Transportation contract for professional services awarded to Control Systems Research, Inc. for over $11.7 million

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,711,907 ($11.7M)

Contractor: Control Systems Research, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2008-03-05

End Date: 2013-11-30

Contract Duration: 2,096 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: FY08 - FWA - PR NO. WA-08-01854 CWO SERVICES FOR FORT WAYNE INT'L, FORT WAYNE, IN REGIS ID 17628853 TAS::69 1301::TAS

Place of Performance

Location: VALPARAISO, OKALOOSA County, FLORIDA, 32580

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $11.7 million to CONTROL SYSTEMS RESEARCH, INC. for work described as: FY08 - FWA - PR NO. WA-08-01854 CWO SERVICES FOR FORT WAYNE INT'L, FORT WAYNE, IN REGIS ID 17628853 TAS::69 1301::TAS Key points: 1. Contract value of over $11.7 million for professional services. 2. Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a broad market solicitation. 3. Contract duration spanned over 5 years, suggesting a long-term need. 4. The contract was a firm fixed-price type, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541990 covers 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'. 6. The contract was not set aside for small businesses. 7. The contract was awarded by the Federal Aviation Administration within the Department of Transportation.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total contract value of $11.7 million over approximately five years suggests an average annual spend of around $2.3 million. Without specific deliverables or performance metrics, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the firm fixed-price structure implies that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which can be a positive indicator for the government if the contractor's bid was competitive. Benchmarking against similar 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' contracts would require more granular data on the specific services rendered.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' meaning that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 3 bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this contract. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider range of innovative solutions. The fact that it was competed broadly is a positive sign for price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down prices and improve the quality of services received.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries likely include the Federal Aviation Administration and potentially the broader aviation sector through improved infrastructure or operational support. Services delivered fall under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' which could encompass a wide range of support functions. The contract was associated with Fort Wayne International Airport, indicating a specific geographic impact. Workforce implications would depend on the nature of the professional services, potentially involving specialized technical or scientific personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the services provided.
The broad NAICS code 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' lacks specificity, making it hard to determine the exact nature and value of the work performed.
Limited information on the contractor's past performance or specific expertise in relation to this contract.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a fair and transparent procurement process.
Firm fixed-price contract type shifts cost risk to the contractor, potentially protecting the government from unexpected cost increases.
Contract duration of over 5 years indicates a sustained need and potentially a stable relationship for critical services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, a broad category encompassing a wide array of specialized expertise. The Federal Aviation Administration, as the awarding agency, operates within the transportation sector, often requiring extensive technical and scientific support for infrastructure, safety, and operational efficiency. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend heavily on the specific sub-services rendered under the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code, which can range from environmental consulting to engineering support.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). This means that both large and small businesses were eligible to compete. Without specific subcontracting plans or data, it's difficult to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem. However, the absence of a small business set-aside suggests that the primary focus was on obtaining the best value from the broadest possible pool of contractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would have been managed by the Federal Aviation Administration. As a definitive contract, it would be subject to standard federal procurement regulations and oversight mechanisms. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Accountability would be tied to the terms and conditions of the firm fixed-price contract, with performance expectations outlined in the contract's statement of work. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Aviation Administration Operations
Airport Improvement Program
Department of Transportation Research and Development
Professional and Technical Services Contracts
Infrastructure Support Services

Risk Flags

Lack of specific service details
Limited performance data available
No explicit small business subcontracting goals mentioned

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $11.7 million to CONTROL SYSTEMS RESEARCH, INC.. FY08 - FWA - PR NO. WA-08-01854 CWO SERVICES FOR FORT WAYNE INT'L, FORT WAYNE, IN REGIS ID 17628853 TAS::69 1301::TAS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CONTROL SYSTEMS RESEARCH, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $11.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-03-05. End: 2013-11-30.

What specific professional, scientific, or technical services were rendered under this contract?

The provided data identifies the contract under NAICS code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' and mentions 'CWO SERVICES FOR FORT WAYNE INT'L.' However, it does not detail the specific nature of these services. This broad classification could encompass a wide range of activities, such as engineering consulting, environmental assessments, technical support, program management, or specialized scientific research related to airport operations or infrastructure. Without a more detailed statement of work or task descriptions, the precise services remain undefined, making it challenging to evaluate their necessity or impact.

How does the contract value of $11.7 million compare to similar contracts for airport support services?

Comparing the $11.7 million contract value requires context regarding the scope and duration of services. This contract spanned over five years (March 2008 to November 2013), averaging approximately $2.34 million per year. To benchmark effectively, one would need to identify similar contracts awarded by the FAA or other transportation agencies for comparable services at airports of similar size and complexity. Factors such as the specific technical requirements, geographic location, and prevailing market rates for specialized professional services would influence such comparisons. Without these comparative data points, it's difficult to definitively state whether this contract represented a particularly high or low value.

What was the contractor's track record with the Federal Aviation Administration prior to or during this contract?

The provided data identifies the contractor as CONTROL SYSTEMS RESEARCH, INC. (CSR). To assess their track record, one would need to examine CSR's contract history with the FAA and other federal agencies. This would involve looking at past performance evaluations, any documented issues or disputes, and the successful completion of previous contracts. A review of CSR's performance on this specific $11.7 million contract, including adherence to schedule, budget (within the fixed-price constraint), and quality standards, would also be crucial. Without access to this historical performance data, a comprehensive assessment of the contractor's reliability and capability is not possible.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) or success metrics for this contract?

The provided data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or success metrics for this contract. As a firm fixed-price contract, the primary measure of success would likely revolve around the contractor's ability to deliver the contracted services within the agreed-upon scope and timeframe, without exceeding the fixed price. However, for professional services, qualitative aspects such as the quality of deliverables, adherence to technical specifications, and client satisfaction are also critical. The absence of defined KPIs makes it difficult to objectively measure the effectiveness and efficiency of the services provided by Control Systems Research, Inc.

How did the number of bidders (3) influence the final contract price?

With three bidders, the competition level for this contract was moderate. Generally, a higher number of bidders tends to drive prices down as companies compete more aggressively to win the contract. Conversely, fewer bidders might indicate less market interest or specialized requirements that limit the pool of potential offerors. In this case, three bids suggest that there was sufficient interest to foster some price competition, but it might not have reached the optimal level where prices are driven to their lowest feasible point. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract means the government agreed to a set price, and the bidders would have factored their anticipated costs and desired profit margins into their proposals.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical 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

Address: 368 ADAMS AVE, VALPARAISO, FL, 32580

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,783,030

Exercised Options: $11,711,907

Current Obligation: $11,711,907

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline