DOT awards $17.15M for engineering services to LS Technologies LLC, with a 2026 end date
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $17,150,115 ($17.2M)
Contractor: LS Technologies LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation
Start Date: 2019-08-01
End Date: 2026-08-09
Contract Duration: 2,565 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: OTHER FUNCTIONS
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20591
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Transportation obligated $17.2 million to LS TECHNOLOGIES LLC for work described as: OTHER FUNCTIONS Key points: 1. Contract value of $17.15 million over its period of performance. 2. Awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 3. Performance period spans over 7 years, from August 2019 to August 2026. 4. Contract type is Time and Materials, indicating flexibility in scope. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541330 for Engineering Services. 6. The contract is managed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under the Department of Transportation (DOT). 7. The contractor, LS Technologies LLC, is based in the District of Columbia.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this contract requires more granular data on the specific engineering services provided. However, the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can sometimes lead to higher costs if not closely managed, as it allows for reimbursement of direct labor and indirect costs plus a fee. Comparing this to similar engineering services contracts within the FAA or DOT would be necessary to determine if the $17.15 million over seven years represents a fair price for the services rendered. Without specific deliverables or labor rates, a definitive value assessment is challenging.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES'. This indicates that while the competition was intended to be broad, certain sources were excluded prior to the solicitation. The specific reasons for exclusion are not detailed, but this approach can limit the pool of potential bidders. The number of bidders is not provided, making it difficult to assess the intensity of the competition. A limited competition may result in less aggressive pricing compared to a truly full and open process.
Taxpayer Impact: The exclusion of certain sources, even if justified, may have limited the competitive pressure, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers than if a wider range of qualified firms had been allowed to bid.
Public Impact
Benefits the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by providing essential engineering services. Supports the operational and developmental needs of air traffic management and aviation infrastructure. The services delivered are critical for maintaining and improving the National Airspace System. Geographic impact is national, as the FAA's mission is nationwide. Workforce implications include the employment of engineers and technical specialists by LS Technologies LLC.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- The 'limited' competition, indicated by 'exclusion of sources', raises concerns about potentially missed opportunities for better pricing.
- The Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can pose a risk of cost overruns if not meticulously monitored.
- Lack of specific performance metrics or deliverables in the provided data makes it hard to gauge the effectiveness of the engineering services.
Positive Signals
- The contract is awarded to a single entity, LS Technologies LLC, suggesting a focused relationship for specific expertise.
- The long performance period (over 7 years) indicates a sustained need for these engineering services by the FAA.
- The contract is managed by a major agency within the Department of Transportation, implying a level of established oversight.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically related to aviation and aerospace. The NAICS code 541330 covers establishments primarily engaged in providing architectural, engineering, and related services. The market for these services within the federal government, particularly for aviation infrastructure and systems, is substantial. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large-scale engineering support contracts awarded by the FAA or other transportation-related agencies for similar types of technical expertise.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates that small business participation (sb) is false, and there is no indication of a small business set-aside (ss). This suggests the contract was not specifically targeted towards small businesses. Therefore, the primary contractor, LS Technologies LLC, is likely not a small business. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not detailed in this summary, but given the nature of large engineering contracts, there may be some subcontracting, though it's not a primary focus of this award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the contracting agency. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where basic award information is publicly available. Specific oversight mechanisms, such as regular reviews or the involvement of an Inspector General, would depend on the FAA's internal policies and the criticality of the engineering services provided.
Related Government Programs
- FAA Engineering and Technical Services
- DOT Professional and Technical Services
- Federal Aviation Systems Engineering
- Air Traffic Control Modernization Support
Risk Flags
- Limited competition due to source exclusion
- Potential for cost overruns with Time and Materials contract type
- Lack of detailed performance metrics in summary data
Tags
engineering-services, department-of-transportation, federal-aviation-administration, ls-technologies-llc, time-and-materials, limited-competition, district-of-columbia, aviation, federal-contract, naics-541330
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Transportation awarded $17.2 million to LS TECHNOLOGIES LLC. OTHER FUNCTIONS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is LS TECHNOLOGIES LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Federal Aviation Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $17.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2019-08-01. End: 2026-08-09.
What is the track record of LS Technologies LLC in performing similar engineering services for the federal government?
Assessing the track record of LS Technologies LLC requires a deeper dive into their past performance on federal contracts. While this award indicates they are capable of securing significant contracts, their history with the FAA or other agencies would reveal their reliability, quality of work, and ability to meet deadlines and budgets. Information on past performance evaluations, any contract disputes, or awards for exceptional performance would provide a clearer picture. Without this specific data, it's difficult to definitively assess their past success in delivering comparable engineering services.
How does the $17.15 million contract value compare to similar engineering services contracts awarded by the FAA?
To benchmark the $17.15 million contract value, we would need to compare it against other engineering services contracts awarded by the FAA or the Department of Transportation with similar scope, duration, and complexity. Factors such as the specific engineering disciplines required (e.g., systems, electrical, civil), the level of expertise needed, and the contract type (e.g., T&M vs. fixed-price) significantly influence pricing. A preliminary assessment suggests that $17.15 million over seven years is a substantial award, implying a significant scope of work. However, without direct comparisons to contracts for comparable services, it's challenging to determine if this represents a particularly high or low value.
What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for engineering services?
The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for engineering services is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified rates and for the cost of materials. If the scope of work is not well-defined or if project management is weak, the contractor may incur more labor hours or material costs than initially anticipated, leading to a higher final contract price. This necessitates robust oversight from the government to ensure efficient performance and prevent unnecessary expenditures. The FAA must actively monitor labor hours, material usage, and task completion to mitigate these risks.
What specific engineering services are being provided under this contract?
The provided data indicates the contract is for 'Engineering Services' under NAICS code 541330. However, the specific nature of these services is not detailed. Given the awarding agency is the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), these services likely pertain to aviation-related engineering. This could encompass a wide range of activities such as systems engineering for air traffic control systems, design and analysis of aviation infrastructure, technical support for regulatory compliance, research and development in aerospace technologies, or project management for aviation facilities. Further details within the contract's statement of work would clarify the precise engineering tasks.
What does 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' imply for the bidding process?
The term 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' implies a nuanced approach to competition. Initially, the solicitation was intended to be open to all responsible sources. However, certain sources were subsequently excluded from consideration. The reasons for this exclusion are critical to understanding the competitive landscape. It could be due to specific technical requirements, past performance issues, or other pre-defined criteria. While it aims for broad competition, the exclusion limits the pool of potential bidders, which could potentially reduce the level of price competition compared to a truly unrestricted full and open competition.
What is the significance of the contract duration (over 7 years) for the FAA?
The contract duration of over 7 years (from August 2019 to August 2026) signifies a long-term, sustained need for the engineering services provided by LS Technologies LLC within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Such extended periods suggest that the services are critical to ongoing operations, maintenance, or strategic initiatives of the agency. It implies a level of stability and predictability for the contractor and allows for the development of specialized expertise related to the FAA's unique requirements. For the FAA, it ensures continuity of essential engineering support, potentially leading to greater efficiency and institutional knowledge compared to repeatedly re-competing shorter-term contracts.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Tetra Tech, Inc.
Address: 2750 PROSPERITY AVE STE 400, FAIRFAX, VA, 22031
Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $18,983,374
Exercised Options: $17,150,115
Current Obligation: $17,150,115
Actual Outlays: $15,304,151
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 2
Total Subaward Amount: $847,575
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: DTFAWA17D00015
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2019-08-01
Current End Date: 2026-08-09
Potential End Date: 2026-08-09 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-19
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