DOT's FAA awarded $18.3M for interfacility communications engineering, with AS AND D, LLC performing

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,358,197 ($18.4M)

Contractor: AS and D, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2009-03-13

End Date: 2012-08-07

Contract Duration: 1,243 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ESTABLISH NAS INTERFACILITY COMMUNICATIONS ENGINEERING SUPPORT TASK LINE 1, CCC ENGINEERING SUPPORT, AJW-178-002, $100K INCREMENTAL FUNDING IAW CONTRACT CLAUSE G.8

Place of Performance

Location: GREENBELT, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20770

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $18.4 million to AS AND D, LLC for work described as: ESTABLISH NAS INTERFACILITY COMMUNICATIONS ENGINEERING SUPPORT TASK LINE 1, CCC ENGINEERING SUPPORT, AJW-178-002, $100K INCREMENTAL FUNDING IAW CONTRACT CLAUSE G.8 Key points: 1. Contract value of $18.3M over 1243 days suggests a moderate investment in specialized engineering services. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, indicating a broad market solicitation. 3. The firm fixed-price contract type aims to control costs by setting a predetermined price. 4. The contract duration of over three years implies a need for sustained engineering support. 5. The primary service code (541330) points to a focus on engineering services, aligning with the contract's stated purpose. 6. The contract was awarded to AS AND D, LLC, a single entity, highlighting the specific capabilities sought.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award of $18.3M over approximately 3.4 years averages to about $5.38M annually. Benchmarking this against similar engineering support contracts for federal agencies is challenging without more specific service details. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests an attempt to manage costs effectively. The absence of detailed performance metrics or cost breakdowns makes a definitive value-for-money assessment difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The data indicates three bidders participated in the competition. A higher number of bidders generally suggests more robust price discovery and potentially better pricing for the government. However, with only three bidders, the level of competition might be considered moderate rather than intense.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages a wider range of offers, potentially leading to more competitive pricing and better value.

Public Impact

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) benefits from enhanced interfacility communications engineering support. Services delivered likely include design, implementation, and maintenance of communication systems crucial for air traffic control and operational efficiency. The geographic impact is likely national, supporting FAA facilities across the United States. The contract supports specialized engineering roles, potentially impacting the workforce in the aerospace and telecommunications engineering sectors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if scope creep occurs despite fixed-price structure.
Dependence on a single contractor (AS AND D, LLC) for critical engineering functions.
Limited transparency on specific performance metrics and quality assurance measures.
Risk of vendor lock-in if specialized knowledge is developed exclusively by the contractor.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost uncertainty for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a deliberate effort to seek competitive offers.
Contract duration indicates a recognized need for ongoing, sustained support.
Award to a specific company (AS AND D, LLC) implies they met defined technical and capability requirements.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically related to telecommunications and infrastructure support for critical government operations. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) relies heavily on robust communication networks for air traffic management. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining safety and efficiency in the national airspace system. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other large federal contracts for specialized engineering and IT infrastructure support.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses through set-aside goals is unlikely. However, AS AND D, LLC, as the prime contractor, may engage small businesses as subcontractors, depending on their own subcontracting plans and the nature of the work required. The overall impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on these subcontracting activities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) contracting officer and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency might be limited to contract award details and potentially performance reports, depending on agency policy and public disclosure requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

FAA Air Traffic Control Systems Modernization
Federal Telecommunications Infrastructure Support
Aerospace Engineering Services Contracts
Department of Transportation IT and Communications Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues due to complexity of engineering tasks.
Risk of cost increases if contract scope requires significant modification.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical infrastructure support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $18.4 million to AS AND D, LLC. ESTABLISH NAS INTERFACILITY COMMUNICATIONS ENGINEERING SUPPORT TASK LINE 1, CCC ENGINEERING SUPPORT, AJW-178-002, $100K INCREMENTAL FUNDING IAW CONTRACT CLAUSE G.8

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AS AND D, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $18.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-03-13. End: 2012-08-07.

What specific engineering tasks were included under this contract for interfacility communications?

The contract, "ESTABLISH NAS INTERFACILITY COMMUNICATIONS ENGINEERING SUPPORT TASK LINE 1, CCC ENGINEERING SUPPORT, AJW-178-002," primarily focused on engineering services related to the National Airspace System (NAS) interfacility communications. While the provided data doesn't detail every specific task, it implies activities such as the design, analysis, integration, testing, and potentially the implementation or upgrade of communication systems that connect various FAA facilities. This could encompass voice, data, and video communication networks essential for air traffic management, operational coordination, and system monitoring across different locations. The 'CCC ENGINEERING SUPPORT' likely refers to a specific type or phase of engineering support required.

How does the $18.3M contract value compare to typical FAA spending on similar engineering services?

The $18.3 million awarded to AS AND D, LLC over approximately 3.4 years (1243 days) represents an average annual expenditure of roughly $5.38 million for specialized engineering support. Comparing this to typical FAA spending requires context on the scale and complexity of the services. The FAA invests billions annually in its infrastructure, including air traffic control systems, communication networks, and navigation aids. Contracts for engineering support can range widely, from smaller, task-order-based engagements to multi-year, multi-million dollar programs. Without specific benchmarks for 'interfacility communications engineering support,' it's difficult to definitively state if $18.3M is high or low. However, it appears to be a significant, multi-year investment indicative of a substantial project or ongoing need within the FAA's operational framework.

What are the key risks associated with this firm fixed-price contract for engineering services?

While firm fixed-price (FFP) contracts are designed to control costs, they carry specific risks, especially for complex engineering services. A primary risk is that the contractor, AS AND D, LLC, might cut corners on quality or scope to maintain profitability if unforeseen technical challenges arise or if their initial cost estimates were too low. This could lead to suboptimal performance or require future corrective actions. Another risk is scope creep; if the FAA's requirements evolve significantly beyond the initial contract scope, managing changes under an FFP contract can be contentious and may necessitate costly modifications or new contract actions. Furthermore, if the contractor lacks the necessary expertise or resources to fully meet the demanding requirements, it could lead to delays and performance issues, impacting critical FAA operations.

What was the historical spending pattern for interfacility communications engineering support by the FAA prior to this contract?

The provided data focuses on a single contract award (2009-2012) and does not offer historical spending patterns for the FAA regarding interfacility communications engineering support. To analyze historical trends, one would need access to a broader dataset encompassing previous contracts awarded by the FAA for similar services, including their values, durations, contractors, and the specific nature of the work performed. Such an analysis would reveal whether spending in this area has been consistent, increasing, or decreasing, and identify any shifts in contracting strategies or technology adoption over time.

How does the performance of AS AND D, LLC on this contract inform future contracting decisions?

The performance of AS AND D, LLC on this specific contract, if documented and evaluated, would be a critical factor in future contracting decisions. Positive performance, including meeting technical requirements, adhering to schedule, and delivering within budget, would make them a strong candidate for future similar contracts. Conversely, any documented performance issues, such as delays, quality deficiencies, or cost overruns (despite the FFP structure, which can still lead to disputes or change orders), would raise concerns and potentially lead the FAA to seek other vendors or impose stricter requirements. Past performance information is a key consideration in federal procurement, influencing source selection and risk assessment for subsequent awards.

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: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (UEI: 076637073)

Address: 3900 C STREET, STE-802, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99503

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $18,398,046

Exercised Options: $18,358,197

Current Obligation: $18,358,197

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DTFAAC07D00048

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline