DHS awards $673M for ICE Air charter flights, impacting immigration enforcement operations

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $673,421,847 ($673.4M)

Contractor: CSI Aviation, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2025-11-01

End Date: 2026-10-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.9M/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THIS CALL ORDER OBTAINS DEDICATED AND ON-DEMAND CHARTERED FLIGHT SERVICES FOR ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL OPERATIONS UNDER THE ICE AIR PROGRAM. ICE AIR FACILITATES THE SAFE, SECURE, AND COST-EFFECTIVE TRANSPORTATION AND DEPORTATION OF ILLEGAL ALIENS.

Place of Performance

Location: KILLEEN, BELL County, TEXAS, 76549

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $673.4 million to CSI AVIATION, INC for work described as: THIS CALL ORDER OBTAINS DEDICATED AND ON-DEMAND CHARTERED FLIGHT SERVICES FOR ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL OPERATIONS UNDER THE ICE AIR PROGRAM. ICE AIR FACILITATES THE SAFE, SECURE, AND COST-EFFECTIVE TRANSPORTATION AND DEPORTATION OF ILLEGAL ALIENS. Key points: 1. The contract provides essential charter flight services for ICE's removal operations. 2. CSI Aviation, Inc. is the sole awardee under this BPA call. 3. The primary risk involves potential disruptions to deportation schedules. 4. This falls under travel arrangement services, supporting law enforcement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of $673M is substantial for charter services. Benchmarking against similar government charter contracts is difficult without more specific flight data, but the scale suggests significant operational needs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. However, as a BPA call, it leverages a pre-existing agreement, and the specific price discovery for this call is not detailed.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used to support immigration enforcement and removal operations through essential transportation services.

Public Impact

Ensures ICE can conduct deportation flights efficiently. Supports national security and border control efforts. Facilitates the movement of individuals subject to removal orders. Impacts individuals awaiting or undergoing deportation proceedings.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Dependence on a single vendor for critical operations.
Potential for cost overruns if flight needs fluctuate significantly.
Geopolitical factors could impact demand for removal flights.

Positive Signals

Provides dedicated, on-demand charter services.
Supports a critical government function (ICE operations).
Utilizes a firm-fixed-price contract type to manage costs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the travel arrangement and reservation services sector, specifically supporting government law enforcement operations. Benchmarks for similar large-scale government charter services are scarce, but the value indicates a significant operational requirement for ICE.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was awarded to CSI Aviation, Inc. There is no specific information provided regarding small business participation or subcontracting goals for this BPA call.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Homeland Security, through U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is responsible for overseeing this contract. Oversight would focus on ensuring timely and secure flight operations as per the BPA call terms.

Related Government Programs

All Other Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services
Department of Homeland Security Contracting
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Programs

Risk Flags

Sole awardee for critical operational support.
Potential for schedule disruptions impacting enforcement.
High contract value requires diligent oversight.
Limited transparency on per-unit cost efficiency.
Dependence on a single vendor for essential services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $673.4 million to CSI AVIATION, INC. THIS CALL ORDER OBTAINS DEDICATED AND ON-DEMAND CHARTERED FLIGHT SERVICES FOR ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL OPERATIONS UNDER THE ICE AIR PROGRAM. ICE AIR FACILITATES THE SAFE, SECURE, AND COST-EFFECTIVE TRANSPORTATION AND DEPORTATION OF ILLEGAL ALIENS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CSI AVIATION, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $673.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-11-01. End: 2026-10-31.

What is the average cost per flight or per passenger under this contract, and how does it compare to commercial alternatives?

The provided data does not include per-flight or per-passenger cost breakdowns, making direct comparison difficult. The total award value of $673M over two years suggests a high operational tempo. Further analysis would require detailed flight logs and pricing structures to assess cost-effectiveness against commercial charter options or alternative transportation methods.

What are the contingency plans if CSI Aviation, Inc. is unable to fulfill its charter obligations due to unforeseen circumstances?

The contract is a BPA call, implying a pre-existing framework agreement. Contingency plans would likely involve activating other BPA holders or seeking emergency charter services through alternative means. The government's reliance on a single awardee for this call heightens the risk, necessitating robust backup protocols to ensure continuity of ICE's removal operations.

How is the 'cost-effectiveness' of these charter flights measured and ensured by ICE?

Cost-effectiveness is likely measured against the operational necessity and the alternative costs of not providing these flights, such as detention costs or alternative transport. ICE would ensure this through contract monitoring, performance metrics, and potentially by comparing rates against market benchmarks for similar services. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to contain costs, but true effectiveness hinges on operational efficiency and meeting ICE's specific mission requirements.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services › All Other Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services

Product/Service Code: TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCATION › TRAVEL, LODGING, RECRUITMENT SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6006 REESE CREEK RD, KILLEEN, TX, 76549

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,500,000,000

Exercised Options: $1,500,000,000

Current Obligation: $673,421,847

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70CDCR24A00000001

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline