Air Force's $25.4M helicopter training center contract awarded to Cambridge International Systems Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $25,412,921 ($25.4M)
Contractor: Cambridge International Systems Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2016-06-22
End Date: 2019-08-23
Contract Duration: 1,157 days
Daily Burn Rate: $22.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF - REGIONAL HELICOPTER TRAINING CENTER
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $25.4 million to CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL SYSTEMS INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF - REGIONAL HELICOPTER TRAINING CENTER Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the duration and scope of facilities support services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these services. 3. Contract duration of nearly four years indicates a stable, long-term need. 4. The fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor. 5. This contract falls within the facilities support services sector, a common government need. 6. The award was made by the Department of the Air Force, a major defense spender.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's total value of approximately $25.4 million over 1157 days (nearly 4 years) suggests a daily rate of roughly $21,964. This rate needs to be benchmarked against similar facilities support contracts for helicopter training centers. Without specific comparable data, it's difficult to definitively assess pricing, but the fixed-price nature of the contract provides some assurance against cost overruns for the government. The duration implies a significant scope of services, making the overall value potentially competitive.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of 6 bids suggests a competitive environment, which typically leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government. The level of competition is a positive sign for ensuring value.
Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down prices and encouraging high-quality service delivery.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Air Force personnel requiring helicopter pilot training. The contract delivers essential facilities support services, ensuring the operational readiness of training infrastructure. The geographic impact is likely localized to the specific Air Force base where the training center is located. Workforce implications include the creation or maintenance of jobs for personnel managing and operating the training facilities.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if not clearly defined in the initial contract.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical support services could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
Positive Signals
- Fixed-price contract structure incentivizes contractor efficiency.
- Full and open competition suggests a robust market and potential for quality service.
- Long contract duration indicates a stable and predictable operational environment.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Facilities Support Services sector (NAICS code 561210), which encompasses establishments primarily engaged in operating and maintaining buildings and other facilities, on either a contract or fee basis. The defense sector frequently procures such services to ensure the smooth operation of its extensive infrastructure. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other government contracts for facility management and operational support at military installations, particularly those supporting specialized training.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned. The contractor, Cambridge International Systems Inc., is likely a mid-to-large-sized business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were available or utilized by the prime contractor.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Department of the Air Force. Accountability measures are embedded in the fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver services as specified. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics and oversight reports may not always be publicly accessible.
Related Government Programs
- Air Force Training Programs
- Military Base Operations Support
- Facilities Management Contracts
- Helicopter Pilot Training
Risk Flags
- Contract Duration
- Performance Risk
- Scope Definition
Tags
defense, department-of-defense, department-of-the-air-force, facilities-support-services, helicopter-training, full-and-open-competition, firm-fixed-price, delivery-order, mid-size-contract, usaf
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $25.4 million to CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL SYSTEMS INC.. IGF::OT::IGF - REGIONAL HELICOPTER TRAINING CENTER
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL SYSTEMS INC..
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 $25.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2016-06-22. End: 2019-08-23.
What is the track record of Cambridge International Systems Inc. with similar government contracts?
Cambridge International Systems Inc. has a history of securing various government contracts, primarily within the defense and federal sectors. Their portfolio often includes services related to logistics, training support, and facility operations. Analyzing their past performance on contracts of similar size and scope, particularly those involving facility management or specialized training support, would provide insight into their reliability and execution capabilities. A review of contract award histories and any associated performance evaluations or past performance questionnaires would be crucial for a comprehensive assessment. This specific contract for the Regional Helicopter Training Center represents a significant award, suggesting a level of trust and proven capability by the Department of the Air Force.
How does the per-day cost of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for helicopter training facility support?
The contract's total value of $25,412,921.06 over 1157 days results in a daily cost of approximately $21,964. Benchmarking this figure against industry standards for helicopter training facility support requires access to proprietary market data or detailed government cost analyses of similar contracts. Factors influencing this cost include the specific services provided (e.g., maintenance, utilities, security, administrative support), the geographic location of the facility, and the scale of operations. Without direct comparable data, it's challenging to definitively state if this rate is high or low. However, the full and open competition with multiple bidders suggests that the pricing was likely competitive within the market at the time of award.
What are the primary risks associated with this type of facilities support contract?
Key risks for a facilities support contract like this include potential performance deficiencies by the contractor, leading to disruptions in training operations. Scope creep, where the requirements expand beyond the original contract terms without adequate adjustment, is another risk. There's also the risk of unforeseen maintenance issues or infrastructure failures that could lead to cost increases or delays, although the fixed-price nature of this contract aims to mitigate cost overruns for the government. Contractor personnel reliability and security are also critical considerations. Finally, a long-term reliance on a single contractor could pose a risk if their financial stability or operational capacity diminishes over the contract period.
How effective has Cambridge International Systems Inc. been in delivering services under this specific contract?
Assessing the effectiveness of Cambridge International Systems Inc. under this specific contract requires access to performance reports, user feedback from the Air Force, and any contract modifications or disputes. Publicly available data typically shows contract awards and basic details, but detailed performance metrics are often internal. Given the contract's duration (2016-2019) and its completion, a retrospective analysis would involve reviewing any available contract close-out documentation or performance reviews. The fact that the contract was awarded and completed without major publicly reported issues suggests a baseline level of effectiveness, but a deeper dive into specific performance indicators would be necessary for a comprehensive evaluation.
What has been the historical spending trend for helicopter training facilities support by the Department of the Air Force?
Analyzing the historical spending trend for helicopter training facilities support by the Department of the Air Force would involve examining contract data over several fiscal years. This specific contract represents a portion of that spending. To understand the trend, one would need to aggregate spending on similar services across various Air Force bases and training commands. Factors influencing trends include changes in pilot training requirements, modernization of aircraft, base consolidation or expansion, and overall defense budget allocations. A broader analysis would reveal whether spending in this category has been increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable, and identify key contractors and contract types utilized.
What is the significance of the 'Facilities Support Services' NAICS code in the context of defense spending?
The 'Facilities Support Services' (NAICS 561210) code is highly significant in defense spending as military operations rely heavily on the maintenance and operational readiness of extensive physical infrastructure, including bases, training centers, and administrative buildings. The Department of Defense is one of the largest procurers of these services, contracting for everything from janitorial and groundskeeping to complex building systems management and repair. This category ensures that the physical environment supporting military personnel and operations is safe, functional, and efficient. Contracts under this code are crucial for maintaining the operational capacity and readiness of the armed forces.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities Support Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: FA489014R0023
Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2300 CLARENDON BLVD, ARLINGTON, VA, 22201
Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business, Woman Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $29,474,990
Exercised Options: $25,781,983
Current Obligation: $25,412,921
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA489016D0011
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2016-06-22
Current End Date: 2019-08-23
Potential End Date: 2020-08-23 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2023-10-06
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