FAA awards $43.4M for Surveillance & Broadcast Services Support to Science Applications International Corporation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $43,403,713 ($43.4M)

Contractor: Science Applications International Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2021-01-29

End Date: 2022-06-30

Contract Duration: 517 days

Daily Burn Rate: $84.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: FOLLOW ON TASK ORDER FOR SURVEILLANCE AND BROADCAST SERVICES SUPPORT .

Place of Performance

Location: CHANTILLY, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20151

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $43.4 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION for work described as: FOLLOW ON TASK ORDER FOR SURVEILLANCE AND BROADCAST SERVICES SUPPORT . Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Science Applications International Corporation for essential FAA operational support. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract value is substantial, indicating significant investment in surveillance and broadcast capabilities. 4. The Engineering Services NAICS code (541330) points to specialized technical support. 5. The Time and Materials pricing structure may pose cost control challenges.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's Time and Materials pricing structure, while common for evolving requirements, can lead to higher costs compared to fixed-price contracts if not managed closely. Benchmarking against similar Time and Materials contracts for engineering services is recommended.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically fosters competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value. This method allows all eligible contractors to bid, promoting market efficiency.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for critical surveillance and broadcast support services.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation and enhancement of critical FAA surveillance and broadcast systems. Supports air traffic management and safety through reliable communication and monitoring infrastructure. Provides specialized engineering expertise for complex technical systems. Potential for technological advancements in aviation communication and surveillance.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials pricing can lead to cost overruns if not carefully monitored.
Reliance on a single follow-on task order may indicate limited long-term strategic sourcing.
Potential for scope creep given the nature of engineering services.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust market.
Supports critical national infrastructure (aviation safety).
Experienced contractor (Science Applications International Corporation).

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, supporting the Federal Aviation Administration's critical infrastructure. Spending in this area is benchmarked against the overall federal IT and professional services spending, with a focus on specialized technical support for operational systems.

Small Business Impact

While the contract was awarded under full and open competition, there is no explicit indication of small business participation in this specific task order. Future solicitations could explore opportunities for small business subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

The award process under full and open competition suggests a degree of oversight. However, ongoing monitoring of the Time and Materials contract is crucial for accountability and preventing cost overruns.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Transportation Contracting
Federal Aviation Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Lack of explicit small business subcontracting noted.
Follow-on task order may indicate a lack of broader strategic sourcing.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $43.4 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION. FOLLOW ON TASK ORDER FOR SURVEILLANCE AND BROADCAST SERVICES SUPPORT .

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $43.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-01-29. End: 2022-06-30.

What specific surveillance and broadcast technologies are being supported or upgraded under this contract, and how do they align with the FAA's modernization goals?

The contract supports "Surveillance and Broadcast Services Support," which likely encompasses a range of technologies critical to air traffic control and aviation safety. This could include radar systems, communication networks, and data broadcast platforms. Understanding the specific technologies is key to assessing their alignment with the FAA's NextGen initiatives and overall modernization strategy, ensuring investments are directed towards future-proof capabilities.

Given the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, what mechanisms are in place to control costs and prevent scope creep over the contract's duration?

The T&M structure necessitates robust oversight. Key mechanisms include detailed work breakdown structures, regular progress reviews, strict change control processes, and potentially cost ceilings or CLINs (Contract Line Item Numbers) with not-to-exceed values. The FAA contracting officer's representative (COR) plays a vital role in monitoring labor hours, material costs, and task execution to ensure efficiency and prevent unauthorized expansion of the contract's scope.

How does the performance of Science Applications International Corporation on this contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar engineering and technical support services?

Assessing performance against industry benchmarks requires access to performance metrics and potentially past performance evaluations. Key indicators would include on-time delivery, adherence to technical specifications, quality of deliverables, and responsiveness to issues. Comparing these against industry averages for engineering services contracts of similar size and complexity would provide insight into the value and effectiveness of SAIC's support for the FAA.

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

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 12010, SUNSET HILLS ROAD, RESTON, VA, 20190

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $43,403,713

Exercised Options: $43,403,713

Current Obligation: $43,403,713

Actual Outlays: $43,399,849

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 14

Total Subaward Amount: $5,732,233

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 693KA918D00010

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline