Noblis Engineering Support Contract Exceeds $55 Million, Awarded by FAA

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $55,532,371 ($55.5M)

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: $16.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF NOBLIS ENGINEERING SUPPORT VIA EPICS UNRESTRICTED CONTRACT DTFAWA-17-D-00014

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 $55.5 million to NOBLIS, INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF NOBLIS ENGINEERING SUPPORT VIA EPICS UNRESTRICTED CONTRACT DTFAWA-17-D-00014 Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the long-term nature of the contract and the specialized engineering services required. 2. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with a long duration and time-and-materials pricing structure presenting potential cost escalation. 4. Performance context is within the Federal Aviation Administration's need for ongoing engineering support. 5. Sector positioning is within professional, scientific, and technical services, specifically engineering. 6. The contract's duration and scope suggest a significant commitment of resources.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's total value of over $55 million across its duration indicates a substantial investment. Benchmarking against similar long-term, specialized engineering support contracts within government agencies is necessary for a precise value assessment. The time-and-materials pricing structure, while flexible, can sometimes lead to higher costs compared to fixed-price contracts if not managed diligently. However, for complex, evolving engineering needs, it can ensure that all necessary work is covered.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. This approach typically fosters a competitive environment, encouraging multiple bidders to offer their best pricing and technical solutions. The presence of multiple bidders generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition as it is designed to ensure the government receives the most advantageous offer, both technically and financially, thereby optimizing the use of public funds.

Public Impact

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) benefits directly from this contract by receiving essential engineering support for its operations and initiatives. Services delivered include specialized engineering expertise crucial for aviation safety, infrastructure, and technological advancements. The geographic impact is primarily national, supporting the FAA's oversight of the U.S. airspace. Workforce implications include the employment of engineers and technical professionals by Noblis, Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to the time-and-materials pricing structure over a multi-year period.
Long contract duration may reduce flexibility to adapt to rapidly changing technological needs without modification.
Reliance on a single contractor for extended periods could limit exposure to innovative solutions from other firms.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
Noblis, Inc. is a well-established contractor with a history of government service.
The contract addresses critical engineering needs for a vital federal agency.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically engineering services. This sector is characterized by specialized expertise and is crucial for government operations across various agencies. The Federal Aviation Administration's spending in this area is consistent with its mission to ensure aviation safety and efficiency, often requiring long-term partnerships for complex technical support.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside provision. The primary contractor, Noblis, Inc., is a large business.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is typically managed by the contracting officers and program managers within the Federal Aviation Administration. Accountability measures are embedded in the contract terms, performance metrics, and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases and public reporting, though specific day-to-day oversight details are internal to the agency.

Related Government Programs

FAA Engineering and Technical Services
Department of Transportation Professional Services Contracts
Federal Aviation Systems Engineering Support
Government-wide Engineering and Technical Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M pricing
Long contract duration may limit adaptability to new technologies
Need for robust oversight to manage T&M costs effectively

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $55.5 million to NOBLIS, INC.. IGF::OT::IGF NOBLIS ENGINEERING SUPPORT VIA EPICS UNRESTRICTED CONTRACT DTFAWA-17-D-00014

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 $55.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is Noblis, Inc.'s track record with the Federal Aviation Administration and other government agencies?

Noblis, Inc. has a significant track record of serving government agencies, including the FAA. They are known for providing a range of professional and technical services. A review of federal procurement data would likely show numerous other contracts awarded to Noblis across various agencies, covering areas such as scientific research, engineering, IT, and program management. Their performance history on these contracts would be a key indicator of their reliability and capability. For this specific contract, the FAA's internal performance evaluations and any past performance questionnaires would provide the most direct insight into Noblis's execution.

How does the total contract value of $55.5 million compare to similar engineering support contracts awarded by the FAA?

The total contract value of approximately $55.5 million over its duration (from 2017 to 2026) places it as a significant, but not exceptionally large, engineering support contract for an agency like the FAA. The FAA frequently awards multi-year contracts for specialized technical and engineering services to support its vast infrastructure and regulatory functions. Comparable contracts could range from tens of millions to hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the scope, duration, and criticality of the engineering services required. This contract's value appears aligned with the ongoing need for specialized engineering expertise within the aviation sector.

What are the primary risks associated with the 'Time and Materials' (T&M) pricing structure used in this contract?

The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure is the potential for cost escalation. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for the actual labor hours and material costs incurred. If not carefully managed and monitored, this can lead to the government paying more than anticipated, especially if project timelines extend or labor rates increase significantly. Effective oversight, clear task definitions, and robust reporting mechanisms are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure that costs remain reasonable and aligned with the work performed.

How does the duration of this contract (over 9 years) impact its effectiveness and value?

The extended duration of this contract, spanning over nine years (from April 2017 to August 2026), suggests a long-term, strategic need for the engineering services provided by Noblis. Such long-term contracts can offer stability and continuity for critical programs, allowing the contractor to develop deep expertise and institutional knowledge. This can lead to greater efficiency and effectiveness over time. However, it also presents a risk of the contract becoming outdated if technological advancements or agency priorities shift significantly, potentially requiring costly modifications or leading to diminished value if the services are no longer optimally aligned with current needs.

What is the significance of this contract being awarded via 'Delivery Order' under a larger contract vehicle?

The data indicates this award is a 'Delivery Order' (aw: DELIVERY ORDER) under a larger contract vehicle (DTFAWA-17-D-00014). This means that the initial contract (DTFAWA-17-D-00014) was likely established through a competitive process to provide a framework for various services over time. The Delivery Order then specifies the particular scope, quantity, and delivery schedule for a specific task or project, such as the engineering support provided by Noblis. This approach allows the government to procure services more efficiently by having pre-negotiated terms and conditions in place, while still enabling flexibility to order specific services as needed.

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: $57,107,871

Exercised Options: $55,532,371

Current Obligation: $55,532,371

Actual Outlays: $36,271,440

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 26

Total Subaward Amount: $21,982,973

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