DOT Awards $33.2M for Universal Monitoring and Control Program's Edge Programmable Industrial Controllers

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $33,194 ($33.2K)

Contractor: Newark Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2026-04-07

End Date: 2026-06-06

Contract Duration: 60 days

Daily Burn Rate: $553/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROCUREMENT OF EDGE PROGRAMMABLE INDUSTRIAL CONTROLLER (EPIC) IN SUPPORT OF THE UNIVERSAL MONITORING AND CONTROL (UMAC) PROGRAM.

Place of Performance

Location: TEMECULA, RIVERSIDE County, CALIFORNIA, 92590

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $33,194.25 to NEWARK CORPORATION for work described as: PROCUREMENT OF EDGE PROGRAMMABLE INDUSTRIAL CONTROLLER (EPIC) IN SUPPORT OF THE UNIVERSAL MONITORING AND CONTROL (UMAC) PROGRAM. Key points: 1. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is procuring Edge Programmable Industrial Controllers (EPICs) for the UMAC program. 2. The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements. 3. The total award value is $33.2 million with a duration of 60 days. 4. The procurement falls under 'Other Electronic Component Manufacturing' sector. 5. The contracting agency is the Department of Transportation, specifically the FAA.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award value of $33.2 million for a 60-day duration seems reasonable for specialized industrial controllers. Benchmarking against similar, complex control systems would provide further insight.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a limited number of bidders and can impact price discovery compared to full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP suggests an effort to streamline procurement for this value range, potentially leading to cost efficiencies for taxpayers.

Public Impact

Enhances critical infrastructure monitoring capabilities within the FAA. Supports the modernization of air traffic control systems. Potential for improved operational efficiency and safety through advanced control technology.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 55 / 10

Warning Flags

Short contract duration (60 days) may limit thorough testing or integration.
Reliance on SAP may not guarantee the absolute best price.
Specific details on the 'UMAC Program' are limited, impacting full understanding of the need.

Positive Signals

Procurement supports a critical national infrastructure program (UMAC).
Competition under SAP indicates an attempt to leverage market efficiency.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

This procurement falls under 'Other Electronic Component Manufacturing,' a broad category. The specific application in air traffic control suggests a highly specialized niche within this sector, likely with higher unit costs due to R&D and stringent quality requirements.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this specific award (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities exist in related subcontracts or future procurements.

Oversight & Accountability

The award was made by the Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration. Oversight would focus on ensuring the controllers meet stringent safety and performance standards for air traffic control systems.

Related Government Programs

Other Electronic Component Manufacturing
Department of Transportation Contracting
Federal Aviation Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition due to SAP.
Short contract duration.
Lack of specific details on UMAC program benefits.
No explicit small business set-aside.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $33,194.25 to NEWARK CORPORATION. PROCUREMENT OF EDGE PROGRAMMABLE INDUSTRIAL CONTROLLER (EPIC) IN SUPPORT OF THE UNIVERSAL MONITORING AND CONTROL (UMAC) PROGRAM.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NEWARK CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $33,194.25.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2026-06-06.

What is the specific technical capability the EPIC controllers bring to the UMAC program, and how does it improve upon existing systems?

The EPIC controllers are designed to provide advanced, real-time monitoring and control for critical infrastructure within the Universal Monitoring and Control (UMAC) program. They likely offer enhanced processing power, greater flexibility in adapting to new protocols, and improved data acquisition capabilities compared to legacy systems. This upgrade is crucial for maintaining the safety and efficiency of air traffic management by enabling more sophisticated analysis and faster response to operational needs.

What are the primary risks associated with using Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) for this $33.2 million contract, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risk of using SAP is potentially receiving a higher price due to limited competition and less rigorous market research compared to full and open competition. Mitigation strategies may include pre-negotiating terms, leveraging existing GSA schedules, or relying on established relationships with qualified vendors. The FAA likely conducted sufficient market research within the SAP framework to ensure a fair and reasonable price for these specialized controllers.

How will the performance of these EPIC controllers be measured to ensure they effectively meet the UMAC program's objectives?

Performance will likely be measured against specific technical requirements outlined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW). This includes adherence to functional specifications, reliability metrics (e.g., Mean Time Between Failures), and successful integration with the broader UMAC system. Acceptance testing, post-installation performance monitoring, and user feedback from FAA operators will be key indicators of effectiveness in achieving program objectives.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing › Other Electronic Component Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: HARDWARE AND ABRASIVES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2211 S 47TH ST, PHOENIX, AZ, 85034

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $33,194

Exercised Options: $33,194

Current Obligation: $33,194

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline