US Forest Service plans purchase of additional Kodiak 100 aircraft

The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is planning to purchase additional Kodiak 100 aircraft to add to its growing fleet. The deal was announced in a Special Notice contract document released Tuesday.

Manufactured by Daher, the Kodiak 100 is a multi-mission workhorse, operated worldwide in applications that range from wildfire suppression, the monitoring of national resources, and the protection of public safety to humanitarian services and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance duties.

The Special Notice issued by USFS states the agency is looking to purchase up to five Kodiak 100 aircraft (only one guaranteed). The estimated total contract value is $2.6 million to $13.3 million, the agency said in the notice.

The Kodiak Aircraft Company, Inc. is the sole source for the Kodiak 100 aircraft. The USFS already owns multiple Kodiak 100 aircraft.

“It is the intent of the USFS to procure a fleet with commonality,” the agency said. “This is due to the economical and logistical benefits of operating a standardized fleet of aircraft that share common maintenance, parts, training, etc.

“The USFS desires uniform fleets for several reasons. One of high importance is expediting aircraft swaps for maintenance events. This is especially important for fire and aviation, where turnaround times are critical. Fleet commonality aids in streamlining maintenance procedures. This can be a cost savings, as well as allow maintenance operations to become more proficient (one airframe causes less maintenance training and more proficient maintainers). Cost of maintenance also decreases when operating a common fleet. For example, the inventory of maintenance parts on hand at a Forest Service hangar to support currently owned Kodiaks averages $25,000. Support of an additional model of airframe would require a separate inventory of parts and additional storage facility, effectively doubling the cost to support the new aircraft.”

The USFS also trusts in pilot standardization, enabling pilots to fly common aircraft with the same training.

“This increases efficiency and reduces training costs, reduces risk of learning and flying multiple aircraft, thus increasing pilot effectiveness,” USFS said. “Commonality also benefits operations when it comes to crew training and rostering. For example, initial training costs for the Kodiak 100 and the Cessna Caravan are $12,380 and $15,300, respectively. Recurrency training for the Kodiak is $5,110 and $4,430 for the Caravan. A pilot maintaining both certifications would incur costs of $27,680 for initial training and $9,540 for recurrency.”

Market research was conducted by the Forest Service to identify potential sources that could supply Kodiak 100 aircraft. No other contractor sells the Kodiak 100.