Integration Innovation Inc. awarded $24.6M for Iraqi Air Force T6 pilot and maintenance training

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,559,761 ($24.6M)

Contractor: Integration Innovation Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2012-01-06

End Date: 2013-12-31

Contract Duration: 725 days

Daily Burn Rate: $33.9K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IRAQI AIR FORCE T6 PILOT AND MAINTENANCE TRAINING MISSION

Place of Performance

Location: RANDOLPH AFB, BEXAR County, TEXAS, 78150

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $24.6 million to INTEGRATION INNOVATION INC for work described as: IRAQI AIR FORCE T6 PILOT AND MAINTENANCE TRAINING MISSION Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a firm-fixed-price basis, indicating clear cost expectations. 2. The contract was not competed, raising questions about potential cost savings. 3. Training services are critical for building partner nation capacity. 4. The duration of the contract suggests a sustained effort in training. 5. The award was made by the General Services Administration, a common contracting vehicle. 6. The contractor, Integration Innovation Inc., is based in Texas.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value for this specific contract is challenging due to its sole-source nature and specialized training focus. Without competitive bids, it's difficult to ascertain if the $24.6 million represents optimal value for money. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty but doesn't inherently guarantee efficiency. Further analysis would require comparing the per-student training costs to similar international pilot training programs, which are not readily available in the provided data.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not open to competition from other potential vendors. This approach is typically used when a specific contractor possesses unique capabilities or when urgency dictates a rapid award. The lack of competition means that the government did not benefit from the price discovery mechanisms that typically occur in a competitive bidding process, potentially leading to higher costs than if multiple vendors had vied for the contract.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may have paid a premium due to the absence of competitive pressure. Without competing the requirement, there is less assurance that the price reflects the lowest possible cost for these essential training services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Iraqi Air Force pilots and maintenance personnel receiving specialized training. The services delivered include flight training and maintenance instruction for T6 aircraft. The geographic impact is primarily in Iraq, enhancing the operational capabilities of its air force. Workforce implications include the development of skilled aviation professionals within the Iraqi military.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits price competition and potential cost savings for taxpayers.
Lack of transparency in the procurement process due to non-competitive award.
Potential for cost overruns if not closely managed, despite fixed-price structure.

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical need for pilot and maintenance training for a partner nation.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Contractor is responsible for delivering specific training outcomes.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on specialized training. The market for defense training services is significant, with governments worldwide investing in equipping and training their armed forces. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other international military training contracts, particularly those involving aircraft operation and maintenance, to assess cost-effectiveness and pricing structures.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this contract award (ss: false, sb: false). As a sole-source award, there was no opportunity for small businesses to compete or subcontract. This contract does not appear to have been designed to support the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the contracting agency, the General Services Administration (GSA), and the Department of Defense, given the nature of the training. Accountability measures would be tied to the successful delivery of training services as outlined in the contract. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award; however, contract details are generally available through federal procurement databases.

Related Government Programs

Foreign Military Sales Training Programs
International Military Education and Training (IMET)
Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may indicate limited market research or unique capability requirement.
Lack of competition could lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
Contract duration and value warrant close monitoring of performance and spending.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $24.6 million to INTEGRATION INNOVATION INC. IRAQI AIR FORCE T6 PILOT AND MAINTENANCE TRAINING MISSION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INTEGRATION INNOVATION INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $24.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-01-06. End: 2013-12-31.

What is the track record of Integration Innovation Inc. in providing similar defense training services?

The provided data indicates Integration Innovation Inc. (III) was awarded this specific contract for Iraqi Air Force T6 pilot and maintenance training. To assess their track record, a broader search of federal procurement databases would be necessary to identify other contracts awarded to III, particularly those involving military training, aviation services, or international capacity-building efforts. Information on past performance, contract values, and client satisfaction would be crucial. Without this additional data, it's difficult to definitively assess their experience and success rate in delivering comparable services.

How does the cost per training hour or per student compare to industry benchmarks for similar T6 training?

The provided data does not include specific metrics like cost per training hour or per student, making a direct benchmark comparison impossible. The total contract value is $24.6 million over approximately two years (725 days). To perform a meaningful comparison, one would need to know the number of pilots and maintenance personnel trained, the total number of flight hours, and the hours of maintenance instruction provided. Benchmarking would then involve researching publicly available data on similar T6 training programs, potentially from other countries or defense contractors, to establish a reasonable cost range for these services.

What are the specific risks associated with a sole-source award for critical military training?

A primary risk of a sole-source award for critical military training is the potential for inflated costs due to the lack of competitive bidding. Without competing the requirement, the government may not achieve the best possible price. Another risk is reduced innovation, as there is less incentive for the sole provider to develop more efficient or advanced training methods. Furthermore, reliance on a single contractor can create vulnerability if that contractor experiences performance issues, financial instability, or faces geopolitical challenges that impact their ability to deliver. Ensuring robust oversight and performance management becomes even more critical in sole-source situations.

How effective is this training program in enhancing the operational readiness of the Iraqi Air Force?

The effectiveness of this training program in enhancing the operational readiness of the Iraqi Air Force cannot be determined solely from the contract data. Effectiveness would be measured by the Iraqi Air Force's ability to successfully operate and maintain their T6 aircraft post-training, their mission success rates, and overall force posture improvements. Key performance indicators (KPIs) related to pilot proficiency, maintenance crew competence, and aircraft availability would need to be tracked and evaluated over time. This assessment typically involves feedback from the end-users (Iraqi Air Force) and potentially independent evaluations by defense attachés or oversight bodies.

What has been the historical spending trend for T6 pilot and maintenance training for international partners?

The provided data only pertains to this single contract awarded in 2012. To analyze historical spending trends for T6 pilot and maintenance training for international partners, a comprehensive review of federal procurement records over several years would be required. This would involve searching for contracts awarded by agencies like the Department of Defense, DSCA, and GSA to various contractors for similar training services provided to different partner nations. Identifying patterns in contract values, durations, and the number of countries receiving such training would reveal spending trends.

Are there any performance metrics or deliverables clearly defined in the contract that allow for performance assessment?

While the contract is firm-fixed-price, the provided summary data does not detail the specific performance metrics or deliverables. Typically, such training contracts would include requirements for flight hours completed, successful completion of pilot and maintenance courses by trainees, adherence to training schedules, and potentially specific proficiency standards. A thorough review of the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS) would be necessary to identify these detailed requirements and assess how Integration Innovation Inc.'s performance is measured against them.

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: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: ID07120003

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 689 DISCOVERY DR BLDG 1 STE 500, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 05

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $35,569,076

Exercised Options: $25,689,464

Current Obligation: $24,559,761

Timeline