DHS awards $4.37M for aircraft maintenance, with Innovative Consulting & Management Services securing the contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,370,513 ($4.4M)

Contractor: Innovative Consulting & Management Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2024-12-19

End Date: 2025-12-18

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Defense

Official Description: PROGRAM DEPOT MAINTENANCE SUPPORT SERVICES - BASE YEAR

Place of Performance

Location: ELIZABETH CITY, PASQUOTANK County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27909

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $4.4 million to INNOVATIVE CONSULTING & MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LLC for work described as: PROGRAM DEPOT MAINTENANCE SUPPORT SERVICES - BASE YEAR Key points: 1. The contract value appears reasonable for a one-year base period of performance. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract is for labor hours, which can introduce cost variability. 4. The North Carolina location may influence labor costs and availability. 5. This contract supports critical aviation readiness for the U.S. Coast Guard. 6. The use of a delivery order indicates a specific need within a larger framework.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $4.37 million for a one-year base period seems aligned with typical support service contracts of this nature. Benchmarking against similar aircraft maintenance support services for federal agencies would provide a more precise value assessment. The labor hour pricing structure allows for flexibility but requires diligent oversight to ensure cost efficiency and prevent scope creep. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the initial award appears within a reasonable range.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating that multiple potential bidders were allowed to submit proposals. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which should lead to more favorable pricing and better service offerings for the government. The exclusion of sources clause might suggest specific capabilities were sought, but the overall approach indicates a broad outreach.

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 U.S. Coast Guard benefits from enhanced aircraft maintenance and operational readiness. Services delivered include essential support for aviation assets, ensuring their airworthiness. The geographic impact is primarily focused on U.S. Coast Guard aviation operations. Workforce implications include employment for skilled technicians and support personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Labor hour contracts can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
Ensuring adequate performance standards are met within the awarded budget is crucial.
The specific exclusion of sources, while potentially necessary, warrants understanding.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process.
Supports critical U.S. Coast Guard aviation missions.
Contract duration provides a stable period for service delivery.

Sector Analysis

The federal aviation maintenance and support sector is a critical component of national defense and public safety. This contract falls within the broader aerospace and defense services industry, which is characterized by specialized technical expertise and stringent regulatory requirements. Spending in this area is often driven by the need to maintain aging fleets and ensure operational readiness across various government agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing contracts for similar aircraft types and service scopes across agencies like the Department of Defense or NASA.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included small business set-asides or subcontracting goals. Without this information, it is difficult to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem. However, the nature of specialized aviation maintenance often involves large prime contractors who may then subcontract to smaller, specialized firms. Further investigation into the subcontracting plan would be necessary to understand the full implications for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Coast Guard contracting officer and their representatives. Performance monitoring, invoice review, and compliance checks are standard accountability measures. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting mechanisms. The specific Inspector General jurisdiction would likely fall under the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security Aviation Support Contracts
U.S. Coast Guard Aircraft Maintenance Services
Federal Aviation Maintenance and Repair Contracts
Defense Contract Services

Risk Flags

Labor Hour Contract Risk
Performance Monitoring Required
Scope Creep Potential

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $4.4 million to INNOVATIVE CONSULTING & MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LLC. PROGRAM DEPOT MAINTENANCE SUPPORT SERVICES - BASE YEAR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INNOVATIVE CONSULTING & MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LLC.

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 $4.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-12-19. End: 2025-12-18.

What is the track record of Innovative Consulting & Management Services, LLC with federal contracts, particularly in aviation maintenance?

A review of federal contract databases indicates that Innovative Consulting & Management Services, LLC has been awarded multiple contracts across various federal agencies. While specific details on their aviation maintenance track record require deeper analysis, their presence in the federal contracting space suggests experience in delivering services to government entities. To fully assess their suitability for this specific contract, a detailed examination of past performance evaluations, any past disputes or contract terminations, and their demonstrated expertise in aircraft depot maintenance would be necessary. Understanding their history with labor-hour contracts and their ability to manage costs effectively within such structures is also critical.

How does the $4.37 million contract value compare to similar U.S. Coast Guard or DHS aviation maintenance contracts?

Benchmarking this $4.37 million contract against similar U.S. Coast Guard or Department of Homeland Security aviation maintenance contracts requires access to detailed historical data on contracts with comparable scope, aircraft types, and service durations. Generally, a one-year base period for depot-level maintenance support for a fleet of aircraft can range significantly based on the complexity of the aircraft and the scope of services (e.g., scheduled maintenance, unscheduled repairs, component overhaul). Without specific comparable contract data, it's challenging to definitively state if this award represents exceptional value. However, the full and open competition method suggests an effort to achieve competitive pricing.

What are the primary risks associated with this labor-hour contract for aircraft maintenance?

The primary risks associated with this labor-hour contract for aircraft maintenance revolve around cost control and performance management. Labor-hour contracts, by their nature, do not have a fixed ceiling on the total cost, making them susceptible to cost overruns if the scope of work expands or if labor hours are not efficiently utilized. Key risks include potential for scope creep, where additional tasks are added without formal modification, driving up costs. There's also a risk of inefficient labor application, where tasks take longer than anticipated. Ensuring robust oversight, clear task definitions, and diligent tracking of labor hours against performance metrics are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure value for taxpayer money.

What specific types of aircraft or maintenance services are covered under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'PROGRAM DEPOT MAINTENANCE SUPPORT SERVICES' but does not specify the exact types of aircraft or the detailed scope of maintenance services. Depot maintenance typically refers to the highest level of maintenance, involving major overhauls, repairs, and modifications that are beyond the capability of field-level maintenance units. This could encompass a wide range of services, from engine overhauls to structural repairs and avionics upgrades. To understand the specific services, one would need to review the contract's Statement of Work (SOW), which would detail the specific aircraft platforms supported and the precise maintenance actions required.

What is the historical spending trend for similar aircraft maintenance support services by the U.S. Coast Guard?

Analyzing the historical spending trends for similar aircraft maintenance support services by the U.S. Coast Guard requires a comprehensive review of past contract awards within this category. This would involve identifying contracts for aircraft depot maintenance, component repair, and related technical support over several fiscal years. Trends might reveal an increasing or decreasing demand for such services, fluctuations in contract values, and shifts in the types of aircraft being supported. Understanding these historical patterns can help contextualize the current $4.37 million award, indicating whether it represents a typical expenditure, an increase, or a decrease compared to previous years' investments in aviation readiness.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE SVCS. › TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 100 LAKEFOREST BLVD STE 600, GAITHERSBURG, MD, 20877

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Hispanic American Owned Business, HUBZone Firm, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,370,513

Exercised Options: $4,370,513

Current Obligation: $4,370,513

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70Z03825DL0000001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline