Coast Guard awards $826K contract for MH-60T aircraft display unit repairs to Teledyne FLIR

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $82,610 ($82.6K)

Contractor: Teledyne Flir Defense, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2025-12-22

End Date: 2026-05-31

Contract Duration: 160 days

Daily Burn Rate: $516/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: REPAIR OF DISPLAY UNITS TO BE UTILIZED ON USCG MH-60T AIRCRAFT.

Place of Performance

Location: NORTH BILLERICA, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01862

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $82,610 to TELEDYNE FLIR DEFENSE, INC. for work described as: REPAIR OF DISPLAY UNITS TO BE UTILIZED ON USCG MH-60T AIRCRAFT. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential repair services for critical aircraft components. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about potential cost efficiencies and market alternatives. 3. Limited competition may impact price discovery and taxpayer value. 4. The contract duration of 160 days suggests a focused scope of work. 5. Repair services are vital for maintaining operational readiness of the MH-60T fleet. 6. The award falls under a firm-fixed-price structure, aiming to control costs.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $826,100 for repair of display units is difficult to benchmark without specific details on the number of units and the nature of the repairs. As a sole-source award, there is no direct comparison to other bids. The firm-fixed-price structure provides some cost certainty, but the absence of competition prevents an assessment of whether this represents the best possible value for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one vendor, Teledyne FLIR Defense, Inc., was solicited. This approach bypasses the standard competitive bidding process. While sole-source awards can be justified in specific circumstances (e.g., unique capabilities or urgent needs), they limit the government's ability to explore a wider range of pricing and technical solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers as the government does not benefit from the price reductions typically achieved through competitive bidding.

Public Impact

The U.S. Coast Guard MH-60T helicopter fleet will benefit from renewed operational capability. Essential repair services ensure the continued functioning of critical display units on aircraft. The services will be performed in Massachusetts, impacting the local economy. Maintenance of aircraft readiness supports Coast Guard missions, including search and rescue and maritime security.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may result in suboptimal pricing.
Sole-source nature limits transparency in the selection process.
Potential for higher costs compared to a competed contract.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Focus on essential repair services for critical aviation components.
Award to an established defense contractor with relevant expertise.

Sector Analysis

The aerospace and defense sector is characterized by complex supply chains and specialized repair services. Contracts for aircraft component maintenance are common, often involving original equipment manufacturers or authorized service providers due to technical requirements and intellectual property. The market for specialized electronic repair can be concentrated, sometimes leading to sole-source or limited-competition awards when specific expertise or parts are required.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to involve significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses based on the provided data. The award is made directly to a large defense contractor, Teledyne FLIR Defense, Inc. This suggests that the primary focus is on specialized repair capabilities rather than fostering small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Homeland Security's existing contract management and oversight framework, potentially involving the U.S. Coast Guard's own procurement and quality assurance teams. Inspector General reviews could be initiated if specific concerns regarding waste, fraud, or abuse arise. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award.

Related Government Programs

MH-60T Helicopter Maintenance
Aviation Component Repair Services
Department of Homeland Security Procurement
U.S. Coast Guard Aviation Support

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competitive bidding
Potential for inflated pricing

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $82,610 to TELEDYNE FLIR DEFENSE, INC.. REPAIR OF DISPLAY UNITS TO BE UTILIZED ON USCG MH-60T AIRCRAFT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TELEDYNE FLIR DEFENSE, 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 $82,610.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-12-22. End: 2026-05-31.

What is the specific nature of the 'display units' requiring repair on the MH-60T aircraft, and what are the critical functions they perform?

The 'display units' likely refer to the various screens and interfaces within the MH-60T helicopter's cockpit and mission systems. These could include flight displays (e.g., primary flight display, navigation display), engine instrument displays, radar displays, or mission equipment displays. Their critical functions are to provide pilots and crew with essential real-time information for safe flight operations, navigation, situational awareness, and mission execution. Malfunctions in these units can directly impact the aircraft's ability to perform its duties, ranging from search and rescue to maritime interdiction.

What is Teledyne FLIR Defense, Inc.'s track record with the U.S. Coast Guard and specifically with MH-60T aircraft components?

Teledyne FLIR Defense, Inc. is a known entity in the defense and aerospace sector, providing various electronic systems, sensors, and support services. While specific details of their past performance on MH-60T display unit repairs are not provided in this data, their general experience in defense electronics suggests they possess the technical capabilities. Further investigation would be needed to confirm their specific contract history with the U.S. Coast Guard for this particular aircraft type and component, including any past performance evaluations or issues.

Given the sole-source nature, what justification was provided for not competing this requirement?

Sole-source awards are typically justified under specific circumstances outlined in federal acquisition regulations, such as when only one responsible source is capable of providing the required service or supply, or when there is a compelling urgency. For aviation components, justifications often relate to proprietary technology, unique repair expertise held by the original manufacturer or an authorized agent, or the need for specialized tooling and test equipment that only one vendor possesses. The specific justification for this contract would be documented in the contract file by the U.S. Coast Guard contracting officer.

How does the $826,100 contract value compare to historical spending on similar repair services for MH-60T display units?

Without historical data on previous repairs of these specific display units, a direct comparison is not possible. The $826,100 figure represents the total value for this delivery order, covering repairs expected between December 2025 and May 2026. To assess value, one would need to examine prior contracts for similar repairs, considering the number of units repaired, the scope of work, and the pricing. The absence of competition makes it harder to determine if this amount is aligned with market rates or previous government expenditures for comparable services.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single vendor for critical aircraft component repairs?

The primary risks of a sole-source award for critical aircraft component repairs include potential price inflation due to lack of competition, limited innovation from the vendor, and a lack of alternative options if the vendor fails to perform or experiences financial difficulties. For the U.S. Coast Guard, this could mean higher maintenance costs and potential delays in aircraft readiness if the sole-source provider cannot meet demand or quality standards. It also reduces leverage in negotiations and limits the government's ability to explore new technologies or more cost-effective solutions from other potential providers.

What is the expected impact of these repairs on the operational readiness and mission capabilities of the U.S. Coast Guard's MH-60T fleet?

The repairs are directly aimed at ensuring the operational readiness of the MH-60T fleet. Display units are critical for flight operations, navigation, and mission systems. By repairing these units, the Coast Guard can maintain the effectiveness of its helicopters for vital missions such as search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, and homeland security operations. Ensuring these components are functional reduces the risk of mission aborts or safety incidents, thereby enhancing the overall capability and reliability of the MH-60T fleet.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Other Services (except Public Administration) › Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance › Other Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 25 ESQUIRE RD, NORTH BILLERICA, MA, 03

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: $82,610

Exercised Options: $82,610

Current Obligation: $82,610

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70Z03822DE0000002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline