FAA Awards $10M+ Air Traffic Control Contract to Robinson Aviation for 8 Years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,064,453 ($10.1M)

Contractor: Robinson Aviation (RVA), Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2024-11-26

End Date: 2032-12-31

Contract Duration: 2,957 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: THE FCT CONTRACT ENCOMPASSES THE SCOPE OF ATC SERVICES AND ASSOCIATED SUPPORT SERVICES REQUIRED FOR THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATION OF FCTS AS DEFINED IN THE STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW).

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 $10.1 million to ROBINSON AVIATION (RVA), INC. for work described as: THE FCT CONTRACT ENCOMPASSES THE SCOPE OF ATC SERVICES AND ASSOCIATED SUPPORT SERVICES REQUIRED FOR THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATION OF FCTS AS DEFINED IN THE STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW). Key points: 1. Contract covers essential Air Traffic Control (ATC) services and support. 2. Robinson Aviation (RVA), Inc. is the incumbent contractor. 3. The contract is a Firm Fixed Price definitive contract. 4. Significant duration of nearly 8 years (2957 days).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $10,064,453.17 over nearly 8 years suggests an average annual spend of approximately $1.3M. Benchmarking this against similar ATC service contracts is difficult without more granular data on the specific services provided and geographic scope.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating multiple bidders were considered. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing, though the specific number of bids received is not detailed.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently by securing competitive pricing for essential air traffic control services.

Public Impact

Ensures continued safe and efficient air travel by maintaining critical air traffic control operations. Supports the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) mission to manage the U.S. airspace. Potential impact on airline operations and passenger travel if ATC services are disrupted.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration may limit future opportunities for new vendors.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical infrastructure.
Potential for cost overruns if scope creep occurs despite fixed price.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty.
Long-term stability for essential ATC services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Air Traffic Control sector, a critical component of the Transportation industry. Spending in this area is essential for national infrastructure and safety, with significant government investment typically allocated to ensure reliable operations.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small businesses were not awarded this contract, as the prime contractor is Robinson Aviation (RVA), Inc. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses participated as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is responsible for overseeing this contract. Robust oversight mechanisms are crucial to ensure the contractor meets all performance requirements and that taxpayer funds are managed effectively throughout the contract's lifecycle.

Related Government Programs

Air Traffic Control
Department of Transportation Contracting
Federal Aviation Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Long-term contract dependency.
Potential for scope creep.
Lack of small business prime participation.
Incumbent contractor awarded.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $10.1 million to ROBINSON AVIATION (RVA), INC.. THE FCT CONTRACT ENCOMPASSES THE SCOPE OF ATC SERVICES AND ASSOCIATED SUPPORT SERVICES REQUIRED FOR THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATION OF FCTS AS DEFINED IN THE STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW).

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ROBINSON AVIATION (RVA), INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-11-26. End: 2032-12-31.

What specific ATC services are included in the SOW, and how do they compare to industry standards for similar contracts?

The Statement of Work (SOW) defines the scope of Air Traffic Control (ATC) services and associated support required for the day-to-day operation of FCTS. A detailed review of the SOW is necessary to compare these services against industry standards and identify any unique or particularly costly elements that might influence pricing and value.

What was the competitive landscape during the bidding process, and how did it influence the final price?

While the contract was awarded under full and open competition, the number of bids received and the pricing strategies of the competitors are not detailed. Understanding the level of competition and the range of proposed prices would provide better insight into whether the final price represents optimal value for the government and taxpayers.

How will the FAA ensure effective performance and accountability from Robinson Aviation over the nearly 8-year contract term?

The FAA will likely employ a combination of performance monitoring, regular progress reviews, and adherence to contractually defined milestones. Clear communication channels, defined deliverables, and potential penalties for non-performance are standard mechanisms to ensure contractor accountability and effective service delivery throughout the contract's extended duration.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Support Activities for Air Transportation › Air Traffic Control

Product/Service Code: OPERATION OF GOVT OWNED FACILITY › OPERATE GOVT OWNED BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: TWO STEP

Solicitation ID: 693KA7-23-R-00003

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1601 NW EXPRESSWAY SUITE 850, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, 73118

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $36,913,447

Exercised Options: $10,064,453

Current Obligation: $10,064,453

Actual Outlays: $5,999,672

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED

Timeline