DHS Awards $57M for Multirole Enforcement Aircraft Training and Spares Under Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $56,989,251 ($57.0M)

Contractor: Science and Engineering Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2025-09-30

End Date: 2029-04-27

Contract Duration: 1,305 days

Daily Burn Rate: $43.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: MULTIROLE ENFORCEMENT AIRCRAFT, TRAINING, SPARES,

Place of Performance

Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35824

State: Alabama Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $57.0 million to SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING SERVICES, LLC for work described as: MULTIROLE ENFORCEMENT AIRCRAFT, TRAINING, SPARES, Key points: 1. Significant investment in critical enforcement aircraft capabilities. 2. Competition method suggests potential for competitive pricing. 3. Long-term contract duration may introduce performance risks. 4. Focus on aircraft manufacturing sector with implications for defense contractors.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award value of $56.99M over approximately 4.3 years appears reasonable given the scope of training, spares, and aircraft support. Benchmarking against similar multirole aircraft sustainment contracts would provide further validation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust price discovery process. This method generally leads to more competitive pricing as multiple vendors can bid.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is expected to yield favorable pricing, maximizing the value of taxpayer funds allocated to this critical national security need.

Public Impact

Enhances border security and law enforcement capabilities through advanced aircraft. Supports critical training infrastructure for aviation personnel. Ensures operational readiness of vital enforcement aircraft fleet. Potential for job creation within the aerospace and defense sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration (over 4 years) could lead to scope creep or price increases.
Reliance on specific aircraft type may create vendor lock-in for future needs.
Potential for supply chain disruptions affecting spare parts availability.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, promoting competitive pricing.
Focus on essential training and maintenance ensures operational readiness.
Clear end date provides a defined period for service delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Aircraft Manufacturing sector, specifically supporting specialized enforcement aircraft. Spending benchmarks in this niche area are often high due to technological complexity and stringent performance requirements.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates the awardee is SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING SERVICES, LLC. Further analysis is needed to determine the extent of small business participation as subcontractors on this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Homeland Security, through U.S. Customs and Border Protection, is responsible for oversight. The firm-fixed-price contract type provides some cost control, but monitoring performance and delivery is crucial.

Related Government Programs

Aircraft Manufacturing
Department of Homeland Security Contracting
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Programs

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may lead to cost overruns.
Potential for vendor lock-in for future sustainment.
Dependence on specific aircraft model limits flexibility.
Risk of supply chain disruptions for specialized parts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $57.0 million to SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING SERVICES, LLC. MULTIROLE ENFORCEMENT AIRCRAFT, TRAINING, SPARES,

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING SERVICES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Customs and Border Protection).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $57.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-30. End: 2029-04-27.

What is the specific breakdown of costs for training versus spares and aircraft support?

The provided data does not detail the cost allocation between training, spares, and aircraft support. A comprehensive analysis would require access to the contract's detailed schedule of services and pricing. Understanding this breakdown is crucial for assessing the value proposition of each component and identifying potential areas for cost optimization in future procurements.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for the training and support services?

The data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Effective oversight requires clearly defined KPIs related to training completion rates, aircraft availability, response times for spare parts, and overall mission support effectiveness. These metrics should be rigorously tracked to ensure the contractor meets performance expectations and taxpayer value.

How does the per-unit cost of training compare to industry benchmarks for similar aircraft?

A direct per-unit cost benchmark for training is not available from the provided data. To assess value, comparisons should be made against industry standards for flight hours, simulator time, and instructor support for comparable multirole enforcement aircraft. Without this benchmark, it's difficult to definitively state if the pricing is optimal.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: AEROSPACE CRAFT AND STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 20152001

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 248 DUNLOP BLVD SW, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35824

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Manufacturer of Goods, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $56,989,251

Exercised Options: $56,989,251

Current Obligation: $56,989,251

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $30,854,390

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70B02C22D00000019

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline