Homeland Security's Coast Guard Spends $14.6M on Aircraft Rescue Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $14,595,837 ($14.6M)
Contractor: Sacramento, County of
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2004-12-01
End Date: 2009-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,764 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.3K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: AIR CRAFT RESCUE
Place of Performance
Location: MCCLELLAN, SACRAMENTO County, CALIFORNIA, 95652
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $14.6 million to SACRAMENTO, COUNTY OF for work described as: AIR CRAFT RESCUE Key points: 1. Significant spending on a critical safety service. 2. Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpricing. 3. Long contract duration (5 years) may not reflect current market needs. 4. Geographic concentration in California for this service.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $14.6 million over five years for aircraft rescue services is substantial. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this represents fair market value compared to similar services procured competitively.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source or limited competition procurement. This approach bypasses the price discovery benefits of a competitive process, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition means taxpayers may be paying more than necessary for these essential aircraft rescue services.
Public Impact
Ensures critical safety and rescue operations for aviation activities. Supports the U.S. Coast Guard's mission in the Sacramento region. Potential for taxpayer savings if the service were procured competitively.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Long contract duration
- Potential for price inflation
Positive Signals
- Essential service provision
- Supports a key agency mission
Sector Analysis
Aircraft rescue services are crucial for aviation safety, particularly at airports and for emergency response operations. Spending benchmarks vary widely based on location, scope, and service level, but non-competitive contracts often exceed market rates.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. The sole-source nature likely excluded potential small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The lack of competition warrants further review to ensure the government obtained the best possible value. Oversight should focus on the justification for the sole-source award and ongoing contract performance monitoring.
Related Government Programs
- Other Airport Operations
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- U.S. Coast Guard Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competitive bidding
- Potential for inflated pricing
- Long contract duration may not be optimal
- Limited transparency on justification for sole-source award
Tags
other-airport-operations, department-of-homeland-security, ca, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $14.6 million to SACRAMENTO, COUNTY OF. AIR CRAFT RESCUE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SACRAMENTO, COUNTY OF.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Coast Guard).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $14.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2004-12-01. End: 2009-09-30.
What was the justification for not competing this contract, and was a market research conducted to determine if other capable vendors existed?
The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED.' Without further details, the specific justification is unknown. Typically, sole-source awards require extensive documentation, including market research, to prove that only one vendor can meet the requirement. This process is crucial for ensuring the government explores all options before bypassing competition.
How does the $14.6 million cost compare to similar aircraft rescue contracts awarded competitively in other regions?
Direct comparison is challenging without knowing the specific scope of services, response times, equipment, and personnel included in this $14.6 million contract. However, non-competed contracts are generally presumed to be more expensive than competitively awarded ones. A detailed analysis would require benchmarking against contracts with similar service level agreements and geographic considerations.
What measures were in place to ensure the effectiveness and quality of aircraft rescue services under this sole-source contract?
Effectiveness and quality under a sole-source contract rely heavily on the government's contract administration and performance monitoring. This includes clearly defined performance standards, regular progress reviews, and mechanisms for addressing deficiencies. The contract type (FIRM FIXED PRICE) suggests a focus on delivering a defined outcome, but oversight is key to ensuring that outcome meets expectations.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Support Activities for Air Transportation › Other Airport Operations
Product/Service Code: SHIPS, SMALL CRAFT, PONTOON, DOCKS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 10545 ARMSTRONG AVE 101, SACRAMENTO, CA, 95827
Business Categories: Category Business, Government, U.S. Local Government, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $14,595,837
Exercised Options: $14,595,837
Current Obligation: $14,595,837
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2004-12-01
Current End Date: 2009-09-30
Potential End Date: 2009-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2016-07-14
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