DOT Awards $2.5M for Engineering Expertise in Autonomy Working Group

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,492,853 ($2.5M)

Contractor: A3 Technology Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2024-06-04

End Date: 2026-06-18

Contract Duration: 744 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE ALLOCATED FUNDS WILL BE APPLIED TO MILESTONE 01.00.00 ACQUIRE THE NECESSARY ENGINEERING EXPERTISE FOR THE AUTONOMY WORKING GROUP, ENABLING THEM TO ASSESS THE POTENTIAL INTEGRATION OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES, POLICY, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND AVIONICS TO ENABL

Place of Performance

Location: EGG HARBOR CITY, ATLANTIC County, NEW JERSEY, 08215

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $2.5 million to A3 TECHNOLOGY INC for work described as: THE ALLOCATED FUNDS WILL BE APPLIED TO MILESTONE 01.00.00 ACQUIRE THE NECESSARY ENGINEERING EXPERTISE FOR THE AUTONOMY WORKING GROUP, ENABLING THEM TO ASSESS THE POTENTIAL INTEGRATION OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES, POLICY, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND AVIONICS TO ENABL Key points: 1. Focuses on acquiring engineering expertise for assessing new technology integration. 2. Competition method is 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources', suggesting a specific reason for initial exclusion. 3. Contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control risks. 4. The sector is Engineering Services, crucial for technological advancement in transportation.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The Time and Materials contract type for engineering services can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored. Benchmarking against similar engineering expertise contracts is needed to assess value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was initially excluded from sources but then opened to full and open competition. This suggests a potential for better price discovery now, but the initial exclusion warrants scrutiny.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used to procure specialized engineering expertise, aiming to inform future technology integration decisions.

Public Impact

Enhances the Federal Aviation Administration's capability to evaluate advanced autonomous technologies. Supports informed decision-making on policy, infrastructure, and avionics for future transportation. Potential for improved safety and efficiency in air travel through technology integration.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type
Initial exclusion of sources

Positive Signals

Focus on critical technology assessment
Potential for future efficiency gains

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, which is vital for the Department of Transportation's mission to modernize and innovate. Spending benchmarks for similar specialized engineering expertise are typically project-dependent.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were excluded or if the scope of work inherently favored larger firms.

Oversight & Accountability

The Federal Aviation Administration is responsible for overseeing this contract. Robust oversight will be critical to manage the Time and Materials aspect and ensure the engineering expertise effectively contributes to the Autonomy Working Group's goals.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Transportation Contracting
Federal Aviation Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract.
Lack of clarity on initial source exclusion.
No indication of small business participation.
Contract duration is substantial (744 days).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $2.5 million to A3 TECHNOLOGY INC. THE ALLOCATED FUNDS WILL BE APPLIED TO MILESTONE 01.00.00 ACQUIRE THE NECESSARY ENGINEERING EXPERTISE FOR THE AUTONOMY WORKING GROUP, ENABLING THEM TO ASSESS THE POTENTIAL INTEGRATION OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES, POLICY, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND AVIONICS TO ENABL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is A3 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 $2.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-06-04. End: 2026-06-18.

What specific criteria led to the initial exclusion of sources before opening to full and open competition?

The initial exclusion of sources suggests a potential for a highly specialized need or a pre-existing relationship that was later re-evaluated. Understanding the justification for this exclusion is crucial for assessing the integrity of the procurement process and ensuring fair competition was ultimately achieved.

How will the Time and Materials contract be managed to prevent cost overruns for engineering services?

Effective management of a Time and Materials contract requires stringent oversight, detailed tracking of labor hours and materials, and clear definition of milestones. The FAA must implement robust controls and regular performance reviews to ensure costs remain within the allocated $2.5 million and that the acquired expertise delivers value.

What are the expected tangible outcomes from the engineering expertise acquired for the Autonomy Working Group?

The expected outcomes include comprehensive assessments of potential technology integrations, policy recommendations, and infrastructure requirements for autonomous systems. These insights should directly inform the FAA's strategic direction and investment decisions, ultimately contributing to safer and more efficient aviation.

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: 327 W WHITE HORSE PKE, EGG HARBOR CITY, NJ, 08215

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,079,281

Exercised Options: $2,492,853

Current Obligation: $2,492,853

Actual Outlays: $1,775,613

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 693KA822D00026

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline