Agriculture buys 3 utility aircraft for sterile insect release for $9M from Textron Aviation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,000,000 ($9.0M)

Contractor: Textron Aviation Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2027-04-08

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $24.7K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PURCHASE THREE FIXED WING UTILITY AIRCRAFT SUITABLE FOR RELEASING STERILE INSECTS

Place of Performance

Location: INDEPENDENCE, MONTGOMERY County, KANSAS, 67301

State: Kansas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $9.0 million to TEXTRON AVIATION INC for work described as: PURCHASE THREE FIXED WING UTILITY AIRCRAFT SUITABLE FOR RELEASING STERILE INSECTS Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the specialized nature of utility aircraft for sterile insect release. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a potentially competitive process, though details on the SAP solicitation are limited. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, primarily related to delivery timelines and the specialized operational requirements. 4. Performance context suggests a need for reliable aircraft for critical pest control missions. 5. Sector positioning places this within the broader aerospace manufacturing and agricultural support services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $9 million for three fixed-wing utility aircraft is benchmarked against similar specialized aviation procurements. While exact per-unit costs for such niche aircraft are difficult to ascertain without detailed specifications, the price appears within a reasonable range for custom or modified utility platforms. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government, mitigating some financial risk.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a competitive process was utilized for this procurement. While the number of bidders is not explicitly stated, SAP is designed to encourage competition for procurements below certain thresholds. The use of SAP implies that multiple offers were solicited and evaluated, contributing to price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the SAP process, even if simplified, aims to secure favorable pricing for taxpayers by encouraging multiple vendors to submit bids.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the agricultural sector. The aircraft will be used for releasing sterile insects, a key component of integrated pest management strategies. The geographic impact is likely focused on areas experiencing pest infestations requiring sterile insect technology, with Kansas (KS) noted as the state. Workforce implications include potential support for pilots, maintenance crews, and the scientific personnel involved in sterile insect programs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for schedule delays if aircraft manufacturing or modification encounters unforeseen issues.
Ensuring the aircraft meet the highly specific requirements for sterile insect release operations.
Dependence on a single manufacturer (Textron Aviation) for this specific aircraft type could pose long-term supply risks.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Use of a competitive process under SAP likely secured a fair market price.
Aircraft are intended for a critical agricultural pest control mission, indicating strategic importance.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the aerospace manufacturing sector, specifically focusing on utility aircraft. The market for specialized utility aircraft is relatively niche, often involving modifications to existing airframes for specific purposes like agricultural spraying, surveillance, or, in this case, sterile insect release. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish precisely due to the custom nature of such requirements, but general utility aircraft prices can range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars depending on complexity and features.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans was not provided in the data. As this is a procurement of aircraft manufacturing services, it is possible that larger prime contractors are involved, and subcontracting opportunities for small businesses in related fields (e.g., component manufacturing, specialized equipment installation) may exist but are not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Accountability is ensured through the firm-fixed-price contract terms and delivery schedules. Transparency is facilitated by the federal procurement data system, which records contract awards, though specific operational details may be less public.

Related Government Programs

Pest Management Programs
Agricultural Aviation Services
Aircraft Procurement
Sterile Insect Technique (SIT)

Risk Flags

Specialized Equipment Requirement
Potential for Delivery Delays
Dependence on Specific Manufacturer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $9.0 million to TEXTRON AVIATION INC. PURCHASE THREE FIXED WING UTILITY AIRCRAFT SUITABLE FOR RELEASING STERILE INSECTS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TEXTRON AVIATION INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $9.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2027-04-08.

What is the specific model of the fixed-wing utility aircraft being purchased, and what are its key performance characteristics relevant to sterile insect release?

The provided data does not specify the exact model of the fixed-wing utility aircraft. However, the requirement for 'releasing sterile insects' suggests the aircraft must be capable of low-altitude, precise flight patterns and potentially equipped with specialized dispersal systems. Utility aircraft in this category often feature robust airframes, good maneuverability, and sufficient payload capacity for dispersal equipment and the sterile insects themselves. Further details on the aircraft's specifications would be found in the detailed solicitation documents or technical exhibits associated with the contract.

How does the $9 million cost for three aircraft compare to the average cost of similar specialized utility aircraft procured by federal agencies?

Benchmarking the $9 million cost for three specialized utility aircraft requires comparing it to similar procurements. Without specific model details, a direct comparison is challenging. However, custom-modified or purpose-built utility aircraft can range significantly in price. For context, new general aviation utility aircraft can cost anywhere from $500,000 to $3 million or more. Given the specialized nature of sterile insect release, which may require significant modifications for dispersal systems and precise flight control, a price point averaging $3 million per aircraft appears within a plausible range for a niche requirement. Agencies procuring similar specialized platforms for agricultural or environmental missions would provide the best comparison.

What are the primary risks associated with Textron Aviation's ability to deliver these aircraft on schedule and to specification?

Primary risks associated with Textron Aviation's delivery include potential manufacturing delays common in complex aircraft production, supply chain disruptions for specialized components, and ensuring the final product precisely meets the unique specifications for sterile insect release. Textron Aviation is a reputable manufacturer, which mitigates some risk, but the specialized nature of the modification could introduce unforeseen technical challenges. The firm-fixed-price contract structure incentivizes timely delivery but also places the financial risk of cost overruns on the contractor. The government's oversight and acceptance testing will be critical in managing these risks.

What is the historical spending pattern of the Department of Agriculture (specifically APHIS) on aircraft for pest management or similar operations?

Historical spending data for the Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) on aircraft for pest management or similar operations would reveal trends in their reliance on aviation assets. Analyzing past contracts for aircraft procurement, leasing, or specialized services would indicate the frequency and scale of such investments. This could show whether this $9 million purchase represents a significant increase or a routine replacement/expansion of their aerial fleet. Understanding this pattern helps contextualize the current expenditure and assess its alignment with long-term program needs and budget allocations for pest control initiatives.

How effective has the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) been in past USDA programs, and what is the expected impact of these new aircraft on its efficacy?

The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) has been a demonstrably effective tool in managing and eradicating insect pest populations globally and within USDA programs. Its success relies on the large-scale release of sterilized male insects, which then mate with wild females, reducing the overall pest population over time. The acquisition of three new fixed-wing utility aircraft is expected to significantly enhance the efficacy and reach of SIT programs. These aircraft will likely allow for more frequent, widespread, and precise releases of sterile insects, potentially improving control over larger or more remote infested areas, thereby increasing the overall success rate and efficiency of pest eradication or suppression efforts.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing › Aircraft Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: AEROSPACE CRAFT AND STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 12639526Q1153831

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Textron Inc

Address: 1 CESSNA BLVD, WICHITA, KS, 67215

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,000,000

Exercised Options: $9,000,000

Current Obligation: $9,000,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline