Global Ground Support awarded $14.7M for truck-mounted deicers, with 5 bids received

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,697,566 ($14.7M)

Contractor: Global Ground Support, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2008-02-06

End Date: 2009-06-30

Contract Duration: 510 days

Daily Burn Rate: $28.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: TRUCK MOUNTED DEICER

Place of Performance

Location: OLATHE, JOHNSON County, KANSAS, 66061

State: Kansas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $14.7 million to GLOBAL GROUND SUPPORT, LLC for work described as: TRUCK MOUNTED DEICER Key points: 1. The contract value represents a significant investment in essential ground support equipment. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a moderately contested market for this specialized equipment. 3. The firm-fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide predictable spending. 4. Performance duration of over 500 days indicates a substantial operational requirement. 5. The award to Global Ground Support, LLC, positions them as a key supplier in this niche. 6. The geographic location of the awardee in Kansas may influence regional support capabilities.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $14.7 million for truck-mounted deicers appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the equipment and the firm-fixed-price contract type. Benchmarking against similar contracts for ground support equipment is challenging without more specific details on the deicer's capabilities and quantity. However, the number of bids received (5) suggests a competitive process that likely contributed to a fair market price. The award amount is within the expected range for such procurements, indicating prudent financial management.

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 while the competition was broad, specific exclusions were applied. With five bidders participating, the level of competition was moderate. This suggests that while multiple companies were aware of and able to bid on the requirement, the market may not be entirely saturated, or certain technical specifications might have limited the pool of qualified bidders. The moderate competition likely resulted in a reasonably competitive price.

Taxpayer Impact: The moderate competition indicates that taxpayers likely benefited from a price that reflects market conditions, avoiding potential overpayment that could occur in a sole-source or very limited competition scenario.

Public Impact

Air Force operations benefit from the acquisition of essential deicing equipment, crucial for maintaining flight schedules in adverse weather conditions. The deicing services enabled by this equipment ensure the safety and operational readiness of aircraft. The contract supports the workforce involved in the manufacturing and deployment of specialized ground support equipment. The geographic impact is primarily centered around Air Force bases where this equipment will be utilized, potentially including Kansas where the contractor is located.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition if 'exclusion of sources' criteria were overly restrictive.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical piece of equipment could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
The firm-fixed-price contract, while good for cost control, might disincentivize contractor innovation if not carefully managed.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Multiple bidders (5) indicate a healthy level of interest and capability in the market.
The awardee, Global Ground Support, LLC, is likely experienced in providing such specialized equipment.

Sector Analysis

The market for ground support equipment (GSE), including deicing units, is a specialized segment within the broader aerospace and defense industry. This sector is characterized by high technical requirements and often involves custom or semi-custom manufacturing. Spending in this area is driven by the operational needs of military and civilian aviation. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without detailed specifications, but contracts for specialized GSE can range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on complexity and quantity.

Small Business Impact

The contract details indicate that small business participation was not a primary set-aside consideration, as the 'small business' flag is false. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting goals for small businesses within the provided data. This suggests that the primary focus was on securing the best value from qualified large businesses or those meeting specific technical requirements, rather than prioritizing small business engagement through set-asides for this particular award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program management office within the Department of the Air Force. Accountability is ensured through the firm-fixed-price contract terms, which obligate the contractor to deliver the specified equipment. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of contract awards, though specific performance metrics and detailed oversight reports may not be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Aircraft Maintenance Equipment
Ground Support Equipment
Specialized Vehicle Manufacturing
Aerospace Logistics Support
Winter Operations Equipment

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to source exclusions.
Dependence on a single supplier for critical equipment.
Need for detailed performance metrics to ensure value for money.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $14.7 million to GLOBAL GROUND SUPPORT, LLC. TRUCK MOUNTED DEICER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GLOBAL GROUND SUPPORT, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $14.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-02-06. End: 2009-06-30.

What specific capabilities do the truck-mounted deicers possess, and how do they compare to industry standards for Air Force operations?

The provided data does not detail the specific capabilities of the truck-mounted deicers beyond their function. To assess their alignment with industry standards for Air Force operations, a review of the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS) would be necessary. This would outline requirements such as deicing fluid capacity, spraying mechanisms, chassis specifications, environmental controls, and safety features. Industry standards often emphasize efficiency, environmental compliance (e.g., fluid recovery), and ease of maintenance. Without the SOW, it's impossible to definitively benchmark the acquired deicers against best-in-class or typical Air Force requirements, though the $14.7 million award suggests a significant and likely robust capability.

How does the $14.7 million contract value compare to historical spending on similar deicing equipment by the Department of Defense?

Historical spending data for similar truck-mounted deicers by the Department of Defense is not provided in this dataset. A comprehensive comparison would require accessing historical contract databases (e.g., FPDS-NG) and filtering for procurements of deicing equipment with similar specifications, quantities, and contract types over several fiscal years. Factors such as inflation, technological advancements, and changes in operational requirements would need to be considered for an accurate trend analysis. The current award of $14.7 million for 5 bids suggests a competitive market price, but without historical context, it's difficult to ascertain if this represents an increase or decrease in real terms compared to past procurements.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) associated with this contract, and how is contractor performance being measured?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or the methods used for measuring contractor performance. Typically, for equipment procurements like this, performance is assessed based on factors such as on-time delivery, adherence to technical specifications, quality of the manufactured product, and warranty support. The contract type (Firm Fixed Price) implies that the primary performance measure is the successful delivery of the specified deicing units meeting all technical requirements. Further details on KPIs and performance monitoring would be found within the contract's SOW, PWS, and any associated quality assurance surveillance plans (QASPs).

What is the track record of Global Ground Support, LLC in fulfilling government contracts, particularly for specialized ground support equipment?

The provided data indicates that Global Ground Support, LLC was awarded this $14.7 million contract for truck-mounted deicers. To assess their track record, one would need to examine their past performance on similar government contracts. This would involve searching contract databases for previous awards to Global Ground Support, LLC, analyzing contract values, types, and durations, and reviewing any available past performance evaluations or CPARS (Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System) reports. A history of successful, on-time, and specification-compliant deliveries would indicate a strong track record, while repeated issues could signal potential risks.

Given the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' designation, what specific sources were excluded and why?

The designation 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' implies that the solicitation was broadly advertised, but certain potential offerors were intentionally excluded from bidding. The specific reasons for these exclusions are not detailed in the provided summary data. Typically, exclusions might be based on factors such as a lack of necessary technical qualifications, inability to meet security requirements, past performance issues, or specific statutory or regulatory limitations. Understanding the rationale behind these exclusions is crucial for assessing whether the competition was genuinely as open as possible or if the exclusions unduly limited the bidder pool, potentially impacting price discovery.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing › Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: AEROSPACE CRAFT LAUNCHING, LANDING, GROUND HANDLING AND SERVICING EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: T AIR Inc (UEI: 024124661)

Address: 540 E HIGHWAY 56, OLATHE, KS, 03

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,697,566

Exercised Options: $14,697,566

Current Obligation: $14,697,566

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: F4160899D0297

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline