San Diego Woman-Owned Small Business Flying High with USDA Contract Award

Written by: Mike Parente
Shier Aviation Corporation dba Corporate Helicopters is a highly successful and dynamic Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) company operated by a passionate team that combines the love of helicopters with an unwavering focus on their clients. This focus has resulted in the remarkable growth of a versatile business.  The company is composed of highly experienced pilots, mechanics and business professionals who are dedicated to providing safe helicopter operations, helicopter sales and impeccable maintenance services to those who desire the highest quality and the best value. Founded by husband and wife (Ivor and Deann Shier) in 1990, the company has developed a tremendous following in both the public and private sectors. They have a diverse business that provides charter services, flight training, filming, helicopter sales, and helicopter maintenance.
For over eight years, Corporate Helicopters has received technical assistance from SDCOC on a variety of topics, including the creation of a highly effective capabilities statement, exhaustive market research, bid match services and professional review and interpretation of technical solicitation clauses. SDCOC has also provided invaluable support with response to RFQs, RFIs, and RFPs.
Deann Shier, the CEO of Corporate Helicopters shared that the “San Diego’s SBA SCORE office referred us to SDCOC after we expressed our interest in and qualifications for government contracting. Trisha Ferrand provided us with valuable information regarding marketing and bid match services. Once we were awarded the bid, the advisors facilitated us in deciphering the unfamiliar contract language prior to signing the agreement.”
Through unwavering persistence, dedication and professional assistance from SDCOC, Corporate Helicopters has experienced success in government contracting, including their most recent $4 million dollar contract with the USDA. This award was a small business set aside and Corporate Helicopters was capable of providing exactly what was required. The request was for two helicopters to be manufactured and delivered for the mission of swine eradication, as each year over a billion dollars of damage is done to agricultural crops by the wild hogs and these new helicopters will be part of the long term solution. Previously, Corporate Helicopters has had smaller awards from the Department of Defense: Department of the Army and the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
In support of our mission, the SDCOC staff is always ready to support Corporate Helicopters with information, resources and technical assistance needed to effectively compete, win and perform on federal, state and local government contracts.
More information on Corporate Helicopters can be found at www.CorporateHelicopters.com.