Leidos, Inc. awarded $68.6M for COCO Flight Services, a contract with no competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $68,636,903 ($68.6M)

Contractor: Leidos, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2018-01-26

End Date: 2020-03-25

Contract Duration: 789 days

Daily Burn Rate: $87.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: COCO FLIGHT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20190

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $68.6 million to LEIDOS, INC. for work described as: COCO FLIGHT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single vendor with no competitive bidding process. 2. Significant contract value suggests critical or specialized services required. 3. Contract duration of 789 days indicates a medium-term operational need. 4. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 5. Services fall under 'Other Support Activities for Air Transportation'. 6. Contractor has a substantial award value, indicating a significant relationship with the agency.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $68.6 million for COCO Flight Services is substantial. Without competitive bidding, it is difficult to benchmark the value for money. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides some cost certainty, but the lack of competition raises concerns about whether the government secured the best possible price. Further analysis would require comparing the scope of services to similar contracts awarded competitively.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning there was no competition. This typically occurs when only one vendor can provide the required goods or services, or for reasons of urgency or national security. The lack of competition limits the government's ability to leverage market forces to achieve lower prices and potentially better terms.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the most cost-effective solution due to the absence of a competitive bidding process. The government's negotiating position is weakened without alternative offers.

Public Impact

The Department of the Army is the primary beneficiary of these flight services. Services likely support critical military aviation operations and logistics. The geographic impact is not specified but is likely tied to military installations or operational areas. Workforce implications are tied to the contractor's personnel providing these specialized services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Lack of competition may lead to inflated pricing.
  • Sole-source awards can reduce government leverage in future negotiations.
  • Limited transparency into the justification for sole-source award.

Positive Signals

  • Fixed-price contract type helps to cap government expenditure.
  • Contract awarded to a known entity, potentially reducing onboarding risks.
  • Contract duration suggests a stable, ongoing requirement.

Sector Analysis

The 'Other Support Activities for Air Transportation' sector encompasses a range of services essential for aviation operations, including ground support, maintenance, and logistical coordination. This contract, valued at $68.6 million, represents a significant investment within this niche. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without detailed service descriptions, but large-scale support contracts for military aviation can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. The prime contractor, Leidos, Inc., is a large business. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans or opportunities for small businesses within this award. This suggests that the primary focus of this contract is not on engaging the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program office within the Department of the Army. Accountability measures are inherent in the fixed-price contract terms. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, with the justification for this approach being key to understanding oversight. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

  • Air Transportation Services
  • Logistics Support Contracts
  • Department of Defense Aviation Support
  • Fixed-Price Contracts

Risk Flags

  • Sole-source award
  • Lack of competition
  • Potential for overpayment
  • Limited transparency

Tags

defense, department-of-defense, department-of-the-army, definitive-contract, firm-fixed-price, not-competed, sole-source, air-transportation-support, leidos-inc, virginia, large-contract

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $68.6 million to LEIDOS, INC.. COCO FLIGHT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LEIDOS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $68.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-01-26. End: 2020-03-25.

What specific services are included under 'COCO FLIGHT SERVICES'?

The provided data does not detail the specific services encompassed by 'COCO FLIGHT SERVICES'. However, given the classification 'Other Support Activities for Air Transportation' and the awarding agency (Department of the Army), these services likely pertain to critical aviation support functions. This could include, but is not limited to, aircraft maintenance, ground handling, flight operations support, air traffic control assistance, or specialized logistical services for military aircraft. The substantial value of $68.6 million suggests these are not routine services but rather essential, possibly complex, operational requirements that necessitate dedicated support.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The data indicates this contract was awarded on a 'NOT COMPETED' basis, which is synonymous with a sole-source award. The specific justification for this sole-source determination is not provided in the data. Typically, sole-source contracts are justified when only one responsible source is available to meet the government's needs, or in cases of urgent and compelling need, or when a specific technological capability is required that only one contractor possesses. Without the official justification document, it is impossible to ascertain the precise reasons, but it implies a unique capability or circumstance that precluded a competitive process.

How does the $68.6 million award compare to similar air transportation support contracts?

Directly comparing the $68.6 million award for 'COCO FLIGHT SERVICES' to similar contracts is challenging without more specific details on the services rendered and the agencies involved. However, large-scale aviation support contracts for military operations can vary widely. Contracts for aircraft maintenance, specialized flight operations, or extensive logistical support for aviation fleets can easily reach tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars over their performance period. The fact that this is a sole-source award to Leidos, Inc. suggests it might be for a highly specialized or integrated service that is difficult to procure competitively, potentially influencing its value relative to more commoditized services.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source contract of this magnitude?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source contract of this magnitude ($68.6 million) is the potential for reduced value for money. Without competition, the government may pay a higher price than if multiple bidders had vied for the contract. There's also a risk of complacency from the contractor, as there is no immediate competitive pressure to innovate or improve service quality. Furthermore, the lack of transparency in the procurement process can raise concerns about fairness and efficiency. Dependence on a single provider can also create risks if that provider faces financial difficulties or operational issues.

What is Leidos, Inc.'s track record with the Department of the Army for similar services?

The provided data indicates Leidos, Inc. is the recipient of this $68.6 million contract for COCO Flight Services from the Department of the Army. While this specific award highlights a significant engagement, it does not provide a comprehensive track record. Leidos is a large government contractor with a broad portfolio of services, including defense, intelligence, and aviation support. To assess their track record for similar services, one would need to examine their past performance on other Army contracts, particularly those involving aviation support, logistics, and complex operational services. This would involve reviewing contract histories, performance evaluations, and any reported issues or successes.

What is the historical spending pattern for COCO Flight Services or similar support activities by the Department of the Army?

The provided data only includes information for a single contract award of $68.6 million for COCO Flight Services to Leidos, Inc., spanning from January 26, 2018, to March 25, 2020. This single data point does not allow for the analysis of historical spending patterns. To understand historical spending, one would need access to a broader dataset encompassing previous contracts for these specific services, or similar aviation support activities, awarded by the Department of the Army over multiple fiscal years. This would reveal trends in contract values, competition levels, and contractor choices over time.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and WarehousingSupport Activities for Air TransportationOther Support Activities for Air Transportation

Product/Service Code: PHOTO, MAP, PRINT, PUBLICATIONPHOTOGR, MAPPING, PRINTING, PUBLISH

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: W900KK17R0050

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Leidos Holdings, Inc.

Address: 11951 FREEDOM DR, RESTON, VA, 20190

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $75,266,150

Exercised Options: $70,108,091

Current Obligation: $68,636,903

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 28

Total Subaward Amount: $8,234,911

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline

Start Date: 2018-01-26

Current End Date: 2020-03-25

Potential End Date: 2020-03-25 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2025-10-31

More Contracts from Leidos, Inc.

View all Leidos, Inc. federal contracts →

Other Department of Defense Contracts

View all Department of Defense contracts →

Explore Related Government Spending