DOT's FAA awards $8.4M for NAS Lab Services to Advanced Sciences and Technologies, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,427,382 ($8.4M)

Contractor: Advanced Sciences and Technologies, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2022-11-28

End Date: 2026-11-30

Contract Duration: 1,463 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.8K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: NATIONAL AIRSPACE SYSTEMS (NAS) LABORATORY SERVICES DIVISION PROVIDES MAINTENANCE AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES ON EXISTING AND NEWLY ACQUIRED ATC OR RELATED FIELD SYSTEMS AT THE WJHTC NAS LABORATORIES

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTIC CITY, ATLANTIC County, NEW JERSEY, 08405

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $8.4 million to ADVANCED SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGIES, LLC for work described as: NATIONAL AIRSPACE SYSTEMS (NAS) LABORATORY SERVICES DIVISION PROVIDES MAINTENANCE AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES ON EXISTING AND NEWLY ACQUIRED ATC OR RELATED FIELD SYSTEMS AT THE WJHTC NAS LABORATORIES Key points: 1. Contract provides essential maintenance and engineering support for air traffic control systems. 2. Value-for-money assessment is pending further benchmarking against similar support services. 3. Competition dynamics indicate a potentially favorable outcome for the government due to multiple bids. 4. Risk indicators are moderate, focusing on performance and timely delivery of specialized services. 5. Performance context involves supporting critical national airspace infrastructure. 6. Sector positioning is within the specialized engineering services for aviation technology.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $8.4 million over approximately four years appears moderate for specialized engineering support services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for air traffic control system maintenance and engineering is necessary to fully assess value for money. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while flexible, requires diligent oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and do not escalate beyond anticipated levels. Without detailed cost breakdowns and comparisons to industry standards for specific labor categories and materials, a definitive value assessment is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a competitive process was initiated. The presence of 3 bidders indicates a degree of market interest and competition. While SAP aims for efficiency, the level of competition can vary. A full and open competition typically yields the best price discovery, but SAP can still result in competitive pricing if the market is robust and aware of the opportunity. Further details on the bidding process would clarify the extent of price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive bidding process, even under SAP, suggests that taxpayers likely benefited from multiple offers, potentially leading to a more favorable price than a sole-source award. This approach helps ensure that government funds are used efficiently by leveraging market forces.

Public Impact

Benefits the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by ensuring the operational integrity of the National Airspace System (NAS). Delivers critical maintenance and engineering support for existing and new air traffic control (ATC) field systems. Geographic impact is primarily focused on facilities within New Jersey where the contractor is located, but supports national airspace operations. Workforce implications include specialized engineering and technical roles required for maintaining complex aviation technology.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns with Time and Materials contract type if not closely monitored.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical support services could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
Ensuring consistent application of engineering standards across all supported systems.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded to a company with demonstrated capabilities in engineering services.
Competitive bidding process suggests a healthy market response for these specialized services.
Clear contract duration provides predictability for service delivery and budget planning.

Sector Analysis

The aviation services sector, particularly within air traffic control and related infrastructure, requires highly specialized engineering and maintenance expertise. This contract fits within the broader category of professional, scientific, and technical services, specifically focusing on engineering services (NAICS 541330). The market for such services is characterized by a need for deep technical knowledge, security clearances, and adherence to stringent regulatory standards. Spending in this area is critical for maintaining the safety and efficiency of national airspace.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, and the contractor, Advanced Sciences and Technologies, LLC, is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided snippet. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses arising from a small business set-aside. The impact on the broader small business ecosystem would depend on whether the prime contractor engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities, which is not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a division of the Department of Transportation. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's performance work statement, requiring adherence to service level agreements and technical specifications. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Air Traffic Control System Maintenance
Aviation Technology Support Services
Federal Engineering Services Contracts
National Airspace System Operations

Risk Flags

Potential for cost escalation due to Time and Materials contract type.
Need for robust oversight to ensure performance standards are met.
Dependence on specialized technical expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $8.4 million to ADVANCED SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. NATIONAL AIRSPACE SYSTEMS (NAS) LABORATORY SERVICES DIVISION PROVIDES MAINTENANCE AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES ON EXISTING AND NEWLY ACQUIRED ATC OR RELATED FIELD SYSTEMS AT THE WJHTC NAS LABORATORIES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ADVANCED SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Federal Aviation Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $8.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-11-28. End: 2026-11-30.

What is the track record of Advanced Sciences and Technologies, LLC with the Federal Aviation Administration?

A comprehensive review of Advanced Sciences and Technologies, LLC's track record with the FAA would require accessing detailed contract performance history beyond the scope of this summary. Typically, this involves examining past performance evaluations, any documented disputes or contract modifications, and the successful completion of previous similar contracts. Without specific historical data on their performance with the FAA, it's difficult to definitively assess their reliability and expertise for this particular National Airspace Systems (NAS) Laboratory Services Division contract. However, their selection as a prime contractor suggests they met initial qualification criteria and demonstrated capability.

How does the $8.4 million contract value compare to similar FAA engineering support contracts?

Benchmarking the $8.4 million contract value against similar FAA engineering support contracts requires access to a broader dataset of federal procurement information. Contracts for maintenance and engineering support of complex systems like air traffic control can vary significantly based on scope, duration, specific technologies involved, and labor rates. A preliminary assessment suggests this value is moderate for a multi-year contract supporting critical national infrastructure. However, a precise comparison would necessitate identifying contracts with comparable service requirements, geographic scope, and contractor experience levels within the FAA or Department of Transportation.

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

The primary risk associated with this Time and Materials (T&M) contract is the potential for cost overruns if not managed diligently. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements reimburse the contractor for actual labor hours and material costs incurred, plus a fixed fee or profit. This structure can lead to unpredictable total costs for the government, especially if project scope creeps or if labor hours and material usage are not closely monitored and controlled. Effective oversight, detailed reporting requirements, and clear ceiling limitations are crucial to mitigate this risk and ensure the government receives good value.

How effective is the competition level (3 bidders under SAP) in ensuring price discovery for these specialized engineering services?

The competition level of 3 bidders under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) offers a moderate degree of price discovery for these specialized engineering services. While more than a sole-source or limited competition, it may not achieve the same level of price optimization as a full and open competition with a larger number of bidders. The effectiveness also depends on the quality and competitiveness of the bids submitted. If the bidders were highly qualified and actively sought the contract, the resulting price is likely to be more competitive. However, a larger pool of bidders generally increases the likelihood of uncovering the lowest feasible price.

What is the historical spending pattern for NAS Laboratory Services Division support contracts?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for the NAS Laboratory Services Division support contracts would require access to historical federal procurement data, specifically focusing on contracts awarded by the FAA for similar services over previous fiscal years. This would involve identifying previous contract vehicles, their values, durations, and the contractors involved. Understanding these patterns can reveal trends in contract values, the prevalence of specific contract types (e.g., T&M vs. fixed-price), and the typical number of bidders. Without this historical data, it is difficult to contextualize the current $8.4 million award within the division's long-term spending trajectory.

What are the implications of the contract being awarded under SAP for overall contract management?

Awarding this contract under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) implies that the procurement process was streamlined to expedite the acquisition of goods and services below a certain monetary threshold (typically $250,000, though thresholds can be higher for specific categories). This generally means less extensive documentation and fewer procedural requirements compared to larger, full-and-open competitions. For contract management, this can translate to a more agile but potentially less rigorously documented oversight process. The FAA's contracting officers and technical monitors must still ensure robust performance management, cost control (especially with T&M), and compliance with all contractual terms, even within the SAP framework.

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: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 20 E TAUNTON STE 301, BERLIN, NJ, 08009

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,683,826

Exercised Options: $8,427,382

Current Obligation: $8,427,382

Actual Outlays: $7,687,933

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DTFAWA10A00192

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline