DoD's $128M executive airlift maintenance contract awarded to Amentum Services, Inc. for 3 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $128,092,123 ($128.1M)

Contractor: Amentum Services, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2023-08-01

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,064 days

Daily Burn Rate: $120.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: EXECUTIVE AIRLIFT AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE AND BACK SHOP SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: JB ANDREWS, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20762

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $128.1 million to AMENTUM SERVICES, INC. for work described as: EXECUTIVE AIRLIFT AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE AND BACK SHOP SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. 2. Fixed-price contract type may incentivize contractor efficiency and cost control. 3. The contract duration of 1064 days (approx. 3 years) provides a stable period for service delivery. 4. Support activities for air transportation are critical for maintaining operational readiness of executive airlift. 5. The contract's value places it within a significant spending category for aviation support. 6. Amentum Services, Inc. is the sole awardee, indicating their competitive success in this bid. 7. The contract is a delivery order, suggesting it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

Benchmarking the value of this contract requires comparison to similar executive airlift maintenance contracts, which are not readily available in the public domain. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract is generally favorable for the government, as it shifts cost overrun risks to the contractor. The contract's value of approximately $128 million over three years suggests a substantial investment in maintaining critical assets. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the competitive award process is a positive indicator.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The use of full and open competition suggests that the agency sought to maximize the number of potential offerors to ensure the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically drives down prices through market forces and encourages a wider range of innovative solutions, ultimately leading to more efficient use of public funds.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the government officials and personnel who rely on the executive airlift fleet for official travel and operations. Services delivered include essential maintenance and back shop support for executive aircraft, ensuring airworthiness and operational readiness. The geographic impact is likely concentrated around the bases or locations where executive airlift aircraft are stationed and maintained. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for skilled aviation mechanics, technicians, and support staff within Amentum Services, Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if maintenance requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical maintenance could pose risks if performance falters.
Ensuring consistent quality of maintenance across all supported aircraft requires robust oversight.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract type incentivizes cost efficiency for the contractor.
Award through full and open competition suggests a competitive pricing structure.
Long-term contract provides stability for planning and execution of maintenance services.

Sector Analysis

The aviation services sector is a significant component of the broader aerospace and defense industry. This contract falls under the 'Other Support Activities for Air Transportation' category, which includes services like aircraft repair, maintenance, and overhaul. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized capabilities. Government contracts for aviation maintenance are substantial, driven by the need to maintain a diverse fleet of aircraft, including specialized executive transport. Benchmarks for similar contracts are often proprietary, but the scale of this award indicates a significant portion of the executive airlift support budget.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a result, small businesses are unlikely to be direct prime contractors on this award. However, Amentum Services, Inc., as the prime contractor, may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill specific needs or components of the contract. The extent of small business subcontracting will depend on Amentum's subcontracting plan and the availability of qualified small business providers in the aviation maintenance ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of the Air Force, a component of the Department of Defense. Accountability measures will be embedded within the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards, delivery schedules, and quality requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Air Mobility Command Services
Aircraft Depot Maintenance
Aviation Logistics Support
Government Aircraft Operations
Defense Contract Management Agency

Risk Flags

Contract awarded to a single entity.
Fixed-price contract type can sometimes lead to less flexibility for scope changes.
Publicly available details on specific performance metrics are limited.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $128.1 million to AMENTUM SERVICES, INC.. EXECUTIVE AIRLIFT AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE AND BACK SHOP SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AMENTUM SERVICES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $128.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-08-01. End: 2026-06-30.

What is Amentum Services, Inc.'s track record with similar government aviation maintenance contracts?

Amentum Services, Inc. has a substantial history of performing complex maintenance, logistics, and support services for government aviation programs. While specific details on their executive airlift maintenance performance are not publicly detailed in this summary, their portfolio often includes large-scale contracts for aircraft sustainment, depot-level maintenance, and operational support across various military branches. Their experience typically encompasses a wide range of aircraft types and maintenance complexities. A deeper dive into their contract history, performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS), and past performance questionnaires would provide a more granular understanding of their capabilities and reliability in this specific domain. The scale of this current award suggests a demonstrated capability to handle significant aviation support requirements.

How does the $128 million contract value compare to historical spending on executive airlift maintenance?

The $128 million contract value represents a significant, but not necessarily anomalous, expenditure for executive airlift maintenance over a three-year period. Historical spending on executive airlift, particularly for the President and high-ranking officials, is substantial due to the critical nature of these assets and the stringent maintenance requirements. Annual budgets for maintaining such fleets can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the size and age of the aircraft inventory, as well as the scope of services required (e.g., scheduled maintenance, unscheduled repairs, modifications). This specific contract's value should be viewed in the context of the overall Air Force or DoD budget allocated for executive airlift sustainment. Without access to historical budget data specifically for executive airlift maintenance, a precise comparison is difficult, but the award amount aligns with the expected costs for maintaining high-readiness, specialized aircraft.

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

Key risks include potential performance deficiencies by the contractor, leading to aircraft downtime or safety concerns; cost overruns if the fixed-price structure is not adequately managed or if unforeseen technical issues arise; and contractor personnel issues, such as turnover or skill gaps. Mitigation strategies are typically embedded within the contract itself. The fixed-price nature shifts some cost risk to Amentum. The government's oversight, including quality assurance surveillance plans (QASPs), regular performance reviews, and potentially penalties for non-performance, addresses contractor deficiencies. Clear contract language, detailed technical specifications, and robust communication channels help manage scope and prevent misunderstandings. The requirement for qualified personnel and adherence to strict aviation standards further mitigates risks related to contractor capabilities.

What is the expected program effectiveness and impact of these maintenance services?

The expected program effectiveness hinges on ensuring the continuous operational readiness and airworthiness of the executive airlift fleet. High effectiveness means that aircraft are consistently available for their intended missions, meeting stringent safety and performance standards. This directly supports national security, diplomatic missions, and essential government functions that rely on timely and secure air transport. The impact is significant, as failures in maintenance could ground critical assets, disrupt high-level travel, and potentially compromise national interests. Successful execution of this contract ensures the reliability and longevity of expensive government assets, providing a high return on investment through sustained operational capability.

Are there any known issues or concerns regarding Amentum Services, Inc.'s past performance on similar contracts?

Publicly available information does not highlight widespread, systemic issues with Amentum Services, Inc.'s past performance on similar government aviation maintenance contracts that would immediately disqualify them. Like many large government contractors, they may have encountered specific performance challenges or contract disputes on individual projects, which are often addressed through contract closeouts, performance improvement plans, or dispute resolution processes. The fact that they were awarded this significant contract suggests that their past performance, as evaluated by the Department of the Air Force during the procurement process, met or exceeded the required standards. A comprehensive review of Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) data would offer more detailed insights into their specific performance history.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: FA286022REA01

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Pae-Parsons Global Logistics Services, LLC

Address: 4800 WESTFIELDS BLVD STE 400, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $249,218,359

Exercised Options: $128,232,297

Current Obligation: $128,092,123

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 4

Total Subaward Amount: $219,341

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA300220D0012

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline