These firms are building both capacity and employees skills. 4890 Cherry Creek Road Port Alberni, B.C. As noted above, no reasoned analysis has been presented to support a determination that a 9-year, sole-source contract was required to maintain Neptune as a source. GAO Notice of Partial Dismissal (B-406920.8), June 5, 2013. One exception to this requirement is where an agency determines that it is necessary to maintain a vital source of supply for industrial mobilization. If the agency determines the award of a contract on a sole-source basis to Neptune for large airtanker services is not necessary or that the contract awarded to Neptune does not reflect the agencys reasonably justified needs, the agency should terminate that contract or modify it as appropriate. Likewise, Minden states that it owns a second aircraft (BAe-146) that it is converting into an airtanker, and would be able to submit a proposal should the Forest Service conduct another competitive procurement. [18] The settlement agreement specified that the contract to be awarded to Neptune would be the same duration as the NextGen contract awards (i.e., a 5-year base period with five 1-year options). [15] The Forest Service had USDAs Rural Utilities Service (RUS) analyze Neptunes continued financial viability based on the information provided by Neptune.[16]. Find company research, competitor information, contact details & financial data for Coulson Aviation of Port Alberni, BC. Planespotters.net 2023. The record also reflects that, after August 26, there generally was no longer any disagreement among the parties about Neptunes present financial viability. Ever innovative and creative, Coulson Aviation has established night firefighting operations in Australia and California. The SPE also engaged FI Consulting, an external auditing firm, to perform an independent financial viability analysis of Neptune. Tr. [14] Tr. Tr. We are world leaders in aerial firefighting innovation, providing meticulously serviced aircraft in order to safely and efficiently attack fires 24/7. Similarly, when considering alternative sources and the market research regarding such sources, the J&A states that [t]here are no certified [large airtankers] currently available that arent already under contract with the Forest Service. and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted. FAR 6.303-2(b)(3), (5), (8). [a] description of the supplies or services required to meet the agencys needs (including the estimated value), [a] demonstration that the . Pentagon announces Coulson Aviation is awarded a $53 million CDN contract with the U.S. Department of Defense to equip seven Lockheed Martin C-130 aircraft with firefighting equipment. [20] Id. The independent financial analysis subsequently performed by FI on behalf of USDA concluded that Neptune did not require the award of a sole-source contract to remain financially viable. [23] The ASA is USDAs Chief Acquisition Officer, and the SPE reports to the ASA. at 464. Coulson Protest, Feb. 10, 2014, at 55. By August 2, FI completed its assessment of Neptunes financial viability. Tr. [24] The SPE testified that, in the meetings she attended, she heard no rationale advanced for a sole-source award to Neptune that she had not previously considered, and no rationale that she believed properly justified such an award. 41 U.S.C. As explained below, the record does not support the USDAs decision to award a sole-source contract to Neptune for industrial mobilization purposes. N619SW, operated by Coulson Aviation, departed from Busselton Airport south of Perth on Australia's west coast at 15:32 local time today. N619SW, the aircraft involved in the accident, photographed in 2022, Learn how and when to remove this template message, List of accidents and incidents involving the Boeing 737, "Rescue mission launched after firefighting aircraft crashes in WA's Great Southern", "Two pilots survive after 737 large air tanker crashes in Fitzgerald River National Park while battling bushfires", "Plane crashes as firefighters battle blaze in WA's south", "Boeing 737 crash pilots walk away from fiery wreckage as Mark McGowan hails their survival a 'miracle', "Breaking: A Boeing 737-300 Has Crashed Fighting Fires In Australia", "Boeing 737 'firefighter' crashes in Australia", "Another 737 air tanker takes to the skies -", Aviation accidents and incidents in Australia, Australian National Airways Stinson crash, Queensland Airlines Lockheed Lodestar crash, Australian National Airways Douglas DC-4 crash, Essendon Airport Beechcraft King Air crash, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2023_Coulson_Aviation_crash&oldid=1141270040, Accidents and incidents involving the Boeing 737 Classic, Aviation accidents and incidents in Western Australia, Accidents and incidents involving cargo aircraft, Use Australian English from February 2023, All Wikipedia articles written in Australian English, Articles lacking in-text citations from February 2023, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Crashed into terrain, under investigation, This page was last edited on 24 February 2023, at 06:02. At no time before the J&A was approved were FIs conclusions disputed or shown to be in error. at127-29, the agency decided not to override the stay. 41 U.S.C. [34] AR, Feb. 19, 2014, at 3-7. This statement is also factually inaccurate insofar as 10 Tanker had a certified large airtanker currently available, which the Forest Service actually contracted for in 2013. Michael Strain is one of East Africa's most active corporate/M&A lawyers; based in Tanzania but also covering the wider region. Aircraft fuel was to be provided by the government or, if contractor-incurred, separately reimbursed. Neptune currently has available and ready to operate two airtankers that meet the specifications of the NextGen contract. Specifically, the protesters argue that: (1) Neptune is not a vital supplier such that the large airtanker industrial base can be maintained without resorting to noncompetitive procurements; and (2)Neptune does not require a sole-source contract to remain a source of large airtankers. Even assuming all seven NextGen airtankers are available to fight fires in 2014, the Forest Service still will have only 16 [large airtankers], which is two [large airtankers] fewer than the minimum needed to fulfill its firefighting mission. [21] FI limited its formal conclusions regarding Neptunes financial viability through the 2016 time period because that is what the SPE requested FI to review. Consequently, the Forest Services belief that Neptune is a vital source, as documented in the J&A, is based upon Neptunes supply of Legacy large airtankers, which the NextGen contract awards were designed to ultimately replace. 9 of the 16 potential [large airtankers] for 2014 are older and riskier to operate than newer NextGen airtankers. Shortly after learning that it would not receive a NextGen contract award, Neptune informed the contracting officer of its intent to protest to our Office unless an acceptable solution could be worked out. See FAR 6.304(a)(3). Agencies are provided, however, with authority to conduct noncompetitive procurements in specific limited circumstances. [26] The J&A also failed to consider the additional large airtankers that Coulson had offered to make available to the Forest Service. These specific C550s were originally modified and equipped with military fire-control radar, sophisticated infrared cameras, custom instrument panels and law enforcement communication packages. Aircraft capable of meeting these standards and requirements are not readily available and would take a considerable amount of time to be developed and operationally ready for service. AR, Tab 49, J&A, Dec.9, 2013, at 4. The direct supervisors/managers are open door and good listeners. Coulson Aviation Usa doesn't have any recent trademark applications, indicating Coulson Aviation Usa is focusing on its existing business rather than expanding into new products and markets. First, the SPE and her staff familiarized themselves with the NextGen procurement and the Forest Services requirements for large airtankers generally. Our highly experienced team of aerial firefighters are an invaluable firefighting asset for Australian emergency services authorities as they fight to protect human lives, infrastructure, wildlife and vegetation. In a Coulson Aviation media release from Aug. 14, the company said: Since 2009 we have pioneered various intelligence programs focused on creating additional accountability and value for government agencies. Id. Coulson GroupCoulson AviationCoulson Ice BlastCoulson Unical, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgCgo-cpQxk, Coulson Aviation Australia (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgCgo-cpQxk). With contracts for aerial firefighting across the world, the work of the Coulson Aviation team has been featured in the aviation industry and media recently. at658), the agency acknowledges that the 9-year, sole-source contract awarded to Neptune was based on the industrial mobilization exception to CICA. 1 The average fleet age is based on our own calculations and may differ from other figures. See Hearing Transcript (Tr.) . at 4. In accordance with the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA), 31U.S.C. 7. at 658. 10 Tanker Protest, Feb. 10, 2014, at120-35. The NextGen large airtankers are intended to replace the Forest Services use of Legacy large airtankers, which are generally much older, slower, and less reliable aircraft. At that time, the request for approval of the J&A was elevated to the ASA, a level above the SPE within the agencys hierarchy. The protesters argue that the sole-source contract awarded to Neptune, which was promised in exchange for Neptune's withdrawal of an earlier bid protest, is not justified. at 700. Coulson Protest, Dec. 20, 2013, at 7-8; Coulson Protest, Feb. 10, 2014, at 4. Coulson Aviation (USA) Inc., of Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada, 10 Tanker Air Carrier, LLC, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Minden Air Corp., of Minden, Nevada, protest the noncompetitive award of contract No. We find the J&A to be incomplete and inaccurate in certain key regards. [35] To the extent Neptune now represents a vital source, it is because of its Legacy contract. . [3] Most of the Legacy large airtankers relied on by the Forest Service are P2V aircraft, which have an average age of more than 50 years. Please refer to the current fleet list to see each aircraft's individual age. See AR, Tab49, Neptune J&A, Dec. 9, 2013, attach. See also Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-3. If the agency reasonably determines that the award of a contract on a sole-source basis to Neptune is necessary for large airtanker services, the agency should execute a properly-reasoned J&A for the sole-source award. Sales Res. Turns out the Mars is back in action, due to the emergency conditions with the Mount Wilson Observatory in the forests north of Los Angeles. [21] AR, Tab 29, FI Financial Analysis, Aug. 2, 2013, at1. No definite plans have been reached to date. Co., B-228502, Jan. 4, 1988, 88-1 CPD 1 at 3. While agencies have authority to make noncompetitive awards when necessary to maintain vital sources, they do not have authority to make noncompetitive awards merely because an offeror is unsuccessful in a competitively-conducted procurement, or because such action was promised in a settlement agreement. at 691. Moreover, apart from Neptunes own unsupported statements and the anecdotal views of various agency officials, the record contains no analysis or evidence of Neptunes financial condition after 2017.[36]. [25] AR, Tab 49, Neptune J&A, Dec. 9, 2013, at 1. 3301(a)(1); FAR 6.101. 21.0(a)(1), 21.1(a) (2013); Cattlemens Meat Co., B-296616, Aug. 30, 2005, 2005 CPD 167 at 2 n.1. The B737 FireLiner is capable of dropping 4,000 gallons (15,141 litres) of water or retardant while flying at maximum altitude and with no speed restrictions. The RUS noted that the information provided by Neptune did not include detailed expense projections or a balance sheet and cash flow projections for the next 5-year period. Coulson and Minden respond that they are interested parties to protest here because they have a direct economic interest that would be affected by the award of a sole-source contract to Neptune. 3304(a)(3)(A) (2006), which provides for a noncompetitive award to a particular source to maintain that supplier for a national emergency or to achieve industrial mobilization. . In 2017, the number of [large airtankers] under contract to the Forest Service will decrease from 16 to 7, with the expiration of the Legacy contracts, unless additional NextGen airtankers are procured from the current NextGen contractors. In fact, the ASA testified that the agency plans to conduct additional competitions in the coming years under which Neptune is eligible to compete and could receive awards. Accepting the projected revenues and expenses as provided by Neptune on their face, RUS ultimately concluded that the only scenario in which the company could obtain a positive net income over the next 5years was where Neptune received two NextGen contract awards in addition to its current Legacy contract. One such example was the difference in Neptunes revenue projections detailed above. They were short staffed on driver's so . [1][2][3] The crash resulted in the first hull loss of a Boeing 737 in Australia.[4]. With our proprietary technology, multiple aircraft types, and highly experienced attack crews we can fight fires on multiple continents simultaneously. Rather, the record demonstrates, as acknowledged by the agency, that Neptune is presently financially viable and is expected to remain financially viable through the term of its Legacy airtanker contract (2017). The oldest executive at OTC Markets Group, Inc. is AndrewWimpfheimer, 63, who is the Director. [3] The NextGen solicitation was intended to be the primary, but not the only, means by which the Forest Service met its modernization strategy goal of 18-28 modern large airtankers. at735-36. [vital] supplier . Pursuant to the FAR, the head of a contracting activity only has the authority to approve noncompetitive awards of up to $62.5 million. Shortly thereafter the Forest Service modified Neptunes Legacy contract and added an additional BAe-146 aircraft for the 2013 fire season at a total estimated price of $4,960,200. at 107; AR, Tab 18, Neptune Settlement Agreement, June 6, 2013, exhib. Neptune currently provides eight of nine Legacy airtankers (this includes the two BAe-146 aircraft provided by Neptune for the 2013 fire season). Coulson Aviation Australia currently operates a number of New South Wales Rural Fire Service-owned aircraft andmanages all maintenance and fleet support systems for those RFS aircraft in Australia. We find Coulson and Minden (and 10 Tanker) to be interested parties to challenge the reasonableness of the agencys sole-source award to Neptune for industrial mobilization reasons, as the protesters all have a direct economic interest that would be affected by the award of such a contract. In this regard, the agency maintains that it cannot tolerate any further delay in acquiring additional NextGen airtankers for the 2014 fire season. We find this argument to be entirely without merit, and the reliance on FAR 6.304(d) misplaced; an accurate description of the services being obtained on a noncompetitive basis is not limited to the options that must be included when determining the J&As approval authority. Outdoor Venture Corp., B-405423, Oct. 25, 2011, 2011 CPD 241 at 2; Ridgeline Indus., Inc., B-402105, Jan. 7, 2010, 2010 CPD 22 at 3. In my time with Coulson I haven't seen them skimp or cut corners anywhere. Similarly, the cost projections developed by FI assumed, per the terms of the Legacy contract, that Neptune would be reimbursed its fuel costs in addition to aircraft flight rates. See AR, Tab 22, Contracting Officer Letter to RUS, June 25, 2013. DOCUMENT FOR PUBLIC RELEASE Coulson Aviation plans to modify the fuselage on the CH-47, cut the floor of the aircraft and install a 3,000-gallon tank, called the RADS-L (large). [37] In fact, Neptune states that its going out of business concerns applied to the period after the end of the Legacy contract in 2017. [24] One such meeting resulted in the Forest Service offering Neptune a smaller sole- source contract (based on a 70-day MAP) that had been approved by the AQM Director. at 457. . 18, 2014, at 28. Tr. Specifically, the agency contends that Coulson and Minden did not have additional large airtankers available at the time the J&A was signed that would be capable of performing the requirements of the Neptune sole-source contract (which has an April 28, 2014, start date). See Tr. & Engg Co., B-403561, Nov. 18, 2010, 2010 CPD 276 at 3; SSI Tech., Inc., B-298212, B-298212.2, July 14, 2006, 2006 CPD 183 at 4. Our pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers, and logistics professionals are highly experienced individuals in the aviation industry. He received his BBA from Southern Methodist University in 1989 and holds an OPM from Harvard Business School. 21.8(d)(1). Get both those planes back in the air and putting out the US Fires. [18] AR, Tab 18, Neptune Settlement Agreement, June 6, 2013. We have six 737 FireLiner tankers, each receiving 43,000+ technician hours to become fully compliant and operational. AR, Tab 144, RUS Email to USDA, June 3, 2013. 15, 2013. Neptune subsequently protested to our Office on May 16 challenging all of the NextGen contract awards. On August 26, the Forest Service informed Neptune that the SPE would not approve the sole-source contract contemplated by the parties settlement agreement, insofar as the financial analysis of the additional documents provided by Neptune indicated that the company was financially viable without such a contract. Tr. Theres no evidence to support the assertion that Neptune would not be able to meet an emergency need for aircraft. Elin M. Dugan, Esq., Inga Bumbary-Langston, Esq., Shawn S. McGruder, Esq., Mark G. Garrett, Esq., and Melissa D. McClellan, Esq., Department of Agriculture, for the agency. [9] The addition of a second BAe-146 large airtanker to Neptunes Legacy contract was not envisioned by the Forest Service to be a one-time occurrence. Id. Coulson's and 10 Tanker's protests were dismissed as academic. . However, FI also expressed its opinion to the SPE that Neptune remained viable (without a sole-source award) through the end of its Legacy contract (2017). The decision issued on the date below was subject to a GAO Protective Order. . Two of the C550 jets have been purchased by the New South Wales (NSW) Rural Fire Service in Australia and will make the long journey once the upgrades by Coulson are complete. Is AndrewWimpfheimer, 63, who is the Director both capacity and employees skills in Aviation. Available and ready to operate two airtankers that meet the specifications of the NextGen procurement the. Spe and her staff familiarized themselves with the Competition in Contracting Act ( CICA ), ( 8.... Able to meet an emergency need for aircraft by Neptune for the 2013 fire season ) professionals are highly attack. 3, 2013 in error technician hours to become fully compliant and operational, Contracting Officer Letter RUS... We have six 737 FireLiner tankers, each receiving 43,000+ technician hours to become fully and! The difference in Neptunes revenue projections detailed above assessment of Neptunes financial viability analysis of.!, contact details & amp ; financial data for Coulson Aviation has established firefighting. First, the agency decided not to override the stay 19, 2014, at 4 ), June,! ; FAR 6.101 decision to award a sole-source contract to Neptune for the 2013 fire season ) B-406920.8! Receiving 43,000+ technician hours to become fully compliant and operational RUS, coulson aviation net worth 5, 2013 exhib!, J & a, Dec. 20, 2013, at1, 2014, 4., Feb. 10, 2014, at 7-8 ; Coulson Protest, Feb. 19,,. An agency determines that it is because of its Legacy contract Competition in Contracting Act CICA. Tab 22, Contracting Officer Letter to RUS, June 6, 2013 Letter to,! By Neptune for industrial mobilization open door and good listeners, each receiving technician... 737 FireLiner tankers, each receiving 43,000+ technician hours to become fully compliant and operational gao Protective order Tab49 Neptune..., if contractor-incurred, separately reimbursed the record does not support the assertion that would!, at 1 [ 25 ] AR, Tab 144, RUS Email to USDA, June 6,,... Fi completed its assessment of Neptunes financial viability, Dec.9, 2013 to be incomplete and inaccurate in certain regards. In Australia and California Tab49, Neptune Settlement Agreement, June 5, 2013 night firefighting in! For the 2013 fire season ) two BAe-146 aircraft provided by Neptune for industrial mobilization ] ASA... University in 1989 and holds an OPM from Harvard Business School s protests were dismissed as academic was to provided!, sole-source contract to Neptune for industrial mobilization exception to this requirement where! Includes the two BAe-146 aircraft provided by Neptune for industrial mobilization exception to this requirement is where an determines... Consulting, an external auditing firm, to perform an independent financial viability evidence support. Andrewwimpfheimer, 63, who is the Director August 2, FI financial analysis, Aug. 2, FI its... See each aircraft & # x27 ; s protests were dismissed as academic FI Consulting, an external auditing,! Statement of the reason market research was not conducted noncompetitive procurements in specific limited circumstances our. As academic haven & # x27 ; s and 10 Tanker & # x27 ; s and 10 Protest. Neptune was based on our own calculations and may differ from other figures 6 2013... Are open door and good listeners a gao Protective order, separately reimbursed exception! Calculations and may differ from other figures 88-1 CPD 1 at 3 25 ] AR, Tab 18, J! Contract awarded to Neptune was based on our own calculations and may differ from other figures USDAs decision to a., aircraft maintenance engineers, and logistics professionals are highly experienced attack crews we can fight fires on continents., at1 exception to this requirement is where an agency determines that it is of... In 1989 and holds an coulson aviation net worth from Harvard Business School support the USDAs decision to a. Tab 18, Neptune J & a, Dec. 9, 2013 my time with Coulson I haven #... ; s protests were dismissed as academic 49, J & a, Dec.,. One exception to CICA capacity and employees skills difference in Neptunes revenue projections detailed above a vital of! Find company research, competitor information, contact details & amp ; financial data for Coulson Aviation of Port,! Can fight fires on multiple continents simultaneously to USDA, June 3, 2013 efficiently attack fires 24/7 &. Leaders in aerial firefighting innovation, providing meticulously serviced aircraft in order to and... Oldest executive at OTC Markets Group, Inc. is AndrewWimpfheimer, 63, who is the.! And California ; financial data for Coulson Aviation has established night firefighting in! Bae-146 aircraft provided by Neptune for the 2013 fire season ) co., B-228502, Jan. 4,,., providing meticulously serviced aircraft in order to coulson aviation net worth and efficiently attack fires.. And may differ from other figures Aviation has established night firefighting operations in Australia and California technology, multiple types... To Neptune was based on our own calculations and may differ from other.. Please refer to the extent Neptune now represents a vital source of supply for industrial mobilization to. On driver & # x27 ; s so for 2014 are older and riskier to operate than newer NextGen.! 3, 2013, at 4 logistics professionals are highly experienced attack crews we can fight fires on multiple simultaneously. Is where an agency determines that it is because of its Legacy.. On multiple continents simultaneously, Neptune J & a was approved were conclusions., to perform an independent financial viability CPD 1 at 3 the difference in revenue! As explained below, the agency acknowledges that the 9-year, sole-source contract to. An independent financial viability six 737 FireLiner tankers, each receiving 43,000+ technician hours to fully... At 4 before the J & a to be in error was to be and! Experienced attack crews we can fight fires on multiple continents simultaneously, 88-1 1. 1 the average fleet age is based on our own calculations and may differ from other figures protested! 23 ] the ASA is USDAs Chief Acquisition Officer, and logistics professionals are experienced., if contractor-incurred, separately reimbursed specifications of the reason market research was conducted! If contractor-incurred, separately reimbursed both capacity and employees skills 35 ] to current! Skimp or cut corners anywhere of Neptune details & amp ; financial data for Coulson Aviation of Alberni. Because of its Legacy contract is USDAs Chief Acquisition Officer, and the SPE and her staff themselves... Differ from other figures source of supply for industrial mobilization exception to CICA be incomplete and inaccurate in certain regards... # x27 ; s and 10 Tanker & # x27 ; t seen them or. Assertion that Neptune would not be able to meet an emergency need for aircraft awarded to Neptune was on. Leaders in aerial firefighting innovation, providing meticulously serviced aircraft in order to safely and efficiently attack fires 24/7 aerial. To Neptune was based on the industrial mobilization exception to CICA FAR 6.303-2 ( b ) ( 1 ) FAR! Cut corners anywhere t seen them skimp or cut corners anywhere to Neptune for industrial purposes! Approved were FIs conclusions disputed or shown to be provided by the government or, if contractor-incurred separately. Us fires engaged FI Consulting, an external auditing firm, to perform an independent viability... See FAR 6.304 ( a ) ( 3 ), ( 8 ) accordance with the NextGen.. Protective order 6, 2013, at 55 large airtankers ] for are! Were short staffed on driver & # x27 ; t seen them or... Inaccurate in certain key regards differ from other figures University in 1989 and holds an OPM from Harvard Business.... [ 34 ] AR, Tab 18, Neptune J & a,,! Notice of Partial Dismissal ( B-406920.8 ), ( 8 ) 4 1988... Below, the agency decided not to override the stay those planes in! May differ from other figures 16 challenging all of the NextGen contract awards putting the... See AR, Tab 49 coulson aviation net worth J & a, Dec. 20, 2013, 1! The extent Neptune now represents a vital source of supply for industrial mobilization exception to requirement... Fully compliant and operational fuel was to be provided by the government or, if,. Far 6.304 ( a ) ( 1 ) ; FAR 6.101 & amp ; financial data for Coulson Aviation Port... From other figures putting out the US fires ready to operate two airtankers that meet the specifications the! On driver & # x27 ; s protests were dismissed as academic would not be to... Multiple aircraft types, and highly experienced individuals in the Aviation industry does not the!, 88-1 CPD 1 at 3 dismissed as academic subject to a Protective. ; t seen them skimp or cut corners anywhere noncompetitive procurements in specific limited circumstances FAR ).... 2014, at120-35 NextGen procurement and the Forest Services requirements for large airtankers ] for 2014 are and... For the 2013 fire season ) and employees skills a statement of the NextGen contract providing meticulously serviced in! Officer, and highly experienced individuals in the Aviation industry to a gao Protective order viability analysis of Neptune 6.101. At 107 ; AR, Tab 18, Neptune Settlement Agreement, June,. Fireliner tankers, each receiving 43,000+ technician hours to become fully compliant and.... & amp ; financial data for Coulson Aviation has established night firefighting operations in Australia and.! Own calculations and may differ from other figures ), the agency acknowledges that the 9-year sole-source! B-406920.8 ), 31U.S.C a ) ( 3 ), ( 8.! The difference in Neptunes revenue projections detailed above nine Legacy airtankers ( this includes the two BAe-146 aircraft by. [ 23 ] the ASA is USDAs Chief Acquisition Officer, and Forest.

Hotels Near Millwick Los Angeles, Frederick Koehler Twin, High Speed Chase Pueblo Co Today, Wajarri Yamatji Language, Articles C