Agriculture Forest Service awards $6,017.89 contract for aircraft AC repair, highlighting specialized aviation support needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,018 ($6.0K)

Contractor: Jackson JET Center, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-03-25

End Date: 2026-04-20

Contract Duration: 26 days

Daily Burn Rate: $231/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TROUBLESHOOT AND REPAIR INOPERATIVE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM ON AIRCRAFT N147Z BY-323

Place of Performance

Location: BOISE, ADA County, IDAHO, 83705

State: Idaho Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $6,017.89 to JACKSON JET CENTER, LLC for work described as: TROUBLESHOOT AND REPAIR INOPERATIVE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM ON AIRCRAFT N147Z BY-323 Key points: 1. Contract addresses a critical maintenance need for specialized aircraft, ensuring operational readiness. 2. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the government. 3. Limited duration suggests a focused, immediate repair requirement rather than ongoing services. 4. The award to a single vendor may indicate a specialized skill set or limited market for this specific repair. 5. This contract falls under broader aviation support services, a necessary component of agency operations. 6. The relatively small award amount suggests a targeted, specific repair rather than a large-scale procurement.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $6,017.89 appears reasonable for a specialized aircraft component repair. Benchmarking against similar, specific aircraft maintenance tasks is difficult without more granular data on the exact nature of the AC system and the aircraft model. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests the contractor assumed the risk for cost overruns, which is generally favorable for the government in such repair scenarios. The short performance period also implies a focused scope, making a precise value comparison challenging without knowing the complexity of the repair.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which typically allows for more flexible competition methods than full and open competition. While the specific competition details (e.g., number of quotes received) are not provided, SAP is often used for procurements under the micro-purchase threshold or for those where competition is deemed impractical or not cost-effective. The limited information available prevents a definitive assessment of the level of competition and its impact on price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, simplified acquisition procedures can sometimes lead to less aggressive pricing compared to full and open competition due to a potentially smaller pool of bidders. However, they also offer administrative efficiencies that can reduce overall transaction costs.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Agriculture's Forest Service, ensuring the operational capability of their aircraft. The service delivered is the troubleshooting and repair of an inoperative air conditioning system on a specific aircraft (N147Z BY-323). The geographic impact is localized to the operational area of the specific aircraft, likely within Idaho given the contract's place of performance. There are no direct workforce implications mentioned, as this is a repair service rather than a large-scale project.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed competition information under SAP could obscure potential overpricing.
Reliance on a single vendor for specialized repairs might limit future competitive opportunities.
The specific aircraft model and AC system complexity are not detailed, making value assessment challenging.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Addresses a critical operational need for aircraft maintenance.
Short performance period indicates a focused and potentially efficient resolution.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader 'Other Support Activities for Air Transportation' sector, which encompasses a wide range of services necessary for the operation of aircraft. This includes maintenance, repair, and specialized support. The market for such services can be niche, particularly for specific aircraft models or specialized systems like aircraft air conditioning. The award amount is small relative to the overall aviation support industry, suggesting it's a highly specific, localized service requirement.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, and the data indicates 'sb' is false. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans. Given the small value and specialized nature of the repair, it's unlikely to have significant implications for the broader small business ecosystem, though the prime contractor itself may be a small business.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the Forest Service's program officials responsible for aviation assets. Given the small value and short duration, extensive oversight mechanisms may not be explicitly detailed, but standard procurement regulations and contract administration processes would apply. Transparency is limited by the SAP competition method, but the award itself is a matter of public record.

Related Government Programs

Aircraft Maintenance and Repair Services
Aviation Support Services
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Oversight
Department of Agriculture Aviation Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition under SAP
Lack of detailed technical specifications for the repair
Absence of specific performance metrics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $6,017.89 to JACKSON JET CENTER, LLC. TROUBLESHOOT AND REPAIR INOPERATIVE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM ON AIRCRAFT N147Z BY-323

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JACKSON JET CENTER, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6,017.89.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-25. End: 2026-04-20.

What is the typical cost range for troubleshooting and repairing aircraft air conditioning systems of this nature?

Determining a precise cost range for aircraft AC repairs is highly dependent on the specific aircraft model, the complexity of the AC system, the nature of the malfunction (e.g., component failure, refrigerant leak, electrical issue), and the labor rates in the region where the repair is performed. For a small contract value like $6,017.89, it suggests a relatively contained issue, possibly a component replacement or a diagnostic and minor repair. Larger, more systemic issues could easily run into tens of thousands of dollars or more. Without knowing the specific aircraft type (e.g., helicopter, fixed-wing) and the exact problem, a direct cost comparison is difficult. However, this value is consistent with specialized, short-duration maintenance tasks.

How does the 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation impact the potential for cost savings for taxpayers?

Competing under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) generally involves fewer procedural requirements than full and open competition, often allowing agencies to solicit quotes from a smaller number of vendors or use other streamlined methods. While SAP can increase efficiency and speed up the procurement process, it may not always yield the lowest possible price compared to a broad, competitive bidding process. The potential for cost savings for taxpayers under SAP depends heavily on the specific implementation – how many quotes were solicited, the quality of the vendor pool, and the negotiation leverage the agency had. For a small value contract like this, the administrative savings from using SAP might outweigh potential minor price differences.

What are the risks associated with awarding a contract for critical aircraft repair under potentially limited competition?

The primary risks associated with limited competition, even under SAP, include potentially higher prices due to a lack of robust price discovery, reduced vendor innovation, and a potential over-reliance on a single or small group of contractors. For critical aircraft repairs, there's also a risk that if the chosen vendor cannot perform adequately or experiences delays, the operational readiness of the aircraft could be significantly impacted. The government might have less leverage in negotiating terms or addressing performance issues if the vendor pool is small. Mitigating these risks often involves thorough market research to ensure a sufficient number of capable vendors exist and careful contract administration.

What is the significance of the short performance period (26 days) for this contract?

The short performance period, from March 25, 2026, to April 20, 2026, strongly indicates that this contract is for a specific, time-sensitive task rather than an ongoing service agreement. In this case, it points to a focused effort to troubleshoot and repair the air conditioning system on aircraft N147Z BY-323. This brevity suggests the agency identified a specific problem that needed prompt resolution to restore the aircraft's functionality. It also implies that the scope of work is well-defined and expected to be completed within a short timeframe, which can be advantageous for managing project timelines and resource allocation.

How does this contract fit into the broader spending patterns for aircraft maintenance within the Forest Service?

This contract represents a very small, specific expenditure within the Forest Service's overall aviation budget, which is substantial given the agency's reliance on aircraft for firefighting, surveillance, and resource management. Aircraft maintenance and repair form a significant portion of this budget. While this particular award is minor, it highlights the continuous need for specialized maintenance services across a diverse fleet. Broader spending patterns would likely show larger contracts for fleet-wide maintenance, engine overhauls, avionics upgrades, and potentially longer-term support agreements, with numerous smaller contracts like this one addressing specific, immediate repair needs.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Support Activities for Air Transportation › Other Support Activities for Air Transportation

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3815 W RICKENBACKER ST, BOISE, ID, 83705

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,018

Exercised Options: $6,018

Current Obligation: $6,018

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1202SA22T9507

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline