DHS spent nearly $20M on charter flights for repatriation and domestic travel over 4 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,808,730 ($19.8M)

Contractor: CSI Aviation, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2008-09-15

End Date: 2012-09-19

Contract Duration: 1,465 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: NOT REPORTED

Sector: Other

Official Description: CHARTER FLIGHTS - REPATRIATION - HOUSTON, TX TO CENTRAL AMERICA/SOUTH AMERICA/CARIBBEAN AND DOMESTIC DESTINATIONS

Place of Performance

Location: HOUSTON, HARRIS County, TEXAS, 77024

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $19.8 million to CSI AVIATION, INC for work described as: CHARTER FLIGHTS - REPATRIATION - HOUSTON, TX TO CENTRAL AMERICA/SOUTH AMERICA/CARIBBEAN AND DOMESTIC DESTINATIONS Key points: 1. The contract provided essential air transportation services for repatriation and domestic movements. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a potentially competitive pricing environment. 3. The contract duration of approximately 4 years allowed for sustained service delivery. 4. Services were delivered by CSI Aviation, Inc., a provider with experience in this niche. 5. The contract's scope included diverse destinations across Central/South America, the Caribbean, and domestic locations. 6. The total award value indicates a significant investment in logistical support for immigration enforcement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award of $19.8 million over roughly four years for charter flights appears to be within a reasonable range for the specialized services provided. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for repatriation and irregular air transport is challenging due to the unique nature of these operations. However, the cost per day of operation averages around $13,521, which needs to be evaluated against flight hours, passenger loads, and destination complexity to determine true value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the designation suggests a robust competitive process was intended. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process helps ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by driving down costs through market forces.

Public Impact

Immigrants being repatriated to their home countries. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel requiring transport for operational needs. Facilitation of essential travel for individuals under the purview of DHS. Support for the logistical operations of a major federal law enforcement agency.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if flight schedules are frequently altered or require last-minute changes.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical repatriation and transport services.
Geopolitical instability in destination countries could impact flight operations and costs.

Positive Signals

The use of a Best Practices Agreement (BPA) may indicate streamlined ordering and potentially pre-negotiated rates.
The contract's duration suggests a stable and predictable service, allowing for better planning.
Full and open competition is a positive signal for cost efficiency.

Sector Analysis

The air transportation services sector is highly competitive, with numerous providers offering specialized charter services. Government contracts for repatriation and logistical support represent a niche within this broader market. The total spending of nearly $20 million by DHS on this contract aligns with the significant logistical demands of immigration enforcement and border management. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish precisely due to the unique nature of repatriation flights, but this award reflects a substantial operational requirement.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract. It is unclear whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors. Without further information on subcontracting plans or performance, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem remains unknown.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would fall under the purview of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Standard contract management processes, including performance monitoring and financial oversight, would be in place. Transparency regarding specific flight details and costs may be limited due to operational security and privacy concerns, but the overall award value and contract terms are publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security - Transportation Services
Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Logistics
Chartered Air Services
Repatriation Operations

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics
Limited transparency on specific flight costs
Potential for fluctuating operational demands

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $19.8 million to CSI AVIATION, INC. CHARTER FLIGHTS - REPATRIATION - HOUSTON, TX TO CENTRAL AMERICA/SOUTH AMERICA/CARIBBEAN AND DOMESTIC DESTINATIONS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CSI AVIATION, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $19.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-09-15. End: 2012-09-19.

What was the typical utilization rate of these charter flights in terms of passenger capacity?

The provided data does not specify the passenger capacity of the chartered aircraft or the actual number of passengers transported on each flight. To assess the value for money, understanding the utilization rate (i.e., the percentage of available seats filled) would be crucial. Higher utilization rates generally indicate more efficient use of resources. Without this information, it's difficult to determine if the flights were consistently full or operated with significant empty seats, which would impact the per-passenger cost and overall efficiency of the service.

How did the pricing structure of CSI Aviation, Inc. compare to other potential bidders during the full and open competition?

The data indicates the contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources,' suggesting multiple bids were likely received. However, the specific pricing details of CSI Aviation, Inc. relative to other bidders are not publicly available in this dataset. To perform a thorough price comparison, one would need access to the bid submissions or a post-award analysis comparing CSI's rates (e.g., per flight hour, per passenger mile) against the benchmark rates offered by competitors. The absence of this comparative pricing data limits a definitive assessment of whether the government secured the most cost-effective solution.

What were the primary risk indicators associated with providing charter flights for repatriation and domestic destinations?

Key risk indicators for this contract likely included operational risks such as flight delays or cancellations due to weather, mechanical issues, or air traffic control. Geopolitical risks in destination countries could also pose challenges, potentially affecting flight paths, landing permissions, or security. Furthermore, there were risks associated with passenger management, including ensuring the safety and security of individuals being transported, especially during repatriation. Financial risks could involve fluctuating fuel prices and the potential for unforeseen operational costs. The contractor's ability to manage these diverse risks effectively was critical to successful contract performance.

Can the total award value be broken down by specific types of flights (e.g., repatriation vs. domestic)?

The provided data aggregates the total award value of $19,808,729.50 for all services under this contract, which encompasses both repatriation flights to Central America/South America/Caribbean and domestic destinations. There is no specific breakdown available in this dataset that delineates the spending attributed to each category of flight. Understanding the proportion of funds allocated to repatriation versus domestic travel would provide greater insight into the primary mission drivers and associated costs for each service type.

What is the historical spending trend for similar charter flight services by DHS or ICE?

This dataset covers the period from September 15, 2008, to September 19, 2012, with a total award of $19.8 million. To establish a historical spending trend, one would need to analyze prior contracts for similar services awarded before 2008 and subsequent contracts awarded after 2012 by DHS and ICE. Examining these trends would reveal whether spending on repatriation and domestic charter flights has increased, decreased, or remained relatively stable over time, potentially indicating shifts in operational needs, policy changes, or market pricing dynamics.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Nonscheduled Air Transportation › Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation

Product/Service Code: LEASE/RENT EQUIPMENT › LEASE OR RENTAL OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: NOT REPORTED (NO)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3700 RIO GRANDE BLVD NW, ALBUQUERQUE, NM, 01

Business Categories: Category Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Veteran Owned Business

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSCEOP07A00041

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline