Transportation awards $10.1M for FAA facilities maintenance, highlighting long-term contract needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,129,582 ($10.1M)

Contractor: Advanced Sciences and Technologies, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2007-08-23

End Date: 2012-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,865 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: ADD FUNDS FOR NAS FACILITIES MAINTENANCE SERVICE CONTRACT

Place of Performance

Location: BERLIN, CAMDEN County, NEW JERSEY, 08009

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $10.1 million to ADVANCED SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGIES, LLC for work described as: ADD FUNDS FOR NAS FACILITIES MAINTENANCE SERVICE CONTRACT Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the 5-year duration and scope of facilities maintenance. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these services. 3. The contract's duration and time-and-materials pricing present potential cost escalation risks. 4. This contract supports essential infrastructure maintenance for the Federal Aviation Administration. 5. The award to Advanced Sciences and Technologies, LLC indicates a focus on established service providers. 6. The use of Time and Materials pricing requires diligent oversight to manage costs effectively.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $10.1 million over approximately five years for facilities maintenance services appears to be within a reasonable range for the scope of work. Benchmarking against similar FAA or DOT contracts for facility upkeep would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while common for maintenance, necessitates careful monitoring to ensure costs remain aligned with the services rendered and do not exceed market rates for labor and materials.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This process typically fosters competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value offering. The presence of multiple bidders suggests a robust market for these types of maintenance services, which is generally beneficial for price discovery and ensuring fair market value.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition through potentially lower prices and a wider selection of qualified contractors, leading to better overall value for the services procured.

Public Impact

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) benefits through the maintenance of its critical facilities, ensuring operational continuity. Essential maintenance services are delivered to support the infrastructure necessary for air traffic control and related operations. The geographic impact is concentrated in New Jersey, where the facilities are located. The contract supports a workforce involved in specialized maintenance and repair services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Risk of cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing structure without clear cost ceilings.
Potential for scope creep if maintenance needs are not precisely defined and managed.
Dependence on a single contractor for an extended period could limit future competitive opportunities or innovation.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
Contract duration of over five years indicates a stable, long-term need for these services.
The contractor, Advanced Sciences and Technologies, LLC, has secured a significant federal contract, implying a level of established capability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader category of government contracting for facilities maintenance and repair services. The market for such services is substantial, encompassing a wide range of specialized trades and general upkeep. The FAA's need for reliable maintenance of its operational facilities is critical for national airspace safety. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal agencies' contracts for similar maintenance scopes, considering factors like facility size, age, and specific technical requirements.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications specifically mandated for small businesses through a set-aside. However, the prime contractor, Advanced Sciences and Technologies, LLC, may choose to subcontract portions of the work to small businesses as part of their overall business strategy, which could indirectly benefit the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), likely through contracting officers and technical representatives. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated by the contract's public award data. Inspector General jurisdiction would typically apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

FAA Facilities Maintenance
Federal Building Maintenance Contracts
Department of Transportation Service Contracts
Time and Materials Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Long contract duration may limit future competitive opportunities.
Need for robust oversight to ensure value for money with T&M.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $10.1 million to ADVANCED SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. ADD FUNDS FOR NAS FACILITIES MAINTENANCE SERVICE CONTRACT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ADVANCED SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-08-23. End: 2012-09-30.

What is the historical spending pattern for FAA facilities maintenance in New Jersey?

Analyzing historical spending for FAA facilities maintenance in New Jersey requires access to detailed contract databases beyond the provided data. The current contract, awarded in 2007 and ending in 2012, represents a $10.1 million investment over its duration. To understand the broader pattern, one would need to examine previous contracts for similar services at FAA facilities within New Jersey, looking at award amounts, contract types (fixed-price, T&M), and durations. This would reveal trends in annual spending, the prevalence of specific service providers, and whether spending has increased or decreased over time. Without this historical context, it's difficult to assess if the $10.1 million award is an anomaly or part of a consistent spending trend for maintaining these critical assets.

How does the pricing structure (Time and Materials) compare to other FAA maintenance contracts?

Time and Materials (T&M) pricing is a common contract type for services where the extent or duration of the work cannot be predetermined, such as emergency repairs or ongoing maintenance where the exact needs fluctuate. For the FAA's facilities maintenance, T&M allows flexibility in addressing unforeseen issues. However, it carries a higher risk of cost escalation compared to fixed-price contracts. Other FAA maintenance contracts might utilize fixed-price structures for well-defined projects (e.g., a specific roof replacement) or cost-plus contracts for research and development. The choice of T&M here suggests the FAA anticipated variable labor and material needs. A comparative analysis would involve examining the frequency of T&M versus fixed-price awards for similar FAA maintenance scopes and assessing whether the T&M rates awarded are competitive with market labor and material costs.

What is the track record of Advanced Sciences and Technologies, LLC with federal contracts, particularly in facilities maintenance?

Advanced Sciences and Technologies, LLC (AS&T) has been awarded this $10.1 million contract by the FAA, indicating a level of capability and past performance recognized by the agency. To fully assess their track record, a deeper dive into federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) is necessary. This would reveal the total value and number of contracts AS&T has held, the agencies they've served, and the types of services provided. Specifically for facilities maintenance, one would look for prior contracts of similar scope and value. Information on past performance evaluations, any contract disputes, or awards/commendations would further illuminate their reliability and expertise in managing complex service contracts for government clients. A strong track record suggests a lower risk of performance issues.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this facilities maintenance contract?

While specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are not detailed in the provided data, typical metrics for facilities maintenance contracts include response times for service requests, completion rates within established timelines, adherence to safety protocols, quality of workmanship, and customer satisfaction (e.g., from facility managers). For a Time and Materials contract, KPIs would also focus on the accuracy and justification of labor hours billed and material costs. The FAA's Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) or Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) would be responsible for monitoring these KPIs. Performance evaluations, often conducted at contract milestones or upon completion, would assess the contractor's adherence to these metrics, directly impacting future contract awards or options.

What is the potential impact of the contract's duration (nearly 5 years) on future competition and pricing?

A contract duration of nearly five years, as seen in this FAA facilities maintenance award, can have a dual impact on future competition and pricing. On one hand, it provides stability and predictability for both the government and the contractor, allowing for long-term planning and potentially fostering a stronger working relationship. This stability might encourage the contractor to invest in specialized equipment or training, potentially leading to efficiencies. On the other hand, a long-term contract can create a barrier to entry for new or smaller competitors who might offer innovative solutions or more competitive pricing. It also reduces the frequency with which the government can re-evaluate the market and solicit new bids, potentially leading to complacency or missed opportunities for cost savings if market conditions change significantly during the contract period.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Other Services (except Public Administration) › Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance › Other Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance

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: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 20 E TAUNTON STE 301, BERLIN, NJ, 01

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $94,189,754

Exercised Options: $10,129,582

Current Obligation: $10,129,582

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DTFACT07D00013

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline