DOT's FAA awards $5.46M for fleet data subscription to LNRS Data Services Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,460,495 ($5.5M)

Contractor: Lnrs Data Services Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2024-03-28

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,098 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.0K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FLEET DATA SUBSCRIPTION

Place of Performance

Location: HOUSTON, HARRIS County, TEXAS, 77019

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $5.5 million to LNRS DATA SERVICES INC for work described as: FLEET DATA SUBSCRIPTION Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the firm-fixed-price structure and duration. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a competed award, suggesting potential for price discovery. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with a firm-fixed-price contract mitigating cost overrun risks. 4. Performance context is a multi-year subscription for essential fleet data. 5. Sector positioning is within the information services sector, supporting aviation operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of $5.46 million over approximately three years (1098 days) for a fleet data subscription appears reasonable. The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type helps control costs. Benchmarking against similar data subscription services is challenging without more specific service details, but the price per day is approximately $4,973. This rate needs to be compared to industry standards for comparable data access and analytical capabilities.

Cost Per Unit: Approximately $4,973 per day.

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a competitive process suitable for the award amount. While the specific number of bids received is not detailed, SAP typically aims for adequate price competition. The use of SAP indicates the agency sought competitive offers within the established thresholds for streamlined procurement.

Taxpayer Impact: A competed award under SAP generally benefits taxpayers by fostering competition, which can lead to more favorable pricing and better service quality compared to sole-source or limited competition scenarios.

Public Impact

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) benefits from access to critical fleet data. This subscription supports the management and oversight of the nation's aviation fleet. The services delivered are web search portals and other information services related to fleet data. The geographic impact is national, supporting FAA's regulatory and operational functions across the U.S.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if data formats are proprietary or integration is complex.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical fleet data could pose a risk if the vendor experiences service disruptions.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract limits cost escalation risks for the government.
The award was competed, suggesting an effort to achieve competitive pricing.
The contract duration provides stability for data access and planning.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Services sector, specifically focusing on data provision and management. The market for specialized data services supporting government functions is robust, with numerous providers offering solutions for data aggregation, analysis, and dissemination. The FAA's need for fleet data aligns with the broader trend of leveraging data analytics for operational efficiency and regulatory compliance across government agencies.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans was not explicitly provided in the data. As the contract was competed under SAP, it's possible that small businesses had an opportunity to bid, but without specific details on the bidding pool or set-aside status, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem remains unclear.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the Federal Aviation Administration's contracting officers and program managers. The firm-fixed-price nature of the award simplifies oversight by focusing on delivery of services rather than cost management. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are recorded. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

FAA Aircraft Registration Data
Aviation Safety Information Analysis
Transportation Data Management Systems

Risk Flags

Data Security and Privacy
Vendor Performance Reliability
Service Availability and Uptime

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $5.5 million to LNRS DATA SERVICES INC. FLEET DATA SUBSCRIPTION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LNRS DATA SERVICES INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-03-28. End: 2027-03-31.

What is the specific nature of the 'fleet data' being provided by LNRS Data Services Inc. and how does it support the FAA's mission?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services' related to 'FLEET DATA SUBSCRIPTION'. While the exact nature of the 'fleet data' is not detailed, it likely pertains to information about aircraft, operators, maintenance records, or operational status. This data is crucial for the FAA's mission of ensuring aviation safety, regulating the industry, and managing air traffic. It could be used for compliance monitoring, safety analysis, identifying trends, and supporting regulatory decisions. The 'web search portal' aspect suggests the data is accessible through an online platform, potentially with search and analytical functionalities.

How does the $5.46 million contract value compare to historical FAA spending on similar fleet data services?

Without specific historical data on FAA spending for comparable fleet data subscriptions, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the contract value of $5.46 million over approximately three years (1098 days) translates to an average annual cost of roughly $1.82 million. This figure needs to be benchmarked against market rates for similar data services. Factors such as the scope of data, update frequency, analytical tools provided, and the number of users will influence whether this represents a competitive price. A review of past FAA procurements for data services, even if not identical, could provide some context on the agency's typical investment in information resources.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this fleet data subscription contract?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract. Typically, for a data subscription service, SLAs would focus on data accuracy, timeliness of updates, system uptime/availability of the web portal, and response times for technical support. KPIs might include metrics related to the completeness of the data, the number of records available, or the successful delivery of scheduled data feeds. The FAA would likely have defined these metrics to ensure they receive the expected value and functionality from LNRS Data Services Inc. throughout the contract period.

What is LNRS Data Services Inc.'s track record with federal government contracts, particularly with the Department of Transportation or FAA?

The provided data identifies LNRS Data Services Inc. as the contractor. To assess their track record, a review of federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) would be necessary to identify other contracts awarded to this entity. Information on past performance, contract values, agencies served, and any performance issues or awards would provide insight into their reliability and experience. Without this external data, it's impossible to definitively assess their track record specifically with the DOT or FAA.

Are there any potential risks associated with the 'Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services' aspect of this contract?

Potential risks associated with the 'Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services' aspect include data security and privacy concerns, especially if the fleet data contains sensitive information. There's also a risk of the portal's functionality becoming outdated if not continuously improved, or if the search capabilities are not robust enough for the FAA's needs. Vendor lock-in can be a risk if the data is proprietary or difficult to migrate. Furthermore, reliance on a web portal means the service is dependent on internet connectivity and the vendor's server infrastructure, posing availability risks.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services › Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - NETWORK

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 692M15-24-Q-00001

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STE 800, HOUSTON, TX, 77019

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,617,387

Exercised Options: $5,460,495

Current Obligation: $5,460,495

Actual Outlays: $3,412,839

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline