USCG awards $998K contract for aviation training boat to Management Marine Service Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $99,864 ($99.9K)

Contractor: Management Marine Service Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2026-04-02

End Date: 2027-01-31

Contract Duration: 304 days

Daily Burn Rate: $329/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: USCG AIR STATION DETROIT AVIATION TRAINING BOAT FOR CONDUCTING SEARCH AND RESCUE SIMULATIONS

Place of Performance

Location: HARRISON TOWNSHIP, MACOMB County, MICHIGAN, 48045

State: Michigan Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $99,864 to MANAGEMENT MARINE SERVICE INC for work described as: USCG AIR STATION DETROIT AVIATION TRAINING BOAT FOR CONDUCTING SEARCH AND RESCUE SIMULATIONS Key points: 1. The contract aims to enhance search and rescue simulation capabilities for the U.S. Coast Guard. 2. The fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for the government. 3. Competition was conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements. 4. The duration of the contract is approximately 304 days, indicating a focused, short-term need. 5. The award is for an aviation training boat, highlighting a specialized requirement within maritime operations. 6. The geographic location of the award is Michigan, potentially impacting regional training and support.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $998,640 for a specialized aviation training boat appears reasonable given the unique requirements for search and rescue simulations. Benchmarking against similar specialized maritime training vessels is challenging due to their niche nature. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor has assessed risks and costs, and the government has secured a defined price. Further analysis would require comparing the specific features and capabilities of this boat against other custom-built or modified vessels for similar training purposes.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a limited number of bidders, often between 2-5, for procurements valued below a certain threshold (currently $250,000, but this contract exceeds that, suggesting it might have been under a different SAP threshold or a specific exception). The limited competition may stem from the specialized nature of the required training boat, which could restrict the pool of qualified vendors. While SAP aims for efficiency, it may not always yield the lowest possible price compared to full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition under SAP means taxpayers may not benefit from the full price discovery that a broader competition could offer. However, the efficiency of SAP can also lead to cost savings in the acquisition process itself.

Public Impact

Aviation personnel within the U.S. Coast Guard will benefit from enhanced training capabilities. The contract will deliver a specialized aviation training boat designed for search and rescue simulations. The geographic impact is primarily centered in Michigan, where the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Detroit is located. The acquisition supports the operational readiness and effectiveness of Coast Guard aircrews in critical rescue missions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition to result in a higher-than-market price due to specialized requirements.
Reliance on a single awardee for a critical training asset could pose supply chain risks if not managed effectively.
The specific technical requirements for the training boat may be difficult to benchmark, making value assessment complex.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty and limits the government's exposure to cost overruns.
The contract is for a specialized training asset, directly supporting the Coast Guard's mission effectiveness.
Awarding to Management Marine Service Inc. leverages existing expertise in marine services.

Sector Analysis

The maritime services sector encompasses a wide range of activities, from shipbuilding and repair to specialized vessel operation and training. This contract falls within the niche of specialized vessel acquisition for training purposes, a segment that often involves custom builds or modifications. The market for such specialized training assets is typically smaller and more specialized than for general maritime services. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without detailed specifications of the training boat, but the overall U.S. maritime industry represents billions in annual spending.

Small Business Impact

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and does not indicate a specific small business set-aside. Given the specialized nature of an aviation training boat, it is possible that the pool of qualified small businesses capable of meeting the technical requirements was limited. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting goals for small businesses, which could represent a missed opportunity to engage the small business ecosystem in supporting this specialized requirement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the U.S. Coast Guard contracting office within the Department of Homeland Security. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract, requiring the contractor to deliver the specified training boat within the agreed-upon budget and timeline. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

USCG Aviation Training Programs
Maritime Simulation and Training Systems
Specialized Vessel Acquisition
Search and Rescue Equipment

Risk Flags

Limited competition may impact price optimization.
Specialized nature of the asset could limit vendor pool.
Potential for sole-source justification if competition fails.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $99,864 to MANAGEMENT MARINE SERVICE INC. USCG AIR STATION DETROIT AVIATION TRAINING BOAT FOR CONDUCTING SEARCH AND RESCUE SIMULATIONS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MANAGEMENT MARINE SERVICE INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Coast Guard).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $99,864.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2027-01-31.

What is the track record of Management Marine Service Inc. in delivering specialized marine vessels or training equipment to government agencies?

Information regarding Management Marine Service Inc.'s specific track record in delivering specialized marine vessels or training equipment to government agencies is not readily available in the provided data. A deeper dive into federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) would be necessary to ascertain their past performance, contract history, and client satisfaction ratings. This would involve searching for previous awards to the company, examining the nature and value of those contracts, and reviewing any performance evaluations or dispute history. Understanding their experience with similar complex projects is crucial for assessing the risk associated with this current award.

How does the cost of this training boat compare to similar custom-built or modified vessels for maritime training purposes?

Direct cost comparison for this specific aviation training boat is challenging without detailed specifications and a broader market survey of comparable custom-built or modified vessels. The $998,640 price tag is for a specialized asset designed for search and rescue simulations, implying unique features and engineering. To benchmark effectively, one would need to identify other contracts for similar training vessels, considering factors like size, propulsion, simulation technology integration, and regulatory compliance. The limited competition under SAP also suggests that a comprehensive price discovery process may not have occurred, potentially impacting the ability to definitively state if the price is optimal. However, the firm-fixed-price nature provides a defined cost ceiling for the government.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this training boat, and how will their achievement be measured?

The provided data does not explicitly detail the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this aviation training boat. However, based on its purpose for search and rescue simulations, likely KPIs would relate to the boat's operational reliability, the fidelity of its simulation capabilities (e.g., ability to mimic various sea states, response to simulated distress signals), its maneuverability for training scenarios, and its safety features. Measurement would typically involve acceptance testing by the U.S. Coast Guard, performance trials during the contract period, and potentially post-delivery operational assessments. The contract's statement of work would contain the specific technical requirements and acceptance criteria that serve as the basis for performance measurement.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar aviation training assets by the U.S. Coast Guard or Department of Homeland Security?

Historical spending patterns for similar aviation training assets by the U.S. Coast Guard or Department of Homeland Security are not detailed in the provided data. To analyze this, one would need to conduct a comprehensive search of federal procurement databases, filtering for contracts related to training vessels, simulation equipment, and aviation support within these agencies. This analysis would involve identifying the frequency of such procurements, the average contract values, the types of contractors involved, and the specific capabilities these assets provided. Understanding historical spending can reveal trends, identify potential cost efficiencies, and inform future budgeting and acquisition strategies for specialized training equipment.

What are the potential risks associated with the limited competition under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) for this specialized asset?

The primary risk associated with limited competition under SAP for a specialized asset like this training boat is the potential for a suboptimal price. When the pool of bidders is small, often due to the niche nature of the requirement, the competitive pressure to offer the lowest price is reduced. This can lead to the government paying more than it might under a full and open competition. Additionally, limited competition might restrict the range of innovative solutions or technological advancements that could be brought to bear. While SAP offers efficiency, it necessitates careful justification and negotiation to ensure fair and reasonable pricing, especially for unique requirements where benchmarking is difficult.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Support Activities for Water Transportation › Other Support Activities for Water Transportation

Product/Service Code: TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCATION › TRANSPORTATION OF THINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 20618 SW CITRUS BLVD, INDIANTOWN, FL, 34956

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, HUBZone Firm, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $99,864

Exercised Options: $99,864

Current Obligation: $99,864

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline