Department of State awards $24.9M contract for SUPER HUEY AIRCRAFT to DynCorp International LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,921,731 ($24.9M)

Contractor: Dyncorp International LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2007-09-24

End Date: 2009-10-31

Contract Duration: 768 days

Daily Burn Rate: $32.5K/day

Competition Type: FOLLOW ON TO COMPETED ACTION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COMBINATION (APPLIES TO AWARDS WHERE TWO OR MORE OF THE ABOVE APPLY)

Sector: Defense

Official Description: SUPER HUEY AIRCRAFT

Place of Performance

Location: PATRICK AFB, BREVARD County, FLORIDA, 32925

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $24.9 million to DYNCORP INTERNATIONAL LLC for work described as: SUPER HUEY AIRCRAFT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single, established provider suggests potential for price efficiencies through scale. 2. The follow-on nature of this action implies a degree of contractor familiarity and potential for reduced ramp-up time. 3. Limited competition data for this specific award necessitates further investigation into market dynamics. 4. The duration of the contract (768 days) indicates a significant, ongoing need for the services provided. 5. Aircraft manufacturing services are critical for maintaining operational readiness and logistical support. 6. The contract's value, while substantial, needs to be benchmarked against similar aircraft support services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more specific details on the services rendered. However, the award amount of approximately $24.9 million over 768 days suggests a significant investment in aircraft support. Comparing this to other government contracts for similar helicopter maintenance or manufacturing services would be necessary to determine if the pricing is competitive. The fact that it's a follow-on to a competed action might indicate some level of price discovery in the initial award, but the current award's value needs independent assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The contract is described as a 'FOLLOW ON TO COMPETED ACTION,' which implies that the original award was competed. However, the specific competition details for this particular delivery order are not provided. It is unclear how many bids were received for this follow-on action or if it was competed among a limited pool of pre-qualified vendors. Without this information, it's difficult to assess the level of competition and its impact on price discovery for this specific award.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of clear competition data for this follow-on award makes it difficult to ascertain if taxpayers received the best possible price. Further transparency on the bidding process would be beneficial.

Public Impact

The Department of State benefits from the continued availability of critical aircraft for its operations. Services likely include maintenance, repair, overhaul, or manufacturing of SUPER HUEY AIRCRAFT. The geographic impact is primarily linked to the contractor's location in Florida, but the aircraft's operational use could be global. This contract supports jobs within the aerospace and defense sector, specifically in aircraft manufacturing and maintenance.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed competition information for this specific follow-on award.
Need for clear benchmarking against similar aircraft support contracts to assess value for money.
Potential for cost overruns if maintenance or manufacturing requirements are not precisely defined.

Positive Signals

Award to an established contractor (DynCorp International LLC) may indicate reliability and expertise.
Follow-on nature suggests a successful prior relationship and potentially streamlined execution.
The contract supports critical aviation assets for a key government agency.

Sector Analysis

The aerospace and defense sector is a significant area of federal spending, encompassing aircraft manufacturing, maintenance, and support services. This contract falls within the broader category of aviation support, which is crucial for various government agencies, including defense and state departments, for logistical, operational, and diplomatic missions. The market for such specialized aircraft services is often concentrated among a few key providers with the necessary certifications and expertise.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract included a small business set-aside. DynCorp International LLC is a large business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were mandated or utilized to engage small businesses in the performance of this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of State's contracting and program management offices. The contract's performance would be monitored against established milestones and deliverables. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse. Transparency regarding performance metrics and any incurred costs would be subject to Freedom of Information Act requests and agency reporting requirements.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Aircraft Maintenance Contracts
State Department Aviation Support Services
Helicopter Manufacturing and Support
Follow-on Service Contracts

Risk Flags

Competition Level Uncertainty
Value for Money Assessment Required
Potential for Price Escalation in Follow-on Actions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $24.9 million to DYNCORP INTERNATIONAL LLC. SUPER HUEY AIRCRAFT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DYNCORP INTERNATIONAL LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $24.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-09-24. End: 2009-10-31.

What specific services were included under this $24.9 million contract for SUPER HUEY AIRCRAFT?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'Aircraft Manufacturing' (NAICS code 336411) and specifically mentions 'SUPER HUEY AIRCRAFT'. While the exact scope of work is not detailed, this typically encompasses services such as depot-level maintenance, repair, overhaul (MRO), component upgrades, or potentially the manufacturing of parts or even new airframes for the SUPER HUEY helicopter. Given the contract duration of 768 days (over two years), it suggests a sustained requirement for these services rather than a one-off repair. The Department of State utilizes such aircraft for various operational needs, including transportation, surveillance, and support missions, making ongoing maintenance and potential upgrades critical for mission readiness.

How does the $24.9 million contract value compare to historical spending on SUPER HUEY AIRCRAFT support by the Department of State?

To accurately compare this $24.9 million contract value to historical spending, a comprehensive search of federal procurement databases (like FPDS or USASpending) would be necessary, filtering for the Department of State, 'SUPER HUEY AIRCRAFT', and relevant service categories (e.g., maintenance, manufacturing, repair) over several fiscal years. Without this specific historical data, it's difficult to ascertain if this award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment. However, the contract's duration of 768 days suggests a significant, ongoing commitment. If this is a sole-source or limited-competition follow-on, historical pricing trends from the original competition would be a key benchmark.

What is the track record of DynCorp International LLC in providing aircraft manufacturing and support services to the federal government?

DynCorp International LLC has a substantial track record in providing aviation and support services to various U.S. government agencies, including the Department of Defense and the Department of State. Their experience often spans aircraft maintenance, logistics, training, and sometimes manufacturing support for a wide range of aircraft platforms. They have held numerous large-scale contracts, some of which have faced scrutiny regarding performance or cost. A detailed review of their contract history, including past performance evaluations, any contract disputes, and the types of aircraft they have supported, would provide a clearer picture of their capabilities and reliability specifically related to SUPER HUEY AIRCRAFT.

What are the potential risks associated with a 'follow-on to competed action' contract for aircraft manufacturing?

A 'follow-on to competed action' contract, while often efficient, carries specific risks. The primary risk is that the follow-on award might not have undergone the same level of robust competition as the original contract, potentially leading to less favorable pricing. If the follow-on is awarded non-competitively or with limited competition, there's a risk of price escalation compared to the initial competed price. Another risk is complacency; the contractor might assume continued business without maintaining the same level of innovation or cost-consciousness. Furthermore, if the original competition was flawed or if requirements have significantly changed, the follow-on could perpetuate underlying issues. Ensuring adequate oversight and potentially re-competing after a certain period remains crucial.

What is the significance of the NAICS code 336411 (Aircraft Manufacturing) in the context of this Department of State contract?

The NAICS code 336411, 'Aircraft Manufacturing,' indicates that the primary focus of this contract involves the production or assembly of aircraft or aircraft parts. For the Department of State, this could mean acquiring new SUPER HUEY aircraft, manufacturing critical components for existing ones, or performing major structural repairs and upgrades that fall under the definition of manufacturing. This code distinguishes the contract from purely maintenance or repair services (which might fall under different NAICS codes like 488190 - Other Support Activities for Air Transportation). It signals a higher level of technical complexity and potentially higher costs associated with the production processes involved.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing › Aircraft Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: AEROSPACE CRAFT AND STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FOLLOW ON TO COMPETED ACTION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COMBINATION (APPLIES TO AWARDS WHERE TWO OR MORE OF THE ABOVE APPLY) (2)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. (UEI: 014784388)

Address: 13500 HERITAGE PKWY, FORT WORTH, TX, 76177

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,921,731

Exercised Options: $24,921,731

Current Obligation: $24,921,731

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: SAQMPD05C1103

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline