DoD Awards $20.87M for Adversary Air Support, Boosting Fighter Pilot Training

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,869,735 ($20.9M)

Contractor: Tactical AIR Support Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-09-29

End Date: 2026-09-28

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $28.6K/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 FIGHTER PILOT TRAINING

Place of Performance

Location: HAMPTON, HAMPTON CITY County, VIRGINIA, 23666

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $20.9 million to TACTICAL AIR SUPPORT INC for work described as: ADVERSARY AIR SUPPORT SERVICES FOR FIGHTER PILOT TRAINING Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Tactical Air Support Inc. for essential fighter pilot training. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration is 729 days, indicating a medium-term need. 4. The primary sector is Flight Training, a critical component of military readiness.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $20.87 million for 729 days appears reasonable for specialized adversary air support services. Benchmarking against similar training contracts would provide a more precise assessment, but the fixed-price structure helps control costs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically fosters competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value. The use of a delivery order under a larger contract structure suggests a streamlined procurement process.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is expected to yield fair pricing, ensuring taxpayer funds are used efficiently for critical pilot training.

Public Impact

Enhances pilot combat readiness through realistic training scenarios. Supports the development of advanced fighter pilot skills. Contributes to national defense by maintaining a highly trained air force.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if scope expands beyond initial delivery order.
Dependence on a single contractor for specialized training services.

Positive Signals

Utilizes competitive bidding for cost efficiency.
Supports critical military training objectives.
Fixed-price contract limits financial risk.

Sector Analysis

The defense sector, particularly flight training, requires specialized services to maintain pilot proficiency. This contract aligns with industry benchmarks for advanced aerial combat simulation and training, ensuring pilots are prepared for real-world scenarios.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have specific set-asides for small businesses, indicating that the primary award went to a larger entity. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of the Air Force is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard oversight mechanisms for delivery orders under a larger contract should ensure performance and adherence to terms.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Contract awarded under a larger contract vehicle, potential for scope creep.
Reliance on a single provider for critical training.
Limited visibility into subcontractor participation.
Potential for cost escalation if contract terms are not strictly managed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $20.9 million to TACTICAL AIR SUPPORT INC. ADVERSARY AIR SUPPORT SERVICES FOR FIGHTER PILOT TRAINING

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 $20.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the specific capability gap this adversary air support aims to address for fighter pilots?

This contract likely addresses the need for realistic, challenging aerial combat simulations that mimic advanced adversary tactics. Fighter pilots require regular exposure to diverse threat profiles and complex engagement scenarios to maintain peak performance and develop effective countermeasures. The adversary air support provides a controlled environment to practice these skills without risking actual combat assets.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for evaluating the effectiveness of this training service?

Key performance indicators would likely include pilot performance metrics during simulated engagements, such as successful threat identification, engagement success rates, and adherence to tactical procedures. Feedback from instructors and pilots on the realism and training value of the adversary scenarios would also be crucial. Mission completion rates and the ability to adapt training to evolving threat intelligence are also important measures.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to historical or industry benchmarks for similar adversary air support services?

Without specific benchmark data, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests an effort to contain costs. The value of $20.87 million over approximately two years for specialized flight training is within a plausible range, but a detailed cost-benefit analysis comparing it to alternative training methods or previous contracts would be necessary for a definitive assessment.

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: $100,696,884

Exercised Options: $39,768,000

Current Obligation: $20,869,735

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