DOT's FAA awards $1.86M aviation safety inspector training contract to Abaris Training Resources Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,571 ($18.6K)

Contractor: Abaris Training Resources Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2026-04-07

End Date: 2026-10-08

Contract Duration: 184 days

Daily Burn Rate: $101/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FUND 21900010 COMPOSITE AWARENESS FOR THE AVIATION SAFETY INSPECTOR TRAINING; 6973GH-21-D-00025, FORTH OPTION YEAR; SOID 198718; APRIL 28-MAY 1, 2026

Place of Performance

Location: OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA County, OKLAHOMA, 73169

State: Oklahoma Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $18,571 to ABARIS TRAINING RESOURCES INC for work described as: FUND 21900010 COMPOSITE AWARENESS FOR THE AVIATION SAFETY INSPECTOR TRAINING; 6973GH-21-D-00025, FORTH OPTION YEAR; SOID 198718; APRIL 28-MAY 1, 2026 Key points: 1. The contract represents a firm-fixed-price delivery order for specialized aviation safety inspector training. 2. This award is an option year, suggesting a continuation of services previously deemed satisfactory. 3. The training is categorized under 'Other Technical and Trade Schools,' indicating a focus on practical, vocational skills. 4. The contract duration is approximately six months, covering a specific period of need for inspector development. 5. The geographic location for service delivery is Oklahoma, potentially indicating a regional training hub. 6. The award was made under full and open competition, implying a competitive bidding process.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $1.86 million for a six-month training period appears reasonable for specialized technical instruction. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for technical training reveals a wide range, but this value falls within expected parameters for niche skill development. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs for the government, ensuring predictability in spending for this specific training requirement.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the designation suggests a robust competitive environment. This approach generally leads to better price discovery and ensures the government selects the most advantageous offer based on a combination of price and technical merit.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process for this training contract helps ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently, securing quality training at a fair market price.

Public Impact

Aviation safety inspectors will benefit from enhanced training, improving their ability to ensure aviation safety standards are met. The services delivered include specialized technical and trade school instruction relevant to aviation safety. The training is geographically focused in Oklahoma, potentially supporting local training infrastructure and personnel. This contract supports the Federal Aviation Administration's mission to maintain and improve aviation safety across the nation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if this is a recurring need and few competitors exist.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical safety training could pose a risk if performance degrades.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a healthy market for these services.
Option year award indicates satisfaction with previous performance.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.

Sector Analysis

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operates within the broader transportation sector, with a significant portion of its budget allocated to safety oversight, infrastructure, and personnel training. The market for specialized technical and vocational training, particularly in niche areas like aviation safety, is diverse. This contract fits within the government's broader strategy to ensure a highly skilled workforce capable of maintaining stringent safety standards in a complex industry. Comparable spending benchmarks for technical training can vary widely based on subject matter and duration, but this contract's value is consistent with specialized, high-demand skill development.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and the prime contractor, Abaris Training Resources Inc., is not explicitly identified as a small business in this context. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific award is likely minimal, though larger prime contractors may engage small businesses for ancillary services not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a division of the Department of Transportation. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight by limiting cost overruns. Accountability measures would include performance reviews, adherence to training schedules, and quality of instruction as defined in the contract's statement of work. Transparency is facilitated by the contract's public availability, allowing for scrutiny of its terms and execution.

Related Government Programs

Aviation Safety Inspector Training Programs
Federal Aviation Administration Training Contracts
Technical and Vocational Education Services
Department of Transportation Procurement

Risk Flags

Option Year Award
Firm Fixed Price Contract

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $18,571 to ABARIS TRAINING RESOURCES INC. FUND 21900010 COMPOSITE AWARENESS FOR THE AVIATION SAFETY INSPECTOR TRAINING; 6973GH-21-D-00025, FORTH OPTION YEAR; SOID 198718; APRIL 28-MAY 1, 2026

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ABARIS TRAINING RESOURCES INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $18,571.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2026-10-08.

What is the historical spending pattern for aviation safety inspector training by the FAA?

Analyzing historical spending for aviation safety inspector training by the FAA requires access to detailed procurement data over multiple fiscal years. While this specific contract is for approximately $1.86 million, understanding the broader trend involves examining total outlays for similar training services. Factors influencing spending include the number of inspectors requiring training, the complexity of new regulations or aircraft technologies, and the availability of training providers. Historically, the FAA has consistently invested in inspector training to maintain safety standards. Fluctuations in spending can be attributed to specific program initiatives, changes in workforce size, or the introduction of new training methodologies. A comprehensive review would involve aggregating data on all contracts awarded for inspector training, identifying any significant increases or decreases in annual expenditures, and correlating these with external factors like aviation industry growth or regulatory changes.

How does the cost per training hour or per inspector compare to industry benchmarks for similar specialized aviation training?

Determining the precise cost per training hour or per inspector requires detailed information on the number of participants and the total hours of instruction provided under this contract, which is not fully available in the provided data. However, specialized aviation training is typically high-cost due to the expertise required, specialized equipment, and regulatory compliance. For context, advanced aviation maintenance or safety inspector courses can range from several hundred to over a thousand dollars per day per participant. If this $1.86 million contract covers, for example, 100 inspectors for 10 days each at 8 hours per day, the cost per hour would be approximately $232.50. This figure needs to be benchmarked against comparable courses offered by private institutions or other government agencies. Factors like the exclusivity of the training, the instructor-to-student ratio, and the specific certifications offered significantly influence pricing. Without more granular data, a definitive comparison is challenging, but the firm-fixed-price nature suggests the FAA sought cost certainty.

What is Abaris Training Resources Inc.'s track record with government contracts, particularly with the FAA?

Abaris Training Resources Inc. has a history of securing government contracts, including those with the Department of Defense and other federal agencies, often related to specialized technical training. Information regarding their specific track record with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) would require a deeper dive into federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS. This current contract is an option year, which strongly suggests a positive performance history and satisfaction with their services on previous awards. Agencies typically exercise option years when a contractor has met or exceeded performance expectations and the continued service is deemed beneficial and cost-effective. Examining past contract awards, performance evaluations (if publicly available), and any past performance issues or disputes would provide a more complete picture of their reliability and capability in serving the FAA's training needs.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the success of this aviation safety inspector training?

Key performance indicators (KPIs) for this aviation safety inspector training contract would likely focus on the quality and effectiveness of the instruction, as well as the contractor's adherence to contractual terms. Specific KPIs could include: 1) Inspector Knowledge Retention: Measured through post-training assessments, tests, or simulations to gauge how well inspectors absorbed the material. 2) Skill Application: Assessed through observation or practical exercises demonstrating the inspectors' ability to apply learned skills in real-world scenarios. 3) Training Completion Rates: Tracking the percentage of assigned inspectors who successfully complete the training program. 4) Instructor Quality: Evaluated through participant feedback surveys rating the instructors' expertise, clarity, and engagement. 5) Schedule Adherence: Ensuring training sessions are conducted as scheduled and within the allocated timeframe. 6) Compliance: Verifying that the training content meets all FAA regulatory requirements and standards. The FAA would monitor these KPIs to ensure the training program effectively enhances the capabilities of its safety inspectors.

Are there any identified risks associated with this specific training contract, such as instructor availability or curriculum relevance?

Potential risks associated with this training contract include ensuring the continued relevance of the curriculum to evolving aviation technologies and safety regulations, and maintaining a consistent pool of qualified instructors. Given that this is an option year award, major performance issues are less likely, but ongoing risks persist. Curriculum relevance is critical; the aviation industry changes rapidly, and training must keep pace. The FAA likely has mechanisms to review and approve curriculum updates. Instructor availability could be a concern if Abaris Training Resources Inc. faces challenges in recruiting or retaining subject matter experts, potentially impacting training schedules or quality. Another risk could be the dependency on a single provider if competition is limited in subsequent years. The firm-fixed-price nature mitigates financial risk for the government but places the cost-control risk on the contractor.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Technical and Trade Schools › Other Technical and Trade Schools

Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5401 LONGLEY LN STE 49, RENO, NV, 89511

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $18,571

Exercised Options: $18,571

Current Obligation: $18,571

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 6973GH21D00025

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline