DoD's $62.8M MQ-9 RPA Maintenance Contract Awarded to Amentum Services, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $62,781,297 ($62.8M)
Contractor: Amentum Services, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2022-06-01
End Date: 2025-11-30
Contract Duration: 1,278 days
Daily Burn Rate: $49.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: REMOTELY PILOTED AIRCRAFT (RPA) MQ9 OPERATIONAL-LEVEL MAINTENANCE SUPPORT
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $62.8 million to AMENTUM SERVICES, INC. for work described as: REMOTELY PILOTED AIRCRAFT (RPA) MQ9 OPERATIONAL-LEVEL MAINTENANCE SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract value of $62.8M for MQ-9 RPA operational-level maintenance. 2. Amentum Services, Inc. is the sole awardee. 3. Risk of single-source dependency for critical RPA maintenance. 4. Spending falls under Air Transportation Support activities.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $62.8M for a 3.5-year period appears reasonable for specialized RPA maintenance. Benchmarking against similar complex aerospace support contracts is needed for a definitive assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the specific award mechanism (Delivery Order) needs further review to understand price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential maintenance of advanced military assets, ensuring operational readiness.
Public Impact
Ensures continued operational readiness of MQ-9 Reaper drones. Supports critical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. Maintains advanced technological capabilities for national security.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in if Amentum becomes indispensable.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical maintenance.
- Scope creep risk if additional services are added without re-competition.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Supports a vital national security asset (MQ-9 RPA).
- Long-term contract provides stability for maintenance operations.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the broader aerospace and defense sector, specifically focusing on maintenance for remotely piloted aircraft. Spending benchmarks for similar specialized aviation support services are typically high due to technical complexity and personnel requirements.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses, as the 'sb' field is false. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses within this large contract.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be crucial to ensure Amentum Services, Inc. meets performance standards and cost controls throughout the contract duration. The Department of the Air Force's contracting officers will monitor adherence to the firm-fixed-price terms.
Related Government Programs
- Other Support Activities for Air Transportation
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Single contractor dependency.
- Potential for cost escalation over contract life.
- Limited visibility into detailed cost components.
- Reliance on contractor's supply chain resilience.
Tags
other-support-activities-for-air-transpo, department-of-defense, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $62.8 million to AMENTUM SERVICES, INC.. REMOTELY PILOTED AIRCRAFT (RPA) MQ9 OPERATIONAL-LEVEL MAINTENANCE SUPPORT
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 $62.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-06-01. End: 2025-11-30.
What is the specific breakdown of costs within the $62.8M contract, and how do they compare to industry standards for RPA maintenance?
A detailed cost breakdown is not provided in the available data. A comprehensive analysis would require access to the contract's line item details, including labor rates, parts, overhead, and profit margins. Comparing these to industry benchmarks for similar complex aviation maintenance would reveal potential cost efficiencies or overruns.
What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single contractor for the operational-level maintenance of the MQ-9 RPA fleet?
The primary risks include a lack of competitive pressure on pricing and service quality over time, potential vendor lock-in, and supply chain disruptions if the contractor faces financial or operational difficulties. This dependency could also limit the Air Force's flexibility in adopting new technologies or maintenance approaches.
How effectively does this contract ensure the long-term operational readiness and technological relevance of the MQ-9 RPA program?
The contract aims to ensure readiness by providing necessary maintenance. Its effectiveness in maintaining technological relevance depends on the contractor's ability to adapt to evolving RPA technology and the Air Force's oversight in ensuring upgrades and modifications are incorporated. The firm-fixed-price structure incentivizes efficient execution of current maintenance tasks.
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
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: $63,321,385
Exercised Options: $63,321,385
Current Obligation: $62,781,297
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: 2022-06-01
Current End Date: 2025-11-30
Potential End Date: 2025-11-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-29
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