NASA Awards Vertex Aerospace $7.2M for Aircraft Operations Support
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $7,236,175 ($7.2M)
Contractor: Vertex Aerospace LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2025-08-01
End Date: 2026-03-31
Contract Duration: 242 days
Daily Burn Rate: $29.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL SUPPORT ALL NASA ASSIGNED AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS, INCLUDING AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE, AIRCRAFT MODIFICATION, AND FLIGHT-LINE OPERATIONS.
Place of Performance
Location: MADISON, MADISON County, MISSISSIPPI, 39110
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $7.2 million to VERTEX AEROSPACE LLC for work described as: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL SUPPORT ALL NASA ASSIGNED AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS, INCLUDING AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE, AIRCRAFT MODIFICATION, AND FLIGHT-LINE OPERATIONS. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on aircraft maintenance, modification, and flight-line operations. 2. Vertex Aerospace LLC is the awardee for this delivery order. 3. The contract is for a 242-day period, ending March 31, 2026. 4. This award falls under 'Other Support Activities for Air Transportation'.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $7.2M for 242 days suggests a significant operational scope. Benchmarking against similar aircraft support contracts is needed to fully assess pricing fairness.
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. This method generally promotes price discovery and potentially better value for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for essential aircraft support services.
Public Impact
Ensures continued operational readiness for NASA's assigned aircraft fleet. Supports critical maintenance and modification activities, potentially extending aircraft lifespan. Flight-line operations are essential for safe and efficient aircraft movement and ground support.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited contract duration may impact long-term planning.
- No small business participation noted.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Supports critical NASA aviation infrastructure.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the air transportation support sector, which is crucial for government agencies relying on aviation assets. Spending benchmarks in this area vary widely based on the scale and type of operations supported.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this specific award, as the 'sb' field is false. Further analysis would be needed to understand if opportunities were missed or if the scope inherently favored larger entities.
Oversight & Accountability
The award is a delivery order under a larger contract, suggesting existing oversight mechanisms. Accountability for performance rests with Vertex Aerospace LLC, monitored by NASA.
Related Government Programs
- Other Support Activities for Air Transportation
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of small business participation.
- Short contract duration may lead to future re-competition costs.
- Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen maintenance issues arise.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical operations.
Tags
other-support-activities-for-air-transpo, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, ms, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $7.2 million to VERTEX AEROSPACE LLC. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL SUPPORT ALL NASA ASSIGNED AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS, INCLUDING AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE, AIRCRAFT MODIFICATION, AND FLIGHT-LINE OPERATIONS.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is VERTEX AEROSPACE LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $7.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-08-01. End: 2026-03-31.
What is the historical performance of Vertex Aerospace LLC on similar NASA contracts?
Assessing Vertex Aerospace LLC's past performance on comparable NASA contracts is crucial for evaluating reliability and quality. Reviewing past delivery orders, contract modifications, and any performance reviews or disputes can provide insights into their capabilities and adherence to schedules and specifications. This historical data helps predict future performance and identify potential risks.
How does the per-unit cost of aircraft maintenance and operations compare to industry standards for similar NASA aircraft?
Benchmarking the per-unit cost against industry standards for similar NASA aircraft is essential for value assessment. This involves comparing rates for specific maintenance tasks, flight hours, or operational support against publicly available data or government cost models. Significant deviations could indicate overpricing or exceptional service, warranting further investigation into the contract's specifics.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will NASA measure success?
Understanding the key performance indicators (KPIs) and NASA's measurement of success is vital for assessing contract effectiveness. These KPIs likely include metrics related to aircraft availability, maintenance turnaround times, safety compliance, and operational efficiency. Clear, measurable KPIs ensure that Vertex Aerospace LLC meets NASA's requirements and that taxpayer funds are delivering the expected outcomes.
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
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
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: $11,643,979
Exercised Options: $7,543,432
Current Obligation: $7,236,175
Actual Outlays: $5,143,193
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80AFRC20D0003
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-08-01
Current End Date: 2026-03-31
Potential End Date: 2026-07-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-13
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