DHS ICE awarded $20.3M for unscheduled air charter services, with CSI Aviation Inc. securing the contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,316,773 ($20.3M)

Contractor: CSI Aviation, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2010-04-01

End Date: 2013-02-28

Contract Duration: 1,064 days

Daily Burn Rate: $19.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: UNSCHEDULED AIR CHARTER SERVICES FROM ALEXANDRIA, LA

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, RAPIDES County, LOUISIANA, 71303

State: Louisiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $20.3 million to CSI AVIATION, INC for work described as: UNSCHEDULED AIR CHARTER SERVICES FROM ALEXANDRIA, LA Key points: 1. The contract value of $20.3 million for air charter services over nearly three years suggests a significant operational need. 2. The use of a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call indicates a pre-established framework for recurring services, potentially streamlining procurement. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, implying a robust bidding process. 4. The fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 5. The services provided are critical for logistical support, likely involving personnel or equipment movement. 6. The geographic focus on Louisiana (LA) suggests regional operational requirements for ICE.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $20.3 million for nearly three years of unscheduled air charter services appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the requirement. While direct comparisons are difficult without knowing the specific flight hours, routes, and aircraft types, the fixed-price structure provides cost predictability. The BPA Call mechanism suggests that pricing was likely benchmarked during the initial BPA award, and this call represents a specific task order within that framework.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This suggests a competitive environment where multiple companies likely vied for the opportunity. The number of bidders is not specified, but the competition type generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition ensures that taxpayers benefit from the most competitive pricing and service offerings available in the market for these essential air charter services.

Public Impact

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel and potentially detainees benefit from timely and flexible transportation. The services facilitate critical law enforcement and operational activities across various locations. The geographic impact is centered around Louisiana, supporting regional ICE operations. The contract supports the aviation services sector, indirectly impacting the workforce within that industry.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for increased costs if demand for unscheduled flights exceeds initial projections.
Dependence on a single contractor (CSI Aviation, Inc.) for a critical service could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty.
BPA Call mechanism implies a streamlined and potentially pre-vetted procurement process.

Sector Analysis

The aviation services sector is diverse, encompassing scheduled airlines, cargo carriers, and specialized charter operations. This contract falls within the niche of unscheduled, on-demand air charter, often utilized by government agencies for logistical flexibility and rapid deployment. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous providers capable of meeting specific mission requirements. Benchmarking this contract's value would require detailed analysis of flight hours, aircraft types, and operational tempo, but the $20.3 million over nearly three years indicates a substantial commitment to this capability.

Small Business Impact

The contract details indicate that small business participation was not a specific set-aside criterion for this particular award (sb: false). Therefore, the primary impact on small businesses would be through potential subcontracting opportunities if CSI Aviation, Inc. chooses to engage them. Without specific subcontracting plans or goals mandated in the award, the direct benefit to the small business ecosystem from this contract is uncertain.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) contracting officers and program managers. As a BPA Call, it operates under the umbrella of a larger BPA, which would have its own oversight mechanisms. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security - Transportation Services
Federal Aviation Administration - Air Charter Regulations
General Services Administration - Aviation Services Schedules

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if demand is higher than anticipated.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical services.
Need for robust oversight to ensure service quality and compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $20.3 million to CSI AVIATION, INC. UNSCHEDULED AIR CHARTER SERVICES FROM ALEXANDRIA, LA

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 $20.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-04-01. End: 2013-02-28.

What is the track record of CSI Aviation, Inc. with government contracts, particularly for air charter services?

CSI Aviation, Inc. has a significant history of providing aviation services to various government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Defense, and others. Their experience often includes specialized charter operations, such as personnel transport, medevac, and cargo delivery in diverse operational environments. Reviewing their past performance on similar contracts, including any past performance evaluations or awards, would provide insight into their reliability, quality of service, and adherence to contract terms. A detailed analysis of their contract history would reveal the scope and scale of their previous government engagements and their success in meeting performance requirements.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar unscheduled air charter services procured by other federal agencies?

Benchmarking the pricing of this $20.3 million contract for unscheduled air charter services requires a detailed understanding of the specific services rendered, including flight hours, aircraft types, passenger/cargo capacity, and operational tempo. Without this granular data, a direct comparison is challenging. However, federal agencies often utilize GSA schedules or conduct competitive bidding to establish fair market prices. If this contract was awarded through full and open competition, the pricing is presumed to be competitive. Analyzing historical data for similar BPA calls or fixed-price contracts for charter services by agencies like the FBI, DEA, or military branches could provide a comparative context, looking at cost per flight hour or cost per mile.

What are the primary risks associated with relying on unscheduled air charter services for ICE operations?

The primary risks associated with relying on unscheduled air charter services for ICE operations include potential cost overruns if demand fluctuates unpredictably, operational disruptions due to aircraft availability or maintenance issues, and security vulnerabilities inherent in air travel. Furthermore, dependence on a single contractor, even if awarded competitively, can pose a risk if performance degrades or if the contractor faces financial instability. Ensuring robust contingency planning, maintaining clear performance metrics, and having alternative sourcing options readily available are crucial mitigation strategies to address these risks.

How effective has CSI Aviation, Inc. been in fulfilling its contractual obligations for similar government air charter services in the past?

Assessing the effectiveness of CSI Aviation, Inc. in fulfilling past government air charter contracts requires examining performance metrics, past performance reviews, and any documented instances of contract disputes or awards. Agencies typically maintain records of contractor performance, which can include ratings on factors like timeliness, quality of service, responsiveness, and adherence to budget. A review of publicly available contract data and performance evaluations would indicate CSI Aviation's historical success rate in delivering reliable and compliant air charter services to government entities. Positive performance indicators would suggest a lower risk of future performance issues.

What has been the historical spending pattern for unscheduled air charter services by ICE or DHS over the last five years?

To determine the historical spending pattern for unscheduled air charter services by ICE or DHS, one would need to query federal procurement databases (like FPDS or USAspending.gov) for contracts categorized under relevant NAICS codes (e.g., 481211 - Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation) and filter by agency (DHS/ICE) and contract type (e.g., BPA Calls, Fixed-Price). Analyzing this data over the past five years would reveal trends in annual spending, the number of contracts awarded, the primary contractors utilized, and the average contract values. This analysis would help contextualize the $20.3 million award within the agency's broader procurement history for these services.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCATION › TRAVEL, LODGING, RECRUITMENT SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3700 RIO GRANDE BLVD NW STE 1, ALBUQUERQUE, NM, 87107

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $20,316,773

Exercised Options: $20,316,773

Current Obligation: $20,316,773

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSCECR10A00006

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline