DoD's Air Force Awards $23.3M for F-15 Engineering Equipment, Lacking Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $23,298,518 ($23.3M)
Contractor: THE Corporation of Mercer University
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2020-11-23
End Date: 2028-06-30
Contract Duration: 2,776 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.4K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: RSAF F-15 AIRCRAFT ENGINEERING SQUADRON EQUIPMENT AND TOOLING REQUIREMENTS
Place of Performance
Location: WARNER ROBINS, HOUSTON County, GEORGIA, 31088
State: Georgia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $23.3 million to THE CORPORATION OF MERCER UNIVERSITY for work described as: RSAF F-15 AIRCRAFT ENGINEERING SQUADRON EQUIPMENT AND TOOLING REQUIREMENTS Key points: 1. Significant contract value for specialized aircraft support. 2. Sole-source award raises concerns about price discovery and value for money. 3. Long contract duration (2028) suggests ongoing need for F-15 sustainment. 4. Engineering services sector is critical for defense readiness.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $23.3M for engineering equipment and tooling is substantial. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this price is optimal compared to similar specialized equipment procurements.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers as there is no market pressure to offer the best price.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition on this $23.3M award means taxpayers may be paying more than necessary for essential F-15 sustainment equipment and tooling.
Public Impact
Impacts the operational readiness and maintenance capabilities for the F-15 fleet. Potential for higher costs affects overall defense budget allocation. Highlights reliance on specific vendors for specialized military equipment.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpricing
- Long-term commitment without market validation
Positive Signals
- Supports critical F-15 aircraft sustainment
- Ensures availability of necessary engineering tools
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Engineering Services (NAICS 541330), a sector vital for defense readiness and aircraft maintenance. Spending in this area is benchmarked against the overall DoD budget for sustainment and modernization.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this sole-source procurement, suggesting a potential missed opportunity for small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny to ensure the Department of the Air Force obtained fair and reasonable pricing and that the procurement process was justified.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
- Potential for inflated costs due to no market pressure.
- Long contract duration increases long-term financial exposure.
- Limited transparency on vendor selection justification.
Tags
engineering-services, department-of-defense, ga, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $23.3 million to THE CORPORATION OF MERCER UNIVERSITY. RSAF F-15 AIRCRAFT ENGINEERING SQUADRON EQUIPMENT AND TOOLING REQUIREMENTS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE CORPORATION OF MERCER UNIVERSITY.
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 $23.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-11-23. End: 2028-06-30.
What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent requirements where only one source can fulfill the need. Without further details, it's presumed the Air Force determined Mercer University possessed specific, irreplaceable expertise or resources essential for the RSAF F-15 program's engineering and tooling needs.
How does the lack of competition impact the long-term cost-effectiveness of F-15 sustainment?
A sole-source award removes the competitive pressure that normally drives down prices. Over the contract's duration until June 2028, this could lead to significantly higher costs for essential equipment and tooling compared to a scenario where multiple vendors competed. This impacts the overall cost-effectiveness of maintaining the F-15 fleet.
What measures are in place to ensure the quality and necessity of the equipment and tooling procured?
While competition is absent, oversight typically involves rigorous technical reviews, acceptance testing, and performance monitoring by the contracting agency. The Air Force would be responsible for verifying that the delivered equipment and tooling meet stringent specifications and are indeed necessary for the intended engineering support functions.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 135 OSIGIAN BLVD, WARNER ROBINS, GA, 31088
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Private), Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $23,298,518
Exercised Options: $23,298,518
Current Obligation: $23,298,518
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 21
Total Subaward Amount: $3,612,090
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA853020D0001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-11-23
Current End Date: 2028-06-30
Potential End Date: 2028-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-13
More Contracts from THE Corporation of Mercer University
- THE Aircraft Structural Integrity Program (asip) and Mechanical Equipment and Subsystem Program (mesip)are Part of an Overall Aging Aircraft Life Cycle Management Sustainment Effort for the TH-1H, UH-1N, and HH-60G United States Rotary Wing — $26.0M (Department of Defense)
- Rotary Wing Integrity Programs Task Order — $20.8M (Department of Defense)
- Electronic Warfare & Avionics Integration Support Facility (ewaisf) Engineering Services — $14.1M (Department of Defense)
- C-130 Hercules Division Functional System Integrity Program (fsip) — $10.0M (Department of Defense)
View all THE Corporation of Mercer University federal contracts →
Other Department of Defense Contracts
- Federal Contract — $51.3B (Humana Government Business Inc)
- Lrip LOT 12 Advance Acquisition Contract — $35.1B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- SSN 802 and 803 Long Lead Time Material — $34.7B (Electric Boat Corporation)
- 200204!008532!1700!AF600 !naval AIR Systems Command !N0001902C3002 !A!N! !N! !20011026!20120430!008016958!008016958!834951691!n!lockheed Martin Corporation !lockheed Blvd !fort Worth !tx!76108!27000!439!48!fort Worth !tarrant !texas !+000026000000!n!n!018981928201!ac15!rdte/Aircraft-Eng/Manuf Develop !a1a!airframes and Spares !2ama!jast/Jsf !336411!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !a!n!r!2!002!n!1a!a!n!z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !a!a!a!a!000!a!c!n! ! ! !Y! !N00019!0001! — $34.2B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- KC-X Modernization Program — $32.0B (THE Boeing Company)