Coast Guard awards $692K for MH65E heat exchanger repair to Drake Air, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $692,318 ($692.3K)
Contractor: Drake AIR, Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2026-01-26
End Date: 2026-07-22
Contract Duration: 177 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.9K/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: REPAIR OF HEAT EXCHANGERS USED ON THE U.S. COAST GUARD MH65E AIRCRAFT.
Place of Performance
Location: TULSA, TULSA County, OKLAHOMA, 74107
State: Oklahoma Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $692,318 to DRAKE AIR, INC for work described as: REPAIR OF HEAT EXCHANGERS USED ON THE U.S. COAST GUARD MH65E AIRCRAFT. Key points: 1. The contract focuses on critical aircraft component repair, essential for operational readiness. 2. Competition was utilized under SAP, suggesting a potentially efficient procurement process. 3. The fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. This spending falls under 'Other Support Activities for Air Transportation', a niche but vital sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The award amount of $692,318 for heat exchanger repair appears reasonable given the specialized nature of aviation components. Benchmarking against similar specialized aviation repair contracts would provide further validation.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), indicating that multiple vendors likely had an opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and value for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: Competitive bidding under SAP helps ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for necessary aircraft maintenance.
Public Impact
Ensures continued operational capability of the MH65E helicopter fleet. Supports the U.S. Coast Guard's search and rescue and maritime law enforcement missions. Maintains the safety and reliability of critical aviation equipment.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for sole-sourcing if competition was limited to a very small pool.
- Dependence on a single vendor for critical component repair could pose a risk.
- Aging aircraft components may require more frequent or complex repairs.
Positive Signals
- Fixed-price contract limits cost escalation.
- Competition under SAP suggests efficient procurement.
- Essential maintenance for operational readiness.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under 'Other Support Activities for Air Transportation', a sector crucial for national defense and public safety. Spending benchmarks for specialized aviation component repair are highly variable based on the specific part and complexity.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved in this procurement. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Coast Guard), which has established oversight mechanisms for procurement. The use of SAP suggests adherence to specific regulatory guidelines for smaller procurements.
Related Government Programs
- Other Support Activities for Air Transportation
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- U.S. Coast Guard Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for limited competition within SAP.
- Dependence on specialized repair services.
- Aging aircraft component maintenance.
- Need for ongoing operational readiness.
Tags
other-support-activities-for-air-transpo, department-of-homeland-security, ok, delivery-order, 100k-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $692,318 to DRAKE AIR, INC. REPAIR OF HEAT EXCHANGERS USED ON THE U.S. COAST GUARD MH65E AIRCRAFT.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is DRAKE AIR, 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 $692,318.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-01-26. End: 2026-07-22.
What is the historical cost trend for repairing these specific heat exchangers?
Analyzing historical repair costs for the U.S. Coast Guard MH65E aircraft heat exchangers would provide valuable insight into cost trends. This includes examining previous contract awards for similar repairs, identifying any significant price increases or decreases over time, and understanding the factors that may have influenced these changes, such as inflation, material costs, or technological advancements in repair techniques.
What is the risk associated with the limited duration of the contract?
The contract duration of approximately six months (January 26, 2026, to July 22, 2026) presents a risk of potential disruption if the repair work extends beyond the awarded period or if follow-on contracts are not secured in a timely manner. This could impact the operational readiness of the MH65E aircraft if repairs are delayed or if there are gaps in service availability.
How effective is the SAP competition in ensuring long-term value for heat exchanger repairs?
The effectiveness of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) in ensuring long-term value for heat exchanger repairs depends on the market dynamics for these specialized components. While SAP promotes efficiency for smaller procurements, it may not always attract the widest range of specialized vendors or achieve the deepest cost savings compared to full and open competition for larger contracts. Continuous monitoring of repair quality and pricing is essential.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Support Activities for Air Transportation › Other Support Activities for Air Transportation
Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Ametek Inc
Address: 4085 SOUTHWEST BLVD, TULSA, OK, 74107
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $692,318
Exercised Options: $692,318
Current Obligation: $692,318
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 70Z03825DB0000007
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-01-26
Current End Date: 2026-07-22
Potential End Date: 2026-07-22 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-03
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