DOT's FAA awarded $15.7M for MASS T&E ERAM Support, with 3 bidders competing

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,719,436 ($15.7M)

Contractor: Joseph Sheairs Associates, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2005-03-28

End Date: 2009-02-13

Contract Duration: 1,418 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: MASS T&E ERAM SUPPORT TASK

Place of Performance

Location: MAYS LANDING, ATLANTIC County, NEW JERSEY, 08330

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $15.7 million to JOSEPH SHEAIRS ASSOCIATES, INC. for work described as: MASS T&E ERAM SUPPORT TASK Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the 4-year duration and engineering services scope. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a healthy market for these specialized engineering services. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, typical for long-term engineering support contracts. 4. Performance context suggests a need for ongoing technical expertise in aviation system testing. 5. Sector positioning places this contract within the critical infrastructure and aviation technology domain.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of $15.7 million over approximately four years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar engineering support contracts for complex systems like ERAM (En Route Automation Modernization) is challenging without more granular data on specific tasks. However, the pricing structure, likely based on labor hours, allows for flexibility. The value proposition hinges on the successful delivery of critical testing and evaluation services to ensure the reliability and safety of the FAA's air traffic control systems.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. With three bidders participating, the competition level suggests a reasonably competitive market for these specialized engineering services. The presence of multiple bidders generally contributes to better price discovery and can lead to more favorable terms for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition with multiple bidders is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely drove down costs compared to a sole-source or limited competition scenario. This competitive process helps ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently.

Public Impact

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) benefits directly through the acquisition of essential technical expertise. Services delivered include testing and evaluation support for the ERAM system, crucial for air traffic modernization. The geographic impact is primarily national, supporting the safety and efficiency of the U.S. airspace. Workforce implications include the employment of specialized engineering and technical personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if labor hour estimates are inaccurate.
Risk of contractor performance issues impacting critical system testing timelines.
Dependency on a few key personnel within the contractor's team.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing.
Long-term contract duration allows for continuity of essential support services.
Focus on critical aviation infrastructure development and maintenance.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting the aviation industry's technological advancements. The Federal Aviation Administration is a major procurer of such services to maintain and modernize its complex air traffic management systems. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve other large-scale government IT and engineering support contracts, particularly those related to critical infrastructure or defense systems, which often run into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract included a small business set-aside. Given the specialized nature of engineering services for complex aviation systems, it is likely that larger, established firms with specific expertise were the primary participants. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist, but are not explicitly detailed in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Federal Aviation Administration's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be tied to performance metrics and deliverables outlined in the contract. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS, though detailed performance reports are often internal.

Related Government Programs

FAA Air Traffic Control Modernization Programs
NextGen Air Transportation System
Aviation Systems Engineering Support
IT Services for Government Agencies

Risk Flags

Potential for schedule slippage in critical testing phases.
Risk of cost overruns if labor hour estimates are not precise.
Dependency on specialized technical expertise which may be limited.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $15.7 million to JOSEPH SHEAIRS ASSOCIATES, INC.. MASS T&E ERAM SUPPORT TASK

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JOSEPH SHEAIRS ASSOCIATES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $15.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-03-28. End: 2009-02-13.

What was the specific nature of the "MASS T&E ERAM SUPPORT TASK" and its criticality to the FAA's operations?

The "MASS T&E ERAM SUPPORT TASK" refers to support for the "Modernization and Advancement of Systems/Software" (MASS) and "Test and Evaluation" (T&E) related to the "En Route Automation Modernization" (ERAM) program. ERAM is a critical component of the FAA's Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen), designed to replace the legacy air traffic control system. The T&E tasks are essential for ensuring that the ERAM software and hardware function correctly, reliably, and safely under various operational conditions before deployment and throughout its lifecycle. This support is vital for maintaining the integrity and efficiency of the national airspace system, directly impacting flight safety and capacity.

How does the awarded amount of $15.7 million compare to other FAA engineering support contracts for similar modernization efforts?

Comparing the $15.7 million award requires context on the scope and duration. This contract, spanning approximately four years (from March 2005 to February 2009), represents an average annual spend of roughly $3.9 million. The FAA procures a wide range of engineering and IT support services, with contract values varying significantly based on complexity and duration. For major system modernizations like ERAM, multi-year contracts in the tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars are not uncommon for comprehensive development, integration, and sustainment efforts. This specific task order appears to be a focused support effort within a larger program, making direct comparison difficult without knowing the full scope of ERAM's T&E needs.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables expected under this contract?

While the specific KPIs and deliverables are not detailed in the provided summary data, contracts for Test and Evaluation (T&E) support typically include requirements for developing test plans, executing test cases (both manual and automated), documenting test results, identifying defects or anomalies, and providing analysis of system performance against requirements. For the ERAM program, key deliverables would likely involve comprehensive reports on system stability, performance under simulated traffic loads, interoperability with other systems, and adherence to safety standards. The contractor would be expected to provide timely and accurate feedback to the FAA to inform system development and deployment decisions.

What is the track record of Joseph Sheairs Associates, Inc. in supporting large-scale federal IT or aviation projects?

Joseph Sheairs Associates, Inc. (JSA) has a history of providing engineering and technical services to government agencies, including the FAA. Information available suggests JSA has been involved in various aspects of aviation systems support. Their participation in a task order for ERAM T&E indicates a level of qualification and experience deemed sufficient by the FAA to handle critical aspects of air traffic control modernization. Further detailed analysis of JSA's past performance, client feedback, and project outcomes on similar large-scale federal IT or aviation projects would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment of their track record.

Were there any significant risks identified during the performance of this contract, and how were they mitigated?

The provided data does not detail specific risks encountered during the performance of this contract. However, typical risks for T&E support on complex IT systems like ERAM include schedule delays due to unforeseen technical challenges, scope creep, issues with test environment setup, or difficulties in replicating real-world operational scenarios. Mitigation strategies usually involve close collaboration between the contractor and the FAA program office, robust change management processes, flexible contract structures (like labor hours), and proactive risk identification and management plans. The fact that the contract was completed within its timeframe (though end date is Feb 2009, it was awarded March 2005) suggests that risks were managed effectively or were within acceptable parameters.

How has FAA spending on ERAM support evolved over time, and does this contract represent a significant portion of that spending?

This specific contract award of $15.7 million was for a task order related to ERAM support between 2005 and 2009. The ERAM program itself is a multi-year, multi-billion dollar initiative. Therefore, this $15.7 million represents a portion of the overall spending on ERAM, specifically focused on testing and evaluation tasks during that period. FAA spending on ERAM has been substantial and has evolved significantly over the years as the program progressed through different phases of development, testing, deployment, and sustainment. Tracking total FAA spending on ERAM would require aggregating data across numerous contracts and task orders over more than a decade.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1413 CANTILLON BLVD, MAYS LANDING, NJ, 08330

Business Categories: Category Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $147,448,321

Exercised Options: $15,719,436

Current Obligation: $15,719,436

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DTFA0300D00022

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline