DOT awards $4.69M contract for Space Data Integrator Systems Engineering to Advanced Sciences and Technologies, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,692,415 ($4.7M)

Contractor: Advanced Sciences and Technologies, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2024-01-29

End Date: 2027-01-28

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: Other

Official Description: TORP#: 2351 SPACE DATA INTEGRATOR SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND PROTOTYPE EVOLUTION

Place of Performance

Location: BERLIN, CAMDEN County, NEW JERSEY, 08009

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $4.7 million to ADVANCED SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGIES, LLC for work described as: TORP#: 2351 SPACE DATA INTEGRATOR SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND PROTOTYPE EVOLUTION Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the 3-year duration and specialized engineering services required. 2. Full and open competition after exclusion of sources suggests a deliberate procurement strategy. 3. Potential risks include performance on a time and materials contract and integration complexity. 4. This contract supports the FAA's efforts in evolving space data integration systems. 5. The awardee, Advanced Sciences and Technologies, LLC, is positioned to deliver critical engineering support.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $4.69 million over three years for engineering services is within a reasonable range for specialized systems integration. Benchmarking against similar FAA contracts for engineering and prototyping services suggests this award is competitive. The time and materials pricing structure, while common, warrants close monitoring to ensure cost efficiency and prevent scope creep.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that while competition was sought, specific sources may have been excluded based on pre-defined criteria. The exact number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method suggests a potentially limited pool of qualified offerors. This approach can sometimes lead to less aggressive pricing compared to unrestricted full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process, even if limited, which aims to secure qualified contractors. However, the exclusion of certain sources could potentially limit price discovery and may warrant further scrutiny to ensure the best value was achieved.

Public Impact

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) benefits from enhanced capabilities in space data integration. Services delivered include systems engineering and prototyping for evolving data systems. The contract's impact is primarily within the federal government's operational and technological infrastructure. Workforce implications are likely concentrated within specialized engineering and technical roles at the contractor's facility.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition method may limit competitive pressure on pricing.
Integration of complex space data systems presents inherent technical challenges and risks.

Positive Signals

The contract is awarded to a company with a focus on advanced sciences and technologies.
The duration of the contract (3 years) allows for sustained development and integration efforts.
The award supports critical FAA modernization initiatives in space data management.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting advanced technology development for government applications. The market for specialized systems engineering and prototyping is competitive, with numerous firms offering expertise in aerospace and data integration. The FAA's spending in this area is crucial for maintaining and advancing its technological capabilities, particularly as space operations and data become increasingly complex.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the awardee, Advanced Sciences and Technologies, LLC, is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. There is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within this award. This suggests that the primary focus was on securing specialized expertise, potentially overlooking opportunities to engage the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Federal Aviation Administration's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract's performance work statement and delivery schedules. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics are often internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

FAA Air Traffic Control Systems
Space Surveillance and Tracking Systems
Aerospace Engineering Services
Data Integration Platforms
Prototype Development Contracts

Risk Flags

Limited competition due to source exclusion.
Potential for cost overruns with Time and Materials contract.
Complexity of integrating diverse space data sources.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $4.7 million to ADVANCED SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. TORP#: 2351 SPACE DATA INTEGRATOR SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND PROTOTYPE EVOLUTION

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: 2024-01-29. End: 2027-01-28.

What is the track record of Advanced Sciences and Technologies, LLC in delivering similar systems engineering and prototyping services to the federal government?

A comprehensive review of Advanced Sciences and Technologies, LLC's past performance is crucial for assessing their capability to successfully execute this contract. While the provided data indicates they are the awardee, it does not detail their specific experience with space data integration or similar complex systems. Further investigation into their contract history, client feedback, and demonstrated success in prior projects would be necessary to fully evaluate their track record. This includes examining their performance on previous FAA or Department of Transportation contracts, if any, and their ability to meet deadlines, manage budgets, and deliver quality engineering solutions.

How does the awarded amount compare to the estimated cost or budget for this specific systems engineering effort?

The provided data shows an award amount of $4.69 million. Without access to the government's independent cost estimate or the contractor's proposed price breakdown, it is difficult to definitively assess value for money. However, the contract type is Time and Materials (T&M), which means the final cost will depend on the actual hours worked and materials used, up to a ceiling. The base award amount serves as an initial funding allocation. A comparison to similar FAA engineering services contracts, considering scope, duration, and complexity, would provide a benchmark. If the T&M rates are competitive and the estimated hours are realistic, the award could represent good value, but close oversight is needed.

What are the primary technical risks associated with integrating space data systems as outlined in this contract?

Integrating space data systems presents several significant technical risks. These can include challenges in data format standardization and interoperability between disparate sources, ensuring data accuracy and integrity from various sensors and platforms, and developing robust security protocols to protect sensitive space-related information. Furthermore, the rapid evolution of space technology means that systems must be designed for adaptability and future upgrades. Prototyping efforts may encounter unforeseen technical hurdles, requiring agile development methodologies and potentially impacting timelines and costs. The complexity of managing large volumes of real-time or near-real-time data from multiple space assets also poses a considerable integration challenge.

What is the historical spending pattern for space data integration and engineering services within the Federal Aviation Administration?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for space data integration and engineering services within the FAA is essential for contextualizing this $4.69 million award. While specific figures for this niche category are not provided, the FAA has consistently invested in modernizing its air traffic management systems, which increasingly incorporate space-based assets and data (e.g., GPS, satellite communications). Spending in this area likely fluctuates based on specific program initiatives, technological advancements, and evolving regulatory requirements. Understanding trends in contract values, competition levels, and the types of services procured over the past 5-10 years would reveal whether this award is consistent with historical investment levels or represents a significant shift in focus or funding.

What are the implications of the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' procurement method for taxpayer value?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method implies that the government initially intended a broad competition but subsequently excluded certain potential offerors based on specific criteria, possibly related to security, capability, or prior performance. While it aims for competition, the exclusion of sources can potentially limit the number of viable bidders. This reduction in competition might lead to less aggressive pricing than a truly unrestricted full and open competition. For taxpayers, this means there's a risk that the government may not achieve the lowest possible price. However, if the exclusions were justified by critical requirements that only a few sources could meet, the focus shifts to ensuring the selected contractor provides the best overall value, balancing cost with essential technical capabilities and performance.

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: $7,966,131

Exercised Options: $4,832,415

Current Obligation: $4,692,415

Actual Outlays: $3,775,945

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