Navy awards $14.8M flight services contract to Metrea Strategic Mobility Inc. for air transportation support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,804,535 ($14.8M)

Contractor: Metrea Strategic Mobility Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-09-01

End Date: 2026-08-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $40.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THIS TASK ORDER IS FOR FLIGHT MINUTES AND ASSOCIATED TRAVEL.

Place of Performance

Location: TEMECULA, RIVERSIDE County, CALIFORNIA, 92590

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $14.8 million to METREA STRATEGIC MOBILITY INC. for work described as: THIS TASK ORDER IS FOR FLIGHT MINUTES AND ASSOCIATED TRAVEL. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on flight minutes and associated travel, indicating a need for specialized air mobility. 2. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests predictable costs for the government. 3. Competition was full and open, implying a potentially competitive bidding process. 4. The contract duration of one year with options suggests a need for ongoing, but not indefinite, services. 5. The award is a delivery order under a larger contract, indicating a phased approach to procurement. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code points to specialized air transportation support services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $14.8 million for one year of flight minutes and associated travel appears reasonable given the specialized nature of air transportation services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for dedicated flight hours and support is challenging without more specific service details. However, the firm-fixed-price contract type helps control costs and provides predictability for the Department of the Navy.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of two bidders indicates a degree of competition, which is generally favorable for price discovery and value. The specific number of bidders can influence the competitiveness of the pricing received.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to better pricing and service quality.

Public Impact

The Department of the Navy is the primary beneficiary, receiving essential flight services. Services delivered include flight minutes and associated travel, crucial for operational readiness or specific missions. The contract is geographically focused on California, where the contractor is located. The contract supports specialized aviation services, potentially impacting a niche segment of the aerospace workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if flight hour utilization exceeds projections or if ancillary travel costs escalate unexpectedly.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical flight services could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
Limited visibility into the specific operational requirements driving the need for these flight minutes.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a robust bidding process that could yield competitive pricing.
Contract duration allows for evaluation of performance before potential extensions.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the air transportation services sector, specifically focusing on specialized flight operations and support. The market for such services is often characterized by a limited number of highly specialized providers capable of meeting stringent government requirements. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific type of aircraft, mission profile, and duration of flight hours required.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any small business set-aside provisions for this contract. Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses through set-asides is likely minimal. However, the prime contractor, Metrea Strategic Mobility Inc., may engage small businesses as subcontractors, depending on their own supply chain needs and subcontracting plans.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program office within the Department of the Navy. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics may not be publicly disclosed.

Related Government Programs

Military Air Transport Services
Aviation Support Services
Logistics and Transportation Contracts
Specialized Air Mobility

Risk Flags

Contract Performance Risk
Cost Overrun Potential
Service Dependency Risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $14.8 million to METREA STRATEGIC MOBILITY INC.. THIS TASK ORDER IS FOR FLIGHT MINUTES AND ASSOCIATED TRAVEL.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is METREA STRATEGIC MOBILITY INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $14.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-01. End: 2026-08-31.

What is the track record of Metrea Strategic Mobility Inc. in performing similar flight services for the Department of Defense or other government agencies?

Metrea Strategic Mobility Inc. has a history of providing aviation services, including specialized flight operations. Their experience often involves supporting government missions that require unique aircraft capabilities or operational environments. A review of their past performance on similar contracts, including any past performance evaluations or awards, would be necessary to fully assess their track record. This would involve examining contract databases for previous awards, delivery orders, and any reported issues or successes in fulfilling flight hour requirements and associated travel logistics for military or government clients. Understanding their specific expertise in areas like tactical airlift, special mission support, or passenger/cargo transport relevant to the Navy's needs is crucial.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar flight minutes and associated travel services?

Benchmarking the pricing for this $14.8 million contract requires detailed knowledge of the specific aircraft types, flight hours, operational tempo, and the scope of 'associated travel' included. General aviation services can vary widely in cost. For instance, chartering commercial aircraft for specific missions might differ significantly from operating dedicated military-support aircraft. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract suggests that Metrea Strategic Mobility Inc. has factored in their costs and profit margins. A thorough comparison would involve analyzing pricing data from other government contracts for comparable services, considering factors like crew costs, maintenance, fuel, insurance, and administrative overhead. Without access to these granular details and comparative contract data, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Key risks include potential cost overruns if actual flight hour utilization or associated travel expenses exceed projections, despite the firm-fixed-price structure. Performance risks could arise if Metrea Strategic Mobility Inc. fails to meet service level agreements, impacting the Navy's operational readiness. There's also a risk related to contractor dependency; if the contractor faces operational disruptions or financial instability, it could affect service continuity. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust contract oversight by the Navy, clear performance metrics, defined service level agreements, and contingency planning. The contract's duration also allows for performance monitoring and potential corrective actions before renewal.

What is the expected effectiveness of these flight services in supporting the Department of the Navy's mission objectives?

The effectiveness of these flight services hinges on their alignment with specific Department of the Navy mission objectives. As the contract is for 'flight minutes and associated travel,' it suggests a need for flexible and responsive air transportation capabilities. This could support various functions, such as personnel transport, equipment movement, training exercises, or specialized operational support. The effectiveness will be measured by the reliability, timeliness, and cost-efficiency with which Metrea Strategic Mobility Inc. delivers these services. Successful execution should enhance the Navy's operational agility and support its strategic goals in the region.

How has spending in this category (Other Support Activities for Air Transportation) evolved over the past five years for the Department of the Navy?

Analyzing historical spending trends for 'Other Support Activities for Air Transportation' for the Department of the Navy over the past five years would reveal patterns in demand and investment in such services. This category can encompass a range of services beyond direct flight operations, including maintenance, ground support, air traffic control, and specialized aviation training. An upward trend might indicate increasing reliance on contracted aviation support, potentially due to fleet modernization, operational tempo, or a strategic shift towards outsourcing. Conversely, a downward trend could suggest consolidation of services in-house or a reduction in specific operational needs. Understanding these trends provides context for the current $14.8 million award.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Support Activities for Air Transportation › Other Support Activities for Air Transportation

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: N0042120R0094

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: ONE RIDGEGATE DR STE 145, TEMECULA, CA, 92590

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,795,360

Exercised Options: $17,812,928

Current Obligation: $14,804,535

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0042121D0033

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline