DoD's Naval Aviation Training Contract Awarded to MILTRAIN JV LLC for $14.5M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,499,208 ($14.5M)

Contractor: Miltrain JV LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2023-02-01

End Date: 2026-10-31

Contract Duration: 1,368 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: NAVAL AVIATION STRIKE FIGHTER AND ELECTRONIC WARFARE (SFEW) TRAINING PROGRAMS CR&M OF CURRICULUM, TO INCLUDE SUPPORT OF ECR, LRC, NETWORK SYSTEMS, AND FMS IN SUPPORT OF NAVY AND MARINE CORPS STRIKE FIGHTER AND ELECTRONIC WARFARE PLATFORMS.

Place of Performance

Location: NORTH LAS VEGAS, CLARK County, NEVADA, 89084

State: Nevada Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $14.5 million to MILTRAIN JV LLC for work described as: NAVAL AVIATION STRIKE FIGHTER AND ELECTRONIC WARFARE (SFEW) TRAINING PROGRAMS CR&M OF CURRICULUM, TO INCLUDE SUPPORT OF ECR, LRC, NETWORK SYSTEMS, AND FMS IN SUPPORT OF NAVY AND MARINE CORPS STRIKE FIGHTER AND ELECTRONIC WARFARE PLATFORMS. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical strike fighter and electronic warfare training programs. 2. Value-for-money assessment is pending further benchmarking against similar training services. 3. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open process, potentially driving competitive pricing. 4. Risk indicators are moderate, with performance context to be monitored throughout the period of performance. 5. Sector positioning within defense training services is significant, supporting key naval aviation platforms. 6. The contract supports essential training for Navy and Marine Corps personnel.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $14.5 million for a period of approximately 3.75 years appears within a reasonable range for specialized defense training services. However, a definitive value-for-money assessment requires comparison with similar training programs for strike fighter and electronic warfare platforms, as well as an analysis of the specific deliverables and their market rates. Benchmarking against historical DoD training contracts and industry standards for curriculum development and support will be crucial.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' basis, suggesting that while the initial pool of potential offerors might have been narrowed, the subsequent competition was open to all qualified bidders. The presence of 3 bidders indicates a degree of competition, which is generally positive for price discovery and ensuring a competitive award. The specific reasons for the initial exclusion of sources would need further investigation to fully understand the competition landscape.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition, even after initial source exclusions, generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more favorable pricing and innovative solutions compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.

Public Impact

Naval aviators and electronic warfare personnel within the Navy and Marine Corps will benefit from enhanced training programs. Services delivered include curriculum development, support for ECR, LRC, network systems, and Foreign Military Sales (FMS). The geographic impact is primarily within the operational theaters of the Navy and Marine Corps, with potential global reach through FMS. Workforce implications include the need for specialized instructors and curriculum developers within MILTRAIN JV LLC and potentially supporting roles within the DoD.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in curriculum development and system support if not clearly defined.
Dependence on key personnel within MILTRAIN JV LLC for specialized knowledge.
Ensuring seamless integration of training curriculum with evolving platform technologies.

Positive Signals

Award to a joint venture (MILTRAIN JV LLC) may indicate a strategic approach to combining expertise.
The contract's focus on critical training areas supports readiness and operational effectiveness.
Clear period of performance and delivery order structure provide defined milestones.

Sector Analysis

The defense training sector is a significant market driven by the continuous need for personnel to operate and maintain complex military platforms. This contract falls within the engineering services sub-sector, specifically focusing on specialized aviation training. The market is characterized by a mix of large defense contractors and specialized service providers, often competing for multi-year, high-value contracts. Benchmarking this contract's value against other aviation training programs for similar platforms would provide further context on its market positioning.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) is not a primary focus of this specific award, as it is not set aside for small businesses and the prime contractor is not identified as a small business. However, the joint venture structure of MILTRAIN JV LLC might involve small business participation through subcontracting opportunities. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement in the subcontracting plan, if any, and its impact on the broader small business defense contracting ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the Department of the Navy's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures will be tied to the performance metrics outlined in the contract, including delivery schedules and curriculum quality. Transparency is facilitated through the contract award process and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Naval Aviation Training and Readiness Programs
Strike Fighter Aircraft Maintenance and Support
Electronic Warfare Systems Training
Defense Curriculum Development Services
Foreign Military Sales Training Support

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues due to complexity of training requirements.
Risk of cost overruns if scope is not tightly managed.
Dependence on specialized contractor personnel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $14.5 million to MILTRAIN JV LLC. NAVAL AVIATION STRIKE FIGHTER AND ELECTRONIC WARFARE (SFEW) TRAINING PROGRAMS CR&M OF CURRICULUM, TO INCLUDE SUPPORT OF ECR, LRC, NETWORK SYSTEMS, AND FMS IN SUPPORT OF NAVY AND MARINE CORPS STRIKE FIGHTER AND ELECTRONIC WARFARE PLATFORMS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MILTRAIN JV 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 $14.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-02-01. End: 2026-10-31.

What is the track record of MILTRAIN JV LLC in delivering similar defense training programs?

Information regarding the specific track record of MILTRAIN JV LLC in delivering defense training programs, particularly those involving strike fighter and electronic warfare curricula, is not detailed in the provided data. As a joint venture, its performance history would likely be a composite of its member companies' experiences. A thorough assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract completion records, and client feedback for MILTRAIN JV LLC and its constituent entities. Understanding their experience with similar platforms, curriculum development methodologies, and support for network systems is crucial for evaluating their capability to meet the requirements of this contract effectively and mitigate performance risks.

How does the pricing structure of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar training services?

The provided data indicates a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type, which generally shifts cost risk to the contractor. However, without specific details on the labor categories, hours, rates, and overhead applied, a direct comparison to industry benchmarks for similar training services is challenging. To assess value for money, one would need to benchmark the proposed costs against market research data for aviation training, curriculum development, and technical support for comparable military platforms. Analyzing the number of bidders (3) and the competition level (full and open) can provide indirect insights, as competitive environments often lead to more market-aligned pricing. Further investigation into the specific components of the $14.5 million award is necessary for a robust pricing analysis.

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

Primary performance risks for this contract likely include the complexity of developing and maintaining up-to-date curricula for advanced strike fighter and electronic warfare platforms, ensuring effective integration with network systems, and managing support for Foreign Military Sales (FMS) requirements. Another risk could be the availability of specialized personnel with the requisite technical and instructional expertise. Mitigation strategies would typically involve robust project management by MILTRAIN JV LLC, clear performance metrics and milestones defined in the contract, regular progress reviews with the Department of the Navy, and potentially contingency planning for personnel or technical challenges. The FFP contract type also incentivizes the contractor to manage costs and performance effectively.

What is the historical spending pattern for Naval Aviation Strike Fighter and Electronic Warfare training programs?

Historical spending patterns for Naval Aviation Strike Fighter and Electronic Warfare (SFEW) training programs are not detailed in the provided data snippet. To establish such a pattern, one would need to access historical contract databases and analyze spending across multiple fiscal years for similar training services, curriculum development, and platform support. Key metrics to examine would include the total annual expenditure, the number and value of contracts awarded, the types of competition utilized (e.g., full and open vs. sole source), and the primary contractors involved. Understanding these historical trends is vital for contextualizing the current $14.5 million award, assessing its significance within the broader SFEW training budget, and identifying any shifts in procurement strategies or market dynamics over time.

How does the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' procurement method impact cost efficiency for taxpayers?

The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method aims to balance the benefits of broad competition with specific, justifiable reasons for initially limiting the pool of potential offerors. While 'full and open' competition is generally preferred for maximizing price discovery and innovation, the 'exclusion of sources' element suggests that certain entities were deemed ineligible from the outset, possibly due to security, capability, or prior contractual reasons. If the exclusion was narrowly defined and justified, the subsequent full and open competition among the remaining qualified bidders can still yield competitive pricing. However, if the exclusion significantly limited the number of potential bidders, it could potentially reduce the competitive pressure and lead to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a truly unrestricted full and open competition. The specific rationale for the exclusion is critical in assessing its impact.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: N6134020R0082

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4108 FABULOUS FINCHES AVE, NORTH LAS VEGAS, NV, 89084

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,849,841

Exercised Options: $17,799,023

Current Obligation: $14,499,208

Actual Outlays: $3,026,176

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N6134021D0008

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline