICE) AIRTANKETER FLIGHT SERVICE IN SUPPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FIRE SUPPRESSION MISSION- 2026

Why it stands out

No activity for this contractor was reported in this market during the preceding 12 months.

The base action placed the contractor #3 in this market by positive obligations over the latest 12 months.

Award net obligations
$3.6M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
11.2%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#3 · 11.2% share
Newly active in this market; no actions were reported in the preceding 12 months
PIID 140D0426F0762
Base award

This action

+$2.3M

HELIQWEST INTERNATIONAL INC.

NATIONAL INTERAGENCY FIRE CENTER

CALL WHEN NEEDED (UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE-FOREST SERVICE) HELICOPTER FLIGHT SERVICE IN SUPPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR WILDLAND FIRE SUPPRESSION MISSION- 2026 HELIQWEST INTERNATION

Why it stands out

The contractor climbed 9 positions in this market.

It now ranks #6 by positive obligations over the latest 12 months.

Award net obligations
$2.3M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
7.2%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#6 · 7.2% share
up 9 ranks · +6.9 percentage points · $2.3M net increase; action exceeded it by $50K
Funding office
#1 · 69.3% attributed share
−25.0 percentage points · $6.9M net increase; action accounted for 34.0%
Related:Largest rank gainFunding office gain
PIID 140D0426F0826
Modification

This action

+$2.1M

BLUESKY HELICOPTERS INC

NATIONAL INTERAGENCY FIRE CENTER

CALL WHEN NEEDED (UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE-FOREST SERVICE) HELICOPTER FLIGHT SERVICE IN SUPPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR WILDLAND FIRE SUPPRESSION MISSION- 2026 BLUESKY HELICOPTERS

Why it stands out

No activity for this contractor was reported in this market during the preceding 12 months.

The modification placed the contractor #2 in this market by positive obligations over the latest 12 months.

Award net obligations
$3.7M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
6.4%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#2 · 11.4% share
Newly active in this market; no actions were reported in the preceding 12 months
Related:Newly observed contractor cohort
PIID 140D0426F0742 · Mod P00001
Modification

This action

+$1.6M

TIMBERLINE HELICOPTERS INC

NATIONAL INTERAGENCY FIRE CENTER

CALL WHEN NEEDED (UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE-FOREST SERVICE) HELICOPTER FLIGHT SERVICE IN SUPPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR WILDLAND FIRE SUPPRESSION MISSION- 2026 TIMBERLINE HELICOPTERS

Why it stands out

The contractor climbed 2 positions in this market.

It now ranks #5 by positive obligations over the latest 12 months.

Award net obligations
$2.0M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
5.0%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#5 · 7.8% share
up 2 ranks · +3.3 percentage points · $1.8M net increase; action accounted for 91.0%
PIID 140D0426F0819 · Mod P00002
Modification

This action

+$1.9M

HELICOPTER EXPRESS LLC

NATIONAL INTERAGENCY FIRE CENTER

CWN TYPE 1 HELICOPTER FLIGHT SERVICES - FY25 BLM FIRE

Why it stands out

One action represented 5.8% of the market’s latest 12-month positive obligations.

At $1.9M, the action was large enough to materially affect the latest 12-month market picture.

Award net obligations
$6.4M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
5.8%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#4 · 8.7% share
$1.7M net decline despite this positive action
PIID 140D0425F0526 · Mod P00003
View recent award activity by date (10)
  1. HILLCREST AIRCRAFT COMPANYModification · PIID 140D0426F0951
    Action+$222K
    Award net obligations$334K
  2. BLUESKY HELICOPTERS INCModification · PIID 140D0426F0742
    Action+$64K
    Award net obligations$3.7M
  3. BLUESKY HELICOPTERS INCModification · PIID 140D0426F0742
    Action+$902K
    Award net obligations$3.7M
  4. HELIQWEST INTERNATIONAL INC.Modification · PIID 140D0426F0826
    Action+$1K
    Award net obligations$2.3M
  5. AIR RESOURCES HELICOPTERS, INC.Modification · PIID 140D0426F0789
    Action+$639K
    Award net obligations$2.0M
  6. HILLCREST AIRCRAFT COMPANYBase award · PIID 140D0426F0951
    Action+$113K
    Award net obligations$334K
  7. GUIDANCE AIR SERVICE LLCModification · PIID 140D0426F0839
    Action+$299K
    Award net obligations$529K
  8. TIMBERLINE HELICOPTERS INCModification · PIID 140D0426F0819
    Action+$1.6M
    Award net obligations$2.0M
  9. BLUESKY HELICOPTERS INCModification · PIID 140D0426F0742
    Action+$2.1M
    Award net obligations$3.7M
  10. AIR RESOURCES HELICOPTERS, INC.Modification · PIID 140D0426F0789
    Action+$591K
    Award net obligations$2.0M

DOI nonscheduled chartered freight air transportation market FAQs

Answers based on reported federal contract data.

Who are the top DOI nonscheduled chartered freight air transportation contractors?

In the 12 months through September 10, 2026, COULSON AVIATION (USA), INC., BLUESKY HELICOPTERS INC, and AERO-FLITE, INC. were the leading DOI nonscheduled chartered freight air transportation prime contractors by positive obligations.

  1. #1

    COULSON AVIATION (USA), INC.

    $3,880,256 in positive obligations

  2. #2

    BLUESKY HELICOPTERS INC

    $3,670,042 in positive obligations

  3. #3

    AERO-FLITE, INC.

    $3,619,845 in positive obligations

Rankings use reported USAspending award data.

Did DOI contract obligations increase in the nonscheduled chartered freight air transportation market?

Yes. Measured by net prime contract obligations, reported DOI activity in the nonscheduled chartered freight air transportation market increased 96.6% from $16,424,593 in the preceding 12 months to $32,297,099 in the 12 months through September 10, 2026.

Latest 12 months
$32,297,099
Net prime contract obligations
Preceding 12 months
$16,424,593
Net prime contract obligations
Change
+96.6%
Between matched 12-month periods

Reported contract actions, not outlays or a forecast.

What recent DOI contract award activity was reported in the nonscheduled chartered freight air transportation market?

Recent DOI contract award activity reported in the nonscheduled chartered freight air transportation market included actions for COULSON AVIATION (USA), INC., AERO-FLITE, INC., and HELIQWEST INTERNATIONAL INC. during the 12 months through September 10, 2026.

Action obligations are transaction-level amounts, not current award-level obligations.

Which procurement methods were reported for DOI contracts under NAICS 481212?

From September 11, 2025 through September 10, 2026, DOI reported 37 positive-obligation awards for nonscheduled chartered freight air transportation under NAICS 481212. The leading award type was delivery order. The leading reported procedure was mafo.

Positive-obligation awards
37
Leading reported procedure
Mafo
60.4% of positive obligations
Leading award type
Delivery Order
99.7% of positive obligations
Full and open
39.4%
of positive obligations
Reported parent IDV
99.7%
of positive obligations
Observed vehicles
Airtanker MATOC 2023 and HSS Type 2
Exact matches from reported parent PIIDs

Percentages use positive obligations as the denominator.

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Related market research

Complete market indexes:

Same NAICS at other agencies:

Nearby NAICS at this agency:

Markets sharing leading prime records:

Leading-prime vehicle memberships:

Company memberships do not establish award-channel use.

Reported obligations include contract actions from October 1, 2021 through September 10, 2026. Set-aside and business-size fields reflect award records, not a contractor's current eligibility.

Review data methodology