DOT awards $987K for SAA program support to Concept Solutions LLC, a 382-day contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $986,913 ($986.9K)

Contractor: Concept Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2026-01-08

End Date: 2027-01-25

Contract Duration: 382 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.6K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: EFAST PA 26-007-CS, SPECIAL ACTIVITY AIRSPACE (SAA) PROGRAM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20191

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $986,912.62 to CONCEPT SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: EFAST PA 26-007-CS, SPECIAL ACTIVITY AIRSPACE (SAA) PROGRAM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded under Special Acquisition Procedures (SAP) for specialized IT services. 2. The contract utilizes a Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, which can pose cost control challenges. 3. The duration of 382 days suggests a need for ongoing, but not necessarily long-term, operational support. 4. The award to Concept Solutions LLC indicates a specific capability match for custom computer programming. 5. The contract is a BPA Call, suggesting it leverages an existing broader agreement for efficiency.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $986,912.62 over approximately 13 months appears moderate for specialized IT support. Benchmarking against similar custom computer programming services (NAICS 541511) is difficult without more specific service details. The Time and Materials pricing model, while flexible, requires diligent oversight to ensure cost-effectiveness and prevent scope creep, which could inflate the final cost beyond initial estimates. Without comparative data on per-hour rates or total project costs for similar SAA program support, a definitive value assessment is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under SAP (Special Acquisition Procedures), which generally implies a competitive process, though potentially with streamlined procedures. The data indicates 5 bidders participated in this competition. A higher number of bidders typically suggests robust competition, which can lead to better pricing and innovation. The fact that it was competed under SAP suggests that while open, it may have had specific criteria or limitations that narrowed the field compared to a full and open solicitation without SAP.

Taxpayer Impact: The competition among 5 bidders is a positive signal for taxpayers, indicating that multiple firms had the opportunity to bid, potentially driving down costs and ensuring the government receives competitive pricing for the services.

Public Impact

The Special Activity Airspace (SAA) program benefits from continuous operations and maintenance support. This contract ensures the functionality and reliability of systems critical to managing specialized airspace. The services delivered are custom computer programming, likely involving software development, maintenance, and integration. The geographic impact is primarily within the operational scope of the FAA's SAA program, which may have national implications for aviation. Workforce implications include the direct employment of personnel by Concept Solutions LLC for these specialized IT tasks.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials pricing can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
The specific nature of 'Special Activity Airspace' support may involve unique risks not immediately apparent.
Reliance on a single BPA Call, even if competed, could limit future flexibility if needs evolve significantly.

Positive Signals

Contract was competed, indicating a level of market vetting.
The award to a single vendor (Concept Solutions LLC) suggests a strong capability match for the specific requirements.
The BPA Call mechanism can streamline future procurements if similar needs arise.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Custom Computer Programming Services sector (NAICS 541511), a significant segment of the IT industry focused on developing and maintaining specialized software solutions. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is a major government consumer of such services to manage complex operational systems like airspace management. Comparable spending benchmarks for custom programming services vary widely based on complexity, duration, and security requirements. However, the value of this contract appears to be in the lower to mid-range for a dedicated support program of this duration.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a result, the primary contractor, Concept Solutions LLC, is likely a large business or a small business that won in a full and open competition. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. This means the direct impact on the small business ecosystem through this specific award is likely minimal, unless Concept Solutions LLC voluntarily engages small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) contracting officers and program managers. The contract type (Time and Materials) necessitates close monitoring of labor hours and material costs to ensure adherence to the ceiling price and prevent overspending. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected within the contract's execution.

Related Government Programs

FAA Air Traffic Control Systems
Aviation IT Modernization Programs
Custom Software Development Contracts
IT Operations and Maintenance Support
Specialized Airspace Management Systems

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing structure.
Need for robust government oversight to manage T&M contract effectively.
Specificity of 'Special Activity Airspace' support may hide unique risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $986,912.62 to CONCEPT SOLUTIONS LLC. EFAST PA 26-007-CS, SPECIAL ACTIVITY AIRSPACE (SAA) PROGRAM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CONCEPT SOLUTIONS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $986,912.62.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-01-08. End: 2027-01-25.

What is the specific nature of the 'Special Activity Airspace (SAA)' program and its critical functions that necessitate this ongoing support?

The Special Activity Airspace (SAA) program, managed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), refers to airspace designated for specific, often temporary or non-standard, aviation activities. This can include drone operations, special event flights, military exercises, or testing of new aviation technologies. The critical functions supported by this contract likely involve the IT infrastructure, software, and systems required to manage, monitor, and integrate these SAA operations safely and efficiently within the broader National Airspace System (NAS). This support ensures that these specialized activities do not compromise the safety and efficiency of regular air traffic while enabling innovation and specific operational needs. The custom computer programming services would be essential for maintaining, updating, and potentially developing new functionalities for the software platforms that govern SAA.

How does the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure compare to fixed-price or cost-plus models for similar IT support contracts, and what are the associated risks?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts are best suited for situations where the scope of work is not clearly defined or is expected to change, allowing for flexibility. Unlike fixed-price contracts, where the contractor agrees to a set price regardless of effort, or cost-plus contracts, which reimburse costs plus a fee, T&M pays the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the cost of materials. The primary risk with T&M is the potential for cost overruns, as the final price is not capped unless a ceiling is explicitly stated and enforced. This necessitates robust oversight from the government to monitor hours, rates, and material costs diligently. For IT support, if not managed tightly, T&M can become more expensive than a well-defined fixed-price contract or a cost-plus contract with negotiated profit margins.

What is Concept Solutions LLC's track record with the FAA and other federal agencies for similar custom computer programming services?

Assessing Concept Solutions LLC's track record requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those with the FAA and for services aligning with NAICS code 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services). Publicly available data, such as the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or contract award databases, can reveal previous awards, contract values, and agencies served. A positive track record would include successful completion of similar projects, adherence to schedules and budgets, and positive past performance evaluations. Conversely, a history of contract disputes, performance issues, or cost overruns would be a concern. Without specific performance data for Concept Solutions LLC on comparable FAA contracts, it's difficult to definitively assess their suitability beyond winning this BPA Call.

Given the 382-day duration and BPA Call award, is this contract likely to be extended or lead to follow-on contracts for SAA program support?

The 382-day duration (approximately 13 months) suggests a need for sustained support rather than a short-term project. Awarding this through a BPA Call indicates that the FAA likely has an existing framework agreement in place, which streamlines the process for future needs. If the SAA program continues to operate and evolve, and if Concept Solutions LLC performs satisfactorily, there is a reasonable likelihood of extensions or follow-on contracts. The FAA may choose to exercise options if available under the BPA Call or issue new calls against the BPA. However, the ultimate decision depends on the continued need for these specific services, budget allocations, and the evolving requirements of the SAA program.

What are the potential implications of awarding this contract under SAP (Special Acquisition Procedures) versus a standard full and open competition?

Awarding under Special Acquisition Procedures (SAP) implies that the procurement followed specific regulatory exceptions or streamlined processes allowed under federal acquisition regulations. While SAP contracts are generally competed, they may involve limitations on the types of entities eligible to bid or specific criteria that favor certain types of solutions or contractors. This can sometimes lead to less broad competition than a standard full and open solicitation. For taxpayers, SAP can potentially lead to faster contract awards and access to specialized capabilities, but it also carries a risk of reduced price competition if the SAP criteria inadvertently limit the pool of capable bidders. The fact that 5 bidders participated suggests a reasonable level of competition was still achieved.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 26-007

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 11600 SUNRISE VALLEY DR STE 300, RESTON, VA, 20191

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $7,794,931

Exercised Options: $986,913

Current Obligation: $986,913

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DTFAWA10A00084

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline