Tribally-owned business takes on Boeing for F-15 work

A relatively small tribally-owned business is challenging a $480.4 million award to Boeing to modernize how the Saudi Arabian air force maintains the country's F-15 fighters.

Despite its location in a quiet corner of northwest Montana, S&K Aerospace has a track record of supporting the F-15 and lists those capabilities as a core competency. It also is already providing related services in Saudi Arabia.

The F-15's manufacturer, Boeing first won the contract in December through the U.S. Air Force. But then S&K filed its protest to claim it would have won if the evaluation had been done properly.

This is not the first protest to hit this contract. Prior to the award, Logistics Management International filed a protest to challenge the terms of the solicitation.

LMI argued that the Air Force was wrong not to consider the past performance of key personnel. The Air Force solicitation said it would only consider contractor and subcontractor past performance.

LMI said this was unduly restrictive to competition. GAO disagreed and denied the protest.

Now work is on hold with S&K’s protest filed. GAO is expected to issue a decision by April 13.

The contract has a two-year base and five one-year option periods for a total of seven years.

Saudi Arabia is looking to improve how it maintains its F-15 fleet with goals to improve turn-around times for repair and return work. The winning contractor will be required to analyze this data along with provide the repairs and maintenance.

The contractor also is responsible for fire and safety vehicles and other ground equipment.

According to the Defense Department, four companies bid on the contract. S&K is the only protester post-award.