Army Awards $146M for Maritime Patrol Aircraft Parts, Boosting Defense Systems and Solutions
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $14,610,215 ($14.6M)
Contractor: Defense Systems and Solutions
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2025-09-05
End Date: 2028-02-29
Contract Duration: 907 days
Daily Burn Rate: $16.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: U.S. ARMY FIXED WING PROJECT OFFICE (FWPO) ARGENTINA MARITIME PATROL AIRCRAFT CASE: PB-B-WLA
Place of Performance
Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35808
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $14.6 million to DEFENSE SYSTEMS AND SOLUTIONS for work described as: U.S. ARMY FIXED WING PROJECT OFFICE (FWPO) ARGENTINA MARITIME PATROL AIRCRAFT CASE: PB-B-WLA Key points: 1. The contract, valued at $146,102,150, is for fixed-wing aircraft parts, indicating a need for specialized components. 2. Defense Systems and Solutions secured the award, suggesting a competitive landscape for defense contractors. 3. The contract's duration of 907 days points to a significant, long-term requirement for these parts. 4. The 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing' NAICS code highlights a niche but critical segment of the aerospace industry.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which allows for cost reimbursement plus a fixed fee. This is common for complex projects where costs are hard to predict but offers less price certainty than fixed-price contracts.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The competition method is 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This implies that while the competition was intended to be broad, specific sources were excluded, potentially limiting the number of bidders and impacting price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: The award of $146M represents a significant taxpayer investment in maintaining and upgrading military aviation capabilities.
Public Impact
Ensures continued operational readiness for U.S. Army maritime patrol aircraft. Supports the defense industrial base and specialized manufacturing capabilities. Contributes to national security by maintaining critical surveillance and reconnaissance assets. Potential for job creation within the awarded company and its supply chain.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition due to source exclusion.
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can lead to cost overruns.
- Lack of small business participation noted.
Positive Signals
- Supports critical military aviation assets.
- Award to established defense contractor.
- Long-term contract duration provides stability.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the aerospace and defense manufacturing sector, specifically focusing on aircraft parts. Spending in this area is driven by military modernization, operational needs, and the lifecycle management of existing fleets. Benchmarks vary widely based on aircraft type and component complexity.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small businesses were not involved in this contract (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the prime contractor is likely a larger entity, and opportunities for small business subcontracting may be limited or not explicitly tracked in this data.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the Department of the Army, specifically the Fixed Wing Project Office (FWPO). Oversight would involve monitoring contract performance, cost adherence, and delivery schedules to ensure taxpayer funds are used effectively and efficiently.
Related Government Programs
- Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition may result in higher prices.
- CPFF contract type carries inherent cost overrun risk.
- No small business participation identified.
- Lack of detailed cost breakdown hinders granular analysis.
Tags
other-aircraft-parts-and-auxiliary-equip, department-of-defense, al, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $14.6 million to DEFENSE SYSTEMS AND SOLUTIONS. U.S. ARMY FIXED WING PROJECT OFFICE (FWPO) ARGENTINA MARITIME PATROL AIRCRAFT CASE: PB-B-WLA
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is DEFENSE SYSTEMS AND SOLUTIONS.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $14.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-09-05. End: 2028-02-29.
What specific types of aircraft parts are being procured under this contract, and how do their costs compare to industry benchmarks?
The provided data does not specify the exact aircraft parts. However, the contract is for 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing.' Without detailed specifications, a precise cost benchmark is difficult. The 'br': 16108 value might represent a baseline or previous benchmark, but its context is unclear. Further analysis would require itemized lists and comparison with similar procurements for specific components.
What were the primary reasons for excluding certain sources in this 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' award?
Excluding sources in a full and open competition typically occurs when specific technical capabilities, past performance, or unique requirements are necessary, and only a limited number of vendors can meet them. The Army likely determined that only certain qualified contractors possessed the necessary expertise or technology for these specialized maritime patrol aircraft parts, justifying the exclusion to ensure performance.
How will the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract structure impact the overall cost-effectiveness and potential for cost overruns?
A CPFF contract reimburses the contractor for allowable costs plus a fixed fee representing profit. While it allows flexibility for unforeseen issues, it shifts some cost risk to the government. Effective oversight is crucial to manage allowable costs and prevent overruns. The fixed fee provides a predictable profit margin, but the total cost can fluctuate based on actual expenses incurred.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing › Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: AEROSPACE CRAFT AND STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 631 DISCOVERY DR, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35806
Business Categories: Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, SBA Certified 8 a Joint Venture, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $14,610,215
Exercised Options: $14,610,215
Current Obligation: $14,610,215
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 2
Total Subaward Amount: $1,850,392
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W58RGZ18D0001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-09-05
Current End Date: 2028-02-29
Potential End Date: 2028-02-29 12:02:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-05
More Contracts from Defense Systems and Solutions
- This Effort IS to Provide Production-Representative Hardware Kits and Corresponding Production Support for the UH-60V Program — $220.4M (Department of Defense)
- Requirement to Provide for the Personnel, Materials, Facilities, Services, and Support Required to Design, Modify, Verify, and Document System Performance and Airworthiness to Deliver UH-60M Aircraft for the Commonwealth of Australia — $149.5M (Department of Defense)
- MV-22 Inventory Management Support — $93.1M (Department of Defense)
- Provide an Assessment of the Component Service Shops for Fielded Rsaf SE Located Within the KSA AT Khamis (king Khalid AIR Base (AB) Kkab), Dhahran (king Abdulaziz AB Kaab), Taif (king Fahad AB Ksab) and Tabuk (king Faisal AB Kfab) — $91.5M (Department of Defense)
- V-22 Management — $85.6M (Department of Defense)
Other Department of Defense Contracts
- Federal Contract — $51.3B (Humana Government Business Inc)
- Lrip LOT 12 Advance Acquisition Contract — $35.1B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- SSN 802 and 803 Long Lead Time Material — $34.7B (Electric Boat Corporation)
- 200204!008532!1700!AF600 !naval AIR Systems Command !N0001902C3002 !A!N! !N! !20011026!20120430!008016958!008016958!834951691!n!lockheed Martin Corporation !lockheed Blvd !fort Worth !tx!76108!27000!439!48!fort Worth !tarrant !texas !+000026000000!n!n!018981928201!ac15!rdte/Aircraft-Eng/Manuf Develop !a1a!airframes and Spares !2ama!jast/Jsf !336411!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !a!n!r!2!002!n!1a!a!n!z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !a!a!a!a!000!a!c!n! ! ! !Y! !N00019!0001! — $34.2B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- KC-X Modernization Program — $32.0B (THE Boeing Company)