DOT awards $2.6M for airline schedule data, OAG Aviation Worldwide LLC to provide support through April 2026

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $264,805 ($264.8K)

Contractor: OAG Aviation Worldwide LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2023-04-26

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 1,100 days

Daily Burn Rate: $241/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS ACQUISITION IS TO OBTAIN AIRLINES SCHEDULE DATA AND SUPPORT (ASDS) FOR THE OFFICE OF AIRLINE INFORMATION (OAI) IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION'S (DOT'S) AVIATION STATISTICS PROGRAM, AS PROVIDED

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20590

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $264,805 to OAG AVIATION WORLDWIDE LLC for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS ACQUISITION IS TO OBTAIN AIRLINES SCHEDULE DATA AND SUPPORT (ASDS) FOR THE OFFICE OF AIRLINE INFORMATION (OAI) IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION'S (DOT'S) AVIATION STATISTICS PROGRAM, AS PROVIDED Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The firm-fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. 3. The duration of the contract (approx. 3 years) indicates a need for sustained data services. 4. The acquisition supports the Office of Airline Information's Aviation Statistics Program. 5. The value of the contract appears modest relative to large-scale IT or defense procurements. 6. Performance is expected to be in the District of Columbia.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.65 million over approximately 3 years for airline schedule data and support appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar data acquisition contracts is challenging without more specific details on the scope and granularity of the data. However, the firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty. The award to OAG Aviation Worldwide LLC, a known entity in aviation data, suggests a potentially good value if the data quality and support meet expectations.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The data shows two bids were received. While the number of bidders is low, the fact that it was competed openly suggests that the government sought competitive pricing and solutions. The specific details of the bidding process and the evaluation criteria would provide further insight into the effectiveness of the competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple vendors to offer their best pricing and services, potentially leading to a more cost-effective outcome for this data acquisition.

Public Impact

The Office of Airline Information (OAI) benefits directly through the acquisition of essential data for its Aviation Statistics Program. The public benefits from improved aviation statistics, which can inform policy, infrastructure planning, and consumer information. The geographic impact is primarily national, as aviation statistics affect the entire U.S. transportation sector. Workforce implications are likely minimal, primarily involving personnel within OAI who will utilize the data and support.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited number of bidders (2) could indicate potential barriers to entry or a niche market, possibly impacting future competition.
The specific scope and depth of 'support' are not detailed, leaving room for potential scope creep or unmet needs if not clearly defined.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical aviation data raises concerns about continuity of service and potential vendor lock-in.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a fair process and opportunity for multiple vendors.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides budget certainty and limits the government's exposure to cost increases.
Contract duration of over 3 years indicates a stable, long-term need for these services, suggesting strategic planning.
The contractor, OAG Aviation Worldwide LLC, is a recognized provider in the aviation data space, implying potential for quality service.

Sector Analysis

The aviation data sector is crucial for understanding air travel trends, market dynamics, and regulatory oversight. This contract fits within the broader IT and data services sector, specifically serving the government's need for specialized information. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without knowing the exact data points and analytical support required, but government spending on data acquisition and analysis is substantial across various agencies.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract included small business set-asides, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. Given the specialized nature of airline schedule data, it is possible that the primary contractor is best positioned to fulfill the requirements directly. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses could have participated effectively in this procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would likely fall under the Department of Transportation's Immediate Office of the Secretary of Transportation and the Office of Airline Information. Standard procurement regulations and contract management practices would apply. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award notice, but detailed performance reports or Inspector General involvement would depend on specific performance issues or audits.

Related Government Programs

Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) Data Services
FAA Aviation Data and Analytics
DOT Office of the Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs

Risk Flags

Limited competition (2 bidders)
Potential vendor lock-in

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $264,805 to OAG AVIATION WORLDWIDE LLC. THE PURPOSE OF THIS ACQUISITION IS TO OBTAIN AIRLINES SCHEDULE DATA AND SUPPORT (ASDS) FOR THE OFFICE OF AIRLINE INFORMATION (OAI) IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION'S (DOT'S) AVIATION STATISTICS PROGRAM, AS PROVIDED

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is OAG AVIATION WORLDWIDE LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Immediate Office of the Secretary of Transportation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $264,805.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-04-26. End: 2026-04-30.

What is the historical spending by the DOT on airline schedule data and related support services?

Historical spending data for airline schedule data and support services by the Department of Transportation (DOT) is not explicitly provided in the given data. The current contract, awarded on April 26, 2023, for $2.65 million with an end date of April 30, 2026, represents a new or ongoing expenditure. To assess historical spending patterns, one would need to access historical contract databases (like FPDS or USASpending.gov) and search for similar contract actions using keywords such as 'airline schedule data,' 'aviation statistics,' and the relevant NAICS code (481111 - Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation, though data services might fall under other codes like 518210 - Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services). Analyzing past awards to OAG Aviation Worldwide LLC or other data providers for the Office of Airline Information would reveal trends in investment for these types of services.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar data acquisition contracts within the government?

Direct price comparison is difficult without knowing the precise scope, volume, and granularity of the 'airline schedule data and support' being acquired. The total contract value is $2.65 million over approximately 3 years (1100 days). This averages to roughly $883,000 per year. If this contract involves comprehensive global airline schedule data and significant analytical support, the price might be considered competitive. However, if it's for a more limited dataset or basic support, it could be on the higher side. Benchmarking would require identifying contracts with similar data types (e.g., flight schedules, passenger data, operational data) and service levels procured by agencies like the FAA, BTS, or even commercial entities, which is not readily available from the provided snippet.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how is performance being measured?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or the detailed performance measurement plan for this contract. Typically, for data acquisition contracts, KPIs would focus on data accuracy, timeliness of delivery, completeness, format compliance, and the responsiveness and quality of the 'support' provided. The government contracting officer and contract specialists would be responsible for monitoring these aspects. Without a Performance Work Statement (PWS) or contract clauses detailing these metrics, it's impossible to assess how effectively OAG Aviation Worldwide LLC's performance is being measured against the government's needs.

What is OAG Aviation Worldwide LLC's track record with the Department of Transportation or similar government agencies?

The provided data indicates OAG Aviation Worldwide LLC is the contractor, but it does not detail their specific track record with the Department of Transportation (DOT) or other government agencies. OAG is a well-established global provider of aviation data, suggesting they likely have experience serving commercial clients and potentially government entities. A thorough assessment would require searching contract databases for past performance history, including any awards, past performance evaluations, and potential past performance issues or disputes with government contracts. Their established presence in the market implies a degree of reliability, but specific government contract performance history is crucial for a complete risk assessment.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single source for this critical aviation data, even if competed?

Even though this contract was awarded under full and open competition, the fact that only two bids were received, and OAG Aviation Worldwide LLC is the sole awardee, presents potential risks. These include vendor lock-in, where switching providers in the future could be costly and disruptive. There's also a risk related to the continuity of service; if OAG faces financial difficulties or operational issues, the DOT's Aviation Statistics Program could be significantly impacted. Furthermore, a limited competitive field might mean less pressure on the incumbent to innovate or offer the absolute best value over the long term compared to a market with numerous capable providers.

Does the $2.65 million contract value align with the stated purpose of obtaining airline schedule data and support for the Aviation Statistics Program?

The $2.65 million contract value appears aligned with the stated purpose, assuming the scope of 'airline schedule data and support' is comprehensive enough to sustain the Office of Airline Information's (OAI) Aviation Statistics Program for approximately three years. The program is responsible for collecting and disseminating U.S. aviation statistics, which requires robust and up-to-date data. The amount suggests a significant data acquisition and potentially ongoing analytical or technical support. Without detailed knowledge of the specific data requirements (e.g., global vs. domestic, historical depth, real-time updates, specific data fields) and the level of 'support' (e.g., data processing, analysis, software integration), it's difficult to definitively confirm if the value is optimal, but it does not appear disproportionate at face value for a multi-year government data service contract.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Scheduled Air Transportation › Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 550 W VAN BUREN ST, CHICAGO, IL, 60607

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: $472,966

Exercised Options: $264,805

Current Obligation: $264,805

Actual Outlays: $240,629

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline