DoD's $82M C-208 ISR Caravan Contract with Alliant Techsystems: Maintenance and Training for Iraqi Air Force

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $82,036,309 ($82.0M)

Contractor: Alliant Techsystems Operations LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2010-06-19

End Date: 2015-12-31

Contract Duration: 2,021 days

Daily Burn Rate: $40.6K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: IRAQI C-208 ISR AND ARMED CARAVAN MAINTENANCE AND TRAINING

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $82.0 million to ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS OPERATIONS LLC for work described as: IRAQI C-208 ISR AND ARMED CARAVAN MAINTENANCE AND TRAINING Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single, established provider for specialized aircraft support. 2. Focus on intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) and armed capabilities highlights critical operational needs. 3. Long-term maintenance and training suggest a significant investment in Iraqi air force sustainability. 4. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs for this extensive support package.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $82 million over five years for specialized aircraft maintenance and training appears substantial. Benchmarking against similar sole-source ISR platform support contracts would be necessary to definitively assess its value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded sole-source, indicating a lack of competition. While potentially efficient for specialized needs, this method limits price discovery and may not yield the best possible price for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source nature of this award means taxpayers may not have benefited from competitive pricing, potentially leading to higher overall costs for the services rendered.

Public Impact

Enhances intelligence gathering capabilities for Iraqi security forces. Supports ongoing counter-terrorism and stability operations in Iraq. Contributes to the long-term operational readiness of the Iraqi Air Force. Represents a significant U.S. investment in building partner capacity.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competition and price transparency.
Potential for cost overruns without competitive pressure.
Long-term commitment may not adapt to changing needs.

Positive Signals

Addresses critical ISR and armed capabilities.
Focus on training ensures sustainability.
Supports U.S. foreign policy objectives.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Defense sector, specifically focusing on aviation support and training. Spending on ISR platforms and associated sustainment is a significant component of defense budgets, often involving specialized, high-value contracts.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Alliant Techsystems Operations LLC, a large business. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Defense, through the Defense Contract Management Agency, is responsible for overseeing this contract. Robust oversight is crucial for sole-source awards to ensure performance and manage costs effectively.

Related Government Programs

Other Support Activities for Air Transportation
Department of Defense Contracting
Defense Contract Management Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for cost overruns
Limited transparency
Long-term commitment
Dependency on a single contractor

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $82.0 million to ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS OPERATIONS LLC. IRAQI C-208 ISR AND ARMED CARAVAN MAINTENANCE AND TRAINING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS OPERATIONS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $82.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-06-19. End: 2015-12-31.

What was the justification for awarding this contract sole-source, and were alternative competitive strategies considered?

The justification for a sole-source award typically stems from unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of viable alternatives. Without specific documentation, it's difficult to ascertain the precise reasons. However, for specialized ISR platforms and associated training, a single provider might possess proprietary knowledge or existing infrastructure, making competition impractical or excessively costly.

How does the per-unit cost of maintenance and training compare to similar C-208 operations in other regions or for other allied nations?

Benchmarking the per-unit cost is challenging without access to detailed cost breakdowns and comparable contract data. Sole-source contracts often lack the transparency needed for direct cost comparisons. A thorough analysis would require examining pricing structures for similar ISR aircraft sustainment programs, factoring in differences in operational tempo, geographic location, and specific training requirements.

What metrics are used to measure the effectiveness of the training provided and the overall impact on Iraqi ISR capabilities?

Effectiveness is likely measured through performance-based metrics, such as flight hours logged, mission success rates, aircraft availability, and the successful completion of training milestones by Iraqi personnel. The DoD would typically establish Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) within the contract to track these elements and ensure the investment translates into tangible improvements in the Iraqi Air Force's operational capabilities.

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: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Northrop Grumman Corporation

Address: 173 AMERICAN CONCOURSE, FORT WORTH, TX, 76106

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $82,036,309

Exercised Options: $82,036,309

Current Obligation: $82,036,309

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline