DOT's FAA awarded $31M to Rockhill Group for professional services, with no competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $30,956,578 ($31.0M)

Contractor: Rockhill Group, Inc., the

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2013-11-14

End Date: 2022-06-30

Contract Duration: 3,150 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.8K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: INTERNAL PRISM DOCUMENTATION OF AWARD IGF::CT::IGF

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20591

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $31.0 million to ROCKHILL GROUP, INC., THE for work described as: INTERNAL PRISM DOCUMENTATION OF AWARD IGF::CT::IGF Key points: 1. The contract value of $31 million over nearly 9 years suggests a significant, long-term need for the services provided. 2. The lack of competition raises questions about potential overpayment and the absence of market-driven price discovery. 3. The contract's duration and sole-source nature present a moderate risk of vendor lock-in and reduced flexibility. 4. Performance context is limited without specific details on deliverables and outcomes achieved under this contract. 5. This contract falls within the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code, a broad category. 6. The firm fixed-price contract type aims to control costs, but the absence of competition limits its effectiveness.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this $31 million contract is challenging due to the lack of publicly available comparable sole-source awards for similar services within the FAA. The firm fixed-price structure is a positive cost control measure, but without competitive bidding, it's difficult to ascertain if the pricing reflects fair market value. The extended duration of nearly nine years (from award in 2013 to completion in 2022) for a sole-source contract warrants scrutiny to ensure continued necessity and value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach is typically used when only one vendor possesses the unique capabilities or qualifications required for the service, or in cases of urgent need. The absence of a competitive process means that the FAA did not benefit from the price discovery and innovation that typically arises from multiple bidders vying for the contract.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may have paid a premium for these services due to the lack of competition. Without competing the award, there is a risk that the price was not optimized, potentially leading to less efficient use of federal funds.

Public Impact

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the primary beneficiary, receiving professional, scientific, and technical services. The services delivered likely supported critical FAA operations and initiatives, though specific details are not provided. The contract was performed in the District of Columbia, indicating a localized geographic impact. The contract may have supported a specialized workforce within Rockhill Group, Inc., contributing to employment in the professional services sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits price competition and potential for cost savings.
Long contract duration (nearly 9 years) increases risk of vendor lock-in and potential for cost escalation if not managed tightly.
Lack of transparency regarding the justification for sole-source award.
Broad NAICS code 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' makes it difficult to assess specific service value.
No indication of small business participation or subcontracting goals.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contractor, Rockhill Group, Inc., has a track record of performing federal contracts.
The contract was awarded by the Department of Transportation, a major federal agency.
The contract was completed, suggesting services were delivered as per the agreement.

Sector Analysis

The professional, scientific, and technical services sector is vast and encompasses a wide range of activities. The NAICS code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' is a catch-all category for establishments primarily engaged in providing specialized professional, scientific, or technical services not elsewhere classified. Spending in this sector by federal agencies is substantial, supporting everything from research and development to administrative and management consulting. This contract's value of $31 million over its term places it as a significant award within this broad category, particularly given its sole-source nature.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans or performance. Consequently, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal, as the prime contract was awarded to a single entity without specific provisions for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for this contract are not detailed in the provided data. As a sole-source award, it may have undergone specific internal review processes within the FAA. Transparency is limited due to the lack of competitive bidding documentation. Inspector General jurisdiction would typically apply to all DOT contracts, but specific oversight actions related to this award are not mentioned.

Related Government Programs

Professional Services Contracts
Technical Support Services
Government Consulting Services
Federal Aviation Administration Operations Support
Sole Source Contract Awards

Risk Flags

Sole-source award without clear justification.
Lack of competition may lead to inflated pricing.
Long contract duration increases risk.
Broad service category limits specific performance assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $31.0 million to ROCKHILL GROUP, INC., THE. INTERNAL PRISM DOCUMENTATION OF AWARD IGF::CT::IGF

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ROCKHILL GROUP, INC., THE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $31.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-11-14. End: 2022-06-30.

What specific services did Rockhill Group, Inc. provide under this contract?

The provided data classifies this contract under NAICS code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services.' This is a broad category that can encompass a wide array of services, including research, consulting, testing, and specialized technical support. Without further documentation or a detailed contract statement of work, the precise nature of the services rendered by Rockhill Group, Inc. to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) remains unspecified. This lack of specificity makes it difficult to assess the contract's direct impact or to compare its value against similar, more precisely defined service contracts.

What was the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The data explicitly states the contract was 'NOT COMPETED,' indicating a sole-source award. Federal procurement regulations typically require full and open competition unless specific exceptions apply, such as the existence of only one responsible source, urgent and compelling needs, or specific statutory authorizations. The justification for this sole-source award is not detailed in the provided information. Typically, an agency would document the rationale, often involving unique capabilities, proprietary knowledge, or critical infrastructure dependencies that only a specific contractor could meet. Without this documentation, it is impossible to independently verify the necessity of bypassing the competitive bidding process.

How does the $31 million contract value compare to similar FAA professional services contracts?

Comparing the $31 million value of this contract is difficult without knowing the specific services rendered, due to its broad 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' classification. However, for context, the FAA procures a wide range of professional services. Contracts for specialized technical support, program management, or research can range from a few million to tens of millions of dollars. The nearly nine-year duration (November 2013 to June 2022) suggests a substantial, long-term requirement. Given the sole-source nature, a direct value comparison is less meaningful than assessing if the price was fair and reasonable, which is challenging without competitive data or detailed cost analysis.

What is Rockhill Group, Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly with the FAA?

Rockhill Group, Inc. has a history of receiving federal contracts, as indicated by its presence in federal procurement databases. While the provided data shows this specific $31 million award from the FAA, a comprehensive review of their contract history would reveal the extent and nature of their work across various agencies and contract types. Their performance on past contracts, including any past performance evaluations or awards/debarments, would be crucial for a complete assessment. However, this specific data snippet does not offer details on their overall track record beyond this single award.

What were the potential risks associated with this long-term, sole-source contract?

The primary risks associated with this contract stem from its sole-source nature and long duration (nearly nine years). A sole-source award eliminates the benefits of competition, potentially leading to higher prices than could be achieved through a competitive process and limiting innovation. The extended period increases the risk of vendor lock-in, making it difficult for the FAA to switch providers or renegotiate terms if market conditions change or better solutions emerge. Furthermore, without ongoing competition, there's a reduced incentive for the contractor to maintain peak efficiency or proactively offer cost-saving improvements. Effective contract management and oversight would have been critical to mitigate these risks.

Were there any small business subcontracting requirements or achievements for this contract?

The provided data explicitly states that this contract was not a small business set-aside (sb: false) and was not awarded to a small business (ss: false). There is no information available regarding subcontracting plans or achievements. Therefore, it can be inferred that there were likely no specific requirements for small business subcontracting tied to this particular award. This means the contract did not directly contribute to the government's small business contracting goals through prime or subcontracting opportunities with Rockhill Group, Inc.

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: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1170 LAGUNA LN, GULF BREEZE, FL, 32563

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $51,371,330

Exercised Options: $30,956,578

Current Obligation: $30,956,578

Actual Outlays: $7,234,200

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline