DOT awards $4.6M for AJT Communications Support/Analysis, with potential for significant growth

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,632,370 ($4.6M)

Contractor: Oasis Systems, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2021-09-14

End Date: 2027-12-31

Contract Duration: 2,299 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: AJT COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT/ANALYSIS SUPPORT.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20590

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $4.6 million to OASIS SYSTEMS, LLC for work described as: AJT COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT/ANALYSIS SUPPORT. Key points: 1. Contract value indicates a need for specialized support services. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The long performance period suggests a sustained requirement for these services. 4. The use of Time and Materials pricing may present cost control challenges. 5. The contract is a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery contract vehicle. 6. The small business status is not applicable, indicating the primary contractor is not a small business. 7. The contract is geographically focused on Washington D.C.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $4.6 million over its potential duration appears moderate for specialized analysis and support services. Without specific benchmarks for 'AJT Communications Support/Analysis,' it's difficult to definitively assess value for money. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while flexible, can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed, which warrants careful monitoring. Comparing this to similar contracts for engineering services (NAICS 541330) within the Department of Transportation or other federal agencies would provide a clearer picture of its cost-effectiveness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The fact that it is a delivery order suggests it was likely competed as part of a larger IDIQ contract. The number of bidders is not specified, but full and open competition generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. This approach maximizes the pool of potential contractors and encourages innovation.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it promotes a wider range of offers, potentially driving down costs and improving the quality of services received. It ensures that the government is not limited to a single provider, thereby increasing the likelihood of obtaining the best value.

Public Impact

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) benefits from this contract by receiving specialized support and analysis for its operations. The services delivered are crucial for the effective functioning and strategic planning of aviation-related initiatives. The geographic impact is concentrated in Washington D.C., where the Department of Transportation is headquartered. The contract supports professional services, potentially impacting a workforce skilled in engineering and communication analysis.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) pricing can lead to cost escalation if not managed diligently.
The long duration of the contract (potentially through 2027) requires ongoing performance monitoring to ensure continued value.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it hard to gauge effectiveness beyond contract completion.
The contract is a delivery order, suggesting it's part of a larger, potentially more complex, contract vehicle.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
The contract addresses a clear need for specialized support and analysis within the FAA.
The sustained requirement suggests the services provided are valuable and essential to the agency's mission.
The contractor, OASIS SYSTEMS, LLC, is likely experienced in providing such services, given the award.

Sector Analysis

The engineering services sector (NAICS 541330) is a significant part of the federal contracting landscape, supporting a wide array of government functions. This contract falls within that broad category, specifically for support and analysis related to communications within the Department of Transportation. The federal market for engineering and technical services is substantial, with agencies like the FAA consistently requiring expertise in areas ranging from infrastructure to operational analysis. This contract represents a small but specific allocation within that larger market.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false), and the primary contractor, OASIS SYSTEMS, LLC, is not identified as a small business. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a small business set-aside. However, the prime contractor may voluntarily engage small businesses for subcontracting opportunities, which is not detailed here. The absence of a set-aside means the competition was open to all business sizes.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration contracting officers and program managers. They are responsible for monitoring performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and approving payments. The contract's Time and Materials nature necessitates close oversight to manage costs effectively. While specific Inspector General (IG) involvement isn't detailed, the DOT OIG has jurisdiction over all DOT contracts and could investigate any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Transportation IT Support Contracts
Federal Aviation Administration Consulting Services
Engineering Services Contracts
OASIS Small Business IDIQ Contracts
Time and Materials Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Need for robust oversight to manage scope and performance.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in summary data.
Geographic concentration limits broader impact.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $4.6 million to OASIS SYSTEMS, LLC. AJT COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT/ANALYSIS SUPPORT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is OASIS SYSTEMS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-14. End: 2027-12-31.

What is the specific nature of the 'AJT Communications Support/Analysis' services being procured?

The provided data offers limited detail on the specific nature of 'AJT Communications Support/Analysis.' However, given the contractor's NAICS code (541330 - Engineering Services) and the awarding agency (Federal Aviation Administration), it can be inferred that these services likely involve technical analysis, strategic planning, and support related to communication systems or policies within the FAA. This could encompass areas such as spectrum management, communication network infrastructure assessment, policy development, or operational analysis of communication systems critical to air traffic control and aviation safety. Further details would typically be found in the Statement of Work (SOW) associated with the delivery order.

How does the $4.6 million contract value compare to similar FAA support contracts?

Benchmarking the $4.6 million contract value requires comparison with similar support and analysis contracts awarded by the FAA or other Department of Transportation agencies for engineering services (NAICS 541330). Without access to a comprehensive database of comparable contracts, a precise comparison is difficult. However, for specialized technical support and analysis, $4.6 million over a period potentially extending to late 2027 (approximately 6 years) represents a moderate investment. Contracts for large-scale engineering projects or enterprise-wide IT solutions would typically be significantly higher. This value suggests a focused scope of work, possibly for a specific program or a defined set of analytical tasks.

What are the primary risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for this procurement?

The primary risk associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for this procurement is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts pay the contractor for the actual time and materials used. If the scope of work is not well-defined, or if the contractor's efficiency is low, costs can escalate beyond initial estimates. For the FAA, this means the $4.6 million ceiling could be exceeded if not managed carefully. Effective oversight, detailed tracking of labor hours and material costs, and clear task definitions are crucial to mitigate this risk and ensure the government receives good value.

What does the 'full and open competition' award status imply for the contractor selection and pricing?

The 'full and open competition' award status signifies that the Federal Aviation Administration sought bids from all interested and qualified sources. This process typically involves a formal solicitation, evaluation of proposals based on predefined criteria (which may include technical approach, past performance, and price), and selection of the offer that represents the best value to the government. For the contractor, OASIS SYSTEMS, LLC, it means they successfully demonstrated their capability and offered competitive terms against other potential bidders. For the government and taxpayers, it implies that the pricing and services were vetted through a competitive process, theoretically leading to more favorable terms than a sole-source or limited competition award.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar 'AJT Communications Support/Analysis' services at the FAA?

The provided data only includes details for this specific contract award (awarded in 2021 with an end date in 2027). It does not offer historical spending patterns for 'AJT Communications Support/Analysis' services at the FAA. To understand historical spending, one would need to analyze past contracts for similar services, potentially using different contract titles or NAICS codes if the service description has evolved. The 'br' field (2015) might indicate a prior related action or baseline, but without further context, it's insufficient to establish a trend. A thorough analysis would require searching federal procurement databases for previous awards related to aviation communication analysis and support.

What is the significance of this contract being a 'Delivery Order'?

The designation of this contract as a 'Delivery Order' (aw) is significant because it indicates that this award is a task order issued under a larger, pre-existing indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicle. IDIQ contracts allow agencies to procure supplies or services over a period of time up to a specified maximum amount. A delivery order specifies the actual quantity and delivery dates for a particular shipment or service requirement. This means OASIS SYSTEMS, LLC likely holds a broader IDIQ contract, and this $4.6 million award represents one specific task within that larger framework. This approach provides flexibility for the agency but can sometimes obscure the total spending picture if not analyzed in conjunction with the parent IDIQ contract.

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

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 200 SUMMIT DR, BURLINGTON, MA, 01803

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,181,378

Exercised Options: $4,632,370

Current Obligation: $4,632,370

Actual Outlays: $4,149,313

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 693KA921D00004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline