DoD awards $5.2M for Foreign Adversary Aircraft Support to VTS Aviation LLC under competitive SAP
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $5,256,425 ($5.3M)
Contractor: VTS Aviation LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2021-01-10
End Date: 2026-01-09
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.9K/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: FOREIGN ADVERSARY AIRCRAFT SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: YUMA, YUMA County, ARIZONA, 85365
State: Arizona Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $5.3 million to VTS AVIATION LLC for work described as: FOREIGN ADVERSARY AIRCRAFT SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to VTS Aviation LLC for specialized aircraft support. 2. Competition was conducted under a Special Access Program (SAP), limiting public visibility. 3. The contract spans five years, indicating a long-term need for these services. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 611512 points to flight training services.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's firm fixed price structure provides cost certainty. However, without more data on the specific services and market rates within the SAP, a precise value assessment is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was competed under a Special Access Program (SAP), which inherently limits the scope of competition and public transparency. This method may impact price discovery by restricting the number of potential bidders.
Taxpayer Impact: While the specific services are sensitive, the $5.2M award represents taxpayer funds allocated to specialized defense support, the efficiency of which is hard to gauge externally.
Public Impact
Specialized flight training services are crucial for national defense readiness. The use of a Special Access Program (SAP) highlights the sensitive nature of the supported aircraft and operations. Long-term contract duration suggests sustained operational requirements for adversary aircraft simulation or support.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition due to SAP
- Lack of public pricing benchmarks
- Potential for cost overruns in specialized, sensitive contracts
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed price contract
- Long-term award provides stability
- Awarded to a single vendor, potentially indicating specialized expertise
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the aerospace and defense sector, specifically related to flight training and support services. Spending benchmarks for SAP-related contracts are not publicly available, making direct comparisons challenging.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to VTS Aviation LLC, a single entity. There is no indication from the provided data whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors or if the prime contractor itself is an SMB.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for contracts under Special Access Programs (SAP) is typically handled through internal DoD channels and classified oversight committees, making external accountability limited.
Related Government Programs
- Flight Training
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Navy Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited transparency due to SAP
- Potential for higher costs due to restricted competition
- Difficulty in external benchmarking and value assessment
- Long-term commitment without clear performance metrics
Tags
flight-training, department-of-defense, az, purchase-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $5.3 million to VTS AVIATION LLC. FOREIGN ADVERSARY AIRCRAFT SUPPORT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is VTS AVIATION LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $5.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-01-10. End: 2026-01-09.
What specific capabilities does VTS Aviation LLC provide under this contract, and how do they align with the 'Foreign Adversary Aircraft Support' designation?
The designation 'Foreign Adversary Aircraft Support' likely refers to services that simulate or support the operation of adversary aircraft for training purposes. This could include providing specialized aircraft, maintenance, pilots, or technical expertise to replicate enemy threats in realistic training scenarios for U.S. military personnel.
What are the risks associated with procuring sensitive defense services under a Special Access Program (SAP)?
Procuring sensitive defense services under a SAP carries risks such as reduced transparency, potentially higher costs due to limited competition, and challenges in independent verification of performance and value. Oversight is critical to ensure funds are used effectively and ethically, even within classified environments.
How effective is competition under SAP in ensuring fair pricing and optimal value for taxpayer dollars compared to fully open competition?
Competition under SAP is inherently limited, which can restrict the pool of potential bidders and potentially lead to less competitive pricing. While SAPs are necessary for national security, their use necessitates robust internal oversight mechanisms to ensure fair pricing and optimal value are achieved, often relying on pre-negotiated rates or specialized market analysis.
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: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: M6739921Q0005
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 711 COMMERCE ST STE 12, TACOMA, WA, 98402
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $5,438,105
Exercised Options: $5,256,425
Current Obligation: $5,256,425
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-01-10
Current End Date: 2026-01-09
Potential End Date: 2026-01-09 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-09
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