Coast Guard awards $7.3M contract to Kearfott Corp for MH-60T collective trim servo overhaul

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $73,583 ($73.6K)

Contractor: Kearfott Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2025-09-05

End Date: 2026-08-03

Contract Duration: 332 days

Daily Burn Rate: $222/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: OVERHAUL OF COLLECTIVE TRIM SERVOS TO BE UTILIZED ON THE MH-60T AIRCRAFT.

Place of Performance

Location: BLACK MOUNTAIN, BUNCOMBE County, NORTH CAROLINA, 28711

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $73,583.16 to KEARFOTT CORP for work described as: OVERHAUL OF COLLECTIVE TRIM SERVOS TO BE UTILIZED ON THE MH-60T AIRCRAFT. Key points: 1. Kearfott Corp, a known aerospace manufacturer, is the sole awardee. 2. The contract is for critical MH-60T aircraft components, indicating high operational importance. 3. Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpricing and limited market engagement. 4. The 'Other Aircraft Parts' sector often sees specialized, high-value components.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Pricing is difficult to assess without competitive benchmarks. Given the sole-source nature, there's a risk the price may not reflect optimal market value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, suggesting a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition means taxpayers may be paying a premium for these critical aircraft parts.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operational readiness of the MH-60T helicopter fleet. Supports critical Coast Guard missions, including search and rescue and maritime law enforcement. Potential for increased costs due to lack of competitive bidding.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
Potential for overpricing

Positive Signals

Critical component for aircraft readiness
Supports essential government operations

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the aerospace manufacturing sector, specifically focusing on aircraft parts. Spending in this area is often high due to the specialized nature and stringent quality requirements for defense and public safety equipment.

Small Business Impact

The awardee, Kearfott Corp, is not identified as a small business. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny to ensure fair pricing and value for taxpayer dollars. Further oversight may be needed to confirm the necessity of a non-competitive award.

Related Government Programs

Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing
Department of Homeland Security Contracting
U.S. Coast Guard Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits competition.
Potential for price escalation due to lack of competition.
No clear small business subcontracting plan identified.
High value contract for specialized aircraft parts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $73,583.16 to KEARFOTT CORP. OVERHAUL OF COLLECTIVE TRIM SERVOS TO BE UTILIZED ON THE MH-60T AIRCRAFT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KEARFOTT CORP.

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 $73,583.16.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-05. End: 2026-08-03.

What is the justification for awarding this contract sole-source?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent needs where only one source can fulfill the requirement. Without specific documentation, it's difficult to ascertain the exact reason, but it implies the Coast Guard believes Kearfott Corp is the only viable option for this specific overhaul.

What is the risk associated with a sole-source award for aircraft parts?

The primary risk of a sole-source award is the lack of competitive pressure, which can lead to inflated prices and reduced innovation. For critical aircraft parts, this also carries a risk if the sole provider faces production issues or supply chain disruptions, potentially impacting fleet readiness.

How does this contract ensure the effectiveness of the MH-60T aircraft?

By contracting for the overhaul of collective trim servos, the Coast Guard ensures a critical component of the MH-60T's flight control system is maintained in optimal working condition. This directly contributes to the aircraft's airworthiness and operational effectiveness, enabling it to perform its demanding missions reliably.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: AEROSPACE CRAFT COMPONENTS AND ACCESSORIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Astronautics Corporation of America

Address: 2858 US 70 HWY, BLACK MOUNTAIN, NC, 28711

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $73,583

Exercised Options: $73,583

Current Obligation: $73,583

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70Z03825DJ0000011

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline