DHS Coast Guard awards $27.5K for MH65 aircraft fuel fittings, highlighting niche parts procurement

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $27,477 ($27.5K)

Contractor: Advantage Aviation Technologies II, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2025-08-22

End Date: 2026-05-06

Contract Duration: 257 days

Daily Burn Rate: $107/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: PROCUREMENT OF 5EA END FITTING,FUEL FOR USE OF MH65 AIRCRAFTS.

Place of Performance

Location: GRANDVIEW, JOHNSON County, TEXAS, 76050

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $27,476.5 to ADVANTAGE AVIATION TECHNOLOGIES II, LLC for work described as: PROCUREMENT OF 5EA END FITTING,FUEL FOR USE OF MH65 AIRCRAFTS. Key points: 1. This contract addresses a specific, low-value need for critical aircraft components. 2. Procurement was conducted under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a streamlined process for smaller purchases. 3. The award to Advantage Aviation Technologies II, LLC indicates a reliance on specialized suppliers for aviation parts. 4. The fixed-price nature of the contract shifts risk to the contractor for cost overruns. 5. The relatively short duration of the contract suggests a focus on immediate or near-term operational needs. 6. The geographic location of the contractor in Texas may influence logistics and delivery timelines.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $27,476.50 for five end fittings is relatively small. Benchmarking per-unit costs for such specialized aviation components is challenging without more detailed specifications and market data. However, the award was made under simplified acquisition procedures, which typically aim for fair and reasonable pricing for smaller purchases. The fixed-price nature of the award provides cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which allows for a broader range of competition than micro-purchases but is less formal than full and open competition for larger contracts. The data indicates it was 'competed under SAP,' suggesting multiple offers were likely solicited and considered, though the exact number of bidders is not specified. This level of competition is generally sufficient for smaller value procurements to ensure fair pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, competition under SAP generally leads to reasonable prices for smaller purchases, avoiding the administrative overhead of more complex bidding processes while still leveraging market forces.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Coast Guard's aviation units operating MH65 aircraft. The contract delivers essential fuel end fittings, crucial for maintaining the airworthiness and operational readiness of these helicopters. The geographic impact is primarily within the operational areas served by the MH65 fleet, likely domestic and international Coast Guard bases. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily affecting maintenance personnel who install and utilize the parts.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for supply chain disruptions if Advantage Aviation Technologies II, LLC faces production or delivery issues for these specialized parts.
Risk of obsolescence or difficulty in sourcing future parts if the MH65 fleet's support structure changes.

Positive Signals

The contract ensures the availability of critical components for maintaining operational readiness of MH65 aircraft.
Awarding to a specialized aviation technology company suggests access to necessary expertise and quality control.
The fixed-price contract provides budget predictability for this specific procurement.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader aerospace and defense manufacturing sector, specifically focusing on aircraft parts. The market for specialized aviation components like fuel end fittings is often niche, with a limited number of qualified manufacturers. Spending in this sub-sector is driven by the operational needs and fleet sizes of military and government aviation branches. Comparable spending would involve other procurements for specific aircraft parts across various government agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). While the contractor, Advantage Aviation Technologies II, LLC, may be a small business, the procurement method (SAP) and the nature of the item do not inherently suggest a subcontracting requirement or a significant impact on the broader small business ecosystem beyond the direct awardee.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the U.S. Coast Guard's contracting and program management offices. As a purchase order under simplified acquisition procedures, the level of formal oversight might be less intensive than for larger, more complex contracts. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS. Accountability rests with the contracting officer to ensure the parts meet specifications and are delivered on time. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

MH65 Helicopter Maintenance
Aviation Component Procurement
Department of Homeland Security Aircraft Parts
U.S. Coast Guard Aviation Operations

Risk Flags

Potential supply chain vulnerability for specialized parts.
Reliance on a single or limited number of suppliers for critical components.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $27,476.5 to ADVANTAGE AVIATION TECHNOLOGIES II, LLC. PROCUREMENT OF 5EA END FITTING,FUEL FOR USE OF MH65 AIRCRAFTS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ADVANTAGE AVIATION TECHNOLOGIES II, 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 $27,476.5.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-08-22. End: 2026-05-06.

What is the typical lead time for Advantage Aviation Technologies II, LLC to deliver specialized aircraft parts like fuel end fittings?

The provided data indicates a contract duration from August 22, 2025, to May 6, 2026, suggesting an expected delivery window within this period. However, specific lead times for Advantage Aviation Technologies II, LLC are not detailed. Generally, for specialized aviation components, lead times can vary significantly based on manufacturing schedules, inventory levels, and the complexity of the part. Without direct information from the contractor or historical performance data for similar items, it's difficult to ascertain the precise lead time. The contract's fixed delivery end date implies that the government expects receipt of the five end fittings by May 6, 2026, at the latest.

How does the unit price of these fuel end fittings compare to similar components in the market?

The total award is $27,476.50 for 5 units, resulting in a nominal unit price of approximately $5,495.30. Direct comparison to market rates for 'end fitting, fuel for MH65 aircraft' is challenging without access to a comprehensive database of aviation parts pricing or specific manufacturer catalogs. However, given the specialized nature of aviation components, particularly for military or government-use aircraft like the MH65, prices can be significantly higher than for general industrial parts due to stringent quality control, certification requirements, and low production volumes. The fact that it was competed under SAP suggests the Coast Guard sought competitive pricing within the simplified acquisition framework, implying an effort to achieve a fair and reasonable price point for this specific component.

What are the primary risks associated with procuring niche aviation parts like these end fittings?

Procuring niche aviation parts presents several risks. Firstly, there's a risk of limited supplier availability, potentially leading to higher prices and longer lead times if only one or two manufacturers can produce the item to specification. Secondly, quality control and certification are paramount; non-compliant parts could compromise aircraft safety and operational readiness. Thirdly, obsolescence is a concern, as specialized parts may become difficult to source if the aircraft model ages or is phased out. Finally, supply chain disruptions, whether due to geopolitical events, manufacturing issues, or logistical challenges, can impact delivery schedules. The fixed-price nature of this contract helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government, but performance and quality risks remain.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar MH65 aircraft fuel fittings by the U.S. Coast Guard?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for this specific part. To assess historical spending, one would need to query procurement databases for previous awards of 'end fitting, fuel' or similar components for the MH65 aircraft by the U.S. Coast Guard or Department of Homeland Security. Analyzing past contract values, quantities, and awardees would reveal trends in pricing, supplier stability, and the frequency of such procurements. Without this historical context, it's difficult to determine if this $27.5K award represents a typical, increased, or decreased level of spending for these parts.

How does the contractor, Advantage Aviation Technologies II, LLC, perform on other government contracts?

The provided data only includes information about this specific contract award. To assess the performance track record of Advantage Aviation Technologies II, LLC on other government contracts, one would need to consult comprehensive federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) and review past contract performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS reports). This would involve searching for all contracts awarded to this entity, examining their value, duration, type, and any documented performance history, including timeliness, quality of goods/services, and adherence to contract terms. Without this external data, their overall performance cannot be evaluated.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: PIPE, TUBING, HOSE, AND FITTINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 70Z03825QB0000130

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1300 MCDUFF AVE, GRANDVIEW, TX, 76050

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $27,477

Exercised Options: $27,477

Current Obligation: $27,477

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline