Air Force awards $17M for JTAC training at Nellis AFB, supporting critical close air support readiness

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,057,707 ($17.1M)

Contractor: Blue AIR Training Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-09-29

End Date: 2026-09-28

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $23.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: JTAC CCAS TRAINING PROGRAM TO SUPPORT NELLIS AFB WITH CLOSE AIR SUPPORT (CAS) RANGE HOURS AND GROUND INSTRUCTION TO FACILITATE TRAINING FOR THE 6TH COMBAT TRAINING SQUADRON (CTS) AND OTHER MISSIONS DEEMED RELEVANT TO THE CTS MISSION.

Place of Performance

Location: HAMPTON, HAMPTON CITY County, VIRGINIA, 23666

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $17.1 million to BLUE AIR TRAINING CORP for work described as: JTAC CCAS TRAINING PROGRAM TO SUPPORT NELLIS AFB WITH CLOSE AIR SUPPORT (CAS) RANGE HOURS AND GROUND INSTRUCTION TO FACILITATE TRAINING FOR THE 6TH COMBAT TRAINING SQUADRON (CTS) AND OTHER MISSIONS DEEMED RELEVANT TO THE CTS MISSION. Key points: 1. The contract supports essential Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) training for the 6th Combat Training Squadron. 2. Blue Air Training Corp is the contractor, indicating potential specialization in this niche training area. 3. The $17M award for 729 days suggests a significant investment in maintaining combat readiness. 4. Flight training services are crucial for air superiority and effective ground support operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award amount of $17,057,707.15 for a 729-day period appears reasonable for specialized flight training services. Benchmarking against similar complex training programs would provide further insight into cost-effectiveness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method typically leads to more competitive pricing as multiple vendors can bid.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for essential military training.

Public Impact

Enhances pilot and JTAC proficiency in critical close air support scenarios. Supports the readiness of aircrews and ground forces for joint operations. Contributes to national security by maintaining a highly trained and capable Air Force. Provides valuable training infrastructure and expertise at Nellis AFB.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for contractor performance issues impacting training schedules.
Dependence on specialized contractor expertise for critical training.

Positive Signals

Supports critical combat training requirements.
Awarded through full and open competition.
Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the flight training sector, a critical component of defense spending. Benchmarks for similar specialized training programs are often high due to the complexity and safety requirements involved.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific set-aside for small businesses, suggesting larger, specialized contractors likely competed for this award.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of the Air Force is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard oversight mechanisms for training contracts should be in place to ensure quality and adherence to requirements.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Potential for training disruptions due to unforeseen circumstances.
Reliance on a single contractor for specialized training services.
Ensuring consistent quality of instruction across all training modules.
Measuring the direct impact of training on real-world mission outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $17.1 million to BLUE AIR TRAINING CORP. JTAC CCAS TRAINING PROGRAM TO SUPPORT NELLIS AFB WITH CLOSE AIR SUPPORT (CAS) RANGE HOURS AND GROUND INSTRUCTION TO FACILITATE TRAINING FOR THE 6TH COMBAT TRAINING SQUADRON (CTS) AND OTHER MISSIONS DEEMED RELEVANT TO THE CTS MISSION.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BLUE AIR TRAINING 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 $17.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-29. End: 2026-09-28.

What is the specific breakdown of costs for range hours versus ground instruction within this contract?

The provided data does not detail the cost breakdown between range hours and ground instruction. A thorough analysis would require access to the contract's detailed schedule of services and associated pricing. Understanding this allocation is key to assessing the value derived from each training component and ensuring funds are optimally utilized for JTAC readiness.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the effectiveness of this JTAC training program?

Key performance indicators for this JTAC training program likely include metrics such as trainee pass rates, simulation fidelity, instructor qualifications, and adherence to training schedules. The effectiveness is ultimately measured by the improved combat readiness and mission success rates of the trained JTACs and supporting aircrews in realistic close air support scenarios.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to historical JTAC training contracts awarded by the Air Force?

Without specific historical data for comparable JTAC training contracts, a direct price comparison is difficult. However, the $17M award over two years, under full and open competition, suggests a potentially competitive rate for specialized services. Further analysis would involve comparing per-hour training costs or total contract value against similar programs to ascertain cost-effectiveness.

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: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2722 PERIMETER RD, NORTH LAS VEGAS, NV, 89032

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $29,246,968

Exercised Options: $20,944,698

Current Obligation: $17,057,707

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA489020D0003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline