DHS Spends $14.9M on Repatriation Flights, Awarded to Air Partner LLC via Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $14,917,285 ($14.9M)
Contractor: AIR Partner LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2004-07-12
End Date: 2004-08-08
Contract Duration: 27 days
Daily Burn Rate: $552.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Transportation
Official Description: REPATRIATION FLIGHTS FROM ARIZONA TO MEXICO
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20202
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $14.9 million to AIR PARTNER LLC for work described as: REPATRIATION FLIGHTS FROM ARIZONA TO MEXICO Key points: 1. Spending of $14.9M on repatriation flights. 2. Contract awarded to Air Partner LLC. 3. Competition method was full and open. 4. Sector is transportation services.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $14.9M for 27 days of service appears high for chartered passenger air transportation. Benchmarking against similar contracts for repatriation or charter services is difficult without more specific data on flight routes, passenger numbers, and service levels.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the high total value and short duration may indicate a need for rapid deployment, potentially limiting the number of responsive bidders and impacting price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds were used for this contract. The value suggests a significant expenditure, and the effectiveness of the service in achieving repatriation goals would determine the ultimate value for taxpayers.
Public Impact
Facilitates the return of individuals to Mexico. Supports U.S. Customs and Border Protection's operational needs. Ensures timely transportation services for repatriation efforts.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- High total contract value for a short duration.
- Limited information on specific service details and performance metrics.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Supports critical border security and repatriation operations.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the transportation sector, specifically nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation. Spending benchmarks for such services can vary widely based on demand, aircraft type, and operational requirements. The $14.9M for 27 days is a substantial amount for this category.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would typically be managed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to ensure contract compliance and service delivery. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides some cost control, but performance monitoring is crucial.
Related Government Programs
- Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection Programs
Risk Flags
- High total cost for a short-duration service.
- Potential for limited competition despite 'full and open' designation.
- Lack of detailed performance metrics for cost-effectiveness analysis.
- No indication of small business participation.
Tags
nonscheduled-chartered-passenger-air-tra, department-of-homeland-security, dc, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $14.9 million to AIR PARTNER LLC. REPATRIATION FLIGHTS FROM ARIZONA TO MEXICO
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AIR PARTNER LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Customs and Border Protection).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $14.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2004-07-12. End: 2004-08-08.
What was the average cost per flight or per passenger for these repatriation services?
The provided data does not allow for a precise calculation of per-flight or per-passenger costs. The total contract value is $14,917,284.67 over 27 days, with 3 awards. To determine per-unit costs, information on the number of flights, passengers transported, and specific routes would be necessary. Without these details, a meaningful benchmark is not possible.
What were the specific risks associated with the full and open competition for this contract?
While full and open competition is generally preferred, risks can include a limited number of qualified bidders for specialized services like repatriation flights, potentially leading to higher prices than anticipated. There's also a risk that the urgency of the requirement might have constrained the evaluation period, impacting thoroughness. Ensuring all potential providers were aware and capable of responding is key.
How effectively did this contract support the Department of Homeland Security's repatriation mission?
The effectiveness of this contract hinges on whether the flights were completed as scheduled, transported the intended individuals, and met all service requirements within the specified timeframe. The high cost suggests a significant operational need. A review of performance reports and mission outcomes would be required to assess the contract's overall effectiveness in supporting the repatriation mission.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Nonscheduled Air Transportation › Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation
Product/Service Code: LEASE/RENT EQUIPMENT › LEASE OR RENTAL OF EQUIPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Contractor Details
Parent Company: AIR Partner P L C (UEI: 217349091)
Address: 1101 30TH ST., NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20007
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $14,917,285
Exercised Options: $14,917,285
Current Obligation: $14,917,285
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2004-07-12
Current End Date: 2004-08-08
Potential End Date: 2004-08-09 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2017-08-01
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