DoD Awards $43.7M for Electronic Warfare Training in Germany, Competition Method Unclear
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $43,716,983 ($43.7M)
Contractor: PAE Applied Technologies LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2021-02-01
End Date: 2026-01-31
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $24.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: PROVIDE DAY-TO-DAY ELECTRONIC WARFARE OPERATIONS TRAINING AND INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCE FOR GERMANY POLYGONE SITE INCLUDING REMOTE SITES.
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $43.7 million to PAE APPLIED TECHNOLOGIES LLC for work described as: PROVIDE DAY-TO-DAY ELECTRONIC WARFARE OPERATIONS TRAINING AND INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCE FOR GERMANY POLYGONE SITE INCLUDING REMOTE SITES. Key points: 1. Contract value of $43.7M for EW training and infrastructure maintenance. 2. Competition method is listed as 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION', but award type is 'DELIVERY ORDER', suggesting potential nuances. 3. Risk of performance issues due to the long duration (5 years) and remote site requirements. 4. Sector is primarily Defense, with engineering services as the NAICS code.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $43.7M over five years averages approximately $8.7M annually. Benchmarking this against similar EW training contracts is difficult without more specific service details, but it appears within a reasonable range for specialized military training.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION'. However, the award type is a 'DELIVERY ORDER', which might indicate it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. This could limit true price discovery if the base IDIQ wasn't competitively sourced or if this order was placed without further competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers are funding specialized military training and infrastructure maintenance. The competitive nature of the award, if truly open, should help ensure a fair price, but the delivery order mechanism warrants scrutiny.
Public Impact
Ensures readiness of US Air Force personnel in electronic warfare operations. Supports critical infrastructure at a German training site, impacting NATO readiness. Provides long-term employment for personnel involved in training and maintenance. Potential for technology transfer and collaboration in EW capabilities.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of clarity on true competition for the delivery order.
- Long contract duration increases risk of cost overruns or scope creep.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical EW operations training.
- Potential for performance degradation at remote sites.
Positive Signals
- Addresses a critical military capability (Electronic Warfare).
- Long-term contract provides stability for training and infrastructure.
- Awarded to a known entity (PAE APPLIED TECHNOLOGIES LLC).
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Defense sector, specifically focusing on specialized engineering services for electronic warfare operations training. Spending benchmarks for EW training can vary widely based on complexity, but this $43.7M over five years represents a significant investment in maintaining critical capabilities.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses (sb: false). There is no information provided on subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this contract.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of the Air Force is the awarding agency. Oversight will be crucial to ensure PAE Applied Technologies LLC meets performance requirements, manages costs effectively, and adheres to the terms of the delivery order, especially given the remote locations involved.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for limited competition on delivery order.
- Long-term contract duration.
- Performance at remote sites.
- Lack of small business participation.
- Complexity of electronic warfare training.
Tags
engineering-services, department-of-defense, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $43.7 million to PAE APPLIED TECHNOLOGIES LLC. PROVIDE DAY-TO-DAY ELECTRONIC WARFARE OPERATIONS TRAINING AND INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCE FOR GERMANY POLYGONE SITE INCLUDING REMOTE SITES.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is PAE APPLIED TECHNOLOGIES LLC.
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 $43.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-02-01. End: 2026-01-31.
What specific metrics are used to evaluate the effectiveness of the electronic warfare training provided under this contract?
The effectiveness of the EW training is likely evaluated through a combination of methods. This could include trainee performance assessments, simulation-based evaluations, post-training proficiency tests, and feedback from operational units that utilize the trained personnel. The contract itself should outline specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) that PAE Applied Technologies LLC must meet to demonstrate successful training outcomes.
Given the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION' designation, what was the process for awarding this specific delivery order, and were alternative solutions considered?
While designated 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION', the award of a 'DELIVERY ORDER' suggests this might be under a broader IDIQ contract. The process for this specific order would involve the Air Force issuing a task order request to eligible contractors. The extent of competition for this particular order depends on whether multiple contractors were solicited or if it was a sole-source task order against a competitively awarded IDIQ. Further details on the IDIQ's competition and the task order solicitation process are needed.
What are the potential risks associated with maintaining infrastructure at remote sites in Germany, and how are these risks mitigated?
Risks at remote sites include logistical challenges, potential delays in maintenance or repair, higher operational costs, and difficulties in ensuring consistent security and staffing. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust logistical planning, pre-positioning of critical spare parts, establishing clear communication protocols, employing local support where feasible, and potentially incorporating technology solutions for remote monitoring and diagnostics. The contract should detail the contractor's responsibilities and contingency plans.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: FA564120R0004
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Pae-Parsons Global Logistics Services, LLC
Address: 100 ENERGY WAY STE 1500, FORT WORTH, TX, 76102
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $47,010,782
Exercised Options: $46,008,643
Current Obligation: $43,716,983
Actual Outlays: $1,574,877
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 2
Total Subaward Amount: $20,179,408
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA564121D0001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-02-01
Current End Date: 2026-01-31
Potential End Date: 2026-01-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-25
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