DOT's FAA Awards $44.7M Firm Fixed Price Contract for H-160B Helicopter Training to Airbus

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $44,700 ($44.7K)

Contractor: Airbus Helicopters, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2026-04-06

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 359 days

Daily Burn Rate: $125/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: (21800146) H-160B RECURRENT TRAINING

Place of Performance

Location: GRAND PRAIRIE, DALLAS County, TEXAS, 75052

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $44,700 to AIRBUS HELICOPTERS, INC. for work described as: (21800146) H-160B RECURRENT TRAINING Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single vendor, Airbus Helicopters, Inc., indicating potential lack of competition. 2. The contract is for recurrent training, a recurring need that could be subject to competitive bidding. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type aims to control costs, but price discovery is limited without competition. 4. The sector is IT/Training, with a NAICS code of 611512 for Flight Training.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract is for recurrent training, a service that can vary in price based on vendor and scope. Without competitive bids, it's difficult to assess if $44.7 million is optimal.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award to Airbus Helicopters, Inc. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in taxpayers paying a premium for the H-160B recurrent training services.

Public Impact

Pilots and maintenance crews will receive essential recurrent training for the H-160B helicopter. The training ensures continued operational readiness and safety for FAA aviation operations. Taxpayers fund this critical training, highlighting the need for cost-effective procurement.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Sole-source award

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract
Clear training objective

Sector Analysis

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operates in the aviation services sector. Spending on specialized training like this is common to maintain a skilled workforce and ensure operational safety.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded to Airbus Helicopters, Inc., a large business. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

The FAA is responsible for overseeing this contract to ensure the delivery of required training services. Transparency in sole-source awards is crucial for accountability.

Related Government Programs

Flight Training
Department of Transportation Contracting
Federal Aviation Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for overpayment due to lack of competition
Limited transparency in pricing
Reliance on a single vendor
Risk of vendor lock-in for future training needs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $44,700 to AIRBUS HELICOPTERS, INC.. (21800146) H-160B RECURRENT TRAINING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AIRBUS HELICOPTERS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Federal Aviation Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $44,700.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-06. End: 2027-03-31.

What is the justification for the sole-source award, and were alternative competitive strategies considered?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent needs that only one vendor can meet. The FAA should have documented the specific reasons why competition was not feasible or advantageous for this H-160B recurrent training contract. Exploring options like phased competition or market research for potential future competitive procurements is essential.

How does the per-unit cost of this training compare to similar helicopter training contracts, if available?

Benchmarking the per-unit cost is challenging without competitive data. If similar H-160B training is available from other providers or if historical data exists for comparable helicopter types, a comparison could reveal cost efficiencies or potential overspending. The FAA should maintain internal cost models or industry benchmarks to validate pricing for sole-source awards.

What measures are in place to ensure the effectiveness and quality of the training provided by Airbus Helicopters?

Contractual performance standards, regular progress reviews, and post-training evaluations are key to ensuring training effectiveness. The FAA should define clear learning objectives and success metrics within the contract. Feedback mechanisms from trainees and instructors can also provide valuable insights into the quality and relevance of the recurrent training.

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: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2701 N FORUM DR, GRAND PRAIRIE, TX, 75052

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $44,700

Exercised Options: $44,700

Current Obligation: $44,700

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 6973GH26D00027

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline