FBI awards $2.5M aviation mechanic support contract to Vertex Aerospace LLC for Mississippi operations

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,542,000 ($2.5M)

Contractor: Vertex Aerospace LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-09-29

End Date: 2026-09-28

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: AVIATION MECHANIC SUPPORT SERVICES (AMSS) TASK ORDER 0002 (THU)

Place of Performance

Location: MADISON, MADISON County, MISSISSIPPI, 39110

State: Mississippi Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $2.5 million to VERTEX AEROSPACE LLC for work described as: AVIATION MECHANIC SUPPORT SERVICES (AMSS) TASK ORDER 0002 (THU) Key points: 1. Contract value represents a specific task order within a larger potential contract. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a potentially competitive bidding environment for this service. 3. Fixed-fee contract type may offer cost control but requires careful oversight. 4. Performance period of one year allows for regular evaluation of services. 5. Sector positioning is within specialized aviation support services for law enforcement. 6. Geographic focus on Mississippi highlights regional operational needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.54 million for one year of aviation mechanic support is difficult to benchmark without more context on the specific services required and the complexity of the aircraft supported. Given the 'Cost Plus Fixed Fee' structure, the final cost could fluctuate based on actual expenses incurred by the contractor, making direct comparison to fixed-price contracts challenging. The benchmark of $6.98 million (br) appears to be a different metric, possibly a total contract ceiling or a previous award, and its relevance needs further clarification.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This approach generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service quality. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust process was intended.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the potential for competitive pricing and the assurance that the government sought the best value through an open bidding process.

Public Impact

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will benefit from enhanced aviation maintenance capabilities. Services delivered include specialized mechanic support for aircraft, ensuring operational readiness. Geographic impact is concentrated in Mississippi, supporting FBI aviation assets in the region. Workforce implications may include direct employment by Vertex Aerospace LLC and potential indirect support roles.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts require diligent oversight to prevent cost overruns and ensure fair pricing.
The specific scope of 'aviation mechanic support' needs clear definition to avoid scope creep and ensure all requirements are met.
Reliance on a single task order without visibility into the parent contract's overall value and performance history presents an incomplete picture.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process.
Clear performance period (one year) allows for timely evaluation.
Specialized nature of the service indicates a focus on critical operational needs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the specialized aviation services sector, which supports various government and commercial operations. The market for aviation maintenance is diverse, ranging from general repair to highly specialized support for military and law enforcement aircraft. Benchmarking this specific contract is difficult without knowing the exact aircraft types and the scope of maintenance required, but it represents a niche within the broader aerospace industry.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a specific set-aside requirement for this contract. Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses through subcontracting opportunities is not explicitly detailed. Further analysis of the parent contract or Vertex Aerospace LLC's subcontracting plan would be necessary to assess the implications for the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation's contracting and program management officials. The 'Cost Plus Fixed Fee' structure necessitates close monitoring of costs incurred by Vertex Aerospace LLC to ensure adherence to the fixed fee and overall contract value. Transparency will depend on the FBI's reporting practices regarding task order performance and expenditures.

Related Government Programs

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Services
Department of Defense (DoD) Aviation Maintenance Contracts
Law Enforcement Aviation Support
Air Transportation Support Services

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent oversight.
Potential for cost escalation if not properly managed.
Scope of work clarity is essential for performance evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $2.5 million to VERTEX AEROSPACE LLC. AVIATION MECHANIC SUPPORT SERVICES (AMSS) TASK ORDER 0002 (THU)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VERTEX AEROSPACE LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Investigation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-29. End: 2026-09-28.

What is the track record of Vertex Aerospace LLC in supporting federal aviation contracts, particularly those with law enforcement agencies?

Vertex Aerospace LLC has a history of providing aviation support services to various government entities. While specific details on their track record with law enforcement agencies like the FBI are not provided in this data snippet, their general experience in aerospace maintenance and support is a key factor. A deeper dive into their past performance, including on-time delivery, quality of service, and any past performance issues or awards on similar contracts, would be crucial for a comprehensive assessment. Reviewing their contract history with other federal agencies, such as the Department of Defense or other civilian agencies requiring aviation support, can offer insights into their capabilities and reliability. Understanding their experience with the specific types of aircraft the FBI operates would also be highly relevant.

How does the awarded value of $2.54 million compare to similar aviation mechanic support contracts for law enforcement agencies?

Directly comparing the $2.54 million task order value is challenging without knowing the precise scope of services, the types and number of aircraft supported, and the duration of the support. Aviation mechanic support can range from routine maintenance to complex overhauls. Contracts for similar services can vary significantly based on these factors. For instance, a contract supporting a small fleet of helicopters might differ substantially in cost from one supporting multiple fixed-wing surveillance aircraft. To provide a meaningful comparison, one would need to identify contracts with comparable agencies (e.g., DEA, DHS, state/local police aviation units) for similar aircraft types and service levels. The benchmark value of $6.98 million (br) mentioned in the data requires clarification; if it represents a total contract ceiling or a previous larger award, it suggests this task order is a component of a broader engagement.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for aviation mechanic services?

The primary risk with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for aviation mechanic services lies in cost control and potential for contractor inefficiency. While the fixed fee provides the contractor with a defined profit margin, the 'cost plus' element means the government reimburses the contractor for allowable costs. If cost accounting and oversight are not rigorous, there's a risk that costs could escalate beyond initial expectations, even with a fixed fee. Contractors might have less incentive to aggressively control costs compared to fixed-price contracts, as their profit is guaranteed regardless of efficiency beyond the fixed fee. For aviation mechanics, this could manifest in extended repair times, use of more expensive parts than necessary, or less efficient labor utilization. Robust government oversight, detailed cost reporting, and clear definitions of allowable costs are critical to mitigate these risks.

What is the expected effectiveness of this contract in ensuring the operational readiness of the FBI's aviation assets in Mississippi?

The effectiveness of this contract hinges on the contractor's ability to provide timely, high-quality mechanic support as defined in the task order. Ensuring operational readiness requires prompt identification and resolution of maintenance issues, adherence to rigorous safety and quality standards, and availability of skilled technicians and necessary parts. The FBI's oversight and performance management of Vertex Aerospace LLC will be crucial. If the contractor meets or exceeds performance expectations, it should significantly contribute to maintaining the FBI's aviation assets in a state of readiness for their missions. Conversely, any deficiencies in service could directly impact the availability and reliability of these critical assets, potentially hindering FBI operations in the region.

How does this contract fit into the FBI's broader aviation support strategy and historical spending patterns in this category?

This contract represents a specific task order likely supporting the FBI's aviation division, focusing on maintaining aircraft operational readiness in a particular geographic area (Mississippi). To understand its fit within the broader strategy, one would need to examine the FBI's overall aviation budget, the number and types of aircraft operated, and the distribution of maintenance support across different regions and contractors. Historical spending patterns would reveal whether the FBI typically relies on full and open competition for such services, the average duration and value of similar contracts, and the prevalence of CPFF or other contract types. This task order's value and duration should be assessed against these historical trends to determine if it aligns with established practices or represents a new approach or a significant shift in resource allocation for aviation support.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 15F06724R0000230

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 555 INDUSTRIAL DR S, MADISON, MS, 39110

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,435,969

Exercised Options: $2,572,429

Current Obligation: $2,542,000

Actual Outlays: $425,674

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15F06725D0000191

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline