Department of Defense awards $2M contract for aircraft wash and corrosion control to Starlight Corp
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,038,917 ($2.0M)
Contractor: Starlight Corp
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2022-05-26
End Date: 2027-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,953 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.0K/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: AIRCRAFT WASH, CORROSION CONTROL SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: DOVER AFB, KENT County, DELAWARE, 19902
State: Delaware Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $2.0 million to STARLIGHT CORP for work described as: AIRCRAFT WASH, CORROSION CONTROL SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized aircraft maintenance services. 2. Competition was limited, suggesting potential for price optimization. 3. Contract duration of nearly 4 years indicates a stable, long-term need. 4. Fixed-price contract type shifts risk to the contractor. 5. Services are critical for maintaining aircraft airworthiness and longevity. 6. Geographic focus on Delaware for service delivery.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $2.04 million over approximately 4 years for aircraft wash and corrosion control services appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized maintenance. Benchmarking against similar contracts for aircraft support services would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor has adequately estimated costs and risks, which is generally favorable for the government.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a limited number of bidders. While the exact number of bids received is not detailed, SAP is designed for smaller procurements and may not achieve the same level of price discovery as full and open competition. The limited competition could mean that the government did not secure the lowest possible price.
Taxpayer Impact: Limited competition under SAP may result in higher prices for taxpayers compared to a broader competition, as fewer vendors had the opportunity to bid.
Public Impact
Benefits the Department of Defense by ensuring the operational readiness and longevity of its aircraft fleet. Provides essential aircraft wash and corrosion control services, crucial for maintaining airworthiness. Services are geographically focused within Delaware. Supports specialized maintenance jobs within the aerospace support sector.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for higher costs due to limited competition.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical maintenance services.
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed-price contract mitigates cost overrun risk for the government.
- Long contract duration provides stability for essential services.
- Contractor, Starlight Corp, is performing services under a definitive contract.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the aerospace and defense support services sector, specifically focusing on aircraft maintenance. The market for these services is driven by the operational needs of military branches and commercial aviation. Spending in this area is critical for maintaining the value and functionality of expensive assets like military aircraft. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other contracts for similar maintenance services across different military branches or agencies.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and the prime contractor, Starlight Corp, is not explicitly identified as a small business in this context. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans or their impact on the small business ecosystem. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program office within the Department of the Air Force. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver services to specification. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics may not always be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Aircraft Maintenance Services
- Corrosion Prevention and Control
- Aerospace Support Contracts
- Department of Defense Maintenance
Risk Flags
- Limited competition may lead to higher prices.
- Contract duration extends over multiple years, increasing exposure to changing needs.
Tags
defense, department-of-defense, air-force, definitive-contract, firm-fixed-price, limited-competition, aircraft-maintenance, corrosion-control, delaware, support-activities-for-air-transportation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $2.0 million to STARLIGHT CORP. AIRCRAFT WASH, CORROSION CONTROL SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is STARLIGHT CORP.
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 $2.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-05-26. End: 2027-09-30.
What is Starlight Corp's track record with similar Department of Defense contracts?
Information regarding Starlight Corp's specific track record with similar Department of Defense contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance on contracts for aircraft washing, corrosion control, or other aviation maintenance services. This would involve examining past performance evaluations, any history of contract disputes or terminations, and their experience with firm fixed-price agreements. Understanding their prior success in meeting delivery schedules, quality standards, and budget constraints on comparable DoD contracts is crucial for evaluating their reliability and capability in fulfilling the current award.
How does the awarded price compare to market rates for aircraft wash and corrosion control?
The provided data does not include specific pricing details beyond the total contract value of $2.04 million. To compare this to market rates, one would need to analyze the contract's line item details, such as the cost per wash or per hour of corrosion control service, and benchmark these against industry standards or rates paid for similar services by other government agencies or commercial entities. Factors like the type of aircraft, the complexity of the corrosion treatment, and the geographic location of service delivery significantly influence market rates. Without these granular details, a precise market comparison is not feasible based solely on the total contract amount.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract for the government?
The primary risks for the government in this contract include potential underperformance by the contractor, Starlight Corp, leading to delays in aircraft maintenance or substandard service quality. Given the limited competition, there's also a risk of paying a premium price. Furthermore, the long duration of the contract (nearly 4 years) increases the exposure to potential changes in operational needs or unforeseen cost escalations that are not fully captured by the fixed-price structure. Ensuring consistent oversight and performance monitoring will be key to mitigating these risks.
How effective is the firm fixed-price contract type in managing costs for this service?
The firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally effective in managing costs for services like aircraft washing and corrosion control, as it places the responsibility for cost control and risk management on the contractor, Starlight Corp. The government agrees to a set price, and the contractor is obligated to perform the work for that amount, regardless of their actual costs. This structure incentivizes the contractor to be efficient and can protect the government from cost overruns, provided the initial price was set appropriately based on realistic cost estimates and market conditions. However, if the initial price was too high due to limited competition, the FFP structure would lock in that higher cost.
What is the historical spending trend for aircraft wash and corrosion control services by the Department of Defense?
The provided data snippet focuses on a single contract award and does not offer historical spending trends for aircraft wash and corrosion control services by the Department of Defense. To analyze historical spending, one would need to access and aggregate data from multiple contract awards over several fiscal years. This would involve identifying all contracts with similar Product Service Codes (PSCs) or descriptions, filtering by the relevant agencies (e.g., Air Force, Navy, Army), and summing the awarded amounts annually. Such an analysis would reveal patterns of spending, identify major spending periods, and highlight any significant increases or decreases in investment in these services over time.
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: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: FA449722R0027
Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2100 PALOMAR AIRPORT RD STE 214-40, CARLSBAD, CA, 92011
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $2,274,102
Exercised Options: $2,045,655
Current Obligation: $2,038,917
Actual Outlays: $551,368
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-05-26
Current End Date: 2027-09-30
Potential End Date: 2027-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-09
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