DOT's FAA awards $26M contract for airport GIS data support, with 3 bidders competing

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,079,294 ($26.1M)

Contractor: Joint Venture Solutions (JVS) LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2012-04-09

End Date: 2014-09-30

Contract Duration: 904 days

Daily Burn Rate: $28.8K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SUPPORT THE AIRPORT GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS) PROGRAM IN THE COLLECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF AIRPORT AND AERONAUTICAL DATA TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF THE NEXT GENERATION NATIONAL AIRSPACE SYSTEM. TAS::69 8107::TAS IGF::CL::IGF

Place of Performance

Location: MILLERSVILLE, ANNE ARUNDEL County, MARYLAND, 21108

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $26.1 million to JOINT VENTURE SOLUTIONS (JVS) LLC for work described as: SUPPORT THE AIRPORT GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS) PROGRAM IN THE COLLECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF AIRPORT AND AERONAUTICAL DATA TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF THE NEXT GENERATION NATIONAL AIRSPACE SYSTEM. TAS::69 8107::TAS IGF::CL::IGF Key points: 1. Contract value of $26.1 million over approximately 2.5 years represents a significant investment in foundational aviation data. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a healthy market for specialized aviation data services, with three firms vying for the award. 3. The firm-fixed-price contract type suggests a clear understanding of scope and a focus on cost control. 4. Performance context is tied to the critical Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen), highlighting the strategic importance of accurate data. 5. This contract falls within the 'Other Support Activities for Air Transportation' sector, a niche but vital area for aviation infrastructure. 6. The award to Joint Venture Solutions LLC underscores the role of specialized firms in supporting complex government programs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of $26.1 million over 904 days (approximately 2.5 years) averages to about $28,849 per day. While a direct per-unit cost for 'airport and aeronautical data collection and maintenance' is difficult to ascertain without granular task details, the overall value appears reasonable for a program supporting the FAA's NextGen initiative. Benchmarking against similar contracts for data management and IT support within the federal government would provide further context, but the competitive nature of the award suggests a fair market price was likely achieved.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating it was likely a full and open competition among eligible bidders. The presence of three bidders suggests a reasonable level of competition for this specialized service. The competition likely drove price discovery and ensured the government received competitive proposals, although the specific details of the bidding process are not fully elaborated in the provided data.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process helps ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a market-driven price for essential aviation data services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the broader aviation industry, which rely on accurate and up-to-date airport and aeronautical data. The services delivered are crucial for the modernization of the National Airspace System (NAS) through the NextGen program. Geographic impact is national, as airport and aeronautical data is fundamental to the entire U.S. air traffic control system. Workforce implications include employment for data analysts, GIS specialists, and aviation data experts within the contractor organization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if data collection requirements evolve significantly beyond initial projections.
Dependence on contractor's ability to maintain data accuracy and security over the contract duration.
Risk of vendor lock-in if specialized knowledge becomes highly concentrated with the incumbent.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for the government.
Competitive award process suggests a fair market price was obtained.
Support for the NextGen program indicates alignment with strategic national infrastructure goals.
The contractor's specialization in this area is a positive signal for service delivery.

Sector Analysis

The 'Other Support Activities for Air Transportation' sector encompasses a range of services essential for the functioning of the aviation industry, often involving data management, logistics, and specialized technical support. This contract fits within this niche by focusing on the critical data infrastructure required for modern air traffic management. Comparable spending in this sector often involves IT services, data analytics, and consulting for government agencies. The FAA's investment in the NextGen program represents a significant portion of federal spending aimed at modernizing the national airspace.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was competed under SAP and awarded to Joint Venture Solutions LLC. There is no explicit indication of a small business set-aside for this particular award. However, the nature of the contract and the contractor's name suggest it may be a small business or a joint venture involving small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were mandated or utilized, and the overall impact on the small business ecosystem within the aviation support services sector.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), likely through contracting officers and program managers responsible for the Airport Geographic Information System (GIS) Program. The contract's firm-fixed-price nature simplifies some aspects of oversight by focusing on deliverables rather than cost reimbursement. Transparency is generally maintained through federal contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Next Generation National Airspace System (NextGen)
Airport Improvement Program (AIP)
Federal Aviation Administration IT Modernization Efforts
National Airspace System Data Management

Risk Flags

Data Accuracy and Timeliness
System Security and Integrity
Dependence on Contractor Expertise
Integration with Evolving NextGen Systems

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $26.1 million to JOINT VENTURE SOLUTIONS (JVS) LLC. SUPPORT THE AIRPORT GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS) PROGRAM IN THE COLLECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF AIRPORT AND AERONAUTICAL DATA TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF THE NEXT GENERATION NATIONAL AIRSPACE SYSTEM. TAS::69 8107::TAS IGF::CL::IGF

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JOINT VENTURE SOLUTIONS (JVS) LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $26.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-04-09. End: 2014-09-30.

What is the historical spending trend for the Airport GIS Program?

Historical spending data for the Airport Geographic Information System (GIS) Program is not directly provided in the current data extract. However, the award of $26.1 million over approximately 2.5 years (2012-2014) suggests a consistent need for these services. To understand the trend, one would need to examine contract awards for this program over multiple fiscal years. Analyzing prior and subsequent contracts for similar services, potentially under different contract vehicles or with different awardees, would reveal whether spending has increased, decreased, or remained stable. This context is crucial for assessing the long-term investment in aviation data infrastructure and its alignment with evolving FAA priorities, such as NextGen.

How does the contractor's performance on this contract compare to industry benchmarks for data collection and maintenance?

Assessing the contractor's performance against industry benchmarks requires access to performance evaluations, quality metrics, and specific deliverables tied to this contract (e.g., data accuracy rates, timeliness of updates, system uptime). The provided data only includes basic contract details like award amount, dates, and type. Without these performance specifics, a direct comparison is not feasible. However, the fact that the contract was competed and awarded suggests the contractor met initial qualification criteria. Future analysis could involve reviewing past performance information (PPI) reports or CPARS (Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System) data, if available, to gauge JVS LLC's track record on this and other federal contracts within the aviation data support domain.

What are the key risks associated with maintaining the accuracy and completeness of airport and aeronautical data?

Key risks in maintaining airport and aeronautical data accuracy and completeness include the dynamic nature of aviation infrastructure (e.g., runway changes, new facilities), the sheer volume and complexity of data points, potential for human error during collection or input, and the timely integration of updates from various sources (e.g., airport operators, aviation authorities). Technological obsolescence of data systems or collection methods can also pose a risk. Furthermore, cybersecurity threats targeting sensitive aviation data could compromise its integrity. Effective risk mitigation requires robust data validation processes, regular audits, clear communication channels with data providers, and secure, up-to-date IT infrastructure.

What is the strategic importance of this contract to the FAA's NextGen initiative?

This contract is strategically vital to the FAA's NextGen initiative because accurate, comprehensive, and up-to-date airport and aeronautical data forms the foundational layer upon which NextGen's advanced capabilities are built. NextGen aims to modernize the air traffic control system through technologies like satellite-based navigation, data communications, and improved surveillance. All these advancements rely heavily on precise geographic information system (GIS) data, including airport layouts, navigation aids, airspace boundaries, and other critical aeronautical information. Without a reliable system for collecting and maintaining this data, the implementation and effectiveness of NextGen technologies would be severely hampered, potentially impacting safety, efficiency, and capacity of the National Airspace System.

Were there any specific performance metrics or KPIs outlined in the contract that JVS LLC was required to meet?

The provided data extract does not specify the performance metrics or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that Joint Venture Solutions (JVS) LLC was required to meet under this contract. Typically, contracts of this nature would include detailed requirements related to data accuracy thresholds (e.g., 99.9% accuracy for critical data points), timeliness of updates (e.g., within X days of a change notification), data format compliance, and system availability. These metrics are crucial for the FAA to assess the contractor's performance and ensure the data supports the operational needs of the Airport GIS Program and the broader NextGen initiative. A thorough review of the contract statement of work (SOW) and any associated performance-based clauses would be necessary to identify these specific KPIs.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Support Activities for Air Transportation › Other Support Activities for Air Transportation

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 919 RUSTLING OAKS DR, MILLERSVILLE, MD, 21108

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $27,824,613

Exercised Options: $26,079,294

Current Obligation: $26,079,294

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DTFAWA10A00113

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline