DoD's $36.2M MQ-9 RPA Maintenance Contract Awarded to Amentum Services, Inc. for CONUS Bases
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $36,203,732 ($36.2M)
Contractor: Amentum Services, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2018-08-01
End Date: 2025-11-30
Contract Duration: 2,678 days
Daily Burn Rate: $13.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: MQ-9 REMOTELY PILOTED AIRCRAFT (RPA) O-LEVEL MAINTENANCE AT ACC CONUS LOCATIONS - ELLSWORTH, WHITEMAN, AND SHAW AFBS.
Place of Performance
Location: SHAW AFB, SUMTER County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29152
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $36.2 million to AMENTUM SERVICES, INC. for work described as: MQ-9 REMOTELY PILOTED AIRCRAFT (RPA) O-LEVEL MAINTENANCE AT ACC CONUS LOCATIONS - ELLSWORTH, WHITEMAN, AND SHAW AFBS. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical MQ-9 Reaper drone maintenance at three major Air Force bases. 2. Amentum Services, Inc. secured the contract through full and open competition. 3. The contract duration extends through November 2025, indicating a long-term need. 4. No small business participation was noted, potentially limiting broader economic impact.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $36.2M over approximately 3 years appears reasonable for specialized RPA maintenance. Benchmarking against similar complex aviation maintenance contracts would provide further validation.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded using full and open competition, suggesting a robust process for price discovery and selection of the most capable offeror. This method generally promotes competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Competitive bidding likely resulted in a fair price, maximizing taxpayer value for essential MQ-9 maintenance services.
Public Impact
Ensures operational readiness of MQ-9 Reaper aircraft, vital for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. Supports Air Force operations at Ellsworth, Whiteman, and Shaw AFB, impacting national security. Provides specialized technical services, requiring skilled personnel and advanced maintenance capabilities.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of small business participation.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition utilized.
- Long-term contract ensures sustained operational capability.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the 'Other Support Activities for Air Transportation' sector, specifically supporting advanced unmanned aerial systems. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining modern Air Force capabilities and reflects significant investment in aviation technology.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not awarded to a small business, and there is no indication of small business subcontracting. This represents a missed opportunity to leverage the capabilities of smaller enterprises within the defense industrial base.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded as a delivery order under a larger program, suggesting existing oversight mechanisms. However, ongoing monitoring of performance and cost control is essential to ensure continued value.
Related Government Programs
- Other Support Activities for Air Transportation
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of small business participation.
- Potential for service disruption if contractor fails.
- Dependency on a single provider for critical maintenance.
Tags
other-support-activities-for-air-transpo, department-of-defense, sc, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $36.2 million to AMENTUM SERVICES, INC.. MQ-9 REMOTELY PILOTED AIRCRAFT (RPA) O-LEVEL MAINTENANCE AT ACC CONUS LOCATIONS - ELLSWORTH, WHITEMAN, AND SHAW AFBS.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AMENTUM SERVICES, 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 $36.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2018-08-01. End: 2025-11-30.
What is the specific breakdown of O-level maintenance tasks covered under this contract?
O-level maintenance typically refers to organizational-level tasks performed by the unit that operates the equipment. For the MQ-9 RPA, this would likely include pre-flight inspections, post-flight inspections, servicing, launch and recovery, and troubleshooting of common issues. The contract details would specify the exact scope, ensuring clarity on responsibilities.
How does the performance of Amentum Services, Inc. on this contract compare to industry benchmarks for RPA maintenance?
Assessing Amentum's performance requires access to specific metrics like aircraft availability rates, turnaround times for maintenance, and adherence to safety protocols. Comparing these against industry averages for similar complex systems would reveal efficiency and effectiveness. Publicly available performance reports or contractor scorecards could provide this data.
What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single contractor for critical MQ-9 maintenance at multiple CONUS locations?
Key risks include potential service disruptions due to contractor performance issues, supply chain vulnerabilities, or unforeseen events impacting the contractor's ability to operate. Over-reliance could also reduce leverage in future negotiations. Mitigating these risks involves robust contract management, contingency planning, and potentially exploring alternative support options.
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
Solicitation ID: FA489016R0032
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: PAE Government Services Inc.
Address: 20501 SENECA MEADOWS PKWY STE 300, GERMANTOWN, MD, 20876
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $36,203,732
Exercised Options: $36,203,732
Current Obligation: $36,203,732
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $1,012,434
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA489018D0002
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2018-08-01
Current End Date: 2025-11-30
Potential End Date: 2025-11-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-10-31
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