DoD Awards $13.37M Contract for Special Departure Procedures to Jeppesen Foreflight, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $13,371,411 ($13.4M)
Contractor: Jeppesen Foreflight, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2021-09-15
End Date: 2026-09-14
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.3K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: SPECIAL DEPARTURE PROCEDURES
Place of Performance
Location: SCOTT AFB, SAINT CLAIR County, ILLINOIS, 62225
State: Illinois Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $13.4 million to JEPPESEN FOREFLIGHT, INC. for work described as: SPECIAL DEPARTURE PROCEDURES Key points: 1. The contract is for geophysical surveying and mapping services. 2. Jeppesen Foreflight, Inc. is the sole awardee. 3. The contract duration is 5 years. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price. 5. The award value is $13.37 million.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $13.37 million over five years appears reasonable for specialized mapping services. However, without specific details on the scope of work and comparable contracts for similar geophysical surveying and mapping, a precise valuation is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in a higher cost to taxpayers than if the contract had been awarded through a competitive bidding process.
Public Impact
Pilots and air traffic controllers rely on accurate departure procedures for safe navigation. The Department of Defense's reliance on a single vendor for these critical services raises questions about redundancy and backup options. The long-term nature of the contract could impact the adoption of newer, potentially more efficient technologies.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Lack of transparency in pricing justification.
- Potential for vendor lock-in.
- Long contract duration may not reflect technological advancements.
Positive Signals
- Clear contract duration.
- Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty.
- Specific NAICS code identified.
Sector Analysis
The geophysical surveying and mapping services sector is crucial for various government functions, including defense and infrastructure planning. Spending in this sector can vary significantly based on project scope and technological requirements. This contract falls within a specialized niche.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this sole-source contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed for small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny. Oversight should focus on ensuring the necessity of the sole-source justification and verifying that the awarded price is fair and reasonable given the lack of competition.
Related Government Programs
- Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award.
- Lack of competitive pricing.
- Potential for cost overruns.
- Limited transparency.
- Dependency on a single vendor.
Tags
geophysical-surveying-and-mapping-servic, department-of-defense, il, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $13.4 million to JEPPESEN FOREFLIGHT, INC.. SPECIAL DEPARTURE PROCEDURES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is JEPPESEN FOREFLIGHT, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $13.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-09-15. End: 2026-09-14.
What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and were alternative solutions considered?
The justification for a sole-source award typically stems from unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent needs where only one vendor can meet the requirement. Without the specific justification document, it's impossible to detail the rationale. However, agencies are expected to explore all viable options, including market research, to ensure competition is maximized unless specific exceptions apply.
How does the per-unit cost or cost per mile/acre compare to industry benchmarks for similar geophysical surveying and mapping services?
Benchmarking this contract's cost is challenging without detailed scope of work and specific service metrics. However, given the sole-source nature, the price may be higher than if obtained through competitive bidding. A thorough review would involve comparing the contractor's proposed costs against independent government cost estimates and data from similar, competitively awarded contracts, if available.
What is the potential impact on operational effectiveness if Jeppesen Foreflight, Inc. is unable to fulfill its contractual obligations?
The impact could be significant, as special departure procedures are critical for safe and efficient air operations. A sole-source contract raises concerns about redundancy and contingency planning. The Department of the Air Force should have robust contingency plans in place, potentially including pre-identified alternative vendors or internal capabilities, to mitigate disruptions.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services
Product/Service Code: TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCATION › TRAVEL, LODGING, RECRUITMENT SVCS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: FA445221R0016
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: THE Boeing Company
Address: 55 INVERNESS DR E, ENGLEWOOD, CO, 80112
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $14,123,655
Exercised Options: $13,371,771
Current Obligation: $13,371,411
Actual Outlays: $311,332
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-09-15
Current End Date: 2026-09-14
Potential End Date: 2026-09-14 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-29
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