NASA awards $8.79M contract for Airbus helicopter flight operations and maintenance, with no competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $8,787,024 ($8.8M)
Contractor: Airbus Helicopters, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2020-10-01
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 2,190 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.0K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: FLIGHT OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE FOR AIRCRAFT SERVICES.
Place of Performance
Location: ORLANDO, BREVARD County, FLORIDA, 32899
State: Florida Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $8.8 million to AIRBUS HELICOPTERS, INC. for work described as: FLIGHT OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE FOR AIRCRAFT SERVICES. Key points: 1. Contract value of $8.79 million for flight operations and maintenance. 2. Sole awarded vendor is Airbus Helicopters, Inc. 3. Contract duration spans from October 2020 to September 2026. 4. No small business participation noted in this contract.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's fixed price structure aims to control costs. However, without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if the $8.79 million price represents fair market value compared to potential alternatives.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning no other vendors were considered. This lack of competition limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition may result in the government paying more than necessary for these essential flight operations and maintenance services.
Public Impact
Essential flight operations and maintenance services for NASA aircraft. Supports critical NASA missions requiring specialized helicopter support. Long-term contract duration indicates ongoing need for these services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Sole-source award
- No small business participation
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed price contract type
- Long contract duration suggests sustained need
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Other Support Activities for Air Transportation, specifically focusing on flight operations and maintenance for aircraft. Benchmarks for this niche sector are difficult to establish without competitive data.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small businesses were not involved in this contract, either as the prime contractor or potentially as subcontractors. This represents a missed opportunity for small business engagement.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny to ensure NASA adequately justified the lack of competition and that the pricing is reasonable. Further review of the justification for sole-source procurement is recommended.
Related Government Programs
- Other Support Activities for Air Transportation
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
- Potential for overpayment due to no competition.
- No small business participation.
- Long-term commitment without competitive re-evaluation.
Tags
other-support-activities-for-air-transpo, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, fl, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $8.8 million to AIRBUS HELICOPTERS, INC.. FLIGHT OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE FOR AIRCRAFT SERVICES.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AIRBUS HELICOPTERS, INC..
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 $8.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-10-01. End: 2026-09-30.
What was the specific justification provided by NASA for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis to Airbus Helicopters, Inc.?
The justification for a sole-source award typically centers on unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or the absence of adequate competition. NASA would need to document why only Airbus Helicopters, Inc. could fulfill the requirement for specialized flight operations and maintenance of their aircraft, potentially due to specific aircraft models or existing support infrastructure.
What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source contract for critical flight operations and maintenance services?
The primary risk is inflated costs due to the lack of competitive pressure, potentially leading to inefficient use of taxpayer funds. Other risks include vendor lock-in, reduced innovation, and potential service disruptions if the sole provider faces financial or operational difficulties.
How does the long-term duration of this contract (nearly 6 years) impact the overall value and effectiveness for NASA?
A long-term contract can provide stability and predictability for essential services, potentially leading to better planning and resource allocation. However, it also increases the risk of the government being locked into potentially suboptimal pricing or service levels if market conditions or needs change significantly over the contract period.
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: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: 80KSC020R0020
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2701 N FORUM DR, GRAND PRAIRIE, TX, 75052
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $15,437,576
Exercised Options: $8,787,024
Current Obligation: $8,787,024
Actual Outlays: $6,455,124
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-10-01
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2030-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-23
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