DOT awards $23.3M for NAVTAC II Lighting Systems to Advanced Management Technology, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,306,607 ($23.3M)

Contractor: Advanced Management Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2017-11-28

End Date: 2026-05-21

Contract Duration: 3,096 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: NAVTAC II LIGHTING SYSTEMS

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 $23.3 million to ADVANCED MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: NAVTAC II LIGHTING SYSTEMS Key points: 1. Contract value of $23.3 million over its period of performance. 2. Procurement was conducted under full and open competition. 3. Contract type is Time and Materials, indicating potential for cost overruns. 4. Performance period spans from November 2017 to May 2026. 5. The contract is for engineering services related to lighting systems. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized for this contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $23.3 million for engineering services over nearly 8.5 years appears moderate. Without specific deliverables or a detailed breakdown of services, it's challenging to benchmark against similar contracts. The Time and Materials pricing structure warrants close monitoring to ensure cost-effectiveness and prevent scope creep. The absence of a fixed price or cost-plus-fixed-fee structure suggests a higher degree of risk for the government in terms of final cost.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value offer. The open competition is a positive indicator for price discovery and ensuring a fair market price.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider pool of qualified contractors, potentially reducing overall costs.

Public Impact

Benefits the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by providing essential engineering services for lighting systems. Services delivered are critical for maintaining and potentially upgrading aviation infrastructure. Geographic impact is likely nationwide, supporting FAA operations across various airports. Workforce implications include employment for engineers and technical specialists within Advanced Management Technology, Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully.
Lack of specific bidder count makes it difficult to assess the true level of competition.
Long performance period (over 8 years) increases the risk of obsolescence or changing requirements.
No small business participation noted, potentially limiting opportunities for smaller firms.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified vendors.
Contract duration suggests a long-term need for these specialized engineering services.
The contractor, Advanced Management Technology, Inc., has secured a significant federal contract, implying some level of established capability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically related to infrastructure and systems for the Federal Aviation Administration. The market for aviation engineering services is specialized, with a focus on safety, reliability, and compliance with stringent regulatory standards. Spending in this area is driven by the need to maintain and modernize air traffic control systems, airport infrastructure, and related technologies. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other large-scale engineering support contracts for federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside, as indicated by 'sb: false'. This means that the competition was open to all eligible businesses, including large corporations. While this ensures a broad range of potential bidders, it may limit direct opportunities for small businesses unless they are subcontractors. The absence of specific subcontracting plans or goals makes it difficult to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem for this particular award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with 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 technical specifications, timelines, and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

FAA Air Traffic Control Systems Modernization
Airport Infrastructure Improvement Projects
Federal Aviation Systems Engineering Support
Department of Transportation IT and Engineering Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Long contract duration increases risk of obsolescence and changing requirements.
Lack of specific bidder count hinders assessment of competitive pressure.
No small business set-aside may limit opportunities for smaller firms.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $23.3 million to ADVANCED MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY, INC.. NAVTAC II LIGHTING SYSTEMS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ADVANCED MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $23.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-11-28. End: 2026-05-21.

What is the specific nature of the 'NAVTAC II LIGHTING SYSTEMS' and their criticality to FAA operations?

The 'NAVTAC II LIGHTING SYSTEMS' likely refer to components or systems related to navigation and tactical lighting within aviation infrastructure, potentially including runway lighting, taxiway lighting, or obstruction lighting. These systems are critical for ensuring safe aircraft operations, particularly during low visibility conditions, at night, and for guiding aircraft movements on the ground. Their reliability and adherence to FAA standards are paramount for air safety. The criticality stems from their direct role in preventing accidents and ensuring the efficient flow of air traffic. The specific technical details would be outlined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW).

How does the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type compare to other pricing structures for similar engineering services, and what are the associated risks?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts are used when the extent or duration of the work cannot be predetermined. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M pays the contractor for the actual cost of labor (at specified hourly rates) and materials, plus a fee. This structure offers flexibility but carries significant risk for the government, as the final cost is not capped and can escalate if not closely managed. For engineering services, fixed-price or cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) contracts are often preferred for projects with well-defined scopes, as they provide better cost control. The primary risk with T&M is the potential for cost overruns due to inefficiencies, scope creep, or prolonged project timelines, requiring robust government oversight and detailed tracking of hours and materials.

What is the track record of Advanced Management Technology, Inc. in delivering similar engineering services to the federal government?

Assessing the track record of Advanced Management Technology, Inc. (AMT) requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving engineering services for aviation or similar infrastructure. Information on contract awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any past disputes or issues would provide insight into their capabilities, reliability, and adherence to contract terms. Without specific performance data for AMT on comparable contracts, it's difficult to definitively assess their suitability beyond their ability to win this award. Federal procurement databases and performance reporting systems are key resources for this analysis.

Can the $23.3 million contract value be benchmarked against other FAA engineering service contracts?

Benchmarking the $23.3 million contract value requires comparing it to similar engineering services contracts awarded by the FAA or other federal agencies for aviation-related projects. Key comparison points would include the scope of work, duration, specific services provided (e.g., design, installation oversight, maintenance planning), and the pricing structure. Contracts for runway lighting upgrades, air traffic control system engineering, or airport infrastructure design would be relevant. The $23.3 million over nearly 8.5 years suggests an average annual value of approximately $2.74 million. This figure needs to be evaluated against the complexity and scale of the services rendered to determine if it represents good value for money.

What are the potential risks associated with the long performance period of this contract (2017-2026)?

A long performance period, such as the nearly 8.5 years for this contract, introduces several potential risks. Technology can rapidly evolve, potentially making the systems or solutions being worked on obsolete before the contract concludes. Requirements may change due to shifting agency priorities, new regulations, or unforeseen operational needs, necessitating contract modifications that could impact cost and schedule. Furthermore, maintaining consistent oversight and contractor performance over such an extended duration can be challenging for the government. There's also a risk of contractor performance degradation over time if not actively managed and incentivized. The T&M nature of the contract exacerbates these risks, as costs can continue to accrue over the extended period.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: MODIFICATION OF EQUIPMENT › MODIFICATION OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Tetra Tech, Inc.

Address: 1515 WILSON BLVD STE 1100, ARLINGTON, VA, 22209

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $23,533,487

Exercised Options: $23,306,607

Current Obligation: $23,306,607

Actual Outlays: $17,540,218

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DTFAWA17D00013

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline