DOT awards $4.66M for airport engineering support to Micro Systems Consultants, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,661,345 ($4.7M)

Contractor: Micro Systems Consultants, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2023-03-10

End Date: 2027-03-30

Contract Duration: 1,481 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.1K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: R&D

Official Description: EFAST PA 23-020-CS AIRPORTS ENGINEERING SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20024

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $4.7 million to MICRO SYSTEMS CONSULTANTS, INC. for work described as: EFAST PA 23-020-CS AIRPORTS ENGINEERING SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded under Best Practices Acquisition (BPA) Call, indicating a streamlined procurement process. 2. The contract utilizes a Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, which can pose cost control challenges. 3. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541712 suggests a focus on R&D in engineering. 4. The contract duration of approximately 4 years (1481 days) suggests a need for sustained support. 5. The awardee, Micro Systems Consultants, Inc., is a single entity, raising questions about broader market engagement. 6. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, suggesting it was open to a wider range of contractors.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $4.66 million over nearly 5 years for engineering support services appears moderate. Benchmarking against similar contracts for airport engineering support is difficult without more specific service details. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing model, while flexible, can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed, making a definitive value-for-money assessment challenging at this stage. Further analysis of the specific tasks and deliverables would be needed to compare its efficiency against industry standards.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically allows for a broader range of competition than sole-source but may not reach the full and open competition level. The data indicates 4 bids were received, suggesting a reasonable level of interest. However, the specific details of the solicitation and the number of potential bidders within the SAP framework are not provided, making it difficult to fully assess the extent of competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Competition under SAP can offer better pricing than sole-source awards, but the limited scope of SAP may not always yield the most competitive pricing achievable through full and open competition.

Public Impact

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) benefits from specialized engineering support for airport infrastructure. Services likely include technical analysis, design review, and research related to airport operations and safety. The contract's geographic impact is focused on the District of Columbia, where the agency is located. The contract supports specialized engineering roles, potentially impacting the workforce in the R&D and engineering sectors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) pricing can lead to unpredictable costs if not managed diligently.
Limited competition under SAP might not secure the absolute best value for taxpayer dollars.
The specific nature of 'engineering support' is broad and requires detailed oversight to ensure alignment with FAA objectives.

Positive Signals

The contract was competed, indicating an effort to solicit multiple offers.
A duration of nearly 5 years suggests a stable, long-term need for these critical services.
The award to Micro Systems Consultants, Inc. provides continuity for ongoing airport engineering support.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is a significant purchaser of such services to maintain and improve airport infrastructure and safety. Spending in this category is driven by the need for specialized expertise in areas like structural engineering, environmental science, and air traffic control systems. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific engineering disciplines required.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the procurement was likely aimed at larger, more specialized firms capable of meeting the engineering support needs. The absence of small business considerations in this award means it does not directly contribute to the small business contracting ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are typically embedded in the contract's performance work statement, requiring adherence to specific deliverables and timelines. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics and oversight reports may not always be publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Airport Improvement Program (AIP)
FAA Air Traffic Control Modernization
Federal Contract Research and Development

Risk Flags

Time and Materials Pricing
Potential for Cost Overruns
Limited Competition Under SAP
Long Contract Duration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $4.7 million to MICRO SYSTEMS CONSULTANTS, INC.. EFAST PA 23-020-CS AIRPORTS ENGINEERING SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MICRO SYSTEMS CONSULTANTS, INC..

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: 2023-03-10. End: 2027-03-30.

What is the specific nature of the 'engineering support' required under this contract?

The contract data indicates the NAICS code is 541712, 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)'. This suggests the engineering support likely involves specialized research, analysis, and development activities rather than routine maintenance or construction. Potential areas could include aerodynamic analysis, structural integrity assessments, environmental impact studies related to airport operations, or the development of new technologies for air traffic management. The 'EFAST PA 23-020-CS AIRPORTS ENGINEERING SUPPORT' title further implies a focus on technical assistance and problem-solving for airport infrastructure and systems, possibly related to safety, efficiency, or modernization projects managed by the FAA.

How does the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure compare to other contract types for similar services?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts are often used when the scope of work is not clearly defined or is expected to change, allowing for flexibility. However, they are generally considered less cost-effective for the government compared to fixed-price contracts because the contractor is reimbursed for actual labor hours and material costs, plus a fee or profit. This can lead to higher overall costs if not managed with strict oversight on hours and rates. For well-defined engineering services, fixed-price or cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts are often preferred to incentivize contractor efficiency and provide greater cost certainty for the government. The use of T&M here suggests a need for adaptability in the engineering support provided.

What is the track record of Micro Systems Consultants, Inc. with federal contracts, particularly with the FAA?

Information on Micro Systems Consultants, Inc.'s specific track record with the FAA or other federal agencies is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance on similar contracts, including client satisfaction, adherence to schedule and budget, and any documented issues or awards. Federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) would typically contain historical contract data, including award amounts, contract types, and performance evaluations, which are crucial for understanding the contractor's reliability and expertise in delivering engineering support services.

What are the potential risks associated with a nearly 5-year contract duration for engineering support?

A long contract duration, such as the 1481 days (approximately 4 years) for this engineering support contract, carries several potential risks. Firstly, the cost of services can escalate over time due to inflation or changes in labor rates, especially with a Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure. Secondly, the specific technical requirements or priorities of the FAA might evolve during the contract period, potentially making the original scope of work less relevant or requiring costly modifications. Thirdly, long-term reliance on a single contractor can reduce flexibility and limit opportunities to incorporate new technologies or approaches from other vendors. Effective contract management, including regular performance reviews and potential for re-competition or modification, is essential to mitigate these risks.

How does the $4.66 million award compare to historical FAA spending on airport engineering support?

Without specific historical spending data for 'airport engineering support' categorized precisely by the FAA, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the $4.66 million award over approximately four years represents an average annual spend of roughly $1.165 million. The FAA manages a vast portfolio of airport infrastructure projects and safety initiatives, often requiring significant engineering expertise. This contract value appears moderate within the context of large-scale federal aviation spending, suggesting it may cover specialized R&D or support for a specific set of projects rather than comprehensive, agency-wide engineering services. Benchmarking against similar-sized contracts for specialized technical services within the FAA or other transportation agencies would provide better context.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)

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

Parent Company: Micro Systems Consultants Inc.

Address: 2785 HARTLAND RD, FALLS CHURCH, VA, 22043

Business Categories: Category Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Subchapter S Corporation, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $7,904,654

Exercised Options: $4,661,345

Current Obligation: $4,661,345

Actual Outlays: $3,640,882

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DTFAWA11A00037

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline