DOT's FAA Spends $54.2M on ATAPS Technical Support via BPA Call, Awarded to Objectstream Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $54,236,580 ($54.2M)

Contractor: Objectstream Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2018-03-01

End Date: 2024-06-14

Contract Duration: 2,297 days

Daily Burn Rate: $23.6K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: EFAST PA18-002 ATO TECHNICAL ANALYSIS AND PROGRAM SUPPORT (ATAPS)

Place of Performance

Location: OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA County, OKLAHOMA, 73127

State: Oklahoma Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $54.2 million to OBJECTSTREAM INC for work described as: EFAST PA18-002 ATO TECHNICAL ANALYSIS AND PROGRAM SUPPORT (ATAPS) Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $54.2M over 6 years. 2. Awarded under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, indicating a pre-competed framework. 3. Contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges. 4. The service category is Computer Systems Design Services, a common area for federal IT spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The Time and Materials pricing structure, while flexible, lacks a fixed ceiling, potentially leading to higher costs than firm-fixed-price contracts. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts is difficult without detailed labor rates and hours.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) via a BPA Call. While some competition likely occurred within the BPA's framework, the specific details of the competition for this call are not fully transparent, potentially limiting price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be exposed to higher costs due to the Time and Materials pricing and potentially limited competition for this specific BPA call.

Public Impact

Ensures critical technical analysis and program support for the Federal Aviation Administration's systems. Supports the operational integrity and advancement of aviation technology. Contract duration of nearly 7 years suggests a long-term need for these services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials pricing
Limited transparency on competition for BPA call

Positive Signals

Supports critical FAA functions
Long contract duration indicates sustained need

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically Computer Systems Design. Federal spending in this area is substantial, with agencies often relying on specialized contractors for system development, integration, and ongoing support.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to assess small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The use of a BPA Call suggests an existing oversight framework for the underlying BPA. However, the specific oversight for this individual call and the monitoring of Time and Materials expenditures are crucial for accountability.

Related Government Programs

Computer Systems Design Services
Department of Transportation Contracting
Federal Aviation Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M pricing.
Limited transparency on competition for the BPA call.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data.
No clear indication of small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $54.2 million to OBJECTSTREAM INC. EFAST PA18-002 ATO TECHNICAL ANALYSIS AND PROGRAM SUPPORT (ATAPS)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is OBJECTSTREAM INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $54.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-03-01. End: 2024-06-14.

What was the competitive landscape for the BPA call itself, and how did it influence the final pricing?

The contract was competed under SAP via a BPA Call. While this implies some level of competition, the specifics of how many bids were received and evaluated for this particular call are not detailed. Limited competition within the BPA framework could lead to less aggressive pricing than a fully open, standalone solicitation.

What are the specific risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type in this context?

The primary risk of T&M contracts is the potential for cost overruns if not closely managed. Without a fixed ceiling or detailed labor rate scrutiny, the contractor could incur higher costs than anticipated, directly impacting the taxpayer. Effective oversight is critical to mitigate this risk.

How effectively does this contract support the FAA's mission compared to alternative service delivery models?

The contract provides essential technical analysis and program support, crucial for FAA operations. The long duration suggests it meets a sustained need. However, without performance metrics or comparison to other models like fixed-price contracts or in-house capabilities, its ultimate effectiveness and value proposition are difficult to fully assess.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7725 W RENO AVE STE 307, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, 73127

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $111,468,198

Exercised Options: $54,236,580

Current Obligation: $54,236,580

Actual Outlays: $45,083,627

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DTFAWA11A00108

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline