DoD's $18.6M aircraft ground support equipment maintenance contract awarded to Trailboss Enterprises, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $18,620,950 ($18.6M)
Contractor: Trailboss Enterprises, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2011-03-16
End Date: 2016-03-31
Contract Duration: 1,842 days
Daily Burn Rate: $10.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: AIRCRAFT GROUND SUPPORT EQUIPMEMT(AGE)/GENERAL MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENT (GME) MAINTENANCE SERVICES.
Place of Performance
Location: HILL AFB, DAVIS County, UTAH, 84056
State: Utah Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $18.6 million to TRAILBOSS ENTERPRISES, INC. for work described as: AIRCRAFT GROUND SUPPORT EQUIPMEMT(AGE)/GENERAL MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENT (GME) MAINTENANCE SERVICES. Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential aircraft ground support and general maintenance equipment services. 2. The contract duration of 1842 days indicates a long-term need for these services. 3. Awarded by the Department of the Air Force, highlighting its importance for aviation readiness. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, providing cost certainty for the government. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 336413 suggests specialized manufacturing capabilities are involved. 6. The contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive process. 7. The base contract value is $10,109, with significant potential for task orders.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's base value of $10,109 appears low, but the total award value is $18.6 million, suggesting significant task order potential. Without detailed breakdowns of task order values and the specific services rendered, a comprehensive value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized equipment maintenance is difficult without more granular data on the scope of work and performance metrics. The firm fixed-price nature provides some cost predictability, but the overall value hinges on the efficient execution of numerous potential task orders.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' which implies that while the competition was intended to be open, specific sources may have been excluded for defined reasons. With 3 bidders, the competition level was moderate. This suggests that while multiple companies were considered, the pool of potential offerors might have been constrained, potentially impacting price discovery compared to a truly unrestricted full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: A moderate level of competition can lead to competitive pricing, but the exclusion of certain sources might mean taxpayers did not benefit from the lowest possible price achievable in a completely open market.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Air Force and its operational readiness, ensuring aircraft can be effectively supported on the ground. Services delivered include maintenance for aircraft ground support equipment and general maintenance equipment, crucial for flight line operations. The geographic impact is likely concentrated at Air Force bases where this equipment is utilized, primarily in Utah (ST='UT'). Workforce implications include the need for skilled technicians to perform specialized maintenance on complex equipment.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if task orders are not clearly defined.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical support equipment maintenance could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
- The 'exclusion of sources' clause warrants further investigation to understand the rationale and potential impact on competition.
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract type offers cost predictability.
- Awarded by the Department of the Air Force, indicating a critical need and likely robust oversight.
- The contract has a long duration, suggesting a stable and reliable service provider is expected.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the broader aerospace and defense manufacturing and maintenance sector. The market for aircraft ground support equipment (GSE) maintenance is specialized, requiring specific technical expertise and certifications. The total contract value of $18.6 million over approximately five years indicates a significant but niche requirement within the Department of Defense's overall spending. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within other military branches or large civilian aviation organizations requiring similar GSE maintenance services.
Small Business Impact
The contract details indicate that small business participation was not a primary focus, as the 'small business set-aside' (sb) field is false. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data. This suggests that the prime contractor, Trailboss Enterprises, Inc., is likely responsible for fulfilling the contract requirements directly or through its own resources, with limited direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of the Air Force contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the Firm Fixed Price contract type, which obligates the contractor to deliver services at an agreed-upon price. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics and oversight reports may not be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Aircraft Maintenance Services
- Ground Support Equipment Procurement
- Defense Logistics Agency Support Contracts
- Air Force Equipment Maintenance
- Specialized Manufacturing Services
Risk Flags
- Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources'.
- Value for money assessment is difficult without detailed task order data.
- Contractor's past performance history is not provided.
Tags
defense, department-of-the-air-force, aircraft-maintenance, ground-support-equipment, firm-fixed-price, limited-competition, utah, trailboss-enterprises-inc, naics-336413, definitive-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $18.6 million to TRAILBOSS ENTERPRISES, INC.. AIRCRAFT GROUND SUPPORT EQUIPMEMT(AGE)/GENERAL MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENT (GME) MAINTENANCE SERVICES.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TRAILBOSS ENTERPRISES, 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 $18.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2011-03-16. End: 2016-03-31.
What is the specific nature of the 'Aircraft Ground Support Equipment (AGE)/General Maintenance Equipment (GME) Maintenance Services' covered under this contract?
The contract covers maintenance services for both Aircraft Ground Support Equipment (AGE) and General Maintenance Equipment (GME). AGE refers to specialized machinery used to service aircraft on the ground, such as tow tractors, hydraulic mules, and diagnostic testers. GME encompasses a broader range of general maintenance tools and equipment used across various military operations. The maintenance likely includes routine inspections, preventative servicing, repairs, and potentially calibration to ensure these critical assets are operational and reliable for Air Force missions. The specific types of equipment serviced would be detailed in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW).
How does the $18.6 million total award value compare to similar contracts for AGE/GME maintenance services within the Department of Defense?
Benchmarking the $18.6 million total award value requires detailed comparison with contracts of similar scope, duration, and service complexity. Without specific details on the types of equipment, service levels, and geographic coverage, a precise comparison is difficult. However, for a five-year contract (approximately 2011-2016), $18.6 million represents a substantial investment, averaging around $3.7 million per year. This suggests a significant operational requirement for maintenance support. Larger, multi-year contracts for comprehensive fleet-wide maintenance can reach hundreds of millions, while smaller, localized contracts might be in the low millions. This contract appears to be of moderate to significant size within its niche.
What are the potential risks associated with the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' award type?
The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' award type indicates that while the competition was intended to be open, certain potential sources were deliberately excluded. The risks associated with this lie in understanding the justification for exclusion. If the exclusions were based on legitimate technical capabilities or security requirements, the risk might be minimal. However, if exclusions were arbitrary or poorly justified, it could limit competition, potentially leading to higher prices for taxpayers or reduced innovation. It also raises questions about fairness and transparency in the procurement process. A thorough review of the exclusion rationale is necessary to fully assess the associated risks.
What is the track record of Trailboss Enterprises, Inc. in performing similar defense maintenance contracts?
Information regarding Trailboss Enterprises, Inc.'s specific track record on similar defense maintenance contracts is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their performance, one would need to examine past performance reviews, contract histories, and any reported issues or successes on previous government contracts. Federal procurement databases and contractor performance systems (like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS) would be the primary sources for this information. A positive track record would indicate a lower risk for this contract, while a history of performance issues could raise concerns about timely and effective service delivery.
How does the Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type influence the government's risk and the contractor's incentive for efficiency?
The Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type places the primary risk of cost overruns on the contractor, Trailboss Enterprises, Inc. This incentivizes the contractor to manage costs efficiently and perform the work within the agreed-upon price. For the government, FFP offers the highest degree of cost certainty, as the price is fixed regardless of the contractor's actual costs. However, this can also mean that the government might pay a premium to account for the contractor's risk. The contractor has a strong incentive to control performance and avoid inefficiencies to maximize profit. Conversely, if the scope of work is not well-defined, the contractor might be tempted to cut corners, increasing performance risk for the government.
What is the significance of the NAICS code 336413 ('Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing') in the context of this maintenance contract?
The NAICS code 336413, 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing,' is significant because it indicates that the contractor, Trailboss Enterprises, Inc., possesses capabilities related to the manufacturing or significant modification/repair of aircraft parts and auxiliary equipment. While this is a maintenance contract, the code suggests that the contractor may have the technical expertise, facilities, and potentially the ability to fabricate or overhaul complex components of the AGE/GME. This could be crucial for ensuring the availability of specialized parts or for performing repairs that go beyond simple servicing, potentially offering a more integrated solution for the Air Force.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing › Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: FA822410R0075
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 201 EAST 3RD AVE, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99501
Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $18,620,950
Exercised Options: $18,620,950
Current Obligation: $18,620,950
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2011-03-16
Current End Date: 2016-03-31
Potential End Date: 2016-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2017-06-27
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