Blackwater secures new $92 million Pentagon deal

A few days ago, under the radar, the controversial military contracting firm Blackwater was awarded a defense deal worth $92 million.  It ensures that Blackwater will be doing work for the US government through September 30, 2011.

Here is what the deal includes:

Presidential Airways, Inc., anaviation Worldwide Services company (d/b/a Blackwater Aviation),Moyock, N.C., is being awarded an indefinite delivery/indefinitequantity (IDIQ) type contract for $92,000,000.00. The contractor is toprovide all fixed-wing aircraft, personnel, equipment, tools, material,maintenance and supervision necessary to perform passenger, cargo andcombi Short Take-Off and Landing air transportation services betweenlocations in the Area of Responsibility of Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan,Pakistan and Uzbekistan. This contract was competitively procured andtwo timely offers were received. The performance period is from 1October 2007 to 30 September 2011. The United States TransportationCommand Acquisition Directorate, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., is thecontracting activity

As you might have guessed, Blackwater Aviation is a branch of Blackwater USA, which has been criticized for its aggressive tactics against Iraqi civilians.

If we are trying to crack down on inappropriate wartime behavior by contracting firms, which Defense Secretary Robert Gates pledged last week to do, then this is exactly the opposite message we ought to send.  Why is the Pentagon essentially awarding a company for causing a diplomatic nightmare with a fragile government?