FAA awards $2.36M contract for UAS technical management support to Rigil Corporation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,356,009 ($2.4M)

Contractor: Rigil Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2023-06-21

End Date: 2025-09-30

Contract Duration: 832 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) TECHNICAL MANAGEMENT SUPPORT (TMS) SERVICES FOR THE OFFICE OF INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY (AIT) ENTERPRISE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SERVICE (EPMS) UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (UAS) PROGRAM.

Place of Performance

Location: CHANTILLY, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20151

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $2.4 million to RIGIL CORPORATION for work described as: FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) TECHNICAL MANAGEMENT SUPPORT (TMS) SERVICES FOR THE OFFICE OF INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY (AIT) ENTERPRISE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SERVICE (EPMS) UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (UAS) PROGRAM. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) program management within FAA's IT office. 2. Rigil Corporation, the incumbent, secured this delivery order. 3. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges. 4. Performance period extends through September 2025, indicating a medium-term engagement. 5. This award falls under administrative management and general management consulting services. 6. The contract was awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.36 million for a period of approximately 2.7 years appears reasonable for specialized technical management support. However, the Time and Materials pricing structure warrants close monitoring to ensure cost efficiency. Benchmarking against similar IT program management support contracts within the federal government would provide a clearer picture of value for money, especially considering the specific expertise required for UAS program oversight.

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 approach is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring a competitive market. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the open competition suggests that the FAA sought the best value from a range of qualified sources.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more favorable pricing and innovative solutions.

Public Impact

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) benefits through enhanced management of its Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) program. Services delivered include technical management support crucial for the AIT Enterprise Program Management Service (EPMS). The primary geographic impact is within the FAA's operational domain, likely supporting national airspace integration efforts. Workforce implications may involve specialized IT and program management professionals supporting the UAS initiative.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed and monitored.
Reliance on a single contractor (Rigil Corporation) for this specific delivery order may limit future competitive opportunities if performance is not exceptional.
The scope of 'technical management support' is broad and requires clear performance metrics to ensure accountability.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
The contract supports a critical and growing area of aviation technology (UAS).
The duration of the contract allows for sustained support and program development.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) services sector, specifically focusing on program management and consulting for a specialized technology area (UAS). The federal IT services market is substantial, with significant spending allocated to management and consulting. This contract represents a small but vital component of the FAA's efforts to manage and integrate emerging aviation technologies.

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 for small businesses stemming from a set-aside provision. The primary contractor, Rigil Corporation, is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. Analysis of subcontracting plans would be necessary to determine potential small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the FAA's Office of Information and Technology (AIT) and the Enterprise Program Management Service (EPMS). Accountability measures will be tied to the performance standards within the Time and Materials contract. Transparency is facilitated by the contract's full and open competition award, but detailed performance reporting and cost tracking are crucial for ongoing oversight.

Related Government Programs

FAA Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program
FAA Information and Technology Services
Federal IT Management Consulting
Aerospace Technology Management

Risk Flags

Time and Materials contract type requires diligent oversight to control costs.
Scope definition for 'technical management support' needs to be precise to ensure accountability.
Potential for cost escalation inherent in T&M contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $2.4 million to RIGIL CORPORATION. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) TECHNICAL MANAGEMENT SUPPORT (TMS) SERVICES FOR THE OFFICE OF INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY (AIT) ENTERPRISE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SERVICE (EPMS) UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (UAS) PROGRAM.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RIGIL CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-06-21. End: 2025-09-30.

What is Rigil Corporation's track record with the FAA, particularly in IT and UAS program management?

Rigil Corporation has a history of providing services to the FAA, including technical management support. Their involvement in the AIT EPMS UAS program suggests prior experience and a demonstrated capability to meet the agency's needs in this domain. A deeper dive into their past performance reviews, contract history with the FAA, and specific contributions to previous UAS initiatives would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their track record. Examining past performance metrics and any documented successes or challenges would be essential for a thorough assessment.

How does the $2.36 million contract value compare to similar technical management support contracts for IT programs within the FAA or other transportation agencies?

Benchmarking this $2.36 million contract requires comparing it to similar Time and Materials (T&M) contracts for IT program management support within the FAA and other Department of Transportation agencies. Factors such as contract duration (approx. 2.7 years), scope of services (technical management for UAS), and the specific expertise required will influence comparability. Without specific data on comparable contracts, it's difficult to definitively assess value. However, T&M contracts inherently carry a higher risk of cost escalation compared to fixed-price contracts, necessitating rigorous oversight to ensure the value delivered aligns with the expenditure.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for technical management support, and how are they mitigated in this case?

The primary risk with T&M contracts is the potential for cost overruns, as the government pays for the actual labor hours and materials used. This can be exacerbated if the scope of work is not clearly defined or if there is a lack of diligent oversight. For this FAA contract, mitigation strategies would typically involve establishing clear labor categories with pre-negotiated rates, setting a ceiling on the total contract value, and implementing robust monitoring of hours worked and resources consumed. The FAA's contracting officers and technical monitors play a crucial role in scrutinizing invoices and ensuring that all charges are reasonable, allocable, and necessary for the work performed.

How effective is the FAA's current approach to managing its Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) program, and how does this contract contribute to that effectiveness?

The effectiveness of the FAA's UAS program management is directly supported by the technical management services provided under this contract. The contract aims to enhance the Enterprise Program Management Service (EPMS) within the Office of Information and Technology (AIT) by providing specialized expertise. This support is crucial for navigating the complexities of integrating UAS into the national airspace, developing regulations, and ensuring safety. The contract's contribution to effectiveness hinges on the quality of the technical guidance, project oversight, and strategic planning delivered by Rigil Corporation, enabling the FAA to advance its UAS initiatives.

What has been the historical spending trend for technical management support services within the FAA's IT and UAS programs over the past five years?

Analyzing historical spending trends for technical management support within the FAA's IT and UAS programs over the past five years would reveal patterns of investment and potential growth areas. This specific contract, valued at $2.36 million, represents a portion of that spending. Understanding the broader trend—whether spending has been increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable—provides context for the current award. Significant increases might indicate growing program importance or evolving needs, while stable spending could suggest mature programs or consistent resource allocation. This contract's value should be viewed within that larger financial picture.

Are there specific performance metrics or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) associated with this contract that will be used to measure Rigil Corporation's success?

While the provided data does not detail specific performance metrics or KPIs, they are essential for any technical management support contract, especially one utilizing a Time and Materials (T&M) structure. For this FAA contract, KPIs would likely focus on areas such as timely delivery of technical reports, adherence to project milestones, quality of recommendations, effective risk management, and overall contribution to the UAS program's objectives. The FAA's contracting officer and technical representatives would be responsible for defining, monitoring, and evaluating Rigil Corporation's performance against these agreed-upon metrics throughout the contract period.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4800 WESTFIELDS BLVD, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,952,526

Exercised Options: $2,356,009

Current Obligation: $2,356,009

Actual Outlays: $2,356,009

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 692M1518D00026

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline