DoD Awards $6.6M for Maritime Helicopter Support, Lacking Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $66,078,720 ($66.1M)

Contractor: Maritime Helicopter Support Company LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2010-07-27

End Date: 2011-12-31

Contract Duration: 522 days

Daily Burn Rate: $126.6K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: NAVAL AVIATION

Place of Performance

Location: OWEGO, TIOGA County, NEW YORK, 13827

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $66.1 million to MARITIME HELICOPTER SUPPORT COMPANY LLC for work described as: NAVAL AVIATION Key points: 1. Significant award value of $6.6 million. 2. Sole-source award indicates limited competition. 3. Potential for higher costs due to lack of competition. 4. Contract falls under the Defense sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The award value of $6.6 million for helicopter support is substantial. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this price is optimal compared to market rates for similar services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, suggesting a sole-source award. This method limits price discovery and may result in less favorable pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition could lead to taxpayers paying more than necessary for these essential helicopter support services.

Public Impact

Naval aviation readiness may be impacted if support is not cost-effective. Taxpayers may bear a higher cost for defense services due to non-competitive awards. Transparency in defense contracting is reduced when competition is absent.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for overpricing
Limited transparency

Positive Signals

Essential service for naval aviation

Sector Analysis

This contract for maritime helicopter support falls within the broader defense sector, specifically related to aircraft maintenance and operational readiness. Spending benchmarks in this area are highly variable based on specific aircraft and service needs.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The award was managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency. Oversight effectiveness is difficult to gauge without more information on the justification for the sole-source award and subsequent performance monitoring.

Related Government Programs

Office Machinery Manufacturing
Department of Defense Contracting
Defense Contract Management Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Potential for inflated costs
Lack of transparency in procurement
Limited market research evident

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $66.1 million to MARITIME HELICOPTER SUPPORT COMPANY LLC. NAVAL AVIATION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MARITIME HELICOPTER SUPPORT COMPANY LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $66.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-07-27. End: 2011-12-31.

What was the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, urgent needs, or a lack of available sources. Without specific documentation, it's impossible to determine the precise reason. This lack of transparency raises concerns about whether a competitive process was truly infeasible or if other options were overlooked.

How does the pricing compare to similar helicopter support contracts awarded competitively?

Direct comparison is challenging without access to detailed pricing data for comparable contracts. However, sole-source awards are generally expected to be less cost-effective than competitively bid contracts. The absence of competition removes the incentive for the contractor to offer the lowest possible price.

What is the potential impact on naval aviation readiness if this support is not cost-effective?

If the support is overpriced due to the lack of competition, funds that could be allocated to other critical readiness initiatives may be diverted. This could indirectly impact the overall operational capability and availability of naval aviation assets.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing › Office Machinery Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: OFFICE MACH/TEXT PROCESS/VISIB REC

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2510 HUNTER PL STE 201 & 202, WOODBRIDGE, VA, 22192

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $66,078,720

Exercised Options: $66,078,720

Current Obligation: $66,078,720

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0038309D010F

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline