USDA Forest Service awards $9.67M for 24-hour ATGS with sensors to Dynamic Aviation Group

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,673,309 ($9.7M)

Contractor: Dynamic Aviation Group, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2024-07-23

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 891 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: 24 HOUR ATGS WITH SENSOR - LANCASTER

Place of Performance

Location: BRIDGEWATER, AUGUSTA County, VIRGINIA, 22812

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $9.7 million to DYNAMIC AVIATION GROUP, INC. for work described as: 24 HOUR ATGS WITH SENSOR - LANCASTER Key points: 1. Contract awarded for critical aviation support services. 2. Dynamic Aviation Group is the sole awardee. 3. Potential for high operational costs given the 24/7 requirement. 4. Sector: Transportation (Air Charter).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $9.67M over approximately 2.6 years suggests a significant investment. Benchmarking against similar specialized air charter services is difficult without more detailed specifications, but the duration and 24/7 operational requirement likely contribute to the overall cost.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating a limited competition. This method may have restricted the pool of potential bidders, potentially impacting price discovery and overall value for money.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential aerial surveillance and support, with the cost influenced by the limited competitive environment.

Public Impact

Ensures continuous aerial monitoring capabilities for the Forest Service. Supports critical operations, potentially including firefighting or environmental monitoring. The award highlights the government's reliance on specialized aviation services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may lead to higher prices.
Potential for cost overruns on a long-term, high-demand contract.

Positive Signals

Provides essential 24/7 operational capability.
Supports critical agency missions.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the air transportation services sector, specifically nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation. Spending in this sector is often driven by specialized operational needs, such as those of the Forest Service, and can be subject to fluctuations based on demand and resource availability.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests the requirement may necessitate large-scale operations or specialized equipment typically held by larger, established companies in the aviation sector.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a delivery order under a larger agreement, implying some level of pre-existing oversight. However, the limited competition aspect warrants scrutiny to ensure fair pricing and performance throughout the contract's duration.

Related Government Programs

Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Forest Service Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition raises concerns about price reasonableness.
Lack of detail on sensor technology hinders value assessment.
Potential for cost escalation over the contract's duration.
No clear indication of small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $9.7 million to DYNAMIC AVIATION GROUP, INC.. 24 HOUR ATGS WITH SENSOR - LANCASTER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DYNAMIC AVIATION GROUP, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $9.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-07-23. End: 2026-12-31.

What specific sensor technology is being procured, and how does it enhance the 24-hour ATGS capability compared to previous systems?

The specific sensor technology is not detailed in the provided data. Understanding the type of sensors (e.g., infrared, high-resolution visual, chemical detection) is crucial to assessing the value proposition. Enhanced sensor capabilities could justify higher costs by providing more comprehensive data, improving situational awareness, and enabling more effective mission outcomes for the Forest Service.

What were the specific reasons for excluding other sources during the competition phase, and were these justifications adequately documented?

The data states 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' suggesting a justification was made to limit the initial pool. Reasons could include unique capabilities, existing infrastructure, or specific performance requirements. A thorough review of the agency's documentation for this exclusion is necessary to ensure it was justified and did not unduly restrict competition, thereby potentially inflating the price.

How will the effectiveness of the 24-hour ATGS be measured, and what key performance indicators (KPIs) are in place to ensure mission success?

Effectiveness measurement and KPIs are not detailed here. Key indicators should focus on operational uptime, data quality and timeliness, response times to incidents, and overall contribution to Forest Service objectives (e.g., wildfire detection, resource management). Regular performance reviews against these KPIs are essential for ensuring the $9.67M investment yields the desired operational outcomes.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Nonscheduled Air Transportation › Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVERVAT SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1402 AIRPORT RD, BRIDGEWATER, VA, 22812

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,673,309

Exercised Options: $9,673,309

Current Obligation: $9,673,309

Actual Outlays: $5,421,969

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1202SA23T9410

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline