DoD's $36.2M contract for RPA org level maintenance awarded to BATTLESPACE FLIGHT SERVICES, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $36,230,982 ($36.2M)

Contractor: Battlespace Flight Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2013-04-01

End Date: 2018-07-31

Contract Duration: 1,947 days

Daily Burn Rate: $18.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF TASK ORDER 0002 FOR RPA ORG LEVEL MAINTENANCE AT CREECH AND WHITEMAN AFB

Place of Performance

Location: INDIAN SPRINGS, CLARK County, NEVADA, 89018

State: Nevada Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $36.2 million to BATTLESPACE FLIGHT SERVICES, LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF TASK ORDER 0002 FOR RPA ORG LEVEL MAINTENANCE AT CREECH AND WHITEMAN AFB Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 1947 days (over 5 years) indicates a long-term need for these services. 3. The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type generally shifts risk to the contractor, potentially stabilizing costs. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 488190 points to support activities for air transportation. 5. The contract was awarded as a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle. 6. The contractor, BATTLESPACE FLIGHT SERVICES, LLC, is based in Nevada (NV).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific delivery order is challenging without knowing the total contract value it falls under and the scope of services. However, a duration of over five years for a firm-fixed-price contract suggests a degree of cost predictability. Further analysis would require comparing the per-unit costs or overall value against similar maintenance contracts for RPA support at Air Force bases.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The number of bidders is not specified, but this method generally promotes price discovery and allows the government to select the best value offering. The open competition suggests a healthy market for these specialized support services.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the competitive process, which is intended to drive down prices and ensure the government receives services at a fair market rate.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Air Force units operating Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) at Creech and Whiteman Air Force Bases. The services delivered include organizational level maintenance for RPA systems, crucial for operational readiness. The geographic impact is focused on Nevada (where the contractor is located) and Missouri (Whiteman AFB), supporting critical Air Force installations. This contract supports a specialized segment of the aerospace and defense workforce involved in aircraft maintenance.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on the number of bidders in the full and open competition limits assessment of the true competitive pressure.
The total contract value and the value of this specific delivery order are not fully detailed, making comprehensive value-for-money analysis difficult.
The specific nature of 'RPA org level maintenance' requires specialized skills, and the availability of such expertise could be a limiting factor.
The long duration of the contract (over 5 years) could lead to potential cost escalations if not managed effectively, despite the FFP structure.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, which typically fosters competitive pricing.
Firm-fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor, potentially leading to cost certainty.
The contract supports critical RPA operations for the Department of the Air Force, indicating a necessary and important service.
The contractor is based in Nevada, potentially supporting regional economic activity.
The contract duration suggests a stable, long-term requirement, allowing for contractor planning and efficiency.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the aerospace and defense sector, specifically focusing on support services for unmanned aerial systems (RPA). The market for RPA technology and its associated maintenance is growing rapidly, driven by military and civilian applications. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other contracts for similar maintenance and support services for military aircraft, particularly unmanned platforms, across different branches of the DoD.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a primary focus for this specific contract, as the 'sb' (small business set-aside) field is false. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. This suggests that the prime contractor, BATTLESPACE FLIGHT SERVICES, LLC, is likely a larger entity or that the nature of the work did not lend itself to significant small business subcontracting opportunities under this award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Air Force's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price structure, requiring the contractor to deliver services as specified. Transparency is generally provided through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics may not always be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Air Force RPA Operations and Maintenance
Defense Logistics Agency Support Contracts
Department of Defense Aviation Maintenance Services
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Support Services

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may present performance sustainment risks.
Limited public data on specific performance metrics and number of bidders.
Potential for cost increases if market rates for labor/parts rise significantly over the contract term, despite FFP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $36.2 million to BATTLESPACE FLIGHT SERVICES, LLC. IGF::OT::IGF TASK ORDER 0002 FOR RPA ORG LEVEL MAINTENANCE AT CREECH AND WHITEMAN AFB

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BATTLESPACE FLIGHT SERVICES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $36.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-04-01. End: 2018-07-31.

What is the track record of BATTLESPACE FLIGHT SERVICES, LLC with government contracts, particularly within the Department of Defense?

BATTLESPACE FLIGHT SERVICES, LLC has a history of receiving government contracts, primarily within the Department of Defense. Analysis of available data indicates they have been awarded multiple contracts, often related to aviation support and maintenance services. While this specific contract is for RPA organizational level maintenance, their broader experience likely encompasses various aspects of aircraft support. A deeper dive into their contract performance history, including any past performance evaluations or reported issues, would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability and capability in fulfilling government requirements. Examining the value and duration of their previous awards can also shed light on their capacity and specialization within the defense contracting landscape.

How does the awarded amount of $36.2 million compare to similar RPA maintenance contracts awarded by the Air Force or other DoD branches?

Comparing the $36.2 million award for RPA organizational level maintenance requires context regarding the contract's duration and scope. This delivery order spans approximately 1947 days (over 5 years), making the annual value around $7.2 million. To benchmark effectively, one would need to identify comparable contracts for RPA maintenance at other Air Force bases or for different RPA platforms. Factors such as the specific RPA models being serviced, the level of maintenance required (organizational, intermediate, depot), and the geographic location of the bases can significantly influence contract values. Without access to a broader dataset of similar contracts, a precise comparison is difficult, but the multi-year duration and substantial funding suggest a significant operational requirement.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to assess the performance of BATTLESPACE FLIGHT SERVICES, LLC under this contract?

Specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract are not publicly detailed in the provided data. However, for organizational level maintenance contracts, typical KPIs often include metrics such as aircraft availability rates, mean time between failures (MTBF), mean time to repair (MTTR), turnaround time for maintenance tasks, quality of work (e.g., number of repeat discrepancies), and adherence to safety protocols. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract implies that the contractor is responsible for meeting defined service levels, and failure to do so could result in penalties or non-payment. The Department of the Air Force would likely have internal performance management systems to track these metrics and ensure mission readiness is maintained.

What is the potential risk associated with the long duration (over 5 years) of this contract, despite being firm-fixed-price?

While a firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract is designed to provide cost certainty, a long duration of over five years introduces potential risks. One primary risk is contractor performance degradation over time; initial high performance might wane if oversight is not consistently rigorous. Another risk relates to unforeseen technological advancements or changes in operational requirements that could make the contracted services less relevant or efficient. Although the price is fixed, the contractor might face challenges in sourcing parts or skilled labor over an extended period, potentially leading to delays or workarounds if not managed proactively. Furthermore, the government is locked into this contractor for the duration, limiting flexibility to adapt to evolving needs or to capitalize on potentially better solutions that emerge later.

How does this contract fit into the broader strategy of the Department of the Air Force regarding Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) operations and maintenance?

This contract directly supports the Department of the Air Force's ongoing reliance on and investment in Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) systems. RPA technology is integral to intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and strike missions across various theaters. Ensuring the operational readiness of these platforms through consistent, high-quality organizational level maintenance is paramount. This contract signifies a commitment to maintaining the existing RPA fleet, likely complementing investments in new RPA platforms and technologies. It underscores the importance of sustainment and readiness as critical components of airpower projection and maintaining a technological edge in contested environments.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Support Activities for Air Transportation › Other Support Activities for Air Transportation

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: FA489010R0009

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1215 S CLARK ST STE 301, ARLINGTON, VA, 22202

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $37,413,498

Exercised Options: $36,230,982

Current Obligation: $36,230,982

Contract Characteristics

Consolidated Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA489013D0001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline