FAA Awards $280M Engineering Services Contract to Noblis, Inc. Under Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $279,962,958 ($280.0M)
Contractor: Noblis, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation
Start Date: 2017-03-23
End Date: 2026-08-09
Contract Duration: 3,426 days
Daily Burn Rate: $81.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Engineering Services
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF EPICS UNRESTRICTED CONTRACT; NOBLIS; # DTFAWA-17-D-00014 ON TASK ORDER # 0005 ENTERPRISE ENGINEERING SERVICES SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20591
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Transportation obligated $280.0 million to NOBLIS, INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF EPICS UNRESTRICTED CONTRACT; NOBLIS; # DTFAWA-17-D-00014 ON TASK ORDER # 0005 ENTERPRISE ENGINEERING SERVICES SUPPORT Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $279.96M over 9 years. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting market availability. 3. Risk of cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing. 4. Engineering Services sector, crucial for infrastructure and technology.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's Time and Materials pricing structure presents a risk for cost control. Benchmarking against similar large-scale engineering support contracts is difficult without detailed task order data, but the overall value suggests a significant investment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing, but the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to less predictable final costs compared to fixed-price contracts.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being utilized for essential engineering services. While competition is a positive sign for value, the T&M pricing model warrants close monitoring to ensure efficient use of taxpayer dollars.
Public Impact
Supports critical engineering functions for the Federal Aviation Administration. Long-term contract (9 years) provides stability for service delivery. Potential for scope creep and cost increases due to T&M pricing. Impacts the efficiency and modernization efforts of air traffic control systems.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials pricing
- Long contract duration
- Potential for cost overruns
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition
- Experienced contractor (Noblis, Inc.)
- Essential service for FAA
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, which is vital for government infrastructure projects and technological advancements. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on agency needs, but large, long-term contracts like this are common for complex support requirements.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, and there is no indication that small businesses were specifically targeted or subcontracted. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The long duration and T&M nature of this contract necessitate robust oversight from the FAA to ensure performance standards are met and costs remain controlled. Regular reviews and audits will be crucial for accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- Department of Transportation Contracting
- Federal Aviation Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Time and Materials pricing structure
- Long contract duration (9 years)
- Potential for cost overruns
- Lack of specific small business participation noted
- Limited transparency on specific task order details
Tags
engineering-services, department-of-transportation, dc, delivery-order, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Transportation awarded $280.0 million to NOBLIS, INC.. IGF::OT::IGF EPICS UNRESTRICTED CONTRACT; NOBLIS; # DTFAWA-17-D-00014 ON TASK ORDER # 0005 ENTERPRISE ENGINEERING SERVICES SUPPORT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is NOBLIS, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Federal Aviation Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $280.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2017-03-23. End: 2026-08-09.
What specific engineering services are being provided under this contract, and how do they align with the FAA's strategic goals?
The contract covers 'Enterprise Engineering Services Support.' This likely includes a broad range of technical and management support critical to the FAA's operations, such as systems engineering, technical analysis, program management, and potentially support for modernization initiatives like NextGen. Alignment with strategic goals would depend on specific task orders, but generally supports the safe and efficient management of the National Airspace System.
How does the Time and Materials pricing structure compare to industry benchmarks for similar engineering support contracts, and what controls are in place to mitigate cost risks?
Time and Materials (T&M) contracts are common for services where the scope is not well-defined, but they carry inherent cost risks. Benchmarking is challenging without specific task details. The FAA likely relies on established labor rates, cost ceilings, and vigilant oversight to manage risks. However, T&M inherently offers less price certainty than fixed-price contracts, making effective monitoring paramount.
What is the potential impact of this long-term contract on future competition and innovation within the engineering services market supporting the FAA?
A long-term, large-value contract can provide stability for the incumbent contractor but might also create barriers to entry for smaller or newer firms seeking to compete for FAA work. While full and open competition was used for this award, the duration could limit opportunities for other companies to demonstrate their capabilities on similar large-scale projects over the contract's lifespan.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2002 EDMUND HALLEY DR, RESTON, VA, 20191
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $296,034,637
Exercised Options: $279,962,958
Current Obligation: $279,962,958
Actual Outlays: $167,432,902
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 82
Total Subaward Amount: $135,428,108
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: DTFAWA17D00014
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2017-03-23
Current End Date: 2026-08-09
Potential End Date: 2026-08-09 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-02
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