Rampart Aviation awarded $8.6M contract for vital air transport supporting Naval Test Wing Pacific

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,629,722 ($8.6M)

Contractor: Rampart Aviation, LLC.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2026-01-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 272 days

Daily Burn Rate: $31.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: AIR TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT CIVILIAN PASSENGERS AND MOVEMENT OF CARGO IN SUPPORT OF NAVAL TEST WING PACIFIC FROM PT MUGU NAVAL AIR STATION TO SAN NICOLAS ISLAND, CA AND FROM PT MUGU NAVAL AIR STATION TO CHINA LAKE, CA.

Place of Performance

Location: POINT MUGU NAWC, VENTURA County, CALIFORNIA, 93042

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $8.6 million to RAMPART AVIATION, LLC. for work described as: AIR TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT CIVILIAN PASSENGERS AND MOVEMENT OF CARGO IN SUPPORT OF NAVAL TEST WING PACIFIC FROM PT MUGU NAVAL AIR STATION TO SAN NICOLAS ISLAND, CA AND FROM PT MUGU NAVAL AIR STATION TO CHINA LAKE, CA. Key points: 1. Contract ensures critical logistical support for naval testing operations. 2. Competition was open, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. Fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor. 4. Duration of 272 days indicates a focused, short-term operational need. 5. Geographic focus on California bases highlights regional support. 6. This contract supports specialized military testing and development activities.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $8.6 million for approximately 9 months of service appears reasonable given the specialized nature of supporting naval test wings. Benchmarking against similar niche air transportation contracts for military operations is challenging due to limited public data. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which is generally favorable for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be open, certain sources were excluded, potentially limiting the pool of bidders. The presence of 4 bids suggests a moderate level of competition, which is generally sufficient to achieve fair market pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: While not fully open competition, the exclusion of sources was justified, and the number of bids received indicates that taxpayers likely benefited from a competitive process, preventing excessively high prices.

Public Impact

Naval Test Wing Pacific personnel and cargo benefit from reliable air transport. Essential testing and evaluation missions at PT Mugu, San Nicolas Island, and China Lake are supported. The contract ensures continuity of operations for critical defense research and development. Workforce implications are primarily for the contractor's aviation personnel and support staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition due to exclusion of sources.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical transport could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract aligns incentives and limits cost uncertainty for the government.
Multiple bids received indicate a degree of market interest and potential for competitive pricing.
Contract supports vital national defense testing and development activities.

Sector Analysis

The air transportation sector supporting defense operations is a specialized niche within the broader aviation industry. This contract falls under nonscheduled chartered air transportation, often utilized for unique or time-sensitive logistical needs that scheduled commercial flights cannot fulfill. Spending in this area is driven by the operational requirements of military branches for testing, training, and deployment support.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication of small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements in the provided data. The contract was awarded to Rampart Aviation, LLC, and further analysis would be needed to determine if they are a small business and their subcontracting plans.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a definitive contract, which typically involves detailed terms and conditions. Oversight would likely be managed by USTRANSCOM, with potential involvement from the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). The firm fixed-price nature provides a degree of financial oversight by locking in costs. Transparency would depend on the public availability of contract performance reports and any Inspector General investigations.

Related Government Programs

Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Contracts
USTRANSCOM Air Mobility Command
Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Transportation Services
Military Sealift Command (MSC) Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion.
Contract performance risk if contractor fails to meet operational needs.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical logistical support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $8.6 million to RAMPART AVIATION, LLC.. AIR TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT CIVILIAN PASSENGERS AND MOVEMENT OF CARGO IN SUPPORT OF NAVAL TEST WING PACIFIC FROM PT MUGU NAVAL AIR STATION TO SAN NICOLAS ISLAND, CA AND FROM PT MUGU NAVAL AIR STATION TO CHINA LAKE, CA.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RAMPART AVIATION, LLC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (USTRANSCOM).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $8.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-01-01. End: 2026-09-30.

What is Rampart Aviation, LLC's track record with government contracts, particularly in air transportation?

A review of federal procurement databases indicates that Rampart Aviation, LLC has been awarded multiple contracts, primarily for aviation services. These contracts often involve charter flights, aerial support, and specialized transportation for government agencies, including military branches. While specific performance details for each contract are not publicly detailed, the consistent award of contracts suggests a satisfactory performance history. Further investigation into contract termination rates, past performance reviews, and any documented disputes or penalties would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their track record.

How does the per-flight cost or cost per hour for this contract compare to similar nonscheduled air charter services for the military?

Direct comparison of per-flight or per-hour costs for this specific contract is difficult without access to detailed operational metrics (e.g., flight hours, passenger/cargo load per flight) and a broader dataset of comparable military air charter contracts. The contract value of $8.6 million over approximately 9 months for nonscheduled charter flights supporting naval test wings suggests a significant operational tempo. Benchmarking would require analyzing the type of aircraft used, the specific routes, the frequency of flights, and the level of service required (e.g., specialized equipment, security). Given the niche nature of supporting naval test wings, costs may be higher than standard commercial charters due to specialized requirements and operational constraints.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential performance failures by the contractor (e.g., aircraft availability, schedule adherence, safety incidents), and the risk of cost increases if the firm fixed-price structure is not adequately managed by the contractor. Mitigation strategies include the government's oversight of contractor performance, adherence to safety regulations, and the firm fixed-price nature of the contract, which places the financial risk on Rampart Aviation. The exclusion of sources in the competition also presents a risk of not achieving the most competitive pricing, though this was likely justified by specific requirements. The relatively short duration of the contract also limits long-term exposure to these risks.

What is the historical spending pattern for air transportation services supporting Naval Test Wing Pacific?

Historical spending data for air transportation services specifically for Naval Test Wing Pacific is not readily available in the public domain. However, general trends in defense spending indicate a consistent need for specialized air support for testing and evaluation activities across various naval commands. Spending in this category can fluctuate based on the intensity of testing programs, the deployment of new technologies, and the operational tempo of naval aviation. Contracts for such services are often awarded on a periodic basis, reflecting the ongoing nature of research, development, and testing missions.

How does the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' clause impact the overall value and efficiency of this procurement?

The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' clause indicates that while the competition was intended to be broad, specific sources were deliberately excluded. This exclusion could be based on factors such as specialized capabilities, security clearances, or previous performance issues with certain vendors. While it limits the pool of potential bidders compared to truly 'full and open' competition, it aims to ensure that the selected bidders possess the necessary qualifications for a specialized requirement. The presence of 4 bids suggests that the exclusion did not unduly stifle competition, and the government likely still achieved a reasonable price. However, it inherently carries a risk of foregoing potentially more competitive bids from excluded sources.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Nonscheduled Air Transportation › Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation

Product/Service Code: TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCATION › TRAVEL, LODGING, RECRUITMENT SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: HTC71125RE127

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1777 AVIATION WAY, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, 80916

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $58,178,713

Exercised Options: $8,629,722

Current Obligation: $8,629,722

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline