DOT Awards $4.7M for FAA Automation Support, Operational Analysis, and Visualization

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,712,003 ($4.7M)

Contractor: Advanced Sciences and Technologies, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2023-09-01

End Date: 2026-08-31

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: TORFP 2325 AJR-1 AUTOMATION SUPPORT, NAS OPERATIONAL ANALYSIS AND VISUALIZATION SUPPORT

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 $4.7 million to ADVANCED SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGIES, LLC for work described as: TORFP 2325 AJR-1 AUTOMATION SUPPORT, NAS OPERATIONAL ANALYSIS AND VISUALIZATION SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to ADVANCED SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGIES, LLC for critical FAA operational support. 2. Focus on automation, analysis, and visualization highlights modernization efforts within air traffic control. 3. The contract duration of 1095 days (3 years) indicates a significant, ongoing need for these services. 4. The Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330) is crucial for maintaining and improving complex federal systems.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award amount of $4.7M over three years appears reasonable for specialized engineering and IT support services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for operational analysis and visualization support within federal aviation would provide further validation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' suggesting a limited competition scenario. This method may impact price discovery compared to unrestricted full and open competition, potentially leading to higher costs.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers are funding essential services for the Federal Aviation Administration's operational efficiency and modernization, with the cost reflecting specialized expertise.

Public Impact

Enhances safety and efficiency in the National Airspace System through advanced analytics and visualization. Supports modernization of air traffic control systems with automation solutions. Provides critical data analysis for operational decision-making within the FAA. Ensures continued functionality and improvement of vital aviation infrastructure.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may result in suboptimal pricing.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical operational support.
Potential for scope creep in a Time and Materials contract.

Positive Signals

Addresses a clear need for advanced operational support.
Supports modernization and efficiency goals of the FAA.
Long-term contract provides stability for service delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting the Federal Aviation Administration's operational needs. Spending in this area is critical for maintaining and upgrading complex federal systems, with benchmarks varying widely based on the specific technical requirements and duration.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to ADVANCED SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, and the data indicates the small business flag is false (sb: false). Therefore, this contract does not appear to directly benefit small businesses through subcontracting opportunities based on the provided information.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract's limited competition nature warrants close oversight to ensure fair pricing and effective service delivery. The Federal Aviation Administration should monitor performance metrics and expenditures closely to maintain accountability.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Transportation Contracting
Federal Aviation Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition may lead to higher costs.
Potential for vendor lock-in due to specialized services.
Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical operational functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $4.7 million to ADVANCED SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. TORFP 2325 AJR-1 AUTOMATION SUPPORT, NAS OPERATIONAL ANALYSIS AND VISUALIZATION SUPPORT

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 $4.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-01. End: 2026-08-31.

What specific performance metrics will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the automation support and visualization services provided by ADVANCED SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGIES, LLC?

The effectiveness of the automation support and visualization services will be evaluated through key performance indicators (KPIs) related to system uptime, data accuracy, response times for analytical queries, and the successful integration of new visualization tools. Performance reviews will assess the vendor's ability to meet defined service level agreements (SLAs) and contribute to improved operational decision-making within the FAA.

Given the limited competition, what steps are being taken to mitigate the risk of inflated costs for these engineering services?

To mitigate cost risks associated with limited competition, the FAA likely employed a thorough cost analysis during the procurement process, comparing proposed costs against independent government estimates and historical data for similar services. Ongoing monitoring of labor rates and material costs, along with strict adherence to the Time and Materials contract ceiling, are crucial oversight mechanisms.

How will this contract contribute to the long-term modernization goals of the Federal Aviation Administration's air traffic control systems?

This contract is expected to contribute to modernization by providing essential automation, operational analysis, and visualization capabilities that underpin advanced air traffic management systems. The insights gained from data analysis and the implementation of new automation tools will inform future technology investments and process improvements, ultimately enhancing the safety, efficiency, and capacity of the National Airspace System.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

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: $9,921,988

Exercised Options: $4,712,003

Current Obligation: $4,712,003

Actual Outlays: $3,585,413

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 693KA822D00023

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline