DOJ's U.S. Marshals Service awards $203K for flight training to FlightSafety International Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $203,450 ($203.4K)
Contractor: Flightsafety International Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2024-12-16
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 653 days
Daily Burn Rate: $312/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: IOD-ASB: PILOT FLIGHT TRAINING CONTRACT FILE: APC-FY24-000298
Place of Performance
Location: COLUMBUS, FRANKLIN County, OHIO, 43219
State: Ohio Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $203,450 to FLIGHTSAFETY INTERNATIONAL INC for work described as: IOD-ASB: PILOT FLIGHT TRAINING CONTRACT FILE: APC-FY24-000298 Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the firm fixed-price contract type and duration. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a potentially limited competition environment under SAP. 3. Risk indicators are low with a single awardee and a firm fixed-price structure. 4. Performance context is a pilot flight training program, suggesting a specific operational need. 5. Sector positioning is within professional services supporting law enforcement operations.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $203,450 for approximately 653 days of service appears reasonable for specialized flight training. Benchmarking against similar contracts is difficult without more detailed service descriptions. However, the firm fixed-price nature suggests the government has locked in costs, which is a positive sign for value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which typically involves less formal competition than full and open solicitations. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP can sometimes lead to fewer offers, potentially impacting price discovery. The awardee is FlightSafety International Inc.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP suggests an effort to streamline procurement for smaller dollar values, but it may limit the potential for achieving the lowest possible price through broad competition.
Public Impact
Law enforcement personnel, specifically U.S. Marshals Service agents, will benefit from enhanced flight training. The services delivered include specialized flight instruction, crucial for operational effectiveness. The geographic impact is likely concentrated in Ohio, where the contract is managed. Workforce implications include ensuring pilots are proficient and up-to-date with training standards.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for limited competition due to SAP procurement method.
- Lack of detailed performance metrics makes assessing effectiveness challenging.
- Specific training curriculum details are not publicly available.
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
- Award to an established provider like FlightSafety International Inc. suggests a focus on quality.
- Contract duration of over 1.5 years allows for sustained training support.
Sector Analysis
The federal spending on professional and technical training services is substantial. This contract falls within the broader category of support services for government operations. Flight training is a niche but critical component for agencies operating aircraft, ensuring pilot proficiency and safety. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more granular data on specific training types and durations.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. Information regarding subcontracting plans or actual small business participation is not available in the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal for this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the U.S. Marshals Service contracting office and potentially the Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General if performance issues or fraud were suspected. Transparency is limited by the nature of SAP procurements, with less public detail compared to larger, full-and-open contracts.
Related Government Programs
- Federal Aviation Administration Training Programs
- Department of Homeland Security Pilot Training
- Law Enforcement Aviation Support Contracts
Risk Flags
- Potential for limited competition due to SAP.
- Lack of detailed service scope and performance metrics.
Tags
flight-training, us-marshals-service, department-of-justice, simplified-acquisition-procedures, firm-fixed-price, pilot-training, law-enforcement-support, ohio, professional-services, competed-under-sap
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $203,450 to FLIGHTSAFETY INTERNATIONAL INC. IOD-ASB: PILOT FLIGHT TRAINING CONTRACT FILE: APC-FY24-000298
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is FLIGHTSAFETY INTERNATIONAL INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Justice (U.S. Marshals Service).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $203,450.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-12-16. End: 2026-09-30.
What is the specific nature of the flight training provided under this contract?
The provided data indicates the contract is for 'Flight Training' (ND: Flight Training) under the NAICS code 611512 (Flight Training). While the specific curriculum or aircraft types are not detailed, this code generally covers flight instruction and training services. Given the agency is the U.S. Marshals Service, it is likely specialized training related to law enforcement aviation operations, potentially including pursuit tactics, surveillance flying, or tactical maneuvering, rather than general pilot certification.
How does the contract value compare to similar flight training services for federal law enforcement agencies?
Direct comparison of the $203,450 contract value is challenging without specific details on the training hours, aircraft used, instructor qualifications, and duration. However, the contract spans approximately 653 days (from Dec 2024 to Sep 2026), averaging roughly $312 per day. This daily rate seems low for specialized flight instruction, suggesting either a limited scope of services, a high volume of trainees sharing costs, or potentially a very competitive bid. Larger, more comprehensive flight training contracts for federal agencies can range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars depending on complexity and scale.
What are the potential risks associated with awarding this contract under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP)?
The primary risk associated with using SAP is potentially reduced competition. SAP procedures are designed for procurements under the micro-purchase threshold (currently $10,000) and the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000), allowing for less formal solicitation processes. This can lead to fewer vendors submitting offers compared to full and open competition, potentially resulting in higher prices or less optimal solutions. However, for a contract of this size ($203,450), SAP is an appropriate mechanism, and the risk is mitigated if the agency actively sought multiple quotes from qualified sources.
What is FlightSafety International Inc.'s track record with federal government contracts, particularly for flight training?
FlightSafety International Inc. is a well-established provider of aviation training services. While the provided data only shows this specific contract, a broader search would likely reveal a history of contracts with various federal agencies, including military branches and law enforcement. Their extensive experience in the civilian aviation training sector suggests a strong capability to deliver the required services. However, a detailed analysis would require examining past performance reviews and any documented issues on previous government contracts.
How does the firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type impact the government's financial risk?
A Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type is generally favorable for the government in terms of financial risk. Under an FFP contract, the contractor agrees to a set price for the work, regardless of the actual costs incurred. This means the government's liability is fixed at the outset, providing cost certainty and predictability. The contractor assumes the risk of cost overruns. This structure is suitable for requirements where the scope of work is well-defined, as is likely the case for specific flight training modules.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Educational Services › Technical and Trade Schools › Flight Training
Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 15M10224RA4700249
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3100 EASTON SQUARE PL STE 100, COLUMBUS, OH, 43219
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $203,450
Exercised Options: $203,450
Current Obligation: $203,450
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-12-16
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2027-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-06
More Contracts from Flightsafety International Inc
- Federal Contract — $368.1M (Department of Defense)
- 200505!500470!2100!w9124g!aca, Fort Rucker !W9124G04C0037 !A!N! !N! !p00008!20050201!20050930!046173175!046173175!001024314!n!flightsafety International, In!marine AIR Terminal, LA Gu!flushing !ny!11371!27640!031!01!fort Rucker !coffee !alabama !-000000958050!n!n!000000000000!u099!other Education & Training Services !S1 !services !000 !* !611512!E! !3! ! !D! ! !20200930!B! ! !A! !a!n!j!2!001!b! !C!N!Z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !a!a!a!a!000!a!b!n! ! ! !Y! ! !0001! ! — $355.9M (Department of Defense)
- UH-1Y FTD 2F226-3 — $47.7M (Department of Defense)
- MC-130W WST — $14.9M (Department of Defense)
- Task Order for Aircraft Pilot Training Services (fixed and Rotary Wing) Initial and Recurrent Courses in Accordance With the Terms and Conditions of the Governing Idiq Contract 70B02C21D00000008. This IS for Order Period 4 — $4.1M (Department of Homeland Security)
Other Department of Justice Contracts
- Contractor Owned and Operated Existing Correctional Facility for Approximately 3,500 LOW Security Male Inmates — $794.5M (Cornell Companies, Inc.)
- Detention Services - SAN Diego — $776.9M (THE GEO Group, Inc.)
- CO: Telly Renfroe Award of NEW Task Order Base Year Initial Funding — $616.4M (AT&T Enterprises, LLC)
- TAS 151060 - Services for the Management and Operation of a Contractor-Owned, Contractor-Operated, Correctional Facility for 2,567 Beds in Adams County, Mississippi — $574.3M (Corecivic, Inc.)
- Provide Services for the Management and Operation of a Correctional Facility in Accordance With Rfp-Pcc-0014 — $568.9M (Cornell Companies, Inc.)