DoD's $6M Aircrew Tactics Evaluation Contract Supports Tri-National Agreement
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $5,996,769 ($6.0M)
Contractor: PAE Applied Technologies LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2026-01-01
End Date: 2026-12-31
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $16.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: AIRCREW TACTICS EVALUATION, COMBAT TRAINING, AND RANGE MAINTENANCE. SUPPORTS USAF, GAF, AND FAF TRI-NATIONAL AGREEMENT AT MULTINATIONAL AIRCREW ELECTRONIC WARFARE TACTICS FACILITY (MAEWTF) NEAR RAMSTEIN AB, PLUS USAF/UK RAF AGREEMENT.
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $6.0 million to PAE APPLIED TECHNOLOGIES LLC for work described as: AIRCREW TACTICS EVALUATION, COMBAT TRAINING, AND RANGE MAINTENANCE. SUPPORTS USAF, GAF, AND FAF TRI-NATIONAL AGREEMENT AT MULTINATIONAL AIRCREW ELECTRONIC WARFARE TACTICS FACILITY (MAEWTF) NEAR RAMSTEIN AB, PLUS USAF/UK RAF AGREEMENT. Key points: 1. Supports critical tri-national aircrew training and electronic warfare tactics. 2. Contract awarded via full and open competition, indicating market availability. 3. Potential risk in reliance on a single contractor for specialized services. 4. Engineering services sector, crucial for advanced military readiness.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $5.99M for one year of service appears reasonable given the specialized nature of aircrew tactics evaluation and range maintenance. Benchmarking against similar complex training and simulation contracts would provide further validation.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process that likely drove price discovery. The use of a Delivery Order under a larger contract structure is standard for task-specific requirements.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for essential defense training and readiness.
Public Impact
Enhances combat readiness for USAF, GAF, and FAF aircrews. Supports advanced electronic warfare tactics training. Ensures continued operation of the Multinational Aircrew Electronic Warfare Tactics Facility (MAEWTF). Facilitates international military cooperation and interoperability.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for contractor lock-in if follow-on work is not competitively bid.
- Dependence on specialized personnel and facilities.
- Geopolitical factors impacting multinational agreements.
Positive Signals
- Supports critical national security training requirements.
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Clear alignment with tri-national defense agreements.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting defense readiness and training. Spending in this area is critical for maintaining technological superiority and operational effectiveness for military forces.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was awarded to PAE APPLIED TECHNOLOGIES LLC and does not specify any small business participation. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of the Air Force, under the Department of Defense, is responsible for oversight. The use of a delivery order suggests a structured process, but ongoing monitoring of performance and costs is essential for accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Contract performance risk
- Reliance on key personnel
- Potential for scope creep
- Geopolitical instability impacting multinational cooperation
Tags
engineering-services, department-of-defense, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $6.0 million to PAE APPLIED TECHNOLOGIES LLC. AIRCREW TACTICS EVALUATION, COMBAT TRAINING, AND RANGE MAINTENANCE. SUPPORTS USAF, GAF, AND FAF TRI-NATIONAL AGREEMENT AT MULTINATIONAL AIRCREW ELECTRONIC WARFARE TACTICS FACILITY (MAEWTF) NEAR RAMSTEIN AB, PLUS USAF/UK RAF AGREEMENT.
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 $6.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-01-01. End: 2026-12-31.
What is the historical cost trend for similar aircrew tactics evaluation and range maintenance services?
Historical cost data for similar services is crucial for assessing value. Analyzing past contracts for comparable training, simulation, and range operations can reveal cost efficiencies or escalations. Benchmarking against industry standards for specialized engineering services would also provide context for the current $5.99M award, ensuring it aligns with market rates and reflects the complexity of the requirements.
What are the specific risks associated with the tri-national agreement and reliance on a single contractor for MAEWTF operations?
Risks include potential disruptions due to differing national priorities or funding cycles among the tri-national partners (USAF, GAF, FAF). Reliance on a single contractor, PAE APPLIED TECHNOLOGIES LLC, for specialized MAEWTF operations creates a single point of failure. Should the contractor experience performance issues, financial instability, or personnel shortages, it could significantly impact training continuity and electronic warfare capabilities.
How effectively does this contract contribute to the overall combat readiness and electronic warfare capabilities of the participating air forces?
This contract directly supports combat readiness by providing essential training, evaluation, and range maintenance. The focus on electronic warfare tactics is critical in modern air combat environments. The MAEWTF's role in facilitating realistic training scenarios under multinational agreements suggests a high degree of effectiveness in enhancing interoperability and preparing aircrews for complex threats.
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
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: PAE Government Services Inc.
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: $41,561,776
Exercised Options: $10,074,479
Current Obligation: $5,996,769
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: 2026-01-01
Current End Date: 2026-12-31
Potential End Date: 2029-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-30
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