Air Force awards $2M+ for F-15E landing gear redesign, with 7 years of performance

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,046,511 ($2.0M)

Contractor: Engineering and Software System Solutions, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2023-09-25

End Date: 2030-10-09

Contract Duration: 2,571 days

Daily Burn Rate: $796/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR F-15E NOSE LANDING GEAR OUTER CYLINDER REDESIGN PROJECT.

Place of Performance

Location: CLEARFIELD, DAVIS County, UTAH, 84015

State: Utah Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $2.0 million to ENGINEERING AND SOFTWARE SYSTEM SOLUTIONS, INC. for work described as: ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR F-15E NOSE LANDING GEAR OUTER CYLINDER REDESIGN PROJECT. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical aircraft component redesign, indicating a need for modernization or improved performance. 2. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs for the government. 3. A long performance period suggests a complex and potentially high-value project. 4. The award is a delivery order under a larger contract, implying a pre-existing relationship or framework. 5. Competition dynamics will be key to assessing value for this specialized engineering service.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $2 million for engineering services related to a specific aircraft component redesign appears reasonable given the scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar complex engineering projects for defense systems is necessary for a definitive value assessment. The firm-fixed-price contract type suggests an effort to establish cost certainty, which is a positive indicator for value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The presence of two bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this specialized engineering service. While more bidders could potentially drive prices lower, two bidders still provide a basis for price comparison and selection.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more favorable pricing and innovative solutions.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Air Force and its F-15E fighter jet fleet, ensuring operational readiness and potential performance enhancements. The services delivered will focus on the redesign of the F-15E's nose landing gear outer cylinder. The geographic impact is primarily within the United States, supporting defense infrastructure and operations. This contract supports specialized engineering roles, potentially creating or sustaining high-skilled jobs in the aerospace and defense sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long performance duration (over 7 years) could introduce risks related to scope creep or evolving requirements.
Reliance on a single delivery order under a potentially larger contract warrants understanding the overall contract structure and its implications.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Firm-fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government.
Focus on a critical component like landing gear indicates a commitment to maintaining and improving fleet readiness.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the aerospace and defense engineering services sector, a critical area for national security. The market for specialized aircraft component redesign is competitive, with a few key players possessing the necessary expertise. Spending in this sector is often driven by modernization programs, sustainment efforts, and upgrades to existing platforms like the F-15E. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other engineering contracts for major aircraft system redesigns.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem appears limited for this specific award, though the prime contractor may engage small businesses in their supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Air Force's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price structure, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon cost. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific project details may be sensitive.

Related Government Programs

F-15E Program Support Contracts
Aerospace Engineering Services
Aircraft Component Modernization
Defense Logistics Agency Contracts
Air Combat Command Procurement

Risk Flags

Long contract duration
Potential for scope creep
Limited number of bidders

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $2.0 million to ENGINEERING AND SOFTWARE SYSTEM SOLUTIONS, INC.. ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR F-15E NOSE LANDING GEAR OUTER CYLINDER REDESIGN PROJECT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ENGINEERING AND SOFTWARE SYSTEM SOLUTIONS, 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 $2.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-25. End: 2030-10-09.

What is the track record of ENGINEERING AND SOFTWARE SYSTEM SOLUTIONS, INC. with the Department of Defense, particularly on similar engineering projects?

ENGINEERING AND SOFTWARE SYSTEM SOLUTIONS, INC. (ES3) has a history of contracting with the Department of Defense. While specific details on past F-15E landing gear projects are not provided in this data, ES3's portfolio often includes complex engineering, software, and system solutions for defense applications. A deeper dive into their contract history would reveal their performance on similar scale and complexity projects, including on-time delivery, budget adherence, and technical success rates. Analyzing past performance on critical systems would provide a clearer picture of their capabilities and reliability for this specific redesign effort.

How does the estimated value of this delivery order compare to the overall value of the parent contract it falls under?

The provided data indicates this award is a 'Delivery Order' with a value of $2,046,511.06. However, the data does not specify the parent contract's total value or ceiling. To assess how this delivery order fits into the larger picture, one would need to identify the base contract number and review its details. This would reveal if this order represents a significant portion of the total contract value, or if it is a smaller task within a much larger, potentially multi-year, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) or similar contract vehicle. Understanding the parent contract's scope and funding is crucial for contextualizing this specific award.

What are the specific technical risks associated with redesigning the F-15E nose landing gear outer cylinder, and how are they being mitigated?

Technical risks in redesigning a critical aircraft component like a landing gear cylinder can include material compatibility issues, stress tolerance under extreme loads, integration challenges with existing systems, and ensuring compliance with stringent aerospace safety and performance standards. For this project, mitigation strategies would likely involve rigorous simulation and modeling (e.g., Finite Element Analysis), material testing, prototyping, and extensive ground and flight testing. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract incentivizes the contractor to manage these technical risks effectively to avoid cost overruns. The long performance period also allows for phased development and testing, potentially reducing the impact of unforeseen technical hurdles.

What is the historical spending trend for F-15E landing gear maintenance and upgrades by the Air Force?

Historical spending data for F-15E landing gear maintenance and upgrades would typically be found within the Air Force's procurement and sustainment budgets. This specific redesign project suggests a proactive approach to address potential obsolescence, performance limitations, or a need for enhanced durability. Analyzing past spending on similar component sustainment or upgrade programs for the F-15E, or comparable aircraft, would provide context. Trends might show cyclical investments in major overhauls, or a shift towards more comprehensive redesigns as aircraft age. This $2M+ award for a specific redesign indicates a targeted investment rather than routine maintenance.

How does the competition level (2 bidders) for this engineering service impact the potential for innovation and cost savings compared to contracts with more bidders?

A competition with two bidders, while indicating some level of market engagement, is less robust than one with numerous bidders. This can have a dual impact: on one hand, it might limit the range of innovative solutions presented, as fewer unique approaches are likely to be explored. On the other hand, for highly specialized engineering services, two qualified bidders might represent the majority of capable firms, potentially leading to a focused competition between strong contenders. Cost savings might be less pronounced than in a highly crowded market, but the firm-fixed-price structure still pushes for efficiency. The government's negotiation and evaluation process becomes critical in maximizing value when competition is limited.

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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1346 SOUTH LEGENDS HILLS DR, CLEARFIELD, UT, 84015

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,106,570

Exercised Options: $2,046,511

Current Obligation: $2,046,511

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA820318D0003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline