Federal Capture Intelligence

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

Contract actions: October 1, 2021 – September 10, 2026 Updated September 11, 2026 Department of Agriculture agency guide NAICS 481212 · Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation
Latest 12 months
$1.0B
Net obligations · Down $625.8K vs. $1.0B preceding
Prime contractors
65
With positive obligations in the latest 12 months

Research the USDA 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 Agriculture

Federal records show $4.1B in net obligations across 5,824 awards in Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation at the Department of Agriculture from Oct 1, 2021 through Sep 10, 2026. This market accounts for 7.9% of $52.2B in agency-wide net prime contract obligations over the period shown. Latest 12-month net obligations decreased 0.1% from $1.0B to $1.0B. 16 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: $984.0M versus $978.3M through the same date in FY25 (+0.6%).
Net obligations · complete fiscal yearNet obligations · FY26 YTDContract actions
View fiscal-year data table
Fiscal yearNet obligationsContract actionsCoverage
FY2022$713.8M2,627Complete
FY2023$616.4M3,117Complete
FY2024$786.0M2,376Complete
FY2025$1.0B2,419Complete
FY2026$984.0M2,043YTD through Sep 10, 2026

Market at a glance

All reported prime contract awards
All-period net obligations
$4.1B
5,824 awards · 147 prime contractors
Latest 12-month movement
−0.1%
$1.0B vs. $1.0B
Leading eight prime share
59.3%
Share held by the eight leading prime contractors in the latest 12 months
View agency share, denominators, and set-aside reporting
Agency context
7.9% of $52.2B in agency-wide net obligations.
Set-aside share when reported
3.8% of 3,235 awards with reported set-aside status.
Set-aside reporting
123 set aside · 3,112 no set-aside · 2,589 not reported

What changed in the last 12 months?

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

Market structure

Reported set-aside share increased
12.9%→61.4%+48.5 percentage points
Of 44 latest-period awards with reported set-aside status, 27 were reported as set-asides.

Competitive shifts

COLUMBIA HELICOPTERS, INC. climbed the most in the contractor rankings
#42→#17Up 25 places
The contractor accounts for 1.2% of positive obligations across 19 reported actions.
COLUMBIA BASIN HELICOPTER, INC. fell the most in the contractor rankings
#20→#51Down 31 places
The contractor accounts for 0.090% of positive obligations across 4 reported actions.
AERO AIR, LLC had the largest increase in reported obligations
$51.8M→$70.0M+$18.2M
The contractor now ranks #4 by positive obligations and accounts for 6.8% of positive obligations, based on 158 reported actions.
10 TANKER AIR CARRIER, LLC had the largest decline in reported obligations
$47.2M→$29.7M−$17.5M
The contractor now ranks #11 by positive obligations and accounts for 2.9% of positive obligations, based on 47 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.

100.0% of positive obligations were attributed to USDA FOREST SERVICE. That represents $1.0B, down $668K from the preceding 12 months.

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

  1. USDA FOREST SERVICE100.0% · $1.0B · down $668K
  2. MRPBS MINNEAPOLIS MN0.030% · $313K · up $196K
  3. WS LAKEWOOD CO0.010% · $67K · down $11K
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

    USDA FOREST SERVICE

    #1Rank unchanged

    Latest 12 months

    $1.0B

    100.0% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$668K

    62 active prime contractors · 957 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations decreased 0.1% from $1.0B to $1.0B. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 99.9% to 100.0%, a change of 0.0 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 2,258 actions across 957 awards and 2 newly active prime contractors. The preceding period contained 68 active prime contractors and 1,104 awards.

  2. Reported funding office

    MRPBS MINNEAPOLIS MN

    #2Up 1 from #3

    Latest 12 months

    $313K

    0.030% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$196K

    1 active prime contractor · 3 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations increased 167.4% from $117K to $313K. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0.010% to 0.030%, a change of 0.0 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 4 actions across 3 awards. The preceding period contained 2 active prime contractors and 5 awards.

  3. Reported funding office

    WS LAKEWOOD CO

    #3Up 1 from #4

    Latest 12 months

    $67K

    0.010% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$11K

    2 active prime contractors · 3 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations decreased 14.1% from $78K to $67K. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0.010% to 0.010%, a change of 0.0 percentage points.

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

  4. Reported funding office

    CHUGACH NATIONAL FOREST

    #4New to the positive-obligation ranking

    Latest 12 months

    $48K

    0% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$48K

    1 active prime contractor · 3 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations rose from $0 to $48K. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0% to 0%, a change of 0.0 percentage points.

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

  5. Reported funding office

    NRCS-AK STATE OFFICE

    #5New to the positive-obligation ranking

    Latest 12 months

    $9K

    0% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$9K

    1 active prime contractor · 1 award

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations rose from $0 to $9K. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0% to 0%, a change of 0.0 percentage points.

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

  6. Reported funding office

    ALBUQUERQUE SERVICE CENTER

    No positive-obligation rank

    Latest 12 months

    $0

    0% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$573K

    0 active prime contractors · 0 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations moved from $573K in net deobligations to $0 in net obligations. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0% to 0%, a change of 0.0 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 0 actions across 0 awards. The preceding period contained 2 active prime contractors and 3 awards.

    Leading award-level changes

  7. Reported funding office

    PPQ SARASOTA FL

    No positive-obligation rank

    Latest 12 months

    $0

    0% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$66K

    0 active prime contractors · 0 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations moved from $66K in net deobligations to $0 in net obligations. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0% to 0%, a change of 0.0 percentage points.

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

  8. Reported funding office

    PPQ GAINESVILLE FL

    No positive-obligation rank

    Latest 12 months

    $0

    0% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$85K

    0 active prime contractors · 0 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations moved from $85K in net deobligations to $0 in net obligations. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0% to 0%, a change of 0.0 percentage points.

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

  9. Reported funding office

    NRCS-UT STATE OFFICE

    No positive-obligation rank

    Latest 12 months

    −$95K

    0% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$95K

    1 active prime contractor · 1 award

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations moved from $0 in net obligations to $95K 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 1 action across 1 award and 1 newly active prime contractor. The preceding period contained 0 active prime contractors and 0 awards.

  10. Reported funding office

    WS CONCORD, NH

    No positive-obligation rank

    Latest 12 months

    −$176K

    0% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$830K

    1 active prime contractor · 3 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations moved from $654K in net obligations to $176K in net deobligations. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0.060% to 0%, a change of −0.1 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 3 actions across 3 awards. The preceding period contained 1 active prime contractor and 4 awards.

    Leading award-level changes

Contract types, competition, and procurement methods

From Sep 11, 2025 through Sep 10, 2026, 935 awards had positive obligations totaling $1.0B. Mafo was the leading reported procedure, accounting for 64.8% of positive obligations. Awards with a reported parent IDV accounted for 99.6%. Reported awards used contract vehicles such as Airtanker MATOC 2023, HSS Type 2, and CWN Helicopter Services.

Leading award type
99.6%
Delivery Order
Leading reported procedure
64.8%
Mafo
Reported parent IDV
99.6%
of positive obligations had a reported parent IDV
Median reported offers
1
888 of 935 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 935 current awards and 1,043 preceding awards with positive net obligations.

Reported full-and-open obligation share
18.9%
Down from 59.9% 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 1.1 percentage points higher, reported full-and-open obligation share is 20.5 percentage points lower, delivery-order obligation share is 1.1 percentage points higher, and median positive award obligations are 1.4% lower.

MeasureThis marketPeer medianDifference
Parent-IDV obligation share99.6%98.5%+1.1 pts
Reported full-and-open obligation share18.9%39.4%-20.5 pts
Delivery-order obligation share99.6%98.5%+1.1 pts
Median positive award obligations$547K$555K-1.4%
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)933$1.0B99.6%
Purchase Order(B)2$4.0M0.38%

Reported parent-award types

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
IDC(B)919$1.0B99.6%
BOA(D)14$399K0.040%
Not reported2$4.0M0.38%

Single- or multiple-award parent structure

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Multiple Award(M)886$1.0B96.0%
Single Award(S)47$38.1M3.6%
Not reported2$4.0M0.38%

Solicitation procedures

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Mafo(SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY)268$677.8M64.8%
Subject to Multiple Award Fair Opportunity(MAFO)605$326.0M31.2%
Negotiated Proposal/Quote(NP)48$30.2M2.9%
Np(NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE)6$11.8M1.1%
Simplified Acquisition(SP1)7$466K0.040%
Only One Source(SSS)1$9K0%

Extent competed

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
A(FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION)214$441.8M42.2%
D(FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES)60$247.9M23.7%
Full and Open Competition(A)448$197.9M18.9%
Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources(D)205$158.4M15.1%
Competed Under SAP(F)7$466K0.040%
Not Competed(C)1$9K0%

Fair-opportunity and limited-source reporting

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Fair Opportunity Given(FAIR)846$786.6M75.2%
Competitive Set Aside(CSA)26$217.3M20.8%
Not reported63$42.5M4.1%

Other-than-full-and-open reasons

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Only One Source-Other (FAR 6.302-1 Other)(ONE)1$9K0%
Not reported934$1.0B100.0%

Contract pricing types

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
J(FIRM FIXED PRICE)274$689.6M65.9%
Firm Fixed Price(J)660$356.3M34.0%
Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment(K)1$394K0.040%

Product or Service Codes

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Natural Resources/Conservation- Forest-Range Fire Suppression/Presuppression(F003)820$929.9M88.9%
Transportation/Travel/Relocation- Transportation: Other(V119)108$116.0M11.1%
Transportation/Travel/Relocation- Transportation: Other(V129)1$313K0.030%
Transportation/Travel/Relocation- Transportation: Air Charter(V121)2$93K0.010%
Transportation/Travel/Relocation- Transportation: Air Freight(V111)3$48K0%
Transportation/Travel/Relocation- Travel/Lodging/Recruitment: Passenger Air Charter(V221)1$9K0%

Awarding subagencies

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Forest Service(12C2)931$1.0B100.0%
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service(12K3)3$406K0.040%
Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services(12D0)1$9K0%

Awarding offices

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Incident Procurement Aviation Branch(1202SA)928$1.0B100.0%
Mrpbs Minneapolis Mn(126395)3$406K0.040%
Usda-Fs, Csa Northwest 4(1240BF)3$48K0%
Fpac Bus Cntr-Acq Div-Western Sec(12FPC3)1$9K0%

Reported parent IDVs

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
1202SA25T9217(12C2)24$119.9M11.5%
1202SA21T9009(12C2)61$75.1M7.2%
1202SA23T9102(12C2)40$69.4M6.6%
1202SA23T9101(12C2)43$65.5M6.3%
1202SA23T9104(12C2)61$65.3M6.2%
1202SA23T9103(12C2)9$59.5M5.7%
1202SA25T9216(12C2)70$45.2M4.3%
1202SA25T9203(12C2)44$43.2M4.1%
Other reported values581$499.1M47.7%
Not reported2$4.0M0.38%

Exact vehicle-match evidence

Reported award data linked 277 awards to a specific catalog vehicle.

Offers, award size, and timing

Median reported offers
1 median
888 reported · 47 not reported
Positive award obligations
$547K median
$281K–$936K middle 50%
Reported performance period
15 days median
935 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
16 of 65prime contractors account for at least 80% of positive obligations in the last 12 months
Largest prime contractor
11.6%of positive obligations in the last 12 months
Leading four prime contractors
35.9%of positive obligations in the last 12 months
Leading eight prime contractors
59.3%of positive obligations in the last 12 months

Based on $1.0B 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

    $119.9M

    11.6%

    Dollar movement

    +$5.6M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    24 awards

    157 actions

    Historical and award details for HELICOPTER TRANSPORT SERVICES, LLC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $114.3M → $119.9M
    +4.9%
    Share: prior → latest
    11.1% → 11.6%
    +0.5 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $340.3M
    8.3% of all-period positive obligations · 229 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Mar 15, 2022
    through Sep 8, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside1010
    Reported no set-aside024
    Not reported1416
    Reported small business2450
    All-period set-aside types
    • 11 · Total small business
  2. #2

    Last 12mo obligations

    $105.8M

    10.3%

    Dollar movement

    −$9.2M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    88 awards

    176 actions

    Historical and award details for AERO-FLITE, INC.
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $115.0M → $105.8M
    −8.0%
    Share: prior → latest
    11.2% → 10.3%
    −0.9 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $457.8M
    11.1% of all-period positive obligations · 258 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Oct 1, 2021
    through Sep 8, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported8858
    Reported small business8858
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  3. #3

    Last 12mo obligations

    $74.9M

    7.3%

    Dollar movement

    −$7.4M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    96 awards

    210 actions

    Historical and award details for HELICOPTER EXPRESS LLC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $82.4M → $74.9M
    −9.0%
    Share: prior → latest
    8.0% → 7.3%
    −0.7 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $269.1M
    6.5% of all-period positive obligations · 467 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Dec 3, 2021
    through Sep 8, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside02
    Reported no set-aside041
    Not reported9692
    Reported small business96135
    All-period set-aside types
    • 22 · Total small business
  4. #4

    Last 12mo obligations

    $70.0M

    6.8%

    Dollar movement

    +$18.2M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    48 awards

    158 actions

    Historical and award details for AERO AIR, LLC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $51.8M → $70.0M
    +35.0%
    Share: prior → latest
    5.0% → 6.8%
    +1.8 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $226.5M
    5.5% of all-period positive obligations · 102 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Oct 8, 2021
    through Sep 8, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside10
    Not reported4712
    Reported small business4812
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  5. #5

    Last 12mo obligations

    $70.0M

    6.8%

    Dollar movement

    −$14.2M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    63 awards

    63 actions

    Historical and award details for BRIDGER AIR TANKER LLC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $84.1M → $70.0M
    −16.8%
    Share: prior → latest
    8.2% → 6.8%
    −1.4 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $283.7M
    6.9% of all-period positive obligations · 246 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Apr 24, 2022
    through Aug 16, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported6378
    Reported small business6378
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  6. #6

    Last 12mo obligations

    $65.4M

    6.3%

    Dollar movement

    +$759K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    68 awards

    150 actions

    Historical and award details for NEPTUNE AVIATION SERVICES, INC.
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $64.6M → $65.4M
    +1.2%
    Share: prior → latest
    6.3% → 6.3%
    +0.1 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $269.1M
    6.5% of all-period positive obligations · 142 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Mar 15, 2022
    through Sep 7, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported6816
    Reported small business6816
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  7. #7

    Last 12mo obligations

    $62.3M

    6.0%

    Dollar movement

    +$15.8M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    17 awards

    93 actions

    Historical and award details for COULSON AVIATION (USA), INC.
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $46.5M → $62.3M
    +33.9%
    Share: prior → latest
    4.5% → 6.0%
    +1.5 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $206.7M
    5.0% of all-period positive obligations · 76 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Oct 13, 2021
    through Sep 7, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported177
    Reported small business177
    All-period set-aside types
    • 1 · Total small business
  8. #8

    Last 12mo obligations

    $43.2M

    4.2%

    Dollar movement

    +$5.0M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    44 awards

    54 actions

    Historical and award details for BILLINGS FLYING SERVICE LLC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $38.2M → $43.2M
    +13.2%
    Share: prior → latest
    3.7% → 4.2%
    +0.5 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $176.7M
    4.3% of all-period positive obligations · 224 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Apr 8, 2022
    through Sep 2, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside11
    Reported no set-aside016
    Not reported4330
    Reported small business4447
    All-period set-aside types
    • 1 · Total small business
  9. #9

    Last 12mo obligations

    $39.6M

    3.8%

    Dollar movement

    −$3.6M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    35 awards

    58 actions

    Historical and award details for SILLER HELICOPTERS, LLC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $43.2M → $39.6M
    −8.4%
    Share: prior → latest
    4.2% → 3.8%
    −0.4 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $152.1M
    3.7% of all-period positive obligations · 198 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Mar 3, 2022
    through Sep 1, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside22
    Reported no set-aside020
    Not reported3325
    Reported small business3547
    All-period set-aside types
    • 4 · Total small business
  10. #10

    Last 12mo obligations

    $38.7M

    3.8%

    Dollar movement

    −$33K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    4 awards

    67 actions

    Historical and award details for ROTAK LLC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $38.7M → $38.7M
    −0.1%
    Share: prior → latest
    3.8% → 3.8%
    0.0 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $122.8M
    3.0% of all-period positive obligations · 107 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Jul 1, 2022
    through Sep 9, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside33
    Reported no set-aside019
    Not reported16
    Reported small business428
    All-period set-aside types
    • 3 · Total small business
  11. #11

    Last 12mo obligations

    $29.7M

    2.9%

    Dollar movement

    −$17.5M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    5 awards

    47 actions

    Historical and award details for 10 TANKER AIR CARRIER, LLC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $47.2M → $29.7M
    −37.0%
    Share: prior → latest
    4.6% → 2.9%
    −1.7 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $191.1M
    4.6% of all-period positive obligations · 71 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Mar 22, 2022
    through Sep 8, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported55
    Reported small business55
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  12. #12

    Last 12mo obligations

    $28.6M

    2.8%

    Dollar movement

    +$99K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    7 awards

    88 actions

    Historical and award details for PRECISION, LLC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $28.5M → $28.6M
    +0.3%
    Share: prior → latest
    2.8% → 2.8%
    0.0 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $95.4M
    2.3% of all-period positive obligations · 44 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Feb 14, 2022
    through Sep 9, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside01
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported75
    Reported small business76
    All-period set-aside types
    • 2 · Total small business
  13. #13

    Last 12mo obligations

    $25.2M

    2.4%

    Dollar movement

    +$13.6M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    41 awards

    53 actions

    Historical and award details for ORBIC AIR, LLC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $11.6M → $25.2M
    +117.1%
    Share: prior → latest
    1.1% → 2.4%
    +1.3 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $47.7M
    1.2% of all-period positive obligations · 83 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Jun 30, 2023
    through Sep 2, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside11
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported4016
    Reported small business4117
    All-period set-aside types
    • 1 · Total small business
  14. #14

    Last 12mo obligations

    $24.9M

    2.4%

    Dollar movement

    +$10.9M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    21 awards

    95 actions

    Historical and award details for HELI-1 CORP
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $14.0M → $24.9M
    +78.0%
    Share: prior → latest
    1.4% → 2.4%
    +1.1 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $56.6M
    1.4% of all-period positive obligations · 52 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Feb 3, 2022
    through Sep 8, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside22
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported195
    Reported small business217
    All-period set-aside types
    • 2 · Total small business
  15. #15

    Last 12mo obligations

    $20.7M

    2.0%

    Dollar movement

    +$2.4M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    18 awards

    70 actions

    Historical and award details for CAPITOL HELICOPTERS, INC.
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $18.3M → $20.7M
    +12.9%
    Share: prior → latest
    1.8% → 2.0%
    +0.2 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $68.8M
    1.7% of all-period positive obligations · 101 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Apr 14, 2022
    through Sep 8, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside23
    Reported no set-aside17
    Not reported158
    Reported small business1818
    All-period set-aside types
    • 3 · Total small business

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

+$10.1M

AERO AIR, LLC

USDA FOREST SERVICE

AERO AIR - AIRTANKER MATCO 2023 EXCLUSIVE USE TASK ORDER - 160 DAY MAP

Why it stands out

This award grew while spending attributed to its office declined.

The modification added $10.1M while office-attributed obligations fell $668K overall.

Award net obligations
$33.8M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
0.98%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#4 · 6.8% share
up 2 ranks · +1.8 percentage points · $18.2M net increase; action accounted for 55.4%
Funding office
#1 · 100.0% attributed share
$668K net decline despite this positive action
Related:Largest contractor gain
PIID 1202SA24K9115 · Mod P00055
Modification

This action

+$11.7M

10 TANKER AIR CARRIER, LLC

USDA FOREST SERVICE

10 TANKER - AIRTANKER MATOC EXCLUSIVE USE TASK ORDER 2024-2028 - 120 DAY MAP

Why it stands out

This award grew while spending attributed to its office declined.

The modification added $11.7M while office-attributed obligations fell $668K overall.

Award net obligations
$35.2M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
1.1%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#11 · 2.9% share
$17.5M net decline despite this positive action
Funding office
#1 · 100.0% attributed share
$668K net decline despite this positive action
PIID 1202SA24K9112 · Mod P00033
Modification

This action

+$10.5M

COULSON AVIATION (USA), INC.

USDA FOREST SERVICE

COULSON - AIRTANKER MATCO 2023 EXCLUSIVE USE TASK ORDER 160 DAY MAP

Why it stands out

This award grew while spending attributed to its office declined.

The modification added $10.5M while office-attributed obligations fell $668K overall.

Award net obligations
$36.7M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
1.0%
Supporting data
Funding office
#1 · 100.0% attributed share
$668K net decline despite this positive action
PIID 1202SA24K9116 · Mod P00042
Modification

This action

+$10.0M

AERO-FLITE, INC.

USDA FOREST SERVICE

AERO FLITE - AIRTANKER MATCO 2023 EXCLUSIVE USE TASK ORDER 160 DAY MAP

Why it stands out

This award grew while spending attributed to its office declined.

The modification added $10.0M while office-attributed obligations fell $668K overall.

Award net obligations
$29.3M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
0.97%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#2 · 10.3% share
$9.2M net decline despite this positive action
Funding office
#1 · 100.0% attributed share
$668K net decline despite this positive action
PIID 1202SA24K9119 · Mod P00047
Modification

This action

+$8.0M

NEPTUNE AVIATION SERVICES, INC.

USDA FOREST SERVICE

NEPTUNE - AIRTANKER MATOC 2023 EXCLUSIVE USE TASK ORDER 160 DAY MAP

Why it stands out

This award grew while spending attributed to its office declined.

The modification added $8.0M while office-attributed obligations fell $668K overall.

Award net obligations
$27.6M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
0.78%
Supporting data
Funding office
#1 · 100.0% attributed share
$668K net decline despite this positive action
PIID 1202SA24K9120 · Mod P00052
Modification

This action

+$7.0M

HELICOPTER TRANSPORT SERVICES, LLC

USDA FOREST SERVICE

HTS - T1 EU FOR BROOMFIELD, CO

Why it stands out

This award grew while spending attributed to its office declined.

The modification added $7.0M while office-attributed obligations fell $668K overall.

Award net obligations
$24.2M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
0.67%
Supporting data
Funding office
#1 · 100.0% attributed share
$668K net decline despite this positive action
PIID 1202SA25K9202 · Mod P00018
View recent award activity by date (10)
  1. PRECISION, LLCModification · PIID 1202SA24K9217
    Action+$889K
    Award net obligations$15.1M
  2. HELICOPTER EXPRESS LLCModification · PIID 1202SA24K9239
    Action+$1.2M
    Award net obligations$12.1M
  3. PRECISION, LLCModification · PIID 1202SA24K9220
    Action+$939K
    Award net obligations$18.4M
  4. ROTAK LLCModification · PIID 1202SA25K9215
    Action+$877K
    Award net obligations$18.8M
  5. AERO-FLITE, INC.Modification · PIID 1202SA24K9117
    Action+$2.6M
    Award net obligations$30.1M
  6. TRANS AERO LLCDeobligation · PIID 1202SA24K9227
    Action−$2.4M
    Award net obligations$5.6M
  7. AERO AIR, LLCModification · PIID 1202SA24K9123
    Action+$2.1M
    Award net obligations$23.7M
  8. COULSON AVIATION (USA), INC.Modification · PIID 1202SA24K9116
    Action+$1.7M
    Award net obligations$36.7M
  9. NEPTUNE AVIATION SERVICES, INC.Modification · PIID 1202SA24K9118
    Action+$1.6M
    Award net obligations$27.8M
  10. AERO-FLITE, INC.Modification · PIID 1202SA24K9119
    Action+$1.3M
    Award net obligations$29.3M

USDA nonscheduled chartered freight air transportation market FAQs

Answers based on reported federal contract data.

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

In the 12 months through September 10, 2026, HELICOPTER TRANSPORT SERVICES, LLC, AERO-FLITE, INC., and HELICOPTER EXPRESS LLC were the leading USDA nonscheduled chartered freight air transportation prime contractors by positive obligations.

  1. #1

    HELICOPTER TRANSPORT SERVICES, LLC

    $119,895,055 in positive obligations

  2. #2

    AERO-FLITE, INC.

    $105,798,718 in positive obligations

  3. #3

    HELICOPTER EXPRESS LLC

    $74,936,557 in positive obligations

Rankings use reported USAspending award data.

Did USDA contract obligations decrease in the nonscheduled chartered freight air transportation market?

Yes. Measured by net prime contract obligations, reported USDA activity in the nonscheduled chartered freight air transportation market decreased 0.1% from $1,028,330,689 in the preceding 12 months to $1,027,704,857 in the 12 months through September 10, 2026.

Latest 12 months
$1,027,704,857
Net prime contract obligations
Preceding 12 months
$1,028,330,689
Net prime contract obligations
Change
−0.1%
Between matched 12-month periods

Reported contract actions, not outlays or a forecast.

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

Recent USDA contract award activity reported in the nonscheduled chartered freight air transportation market included actions for AERO AIR, LLC, 10 TANKER AIR CARRIER, LLC, and COULSON AVIATION (USA), 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 USDA contracts under NAICS 481212?

From September 11, 2025 through September 10, 2026, USDA reported 935 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
935
Leading reported procedure
Mafo
64.8% of positive obligations
Leading award type
Delivery Order
99.6% of positive obligations
Full and open
18.9%
of positive obligations
Reported parent IDV
99.6%
of positive obligations
Observed vehicles
Airtanker MATOC 2023, HSS Type 2, and CWN Helicopter Services
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