DHS awards $3.7M voice flight recorder contract to Tyonek Aircraft Overhaul, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,667,959 ($3.7M)

Contractor: Tyonek Aircraft Overhaul, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2024-09-16

End Date: 2025-09-15

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: BASE PERIOD FOR VOICE FLIGHT DATE RECORDER CONTRACT

Place of Performance

Location: ELIZABETH CITY, PASQUOTANK County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27909

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $3.7 million to TYONEK AIRCRAFT OVERHAUL, LLC for work described as: BASE PERIOD FOR VOICE FLIGHT DATE RECORDER CONTRACT Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is for a voice flight date recorder, crucial for aviation safety and incident investigation. 3. The base period value is approximately $3.7 million, with potential for future task orders. 4. The contractor, Tyonek Aircraft Overhaul, LLC, has experience in aircraft maintenance and overhaul. 5. The contract is a firm-fixed-price type, providing cost certainty for the government. 6. The delivery order was issued under a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract, though the specific IDIQ is not detailed here.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The base period value of $3.7 million for a voice flight date recorder appears reasonable given the specialized nature of aviation components. Benchmarking against similar contracts for flight recorders or specialized aviation equipment would provide a more precise value assessment. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests that the government has negotiated a set price, which is generally favorable for cost control.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and innovation. The Coast Guard's use of full and open competition for this critical safety equipment suggests a commitment to obtaining the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition maximizes the potential for competitive pricing, which directly benefits taxpayers by ensuring the government is not overpaying for essential equipment.

Public Impact

The U.S. Coast Guard is the primary beneficiary, receiving a critical component for its aviation fleet. The contract delivers a voice flight date recorder, essential for flight safety, operational monitoring, and accident investigations. The geographic impact is primarily within the operational areas of the U.S. Coast Guard's aviation units. The contract supports specialized manufacturing and maintenance jobs within the aerospace sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific competition numbers limits full assessment of price discovery.
Details on the specific technical requirements and performance standards of the recorder are not provided.
The duration of the base period (364 days) is relatively short, suggesting potential for follow-on work or integration with a larger program.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty.
Contractor has experience in aircraft overhaul, suggesting relevant technical capabilities.
The equipment is critical for aviation safety and regulatory compliance.

Sector Analysis

The aerospace and defense sector is characterized by high technological complexity and stringent quality requirements. Contracts for specialized aviation components like flight recorders are typically awarded to firms with proven expertise and certifications. The market for such components is often concentrated among a few specialized manufacturers. This contract fits within the broader category of aerospace manufacturing and maintenance services, supporting the operational readiness of government aviation assets.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from this specific award. The primary contractor, Tyonek Aircraft Overhaul, LLC, is likely a larger entity or has the capacity to fulfill the requirements independently. Further analysis would be needed to determine if the prime contractor has a history of subcontracting with small businesses on other contracts.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the U.S. Coast Guard's contracting and program management offices. As a delivery order under a potential IDIQ, oversight may also involve the contracting activity that manages the parent IDIQ. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of contract awards. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Aviation Safety Equipment
Flight Data Recorders
Voice Recorders
Aircraft Maintenance and Overhaul
Department of Homeland Security Procurement
U.S. Coast Guard Aviation

Risk Flags

Potential for delivery delays impacting operational readiness.
Risk of technical non-conformance with stringent aviation safety standards.
Limited visibility into the number of bidders in the full and open competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $3.7 million to TYONEK AIRCRAFT OVERHAUL, LLC. BASE PERIOD FOR VOICE FLIGHT DATE RECORDER CONTRACT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TYONEK AIRCRAFT OVERHAUL, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Coast Guard).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-16. End: 2025-09-15.

What is the track record of Tyonek Aircraft Overhaul, LLC with federal contracts, particularly for aviation components?

Tyonek Aircraft Overhaul, LLC has a history of federal contracting, primarily with agencies like the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security. Their experience often involves aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul services. While specific contract values and types vary, their involvement in aviation-related services suggests a baseline capability for handling complex technical requirements. A deeper dive into their past performance reviews and any reported issues on previous contracts would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability and quality of work for this specific voice flight date recorder contract.

How does the $3.7 million base period cost compare to similar voice flight date recorder procurements?

Benchmarking the $3.7 million base period cost requires access to comparable contract data for voice flight date recorders. Factors such as the specific technical specifications, required quantities, and the competitive landscape at the time of award significantly influence pricing. Without direct comparisons, it's challenging to definitively state if this price is high or low. However, given the specialized nature of aviation safety equipment and the firm-fixed-price award, it suggests a negotiated price that the Coast Guard deemed acceptable. Further analysis would involve identifying contracts with similar scope and technical requirements awarded around the same period.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this voice flight date recorder contract, and how will they be measured?

The provided data does not detail the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this voice flight date recorder contract. Typically, for such critical aviation components, KPIs would focus on reliability, durability, data integrity, compliance with aviation standards (e.g., TSO certifications), and timely delivery. Performance measurement would likely involve acceptance testing, operational monitoring, and potentially post-incident analysis if the recorder is utilized. The contract's firm-fixed-price nature implies that meeting all specified technical and performance requirements is paramount for the contractor to receive full payment.

What is the historical spending pattern for voice flight date recorders by the U.S. Coast Guard or DHS?

Historical spending data for voice flight date recorders by the U.S. Coast Guard or DHS is not directly available in the provided snippet. However, the U.S. Coast Guard operates a significant aviation fleet, necessitating regular procurement and maintenance of flight recording devices for safety and operational purposes. Spending in this category would likely be influenced by fleet size, aircraft modernization programs, and regulatory requirements. Analyzing broader categories like 'aviation systems,' 'aircraft components,' or 'safety equipment' over several fiscal years could reveal trends, but specific data on voice recorders would require more targeted research.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Potential risks for this contract include technical performance issues (recorder malfunction or data corruption), delivery delays, and potential cost overruns if the firm-fixed-price contract has poorly defined scope leading to change orders (though less likely with FFP). Mitigation strategies typically involve rigorous source selection, detailed technical specifications, pre-award evaluations of contractor capability, and robust quality assurance during production and delivery. The Coast Guard's oversight and acceptance testing processes serve as key mitigation measures. The contractor's experience in aircraft overhaul also mitigates some technical risk.

What is the significance of the NAICS code 334511 (Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing) for this contract?

The NAICS code 334511 signifies that the primary business activity related to this contract falls under the manufacturing of search, detection, navigation, guidance, aeronautical, and nautical systems and instruments. This classification is highly relevant as a voice flight date recorder is a critical instrument used for navigation, guidance, and post-incident analysis in aviation. It indicates that the contract is for a manufactured product within a specialized segment of the aerospace and defense industry, requiring specific manufacturing capabilities and adherence to industry standards.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: COMM/DETECT/COHERENT RADIATION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 229 PALMER ROAD, MADISON, AL, 35758

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Manufacturer of Goods, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,667,959

Exercised Options: $3,667,959

Current Obligation: $3,667,959

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70Z03824DS0000005

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline