Air Force awards $17.4M engineering services contract for C-5 landing gear integrity

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,430,779 ($17.4M)

Contractor: University of Dayton

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2019-04-15

End Date: 2026-11-12

Contract Duration: 2,768 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: ENGINEERING SERVICES (LANDING GEAR INTEGRITY PROGRAM) FOR THE C-5 WEAPON SYSTEM

Place of Performance

Location: DAYTON, MONTGOMERY County, OHIO, 45469

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $17.4 million to UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON for work described as: ENGINEERING SERVICES (LANDING GEAR INTEGRITY PROGRAM) FOR THE C-5 WEAPON SYSTEM Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical landing gear integrity for the C-5 weapon system. 2. Services are essential for maintaining the operational readiness and safety of a key strategic airlift aircraft. 3. The contract duration extends over several years, indicating a long-term need for specialized engineering support. 4. The awardee, University of Dayton, has a specific focus on materials science and engineering research. 5. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 6. This award represents a significant investment in sustaining aging but vital military assets.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $17.4 million over approximately 7.6 years (2768 days) suggests a moderate annual spend for specialized engineering services. Benchmarking against similar complex weapon system sustainment contracts is difficult without more specific service details. However, the firm-fixed-price nature indicates an expectation of predictable costs. The University of Dayton's specific expertise in materials science and engineering may justify the pricing for this niche requirement.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of two bidders suggests a competitive environment, though the specific number of proposals received is not detailed. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more innovative solutions for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is favorable for taxpayers as it encourages a wider range of offers, potentially driving down costs and improving the quality of services received for the $17.4 million investment.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Air Force and its C-5 Galaxy fleet, ensuring the continued safe and effective operation of these strategic airlift aircraft. The services delivered will focus on maintaining the structural integrity and reliability of the C-5's landing gear systems. The geographic impact is national, supporting Air Mobility Command operations across various bases. Workforce implications include specialized engineering roles at the University of Dayton and potentially supporting roles within the Air Force sustainment community.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if unforeseen engineering challenges arise with aging aircraft.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical landing gear integrity expertise could pose a risk if performance issues emerge.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract structure provides cost certainty for the Air Force.
Award to a university with specialized research capabilities suggests access to cutting-edge engineering knowledge.
Long contract duration allows for sustained focus and development of deep expertise on the C-5 landing gear system.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader aerospace and defense sector, specifically focusing on aircraft sustainment and engineering services. The market for specialized engineering support for aging military platforms is significant, driven by the need to extend the operational life of existing fleets. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve other contracts for weapon system sustainment, structural integrity analysis, and component lifecycle management within the Department of Defense.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions. While the prime contractor is the University of Dayton, there is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans with small businesses. The focus on specialized engineering services may limit opportunities for broad subcontracting, but specific components or testing could potentially involve small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of the Air Force contracting and program management offices responsible for the C-5 weapon system. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver specified engineering services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though detailed technical performance data may be sensitive.

Related Government Programs

C-5 Galaxy Sustainment Programs
Air Force Logistics and Maintenance Contracts
Aerospace Engineering Services
Aircraft Structural Integrity Programs

Risk Flags

Aging Aircraft Systems
Critical Component Sustainment
Long-Term Engineering Support Requirement

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $17.4 million to UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON. ENGINEERING SERVICES (LANDING GEAR INTEGRITY PROGRAM) FOR THE C-5 WEAPON SYSTEM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON.

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 $17.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-04-15. End: 2026-11-12.

What is the University of Dayton's specific track record with Department of Defense engineering contracts, particularly for aircraft sustainment?

The University of Dayton, through its Research Institute, has a history of engaging in research and development contracts with various government agencies, including the Department of Defense. Their expertise often lies in materials science, structural integrity, and advanced manufacturing. While specific details on prior C-5 landing gear contracts are not immediately available in this data, their established capabilities in related engineering fields suggest a foundation for undertaking such specialized work. Further investigation into their contract history would reveal the extent and success of their previous engagements in aircraft sustainment and complex system engineering for the military.

How does the annual spending on this contract compare to other engineering services contracts for similar aging aircraft weapon systems?

The approximate annual spend for this contract is roughly $2.28 million ($17.4 million / 7.6 years). This figure appears moderate when compared to the overall sustainment costs of major weapon systems, which can run into hundreds of millions or even billions annually. However, for specialized engineering services focused on a specific component like landing gear integrity, this amount could be competitive or even high, depending on the complexity and uniqueness of the required analysis and solutions. Benchmarking requires detailed comparison with contracts for similar niche engineering support on platforms like the B-52, KC-135, or other large, aging military aircraft.

What are the primary risks associated with the firm-fixed-price contract type for this specific engineering service?

For engineering services, particularly those involving the analysis of aging systems, a firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract can introduce risks if the scope of work is not perfectly defined or if unforeseen technical challenges arise. The primary risk is that the contractor may encounter unexpected complexities in assessing landing gear integrity, potentially leading to cost overruns that they must absorb. Conversely, the government risks receiving less-than-optimal solutions if the contractor prioritizes cost containment over thoroughness. Effective risk mitigation relies on a well-defined SOW, clear performance metrics, and robust government oversight to ensure quality and address any emergent issues promptly.

What is the expected impact of this contract on the operational readiness and safety of the C-5 fleet?

This contract is directly aimed at enhancing the operational readiness and safety of the C-5 fleet by ensuring the continued integrity of its landing gear systems. The C-5 is a critical asset for strategic airlift, and landing gear failures can be catastrophic, leading to aircraft loss, mission delays, and significant safety concerns. By providing specialized engineering services for ongoing assessment, maintenance planning, and potential design improvements, this contract helps mitigate risks associated with aging components, thereby supporting sustained flight operations and ensuring the C-5 can reliably fulfill its vital military transport missions.

How has federal spending on engineering services for aircraft sustainment evolved over the past five years, and where does this contract fit?

Federal spending on engineering services for aircraft sustainment has generally remained robust, driven by the aging of major military aviation fleets across all branches. While specific aggregate data for 'engineering services for aircraft sustainment' can be complex to isolate, the overall trend indicates a consistent need for specialized technical support to maintain readiness and extend the service life of aircraft. This $17.4 million contract for the C-5 landing gear integrity program represents a focused investment within this broader category. It aligns with the ongoing effort to manage the lifecycle costs of legacy platforms, ensuring they remain safe and effective despite their age, and reflects a strategic allocation of resources towards critical component sustainment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 300 COLLEGE PARK, DAYTON, OH, 45469

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Private), Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,430,779

Exercised Options: $17,430,779

Current Obligation: $17,430,779

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 4

Total Subaward Amount: $626,898

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA820318D0004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline