DoD's Air Force awards $61M C-17 Flight Training Task Order to CAE USA Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $61,093,430 ($61.1M)

Contractor: CAE USA Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2017-11-30

End Date: 2018-11-30

Contract Duration: 365 days

Daily Burn Rate: $167.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF C-17 TS ACAT III - ORDERING PERIOD 9 TASK ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, TARRANT County, TEXAS, 76011

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $61.1 million to CAE USA INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF C-17 TS ACAT III - ORDERING PERIOD 9 TASK ORDER Key points: 1. Significant contract value for specialized flight training services. 2. Competition method indicates a potentially competitive procurement process. 3. Risk is moderate, given the firm-fixed-price structure and established vendor. 4. Sector focus is on defense aviation training, a critical capability.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The $61M award for flight training appears reasonable given the scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar large-scale training contracts would provide further validation of its value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method typically leads to more competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for essential defense training.

Public Impact

Ensures continued readiness and proficiency for C-17 aircrews. Supports specialized training needs for a critical military transport aircraft. Maintains operational capabilities for the U.S. Air Force's global mobility mission.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in future task orders.
Vendor lock-in if training requirements become highly specialized.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract limits cost overruns.
Full and open competition promotes market efficiency.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the defense sector, specifically aviation training. Spending benchmarks for similar flight training programs can vary widely based on aircraft type and training complexity.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific set-aside for small businesses. Larger prime contractors like CAE USA Inc. may subcontract portions to smaller firms, but this is not explicitly detailed.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically involve performance monitoring by the Department of the Air Force to ensure training objectives are met and contract terms are adhered to.

Related Government Programs

Flight Training
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Air Force Programs

Risk Flags

Vendor performance history
Contract type (FFP)
Competition type (Full and Open)
Duration of contract
Specific training outcomes and metrics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $61.1 million to CAE USA INC.. IGF::OT::IGF C-17 TS ACAT III - ORDERING PERIOD 9 TASK ORDER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CAE USA 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 $61.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-11-30. End: 2018-11-30.

What is the historical performance of CAE USA Inc. on similar defense training contracts?

CAE USA Inc. has a long-standing track record in providing simulation and training solutions for various defense platforms. Reviewing past performance metrics, such as on-time delivery, training effectiveness, and adherence to budget on comparable contracts, would offer insight into their reliability and capability for this C-17 task order.

Are there any emerging technologies or training methodologies that could offer better value or effectiveness than the current approach?

The defense training sector is rapidly evolving with advancements in virtual reality, augmented reality, and AI-driven adaptive learning. Exploring whether these technologies could be integrated into the C-17 training program might yield more efficient and engaging training, potentially reducing long-term costs or improving skill retention compared to traditional methods.

How does the cost per training hour for this contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar aircraft simulators?

Without specific details on the number of training hours or simulator utilization rates, a precise per-hour cost comparison is difficult. However, the overall contract value and duration suggest a significant investment. Benchmarking against publicly available data for C-17 simulator training costs, adjusted for contract specifics like instructor support and maintenance, would be necessary to assess cost-effectiveness.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Technical and Trade Schools › Flight Training

Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: L3 Technologies, Inc.

Address: 2200 ARLINGTON DOWNS RD, ARLINGTON, TX, 76011

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $79,000,364

Exercised Options: $79,000,364

Current Obligation: $61,093,430

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA862111D6261

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline