Will-Burt Company awarded $1.21M contract for communications equipment by DOT's FAA

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $121,000 ($121.0K)

Contractor: THE Will-Burt Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2026-04-07

End Date: 2027-01-09

Contract Duration: 277 days

Daily Burn Rate: $437/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: WILL BURT CONTRACT FUNDING OPTION YEAR 4 6973GH-22-D-00032

Place of Performance

Location: OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA County, OKLAHOMA, 73169

State: Oklahoma Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $121,000 to THE WILL-BURT COMPANY for work described as: WILL BURT CONTRACT FUNDING OPTION YEAR 4 6973GH-22-D-00032 Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in specialized communications equipment. 2. The award was not competed, raising questions about potential cost savings. 3. The contractor, Will-Burt Company, has a track record with government contracts. 4. The contract duration of 277 days suggests a focused, short-term need. 5. The equipment falls under 'Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing,' a broad category. 6. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $1.21 million for a 277-day period appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized communications equipment, though a direct comparison is difficult without more specific product details. The fixed-price nature of the contract helps mitigate cost overruns for the government. However, the lack of competition prevents a robust benchmark against market rates or alternative suppliers, making a definitive value-for-money assessment challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not openly competed. This approach is typically used when only one vendor can provide the required goods or services, or in urgent situations. The lack of competition means the government did not benefit from a bidding process that could have driven down prices through market forces or revealed innovative solutions from multiple providers.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may have paid a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding. Without competing offers, it's harder to ensure the government secured the best possible price and terms.

Public Impact

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the primary beneficiary, receiving critical communications equipment. This contract supports the FAA's operational needs, likely related to air traffic control or aviation safety. The geographic impact is centered around the FAA's operational areas, potentially nationwide. The contract supports manufacturing jobs within the 'Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing' sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to higher prices than a competed contract.
Limited transparency into the justification for sole-source award.
Potential for vendor lock-in if this equipment is proprietary or highly specialized.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract type helps control costs.
Contractor has prior experience with government procurement.
Specific delivery order under an existing contract structure (implied by 'option year 4').

Sector Analysis

The 'Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing' sector is diverse, encompassing a wide range of products from simple antennas to complex signal processing systems. This contract likely falls into a niche within this sector, serving specialized government needs. Benchmarking spending in this area is challenging due to the variety of equipment and applications. However, government procurement of communications technology is a substantial market, driven by defense, public safety, and infrastructure needs.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract included a small business set-aside. The prime contractor, The Will-Burt Company, is a large business. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not explicitly detailed in the provided data, but are a possibility depending on the nature of the equipment and manufacturing process.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Transportation's Office of Inspector General, which is responsible for auditing and investigating fraud, waste, and abuse in the department's programs. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability by setting a ceiling on costs. Transparency is limited by the sole-source nature of the award.

Related Government Programs

Federal Aviation Administration Communications Systems
Department of Transportation Procurement
Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing Contracts
Sole-Source Government Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
Limited transparency into justification for non-competition.
Potential for higher cost to taxpayers due to lack of bidding.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $121,000 to THE WILL-BURT COMPANY. WILL BURT CONTRACT FUNDING OPTION YEAR 4 6973GH-22-D-00032

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE WILL-BURT COMPANY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $121,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2027-01-09.

What is the specific type of communications equipment being procured under this contract?

The provided data classifies the equipment under NAICS code 334290, 'Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing.' This broad category includes devices like radio and television broadcasting equipment, telephone and telegraph equipment, and other communication systems not elsewhere classified. Without further details, it's difficult to pinpoint the exact nature of the equipment. However, given the contractor, Will-Burt Company, which specializes in telescoping masts, towers, and related equipment, it is likely related to deployable or elevated communication systems for the FAA's operational needs, potentially for remote sites or mobile command centers.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The justification for a sole-source award is not detailed in the provided data. Typically, sole-source contracts are justified when only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services, or when urgent and compelling circumstances prevent competition. For the FAA, this could involve highly specialized, proprietary equipment, or a critical need to maintain existing systems where only the original manufacturer can provide compatible components or services. A formal justification document would normally be required by federal acquisition regulations to support such an award, outlining the specific reasons why competition was not feasible or advantageous.

How does the contract value of $1.21 million compare to similar FAA procurements for communications equipment?

Directly comparing the $1.21 million contract value is challenging without knowing the precise specifications of the communications equipment. The FAA procures a wide array of communication technologies, from large-scale air traffic control systems costing hundreds of millions to smaller, specialized components. If this contract is for a limited quantity of highly specialized or custom-built equipment, the price might be reasonable. However, if it represents standard off-the-shelf items, the lack of competition could mean the price is higher than what could be achieved through a competitive bidding process. Benchmarking would require access to historical data on similar sole-source or competed awards for comparable equipment.

What is the track record of The Will-Burt Company with government contracts, particularly with the FAA?

The Will-Burt Company has a history of receiving government contracts. The data indicates this is 'Option Year 4' for contract number 6973GH-22-D-00032, suggesting an ongoing relationship and successful past performance with the awarding agency, likely the FAA or a related entity within the Department of Transportation. While specific details of past performance are not provided, the continuation of the contract through multiple option years generally implies satisfactory delivery and adherence to terms. Further investigation into their contract history, including any past performance reviews or disputes, would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their track record.

What are the potential risks associated with this sole-source contract?

The primary risk associated with this sole-source contract is the potential for a lack of price competition, which could lead to the government paying more than necessary. There's also a risk of reduced innovation, as the absence of multiple bidders means fewer opportunities to explore alternative solutions or technologies. Furthermore, reliance on a single supplier can create vendor lock-in, making it difficult or costly to switch providers in the future. Finally, the justification for the sole-source award itself needs to be robust to ensure it aligns with procurement regulations and serves the best interests of the government.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Communications Equipment Manufacturing › Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 6973GH-21-R-00128

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 312 COLLINS BLVD, ORRVILLE, OH, 44667

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $121,000

Exercised Options: $121,000

Current Obligation: $121,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 6973GH22D00032

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline