The U.S. Forest Service could have fewer firefighting air tankers than it originally planned for this fire season. The agency hoped to contract for up to seven more so-called "next generation" jet-powered firefighting air tankers. But two out-of-state air tanker companies filed protests over how the agency solicited aircraft contractors. Missoula's Neptune Aviation hopes to contract four of its next-generation tankers with the Forest Service. Those 5-year contracts are worth tens of millions of dollars.
Neptune CEO Ron Hooper says it's too easy to stall a federal contract process.
"It's always easy to file a protest on a federal contract. I think what you're seeing is these federal contracts have become very lucrative and very competitive. You'll find members of the industry protesting on any basis they can if they're not successful in the bidding process."
Despite the delay, the agency says it will have plenty of air support available this summer for wildfire operations.
More on this story later this week.