DoD Awards $10.8M for In-Flight Stability Test Aircraft Support to Calspan, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $10,826,250 ($10.8M)
Contractor: Calspan, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2024-10-01
End Date: 2026-04-01
Contract Duration: 547 days
Daily Burn Rate: $19.8K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: VARIABLE IN-FLIGHT STABILITY TEST AIRCRAFT SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: EDWARDS, KERN County, CALIFORNIA, 93524
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $10.8 million to CALSPAN, LLC for work described as: VARIABLE IN-FLIGHT STABILITY TEST AIRCRAFT SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Calspan, LLC for specialized aircraft support. 2. The contract value is $10.8 million over 547 days. 3. This is a sole-source award, raising questions about competition. 4. The sector is primarily aerospace and defense support services.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $10.8M for 547 days of support appears high without competitive benchmarking. The lack of competition makes it difficult to assess if this price is reasonable compared to potential market alternatives.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, indicating no formal competition was sought. This limits price discovery and may result in a higher cost to the government than if multiple vendors had bid.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for this $10.8M contract means taxpayers may be paying a premium for these specialized aircraft support services.
Public Impact
Specialized aerospace support services are critical for national defense. Sole-source contracts can limit innovation and drive up costs. Transparency in sole-source justifications is important for public trust.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- High contract value for specialized services
Positive Signals
- Supports critical Air Force testing capabilities
- Long-term contract duration provides stability
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the aerospace and defense sector, specifically supporting specialized aircraft testing. Spending benchmarks in this niche area are difficult to establish without competitive data, but large sums are typical for such unique capabilities.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this sole-source award, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was considered or feasible.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source justification for this contract requires thorough review by oversight bodies to ensure it was warranted and that the government obtained fair value. Post-award monitoring will be crucial.
Related Government Programs
- Other Support Activities for Air Transportation
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for overpayment due to lack of competition
- Limited transparency in the procurement process
- Risk of vendor lock-in for specialized services
- Absence of small business participation
Tags
other-support-activities-for-air-transpo, department-of-defense, ca, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $10.8 million to CALSPAN, LLC. VARIABLE IN-FLIGHT STABILITY TEST AIRCRAFT SUPPORT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CALSPAN, 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 $10.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-10-01. End: 2026-04-01.
What specific justification was provided for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and does it align with federal procurement regulations?
The provided data does not include the specific justification for the sole-source award. Federal regulations typically allow sole-source awards under specific circumstances, such as when only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services. A thorough review of the justification document is necessary to confirm its validity and compliance.
What is the benchmark cost for similar in-flight stability test aircraft support services in the market?
Without competitive bidding, establishing a precise market benchmark for this specialized service is challenging. The $10.8 million contract value over 547 days represents the government's negotiated price with Calspan, LLC. Further market research or analysis of historical sole-source contracts would be needed to estimate a comparable market rate.
How will the effectiveness of Calspan, LLC's support be measured to ensure the Air Force's testing objectives are met?
Effectiveness will likely be measured through performance metrics outlined in the contract's statement of work. These could include successful completion of test flights, data accuracy, adherence to schedules, and overall contribution to the Air Force's research and development goals. Regular performance reviews and milestone assessments are standard oversight mechanisms.
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 COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 4455 GENESEE ST, BUFFALO, NY, 14225
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $10,826,250
Exercised Options: $10,826,250
Current Obligation: $10,826,250
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA930423D5000
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-10-01
Current End Date: 2026-04-01
Potential End Date: 2026-04-01 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-08
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