DOT's FAA awards $136,581 contract for antenna matching units to Antenna Products Corporation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $136,581 ($136.6K)

Contractor: Antenna Products Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2026-04-02

End Date: 2026-10-09

Contract Duration: 190 days

Daily Burn Rate: $719/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PURCHASE OF ANTENNA MATCHING UNITS

Place of Performance

Location: MINERAL WELLS, PALO PINTO County, TEXAS, 76067

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $136,581 to ANTENNA PRODUCTS CORPORATION for work described as: PURCHASE OF ANTENNA MATCHING UNITS Key points: 1. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a focused procurement for specific equipment. 2. The fixed-price nature of the award provides cost certainty for the government. 3. The short performance period indicates a need for timely delivery of essential components. 4. The procurement was competed, suggesting a degree of market engagement. 5. The awardee, Antenna Products Corporation, is likely a specialized manufacturer in this niche. 6. The contract falls under miscellaneous fabricated metal product manufacturing, a broad industrial category.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $136,581 for antenna matching units appears reasonable for specialized equipment. Without specific per-unit cost data or direct comparisons to similar recent procurements, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the fixed-price structure mitigates cost overrun risks. The award to a single entity suggests a focused need rather than a large-scale deployment, which can sometimes lead to better pricing for specific items.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating that it was likely advertised and multiple offers were solicited. While the exact number of bidders is not specified, the 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation suggests a competitive process was followed, aiming to achieve fair market pricing. This approach is suitable for procurements below certain dollar thresholds.

Taxpayer Impact: Competition under SAP generally ensures that taxpayers receive fair value by allowing multiple vendors to bid, driving down prices and encouraging efficiency.

Public Impact

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) benefits from acquiring necessary equipment for its operations. The contract delivers specialized antenna matching units, crucial for communication or navigation systems. The geographic impact is likely localized to the FAA facility where the units will be installed, with the awardee based in Texas. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily affecting the manufacturing and delivery personnel at Antenna Products Corporation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition if only a few specialized manufacturers exist.
Reliance on a single supplier for critical components could pose a risk if supply chains are disrupted.

Positive Signals

The fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.
The competed nature of the award suggests a fair market price was sought.
The short performance period ensures timely delivery of needed equipment.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing' sector (NAICS 332999). This is a broad category encompassing various metal fabrication activities. The market for specialized antenna matching units is likely niche, with a limited number of manufacturers possessing the specific expertise and capabilities required. The contract value is small relative to the overall size of the fabricated metal products industry, indicating a specific, targeted procurement.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. Given the specialized nature of antenna matching units, it's possible that larger companies might subcontract to specialized small businesses, but this is not explicitly stated. The awardee's size is not provided, making it difficult to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Federal Aviation Administration's contracting officers and program managers. The Department of Transportation's Office of Inspector General (OIG) would have jurisdiction for audits and investigations if any irregularities were suspected. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS, where basic award information is publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Federal Aviation Administration Procurement
Department of Transportation Contracts
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing
Antenna and Waveguide Component Manufacturing

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to specialized nature of product.
Quality control and performance assurance for specialized electronic components.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $136,581 to ANTENNA PRODUCTS CORPORATION. PURCHASE OF ANTENNA MATCHING UNITS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ANTENNA PRODUCTS CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $136,581.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-10-09.

What is the specific function of these 'antenna matching units' within the FAA's operations?

The specific function of the 'antenna matching units' is not detailed in the provided data. However, in general, antenna matching units are used to ensure that the impedance of an antenna is properly matched to the impedance of the transmission line or radio frequency (RF) circuit it is connected to. This impedance matching is critical for maximizing power transfer, minimizing signal reflections (standing waves), and ensuring efficient operation of communication, navigation, or surveillance systems. For the FAA, these units could be integral to radar systems, air traffic control communication equipment, or navigation aids, ensuring reliable signal transmission and reception.

How does the $136,581 contract value compare to historical spending on similar items by the FAA or DOT?

Without access to historical spending data specifically for 'antenna matching units' by the FAA or DOT, a direct comparison is not possible. The provided data indicates this is a single purchase order valued at $136,581 with a short duration. This suggests it might be for a specific project, a replacement need, or a relatively low-volume requirement. Larger, more systemic procurements for antenna systems or related components would likely involve significantly higher dollar values and longer contract durations. This particular award appears to be a minor expenditure within the broader context of FAA's operational budget.

What are the potential risks associated with procuring fabricated metal products like antenna matching units?

Potential risks associated with procuring fabricated metal products like antenna matching units include quality control issues, material defects, adherence to precise specifications, and timely delivery. For specialized electronic components like antenna matching units, the risk of performance failure due to manufacturing defects or improper calibration is also a concern. Supply chain disruptions for raw materials or specialized components could lead to delays. Furthermore, ensuring the product meets stringent aerospace or communication standards requires robust quality assurance processes from the contractor. The fixed-price nature of this contract helps mitigate cost escalation risks, but performance and quality risks remain.

What is Antenna Products Corporation's track record with the federal government, particularly the FAA?

The provided data does not include information on Antenna Products Corporation's specific track record with the federal government or the FAA. To assess their performance, one would need to consult federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) for past awards, contract performance ratings (e.g., CPARS), and any history of disputes or terminations. Without this information, it's difficult to gauge their reliability, past performance quality, or experience with similar government contracts. The fact that they received this award suggests they met the basic requirements for competition under SAP.

How does the 'All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing' classification (NAICS 332999) inform our understanding of this contract?

The NAICS code 332999, 'All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing,' indicates that Antenna Products Corporation operates in a broad segment of the metal fabrication industry that doesn't fit into more specific categories. This suggests that antenna matching units, while specialized in function, are classified under general metal fabrication processes. This broad classification implies that the market for such items might be diverse, with various companies capable of metal fabrication, but only a subset possessing the specific engineering and manufacturing expertise for RF components like antenna matching units. It highlights the need for careful specification and quality control to ensure the product meets its intended electronic performance requirements, not just its physical fabrication.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing › All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC EQPT COMPNTS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: QAR Industries, Inc.

Address: 101 SE 25TH AVE, MINERAL WELLS, TX, 76067

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $136,581

Exercised Options: $136,581

Current Obligation: $136,581

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline