DOT awards $53.4M engineering services contract to NOBLIS, INC. for FAA, with 3,415 days duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $53,430,126 ($53.4M)

Contractor: Noblis, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2017-04-03

End Date: 2026-08-09

Contract Duration: 3,415 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20591

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $53.4 million to NOBLIS, INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF Key points: 1. Contract value of $53.4M over 3,415 days suggests a significant, long-term need for engineering services. 2. The contract was awarded using full and open competition, indicating a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. The use of Time and Materials pricing may present cost control challenges if not closely managed. 4. The contract's duration and value place it as a substantial award within the engineering services sector. 5. The primary recipient, NOBLIS, INC., will be responsible for delivering critical engineering support. 6. The contract's geographic focus is Washington D.C., impacting local workforce and economic activity.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $53.4M over approximately 9.3 years (3,415 days) averages to roughly $5.7M annually. Without specific benchmarks for similar FAA engineering services contracts, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money. However, the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while flexible, can lead to higher costs if not meticulously managed and monitored for efficiency. The total award amount appears substantial, suggesting a significant scope of work.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition,' which implies that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The data indicates only one bid was received (no=1). While the competition type is open, the low number of bids raises questions about the actual level of competition achieved for this specific procurement. A single bid can sometimes indicate a lack of market interest or potential barriers to entry for other firms.

Taxpayer Impact: A single bid in a full and open competition may suggest that taxpayers did not benefit from the price discovery that typically occurs with multiple competitive offers. This could potentially lead to a higher price than if more firms had vied for the contract.

Public Impact

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) benefits through the provision of essential engineering services. This contract supports the operational and developmental needs of the FAA's infrastructure and systems. The primary geographic impact is within the District of Columbia, potentially creating local employment opportunities. The contract's duration suggests a sustained need for specialized engineering expertise.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Low number of bids (1) despite full and open competition could indicate potential issues with market engagement or contract attractiveness.
Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not rigorously managed and monitored for efficiency.
Long contract duration (3,415 days) increases the risk of scope creep or evolving requirements not being adequately addressed without contract modifications.

Positive Signals

Awarded via full and open competition, adhering to principles of broad market access.
The contract addresses a long-term need for critical engineering services within the FAA.
The contractor, NOBLIS, INC., is a known entity in government contracting, suggesting some level of established capability.

Sector Analysis

The engineering services sector is a critical component of government contracting, supporting a wide array of federal agencies in areas such as infrastructure, technology, and defense. This contract falls under the 'Engineering Services' category (NAICS 541330), which encompasses firms that provide engineering consulting and design services. The federal government is a major consumer of these services, with spending often driven by infrastructure upgrades, research and development, and operational support. Benchmarking this $53.4M contract requires comparison against similar long-term engineering support contracts awarded by agencies like the Department of Transportation or other large federal entities.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb=false) and there is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem appears limited, and opportunities for small business participation would likely be through prime contractor NOBLIS, INC.'s own subcontracting decisions, which are not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officers and program managers within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The Department of Transportation's Office of Inspector General (OIG) would also have jurisdiction to investigate potential fraud, waste, or abuse. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, which provide details on contract awards, values, and contractors. However, the specifics of ongoing performance monitoring and accountability measures are not detailed in the provided data.

Related Government Programs

FAA Air Traffic Control Modernization Programs
Department of Transportation Infrastructure Projects
Federal Aviation Systems Engineering Support
Government Engineering Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Low bid count in full and open competition
Potential for cost overruns with Time and Materials contract type

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $53.4 million to NOBLIS, INC.. IGF::OT::IGF

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 $53.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-04-03. End: 2026-08-09.

What is the track record of NOBLIS, INC. in delivering engineering services contracts for the FAA or similar agencies?

A review of NOBLIS, INC.'s contract history reveals a consistent presence in providing professional services to various federal agencies, including the Department of Transportation and its sub-agencies like the FAA. Their portfolio often includes technical support, program management, and engineering services. While specific performance metrics for past FAA contracts are not detailed in this data, their sustained engagement suggests a level of capability and client satisfaction. Further analysis would involve examining past performance evaluations and any documented issues or successes on similar, large-scale engineering contracts to fully assess their track record.

How does the average annual value of this contract compare to similar engineering services contracts awarded by the FAA?

This contract has an approximate annual value of $5.7M ($53.4M / 9.3 years). To benchmark this effectively, one would need to compare it against the average annual value of other FAA contracts for engineering services, particularly those with similar scopes of work and durations. Without access to a comprehensive database of comparable FAA engineering contracts, a precise comparison is challenging. However, $5.7M annually for specialized engineering support is a significant figure, suggesting a substantial and ongoing requirement for the services being procured. It would be prudent to investigate if the FAA has awarded contracts in the $5M-$10M annual range for comparable engineering expertise.

What are the primary risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure used in this contract?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract is the potential for cost overruns, as the final price is determined by the actual labor hours and material costs incurred. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M offers less cost certainty for the government. This structure can incentivize contractors to extend project timelines or increase resource utilization to maximize billing. Effective risk mitigation requires robust government oversight, including detailed monitoring of labor hours, verification of material costs, and clear definition of the level of effort required. Without stringent management, T&M contracts can become significantly more expensive than initially anticipated.

Given only one bid was received, what does this imply about the market for these specific engineering services?

Receiving only one bid under a 'Full and Open Competition' scenario can imply several things about the market for these specific engineering services. It might suggest that the contract requirements were highly specialized, attracting only one firm with the requisite expertise. Alternatively, it could indicate that the solicitation process had barriers to entry, such as overly complex requirements, restrictive pre-qualification criteria, or an unattractive pricing structure or duration. It is also possible that potential competitors were aware of NOBLIS, INC.'s strong qualifications and decided not to bid, or that the market for this niche service is simply very small. This situation warrants further investigation into the solicitation details and market research conducted by the agency.

What is the historical spending trend for engineering services by the Federal Aviation Administration?

Historical spending data for engineering services by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) would typically show a consistent demand driven by the need to maintain, upgrade, and modernize air traffic control systems, airport infrastructure, and aviation safety technologies. Annual spending can fluctuate based on major program initiatives, budget allocations, and the lifecycle of specific projects. Analyzing trends over the past 5-10 years would reveal whether spending in this category has been increasing, decreasing, or remaining relatively stable. Significant increases might indicate new modernization efforts, while decreases could suggest project completions or budget constraints. Understanding these patterns provides context for the current $53.4M award.

Are there any specific performance metrics or deliverables outlined in the contract that can be used to assess program effectiveness?

The provided data does not include specific performance metrics or deliverables for this contract. Typically, such details are found within the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS). To assess program effectiveness, one would need to examine these documents to identify key performance indicators (KPIs), quality standards, and reporting requirements. Without this information, evaluating the success of the engineering services provided by NOBLIS, INC. is not possible. Effective oversight would involve tracking the contractor's adherence to these metrics and ensuring the services meet the FAA's operational needs.

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: $53,564,517

Exercised Options: $53,430,126

Current Obligation: $53,430,126

Actual Outlays: $32,602,140

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 21

Total Subaward Amount: $27,187,472

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