DoD Awards $24M for CH-47F Helicopter Training Support to Science and Engineering Services, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,950,926 ($24.0M)

Contractor: Science and Engineering Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2019-09-26

End Date: 2025-08-31

Contract Duration: 2,166 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: NEW EQUIPMENT TRAINING SUPPORT TO UNITED STATES ARMY UNITS AND FOREIGN MILITARY SALES (FMS) CUSTOMERS RECEIVING CH-47F CARGO HELICOPTER AND MODIFICATIONS TO THE CH-47F CARGO HELICOPTER.

Place of Performance

Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35824

State: Alabama Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $24.0 million to SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING SERVICES, LLC for work described as: NEW EQUIPMENT TRAINING SUPPORT TO UNITED STATES ARMY UNITS AND FOREIGN MILITARY SALES (FMS) CUSTOMERS RECEIVING CH-47F CARGO HELICOPTER AND MODIFICATIONS TO THE CH-47F CARGO HELICOPTER. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical training for CH-47F cargo helicopters, impacting Army readiness and FMS customers. 2. Science and Engineering Services, LLC secured this significant award, indicating strong performance or specialized capabilities. 3. The contract's duration extends to August 2025, suggesting a long-term need for these support services. 4. While the specific sector is aircraft manufacturing support, the training aspect has broader implications for military operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $23.95 million over approximately 6 years suggests a reasonable annual spend for specialized aviation training. Benchmarking against similar complex equipment training contracts would provide further context on its cost-effectiveness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating a limited competition. This method may have restricted the pool of potential bidders, potentially impacting price discovery and overall value.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential training to maintain the operational readiness of critical military assets, ensuring effective use of taxpayer-funded equipment.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operational readiness of the CH-47F Chinook fleet for U.S. Army and allied forces. Supports foreign military sales, strengthening international partnerships and interoperability. Provides specialized technical training, enhancing the skills of aviation personnel. Contributes to the sustainment of advanced rotary-wing aircraft capabilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may not have yielded the best possible price.
Lack of small business participation noted.

Positive Signals

Supports critical military aviation training.
Long-term contract ensures sustained support.
Addresses needs of both domestic and international partners.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the aerospace and defense sector, specifically focusing on support services for rotary-wing aircraft. Spending benchmarks in this area often reflect the high cost of specialized technical training and maintenance for complex military platforms.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small businesses were not involved in this contract (sb: false). Efforts to include small businesses in subcontracting opportunities or future similar awards could be explored to promote broader economic participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of the Army, under the Department of Defense, is the contracting agency. Oversight would typically involve program managers ensuring training objectives are met and contract terms are adhered to, with standard DoD procurement regulations applying.

Related Government Programs

Aircraft Manufacturing
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition may lead to higher costs.
Potential for cost overruns in cost-plus contracts.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical training.
Lack of small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $24.0 million to SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING SERVICES, LLC. NEW EQUIPMENT TRAINING SUPPORT TO UNITED STATES ARMY UNITS AND FOREIGN MILITARY SALES (FMS) CUSTOMERS RECEIVING CH-47F CARGO HELICOPTER AND MODIFICATIONS TO THE CH-47F CARGO HELICOPTER.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING SERVICES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $24.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-09-26. End: 2025-08-31.

What is the specific breakdown of costs for training versus equipment modifications within this contract?

The provided data does not specify the cost allocation between new equipment training support and modifications to the CH-47F cargo helicopter. A detailed breakdown would be necessary to assess the value proposition for each component of the contract and ensure funds are appropriately utilized for their intended purpose.

What were the specific reasons for excluding other potential sources in this 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' award?

The exclusion of sources typically occurs when only one or a limited number of contractors possess the unique capabilities, specialized knowledge, or proprietary technology required for the service. For CH-47F training, this could relate to specific manufacturer expertise or established support infrastructure that makes other potential bidders unsuitable.

How does the per-unit training cost compare to industry benchmarks for similar helicopter platforms?

Without specific per-unit training metrics (e.g., cost per flight hour, cost per trainee hour), a direct comparison to industry benchmarks is not feasible. A comprehensive analysis would require detailed cost data from the contractor and comparable data from other aviation training programs to determine cost-effectiveness.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing › Aircraft Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: AEROSPACE CRAFT COMPONENTS AND ACCESSORIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 248 DUNLOP BLVD, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35824

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $23,950,926

Exercised Options: $23,950,926

Current Obligation: $23,950,926

Actual Outlays: $316,216

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 4

Total Subaward Amount: $2,708,121

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W58RGZ19D0045

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline