NOBLIS, INC. awarded $121.7M for Enterprise Engineering Services by FAA, spanning over 5 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $121,686,777 ($121.7M)

Contractor: Noblis, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2012-12-20

End Date: 2018-09-18

Contract Duration: 2,098 days

Daily Burn Rate: $58.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ECSS T.0. 0020 - ENTERPRISE ENGINEERING SERVICES TAS::69 1301::TAS IGF::OT::IGF

Place of Performance

Location: FALLS CHURCH, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22042

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $121.7 million to NOBLIS, INC. for work described as: ECSS T.0. 0020 - ENTERPRISE ENGINEERING SERVICES TAS::69 1301::TAS IGF::OT::IGF Key points: 1. The contract's value of $121.7 million over nearly 6 years suggests a significant investment in engineering support. 2. Competition dynamics for this contract were favorable, indicating a robust bidding process. 3. Performance indicators and risk assessments will be crucial to monitor given the contract's duration and scope. 4. This contract positions NOBLIS, INC. as a key provider of engineering services within the Federal Aviation Administration. 5. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs, but requires careful management of scope changes.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award of $121.7 million for Enterprise Engineering Services appears substantial. Benchmarking against similar large-scale engineering support contracts within the Department of Transportation or FAA would provide better context for value for money. The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type suggests an expectation of predictable costs, but the duration of nearly six years necessitates vigilance against potential cost overruns due to scope creep or unforeseen technical challenges. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a definitive value assessment is challenging, but the scale of the award implies a critical need for these services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This competitive environment is generally expected to drive down prices and encourage innovation. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a healthy level of interest from the market. This approach is designed to ensure the government receives the best possible value by leveraging a wide range of capabilities and pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it fosters a competitive marketplace, leading to potentially lower prices and higher quality services. It ensures that public funds are used efficiently by preventing sole-source awards that might otherwise be more expensive.

Public Impact

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the primary beneficiary, receiving critical engineering support for its operations. Services delivered likely encompass a broad range of engineering disciplines essential for aviation infrastructure and systems. The geographic impact is likely national, supporting FAA's nationwide mission and infrastructure. Workforce implications may include direct employment by NOBLIS, INC. and potential indirect employment through subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep over the nearly six-year contract duration, impacting cost and schedule.
Ensuring continued alignment with evolving FAA technological requirements throughout the contract period.
Managing the complexity of large-scale engineering projects under a firm-fixed-price structure.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing and quality environment.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government, assuming effective management.
NOBLIS, INC.'s established presence and likely expertise in engineering services.
Long-term nature of the contract indicates a sustained need and potential for stable service delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, a critical component of the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. This sector supports government agencies in complex technical and operational endeavors. The Federal Aviation Administration's reliance on such services underscores the importance of specialized engineering expertise for maintaining and advancing national airspace systems. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large engineering support contracts awarded by federal agencies, particularly those focused on infrastructure, technology, and safety-critical systems.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a specific set-aside requirement for this contract. Therefore, there are no direct small business set-aside obligations. However, NOBLIS, INC., as the prime contractor, may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill certain aspects of the engineering services. The extent of subcontracting to small businesses would depend on NOBLIS's own subcontracting plan and the specific requirements of the engineering tasks. Without further information on subcontracting goals or achievements, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear, though large prime contracts can sometimes create opportunities for specialized small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) contracting officer and program managers. They are responsible for monitoring contractor performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and managing any modifications or disputes. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Accountability measures are embedded in the contract's performance clauses and the firm-fixed-price structure, which incentivizes the contractor to manage costs effectively. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any investigations into fraud, waste, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

FAA Engineering and Technical Services
Department of Transportation IT and Engineering Support
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Contracts
Enterprise Systems Engineering Support

Risk Flags

Long contract duration increases risk of scope creep and market irrelevance.
Firm-fixed-price structure requires diligent oversight to prevent cost overruns or underperformance.
Lack of specific performance metrics in summary data hinders detailed value assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $121.7 million to NOBLIS, INC.. ECSS T.0. 0020 - ENTERPRISE ENGINEERING SERVICES TAS::69 1301::TAS IGF::OT::IGF

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NOBLIS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $121.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-12-20. End: 2018-09-18.

What specific engineering disciplines and services were included under this $121.7 million contract?

The contract, 'ECSS T.0. 0020 - ENTERPRISE ENGINEERING SERVICES', awarded to NOBLIS, INC. by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), likely encompassed a broad spectrum of engineering services critical to the FAA's mission. While the specific details are not fully elaborated in the provided data, typical enterprise engineering services for an agency like the FAA can include systems engineering, software engineering, hardware engineering, network engineering, cybersecurity engineering, test and evaluation, configuration management, and technical support for complex aviation systems. This could range from supporting air traffic control systems, navigation aids, communication infrastructure, to developing and implementing new aviation technologies and ensuring the safety and efficiency of the national airspace system. The 'Engineering Services' NAICS code (541330) further supports this broad scope.

How does the $121.7 million award compare to historical FAA spending on similar engineering services?

To assess how the $121.7 million award compares to historical FAA spending on similar engineering services, one would need to analyze past contracts for enterprise-level engineering support within the FAA. This would involve identifying contracts with similar scopes of work, durations, and award values. For instance, comparing this award to previous large-scale engineering support contracts awarded over the last decade would provide context. If the FAA has historically awarded contracts in the range of $20-30 million annually for such services, then a $121.7 million contract spanning nearly six years ($20-25 million per year on average) might represent a significant, but potentially consistent, level of investment. Conversely, if historical awards were much smaller, this contract could indicate an expansion of services or a consolidation of requirements under a single, larger award.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate NOBLIS, INC.'s performance under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) used for this contract. However, for an 'Enterprise Engineering Services' contract with the FAA, typical KPIs would likely focus on technical performance, schedule adherence, cost control (especially relevant for a firm-fixed-price contract), quality of deliverables, and responsiveness to FAA requirements. Examples could include metrics related to system uptime, successful implementation of new technologies, timely completion of engineering studies or designs, accuracy of technical documentation, and adherence to cybersecurity protocols. The FAA contracting officer and program managers would monitor these KPIs to ensure NOBLIS, INC. was meeting the contract's objectives and delivering value.

What is the risk associated with a firm-fixed-price contract of this magnitude and duration?

A firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract of $121.7 million over nearly six years carries inherent risks for both the government and the contractor. For the government, the primary risk is that the fixed price may become uncompetitive if market conditions change significantly or if the contractor's costs decrease unexpectedly. There's also a risk of contractor underperformance if the profit margin is too thin, leading to corner-cutting. For the contractor (NOBLIS, INC.), the risk lies in underestimating the total effort required, leading to cost overruns that erode profit margins or even result in a loss. Scope creep, where the government requests additional work not originally envisioned, is a significant risk in long-term FFP contracts, potentially leading to disputes or requiring costly contract modifications. Effective contract management, clear scope definition, and robust change control processes are crucial to mitigate these risks.

How does NOBLIS, INC.'s track record in government contracting influence the assessment of this award?

NOBLIS, INC.'s track record in government contracting is a critical factor in assessing this $121.7 million award. A history of successful performance on similar large-scale engineering and technical services contracts, particularly with agencies like the FAA or Department of Transportation, would suggest a lower risk profile for this new award. Positive indicators would include a history of meeting performance targets, delivering within budget (or managing cost changes effectively), and maintaining strong client relationships. Conversely, a history of significant performance issues, contract disputes, or cost overruns on previous contracts would raise concerns. While the provided data doesn't detail NOBLIS's specific past performance, agencies typically conduct thorough past performance reviews during the source selection process for such significant awards.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3150 FAIRVIEW PARK DR, FALLS CHURCH, VA, 22042

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,114,722,596

Exercised Options: $121,686,777

Current Obligation: $121,686,777

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 30

Total Subaward Amount: $53,286,844

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DTFAWA11D00051

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline