Transportation awards $2.3M contract for advanced qualification program support to Ingenuite, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,329,656 ($2.3M)

Contractor: Ingenuite, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2021-08-03

End Date: 2026-08-02

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.3K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: EFAST PA 21-023-CS ADVANCED QUALIFICATION PROGRAM (AQP) SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA County, OKLAHOMA, 73139

State: Oklahoma Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $2.3 million to INGENUITE, INC for work described as: EFAST PA 21-023-CS ADVANCED QUALIFICATION PROGRAM (AQP) SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for the duration and scope of administrative management consulting services. 2. The contract was competed under SAP, suggesting a potentially competitive process within a simplified acquisition framework. 3. Risk indicators are minimal, with the contractor's status marked as 'OK'. 4. Performance context is provided by the contract's duration and the specific services required for the AQP. 5. The contract falls within the administrative management and general management consulting services sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $2.33 million over five years for administrative management consulting services seems within a reasonable range. Benchmarking against similar contracts for program support would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The time and materials pricing structure, while common, warrants scrutiny to ensure efficient resource utilization by the contractor.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a competitive process. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP is generally used for acquisitions below the simplified acquisition threshold, suggesting a potentially robust competition among qualified vendors. The use of SAP aims to streamline the acquisition process while still encouraging fair competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Competing contracts under SAP helps ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by fostering price discovery and encouraging competitive offers from multiple vendors.

Public Impact

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) benefits from enhanced support for its Advanced Qualification Program (AQP). Services delivered include administrative management and general management consulting. The geographic impact is primarily within the Department of Transportation's operational sphere, with specific work likely in Oklahoma. Workforce implications may include support staff for program management and administrative functions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Contractor status is marked as 'OK', indicating no immediate performance concerns.
The contract is competed, suggesting a degree of market vetting.
The contract duration is substantial, allowing for stable program support.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the administrative management and general management consulting services sector (NAICS 541611). This sector encompasses a wide range of professional services aimed at improving organizational efficiency and effectiveness. Spending in this area by federal agencies is common for program support, strategic planning, and operational improvements. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific nature and scale of the AQP support required.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside provision. The prime contractor, Ingenuite, Inc., will be responsible for managing the entire scope of work.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) contracting officer and program officials. Accountability measures are embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards and payment schedules. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Operations
Advanced Qualification Program (AQP)
Management and Consulting Services
Department of Transportation Contracts

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $2.3 million to INGENUITE, INC. EFAST PA 21-023-CS ADVANCED QUALIFICATION PROGRAM (AQP) SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INGENUITE, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-08-03. End: 2026-08-02.

What is the specific nature of the 'Advanced Qualification Program (AQP) Support' being provided under this contract?

The 'Advanced Qualification Program (AQP) Support' contract, awarded to Ingenuite, Inc., by the Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), likely pertains to the administrative and management consulting services necessary for the effective operation and enhancement of the FAA's AQP. The AQP is a structured training and qualification program designed to improve the quality and standardization of training for aviation personnel, such as pilots and air traffic controllers. The support provided by Ingenuite, Inc. could encompass a range of activities including program management, curriculum development assistance, data analysis for training effectiveness, regulatory compliance support, and administrative tasks related to the program's implementation and maintenance. The specific details of the support would be outlined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW).

How does the contract's pricing structure (Time and Materials) align with industry best practices for consulting services?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts, like the one awarded to Ingenuite, Inc., are common for services where the scope of work can be variable or difficult to define precisely upfront, such as consulting. While T&M offers flexibility, it can pose a risk of cost overruns if not managed diligently. Industry best practices for T&M contracts involve robust oversight, detailed tracking of labor hours and material costs, and clear ceiling limitations. For consulting services, agencies often prefer Fixed-Price or Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee contracts when the scope is well-defined to ensure better cost predictability. However, for ongoing program support where requirements may evolve, T&M can be appropriate if coupled with strong performance monitoring and cost controls to ensure value for money.

What are the potential risks associated with a 5-year Time and Materials contract for administrative support?

A significant risk with a 5-year Time and Materials (T&M) contract for administrative support is the potential for cost escalation over the contract's lifespan. Without a fixed price, the total cost is directly tied to the hours worked and materials consumed, which can increase due to factors like inflation, scope creep, or inefficient contractor performance. Another risk is the difficulty in precisely measuring and verifying the value delivered for the hours billed, especially in consulting services. To mitigate these risks, the contracting agency must implement stringent oversight, including regular reviews of timesheets, detailed progress reports, and performance metrics to ensure the contractor is providing efficient and effective support aligned with program objectives. Establishing clear contract ceilings and task order limitations is also crucial.

What is Ingenuite, Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly within the Department of Transportation?

Information regarding Ingenuite, Inc.'s specific track record with federal contracts, especially within the Department of Transportation, is not detailed in the provided data snippet. A comprehensive assessment would require accessing federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) to review their contract history, including past performance ratings, contract values, agencies served, and any reported issues or successes. Without this external data, it's impossible to definitively assess their experience and reliability for this specific AQP support contract. However, the 'st: OK' status suggests their current standing is satisfactory.

How does the $2.33 million contract value compare to typical spending on similar administrative support services within the FAA?

Comparing the $2.33 million contract value for Ingenuite, Inc.'s AQP support to typical spending on similar administrative support services within the FAA requires access to broader spending data and contract databases. The provided data indicates this is a 5-year contract, making the annual value approximately $466,000. This figure needs to be benchmarked against the average cost of similar consulting or administrative support contracts within the FAA or the broader Department of Transportation. Factors such as the complexity of the AQP, the specific services required, and the level of expertise needed will influence the appropriate cost. Without comparative data on the size and scope of other FAA administrative support contracts, it's challenging to definitively state whether this contract represents high or low spending.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7701 S WESTERN AVE STE 204, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, 73139

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,750,474

Exercised Options: $2,329,656

Current Obligation: $2,329,656

Actual Outlays: $2,155,640

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DTFAWA11A00133

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline