DHS awards $5.6M contract for aircraft maintenance support to Innovative Consulting & Management Services, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,561,863 ($5.6M)

Contractor: Innovative Consulting & Management Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2025-12-19

End Date: 2026-12-18

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Defense

Official Description: PROGRAM DEPOT MAINTENANCE SUPPORT SERVICES - OPTION PERIOD ONE

Place of Performance

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

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $5.6 million to INNOVATIVE CONSULTING & MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LLC for work described as: PROGRAM DEPOT MAINTENANCE SUPPORT SERVICES - OPTION PERIOD ONE Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized aircraft depot maintenance. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Contract duration of one year with an option period indicates a need for ongoing support. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 336411 points to aircraft manufacturing, a specialized sector. 5. The contract type is a delivery order, suggesting it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar framework. 6. The award to Innovative Consulting & Management Services, LLC requires scrutiny of their past performance and capacity for this specialized work.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $5.6 million for a one-year period for aircraft depot maintenance support is within a reasonable range for specialized services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for aircraft maintenance, particularly for Coast Guard aviation assets, would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The pricing structure, based on labor hours, allows for flexibility but necessitates careful monitoring of hours expended to ensure cost control.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which is a specific type of full and open competition. This implies that the solicitation was made available to all responsible sources, but certain sources were excluded based on specific criteria, which should be documented. The number of bidders and the specific reasons for exclusion would provide further insight into the level of competition and its impact on price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: This competitive approach aims to ensure that taxpayers receive the best value by allowing multiple qualified vendors to bid, driving down costs through market forces.

Public Impact

The U.S. Coast Guard benefits from this contract through the maintenance of its aircraft fleet, ensuring operational readiness. Services delivered include depot-level maintenance, crucial for the longevity and safety of aviation assets. The geographic impact is primarily focused on where the contractor performs the maintenance, likely near Coast Guard aviation facilities. Workforce implications include skilled technicians and support staff required for specialized aircraft maintenance.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Ensuring the contractor possesses the necessary security clearances and certifications for aircraft depot maintenance.
Verifying the contractor's capacity to perform the specialized technical work required for Coast Guard aircraft.
Monitoring labor hours closely to prevent cost overruns and ensure efficient service delivery.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified vendors.
The contract supports critical Coast Guard aviation assets, contributing to national security and maritime safety.
The contract duration allows for sustained support, reducing the frequency of recompeting for essential services.

Sector Analysis

The aerospace and defense industry is characterized by high barriers to entry, stringent regulatory requirements, and specialized technical expertise. Aircraft depot maintenance is a critical segment within this sector, demanding highly skilled labor and adherence to rigorous safety and quality standards. Spending in this area is often driven by government procurement for military and security applications. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other government contracts for similar aircraft maintenance services across different branches of the military and other federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside or subcontracting requirements for this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine if Innovative Consulting & Management Services, LLC is a small business itself or if there are any subcontracting plans that would benefit small businesses. The absence of explicit set-asides suggests that the primary focus was on securing the most capable vendor through full and open competition.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Coast Guard contracting officer and their representatives. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards, delivery schedules, and payment terms. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like SAM.gov. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Aircraft Maintenance Contracts
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Maintenance Oversight
Coast Guard Aviation Logistics Support
Aerospace Manufacturing and Maintenance Services

Risk Flags

Contractor Performance Risk
Cost Overrun Potential
Schedule Delay Risk
Technical Capability Assessment
Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities (if applicable to support systems)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $5.6 million to INNOVATIVE CONSULTING & MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LLC. PROGRAM DEPOT MAINTENANCE SUPPORT SERVICES - OPTION PERIOD ONE

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 $5.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-12-19. End: 2026-12-18.

What is the track record of Innovative Consulting & Management Services, LLC in performing similar aircraft depot maintenance contracts for federal agencies?

A thorough review of Innovative Consulting & Management Services, LLC's past performance is crucial. This would involve examining their contract history, particularly with the Department of Homeland Security or other agencies requiring similar aviation maintenance services. Key indicators to assess include on-time delivery, quality of work, adherence to budget, and any past performance evaluations or disputes. If the company has limited experience in direct aircraft depot maintenance, the Coast Guard's justification for the award and their assessment of the contractor's capabilities become even more critical. Data from contract databases and agency performance reports would be essential for this analysis.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar aircraft depot maintenance services?

To benchmark the value for money, the awarded price of $5.6 million for a one-year contract needs to be compared against industry standards and similar government contracts. This involves analyzing the labor rates, overhead, and profit margins typically associated with specialized aircraft depot maintenance. Factors such as the specific aircraft types being serviced, the complexity of the maintenance required, and the geographic location of service delivery will influence market rates. If available, data on previous contracts awarded by the Coast Guard or other military branches for comparable services would serve as a valuable reference point. A significant deviation from established benchmarks could indicate either an exceptionally good deal for the government or potential overpricing.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks for this contract include potential performance failures by the contractor, cost overruns due to inefficient labor utilization or unforeseen technical issues, and delays in aircraft availability impacting Coast Guard operations. Mitigation strategies should be clearly defined within the contract. These could include stringent performance metrics, regular progress reviews, clear invoicing and payment protocols tied to milestones, and robust quality assurance procedures. The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' approach, if properly executed, should have mitigated the risk of selecting an unqualified vendor. The Coast Guard's oversight and contract management capabilities are paramount in identifying and addressing risks proactively.

How effective is the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' approach in ensuring competitive pricing for specialized services like aircraft maintenance?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' approach aims to maximize competition while allowing for specific, justifiable exclusions. Its effectiveness in ensuring competitive pricing depends heavily on the clarity and reasonableness of the exclusion criteria. If the exclusions are narrowly defined and well-justified, it can still lead to robust competition among a qualified pool of vendors, driving competitive pricing. However, if the exclusions are overly broad or poorly justified, they could inadvertently limit competition, potentially leading to higher prices. The number of bids received and the price spread among them would be key indicators of the effectiveness of this approach in this specific instance.

What is the historical spending pattern for aircraft depot maintenance by the U.S. Coast Guard, and how does this contract fit within that pattern?

Analyzing historical spending on aircraft depot maintenance by the U.S. Coast Guard is essential to contextualize this $5.6 million award. This would involve examining annual budgets allocated to aviation maintenance, the number and value of contracts awarded over several fiscal years, and the types of services procured. Understanding whether this contract represents a typical expenditure, an increase, or a decrease in spending provides insight into the Coast Guard's maintenance strategy and resource allocation. It also helps identify trends in contractor selection and contract types. This specific contract, being a one-year delivery order, suggests it might be part of a larger, potentially multi-year, sustainment strategy for the Coast Guard's aviation fleet.

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: $5,561,863

Exercised Options: $5,561,863

Current Obligation: $5,561,863

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70Z03825DL0000001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline