Neptune Aviation sole-source BAe-146 airtanker contract

Buyer: US Forest Service (USDA)

Awardee

Neptune Aviation Services

Details

Sole-source award for two BAe-146 next-generation air tankers (3,000-gallon capacity) under the Forest Service's industrial-mobilization exception after Neptune's GAO protest of the 2013 next-gen award; hourly rates ran from roughly $8,000 to $12,000 over a potential nine-year term.

Sole-source award of December 2013 with a potential nine-year term, so the outside end date was roughly 2022. Superseded by the Forest Service's Airtanker Services 2023 next-generation large airtanker IDIQ (August 2023, 10-year 1+9 structure, $7.2B ceiling), on which Neptune Aviation is one of five awardees. Neptune announced in February 2026 that it is adding Airbus A319 airtankers alongside its BAe-146 fleet.

Source

Official solicitation / award →