DoD Awards $80M for Kingsley Field Adversary Air Support, Highlighting Firm Fixed Price Contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $80,190,501 ($80.2M)

Contractor: Tactical AIR Support Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2020-07-28

End Date: 2024-08-08

Contract Duration: 1,472 days

Daily Burn Rate: $54.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: ADVERSARY AIR SUPPORT SERVICES FOR KINGSLEY FIELD.

Place of Performance

Location: KLAMATH FALLS, KLAMATH County, OREGON, 97601

State: Oregon Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $80.2 million to TACTICAL AIR SUPPORT INC for work described as: ADVERSARY AIR SUPPORT SERVICES FOR KINGSLEY FIELD. Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $80.2 million for essential adversary air support. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract spans over four years, indicating a long-term need. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type aims to control costs and manage risk.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The $80.2 million award for adversary air support appears reasonable given the contract's duration and the specialized nature of the services. Benchmarking against similar long-term, high-value aviation support contracts would provide further validation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The use of full and open competition is a positive indicator for price discovery, as it allows multiple qualified vendors to bid. This method generally leads to more competitive pricing compared to limited or sole-source procurements.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is expected to yield a fair price, maximizing the value of taxpayer funds allocated for critical training support.

Public Impact

Ensures readiness and realistic training for Air Force personnel at Kingsley Field. Supports the development and maintenance of advanced combat simulation capabilities. Contributes to the operational effectiveness of fighter pilot training programs. Provides a crucial service for national defense readiness.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if scope creep occurs despite FFP.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical training support.
Risk of contractor performance issues impacting training schedules.

Positive Signals

Utilizes full and open competition for best value.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty.
Long-term award ensures continuity of essential services.
Supports critical Air Force training requirements.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the aerospace and defense sector, specifically focusing on aviation support services. Spending in this area is critical for maintaining pilot proficiency and readiness, with benchmarks often tied to aircraft hours and complexity of simulated threats.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific set-asides for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had an opportunity to participate in this full and open competition.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the Department of the Air Force, a component of the Department of Defense. Standard oversight mechanisms for defense contracts, including performance monitoring and financial audits, are expected to be in place.

Related Government Programs

Flight Training
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Air Force Programs

Risk Flags

Contract duration may lead to price escalation if not managed.
Reliance on a single provider for a critical service.
Potential for scope creep impacting the fixed price.
Lack of specific small business participation data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $80.2 million to TACTICAL AIR SUPPORT INC. ADVERSARY AIR SUPPORT SERVICES FOR KINGSLEY FIELD.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TACTICAL AIR SUPPORT 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 $80.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-07-28. End: 2024-08-08.

What is the specific breakdown of costs within the $80.2 million award, and how do they align with industry standards for adversary air support?

The provided data does not detail the cost breakdown. A thorough analysis would require access to contract line item details, including costs for aircraft operation, maintenance, personnel, and simulated threat generation. Comparing these line items against industry benchmarks for similar services would reveal potential areas of overpricing or efficiency.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how is contractor performance being monitored to mitigate risks?

Key performance indicators are not explicitly detailed in the provided summary. Effective oversight would involve tracking metrics such as mission completion rates, aircraft availability, adherence to training objectives, and safety incident reports. Regular performance reviews and clear contractual remedies for deficiencies are crucial for mitigating performance risks.

How does the pricing structure of this Firm Fixed Price contract compare to other similar adversary air support contracts awarded through full and open competition?

While the contract is FFP and competitively awarded, a direct price comparison requires access to pricing data from comparable contracts. Factors like geographic location, specific aircraft used, duration, and the scope of simulated threats influence pricing. Benchmarking against contracts with similar characteristics is essential to assess if this $80.2 million award represents a fair market price.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Technical and Trade Schools › Flight Training

Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 14505 MOUNT ANDERSON ST, RENO, NV, 89506

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $84,125,484

Exercised Options: $84,125,484

Current Obligation: $80,190,501

Actual Outlays: $18,583,562

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA489020D0006

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline