DHS awarded $12.6M for charter air flights, with Miami Air International securing the contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,556,545 ($12.6M)

Contractor: Miami AIR International, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2008-03-21

End Date: 2008-12-31

Contract Duration: 285 days

Daily Burn Rate: $44.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: NOT REPORTED

Sector: Other

Official Description: CHARTER AIR FLIGHTS TOCENTRAL AMERICAN/SOUTH AMERICAN AND DOMESTIC

Place of Performance

Location: MIAMI, MIAMI-DADE County, FLORIDA, 33142

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $12.6 million to MIAMI AIR INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: CHARTER AIR FLIGHTS TOCENTRAL AMERICAN/SOUTH AMERICAN AND DOMESTIC Key points: 1. The contract value represents a significant investment in air transportation services for immigration enforcement. 2. Competition dynamics for this contract warrant further examination given the specific nature of the service. 3. The duration of the contract (less than a year) suggests a need for immediate or short-term operational support. 4. Performance context is crucial to understand the effectiveness of these flights in supporting ICE operations. 5. This spending falls under 'Other Management Consulting Services' but directly relates to logistical support. 6. The absence of small business set-asides indicates a focus on specialized capabilities.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without detailed operational metrics. The $12.6 million award for less than a year of service suggests a high per-flight cost. Comparing this to commercial airfare or other government charter services would be necessary to assess value for money. The specific nature of transporting individuals under immigration enforcement may also involve unique cost drivers not present in standard travel.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating that while the competition was intended to be broad, certain sources were excluded. This suggests a specific set of capabilities or certifications were required, potentially limiting the pool of eligible bidders. The exact reasons for excluding other sources would need further investigation to understand the full competitive landscape.

Taxpayer Impact: This limited competition may have resulted in less competitive pricing than a truly open bid, potentially increasing costs for taxpayers.

Public Impact

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) benefits from this contract through enhanced operational flexibility. Charter air flights are delivered to facilitate the movement of individuals within Central American, South American, and domestic locations. The geographic impact is significant, covering multiple regions crucial for immigration enforcement operations. Workforce implications include support for ICE agents and personnel involved in transportation and processing.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition raises concerns about potential price inflation.
Lack of transparency regarding source exclusion could obscure competitive dynamics.
The short contract duration may indicate reactive rather than strategic planning.
High per-unit cost potential given the contract value and duration.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded to a known entity in air charter services.
Service directly supports critical law enforcement functions.
Clear operational need for specialized transportation.

Sector Analysis

The air charter services sector is diverse, ranging from general aviation to specialized cargo and passenger transport. Government contracts often require specific security clearances, operational capabilities, and adherence to stringent regulations, which can limit the number of qualified providers. This contract fits within the broader logistics and transportation services segment supporting federal agencies, particularly those with law enforcement or national security missions. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal awards for similar charter flight services, considering factors like route, aircraft type, and passenger capacity.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a primary consideration, as the 'small business' flag is false. This suggests that the specialized nature of charter air flights for immigration enforcement may have favored larger, established providers with the necessary certifications and fleet capacity. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses, implying that the prime contractor is expected to fulfill the service requirements directly.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and specifically U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Accountability measures would be tied to the performance work statement, ensuring flights are conducted safely, on time, and in accordance with all legal and regulatory requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, though detailed operational reports may be internal to the agency.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security Operations Support
Immigration Enforcement Logistics
Federal Air Charter Services
Transportation Services for Law Enforcement

Risk Flags

Limited competition may impact price.
Potential for high per-unit costs.
Lack of small business participation.
Short contract duration suggests specific, possibly urgent, need.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $12.6 million to MIAMI AIR INTERNATIONAL, INC.. CHARTER AIR FLIGHTS TOCENTRAL AMERICAN/SOUTH AMERICAN AND DOMESTIC

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MIAMI AIR INTERNATIONAL, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $12.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-03-21. End: 2008-12-31.

What specific criteria led to the exclusion of certain sources in this 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' award?

The specific criteria leading to the exclusion of sources in this contract award are not detailed in the provided data. Typically, such exclusions are based on requirements for specialized equipment, specific certifications (e.g., FAA Part 135 operating certificates for charter flights), security clearances for personnel, demonstrated experience with similar government operations, or the need for a specific fleet size or type. For a contract involving the transportation of individuals under immigration enforcement, additional requirements related to passenger handling protocols, detention standards, and secure transport might also be factors. Without further documentation from the awarding agency (DHS/ICE), the precise reasons remain speculative but are likely tied to operational necessities and regulatory compliance unique to this service.

How does the cost per flight or per passenger for this contract compare to commercial air travel or other government charter agreements?

Directly comparing the cost per flight or per passenger for this $12.6 million contract, which lasted less than a year, to commercial air travel or other government charters is difficult without more granular data. The contract value divided by the number of flights or passengers would yield an average cost, but this average could mask significant variations. Charter services for specialized government needs, especially those involving security and specific logistical constraints like those for immigration enforcement, often incur higher costs than standard commercial flights. Factors such as dedicated flight crews, aircraft availability on demand, specific routing, and enhanced security measures contribute to these elevated costs. Benchmarking against similar ICE or DHS charter contracts, if available, would provide a more relevant comparison.

What is the track record of Miami Air International, Inc. with federal contracts, particularly those involving sensitive government operations?

Miami Air International, Inc. has a history of securing federal contracts, including significant awards from agencies like the Department of Defense for airlift services. Their experience often involves providing charter flights for troop and equipment transport. While their general aviation charter experience is established, contracts involving sensitive government operations, such as the transportation of individuals under immigration enforcement, require specific protocols and clearances. Assessing their track record for *this specific type* of operation would necessitate reviewing past performance evaluations and any specific compliance incidents related to sensitive government transport. The provided data indicates they were awarded this contract, suggesting they met the necessary qualifications at the time of bidding.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of these charter air flight services?

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for charter air flight services supporting immigration enforcement typically focus on operational reliability, safety, and compliance. Specific KPIs likely include on-time performance for departures and arrivals, adherence to flight plans and designated routes, aircraft and crew safety records (zero incidents/accidents), compliance with all FAA regulations and any specific DHS/ICE security protocols, and passenger manifest accuracy. Cost-efficiency metrics, such as cost per flight hour or cost per passenger mile, might also be tracked. The effectiveness of the service would also be indirectly measured by its contribution to ICE's overall mission objectives, such as timely processing and transfer of individuals.

How has federal spending on charter air flight services for immigration enforcement evolved over time, and does this contract represent a typical spending level?

Analyzing the historical evolution of federal spending on charter air flight services for immigration enforcement requires access to comprehensive historical contract data. This specific $12.6 million award for less than a year suggests a substantial, but potentially episodic, expenditure. Spending levels can fluctuate based on policy changes, shifts in immigration flows, and operational priorities of agencies like ICE. Without a broader dataset, it's difficult to definitively state if this contract represents a 'typical' spending level. However, such contracts are often awarded to address surges in demand or to provide specialized logistical support that cannot be met through routine commercial means, indicating a recurring, albeit variable, need.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCATION › TRANSPORTATION OF THINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: NOT REPORTED (NO)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5000 NW 36TH ST 307, MIAMI, FL, 90

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSCEOP07A00039

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline