DOT's FAA awards $6.3M for aerospace medical certification support to Technology Trends Group

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,311,002 ($6.3M)

Contractor: Technology Trends Group, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2024-10-24

End Date: 2026-10-31

Contract Duration: 737 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.6K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: AEROSPACE MEDICAL CERTIFICATION DIVISION (AMCD) ADMINISTRATIVE, PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL (APT) SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA County, OKLAHOMA, 73169

State: Oklahoma Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $6.3 million to TECHNOLOGY TRENDS GROUP, LLC for work described as: AEROSPACE MEDICAL CERTIFICATION DIVISION (AMCD) ADMINISTRATIVE, PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL (APT) SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value represents a moderate investment in specialized administrative and technical support for a critical aviation safety function. 2. The use of a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call suggests a pre-negotiated framework, potentially streamlining procurement for recurring needs. 3. The contract's Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure warrants scrutiny for cost control and efficient resource utilization. 4. Performance is rated 'OK', indicating satisfactory delivery but leaving room for improvement in exceeding expectations. 5. The contract supports the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) mission to ensure aviation safety through robust medical certification processes. 6. This award falls within the administrative management and general management consulting services sector, a common area for federal support contracts.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $6.3 million over approximately two years appears reasonable for specialized administrative and technical support services. However, without specific benchmarks for similar aerospace medical certification support contracts, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing model, while flexible, can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. The 'OK' performance rating suggests the contractor is meeting basic requirements but not necessarily exceeding them, which could impact overall value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Special Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a full and open competition process. With 8 bidders, the competition level appears robust, which should theoretically drive competitive pricing and encourage a wider range of solutions. The presence of multiple bidders suggests that the market for these services is active and that the government had a good selection of qualified offerors.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process with 8 offerors is generally favorable for taxpayers, as it increases the likelihood of securing services at a fair market price and reduces the risk of overpayment.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and its Aerospace Medical Certification Division (AMCD), which receive essential support for their operations. Services delivered include administrative, professional, and technical support crucial for the efficient processing of aerospace medical certifications. The geographic impact is primarily within the United States, supporting national aviation safety standards. Workforce implications include the potential for skilled professionals to be engaged in supporting a vital government function.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The Time and Materials (T&M) contract type requires diligent oversight to prevent scope creep and ensure cost efficiency.
The 'OK' performance rating suggests a need for closer monitoring to ensure services consistently meet or exceed expectations.
Limited public information on the specific deliverables makes it difficult to fully assess the contractor's performance against defined metrics.

Positive Signals

The contract was competed under full and open competition with 8 bidders, indicating a healthy market and competitive pricing potential.
The use of a BPA Call suggests a streamlined procurement process for established needs, potentially leading to faster service delivery.
The contract supports a critical function within the FAA, contributing to national aviation safety.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative management and general management consulting. This sector is characterized by a wide range of specialized expertise offered to government agencies. The market size for such services is substantial, with numerous firms competing for federal contracts. This award represents a typical engagement for supporting specialized government functions that require external expertise.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary impact on small businesses would be through potential subcontracting opportunities if Technology Trends Group, LLC engages them. Without explicit subcontracting plans detailed in the award, it's difficult to quantify the direct benefit to the small business ecosystem from this specific contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) contracting officer and program officials. Accountability measures are inherent in the contract's performance clauses and the 'OK' rating. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are reported. Specific Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on the nature of any potential issues or investigations related to the contract's performance or financial integrity.

Related Government Programs

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Operations Support
Aerospace Medical Services
Government Administrative Support Contracts
Professional and Technical Services Procurement
Department of Transportation IT and Management Consulting

Risk Flags

Time and Materials contract type requires close monitoring for cost control.
Performance rating of 'OK' indicates satisfactory but not exceptional service delivery.
Limited public detail on specific deliverables hinders comprehensive value assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $6.3 million to TECHNOLOGY TRENDS GROUP, LLC. AEROSPACE MEDICAL CERTIFICATION DIVISION (AMCD) ADMINISTRATIVE, PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL (APT) SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TECHNOLOGY TRENDS GROUP, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-10-24. End: 2026-10-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar administrative and professional services supporting the FAA's medical certification division?

Analyzing historical spending for the Aerospace Medical Certification Division (AMCD) requires accessing detailed procurement data over several fiscal years. Typically, agencies like the FAA procure a mix of services including administrative support, IT, and specialized technical expertise. Spending patterns can fluctuate based on program needs, budget allocations, and the availability of internal resources. Contracts for similar services often range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars annually, depending on the scope and duration. Factors such as contract type (e.g., T&M vs. fixed-price), competition level, and contractor performance ratings influence the overall cost-effectiveness over time. A comprehensive review would involve comparing contract values, lengths, and the specific services rendered to identify trends and potential efficiencies.

How does the per-unit cost of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for administrative management consulting services?

Determining a precise per-unit cost benchmark for this contract is challenging without specific details on the labor categories, hours, and rates billed under the Time and Materials (T&M) structure. General industry benchmarks for administrative management consulting services vary widely based on the complexity of the work, the experience level of the personnel, and the geographic location. For federal contracts, rates are often influenced by the Service Contract Act or General Services Administration (GSA) schedules. However, comparing this $6.3 million contract, which spans approximately two years and involves 8 bidders, to a simple per-unit metric like cost per hour or cost per deliverable requires granular data not publicly available. The 'OK' performance rating also suggests that while compliant, the contractor may not be operating at the highest efficiency tier, which could impact the perceived value relative to potential top-tier benchmarks.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to assess the 'OK' performance rating for Technology Trends Group, LLC?

The 'OK' performance rating signifies that the contractor is meeting the minimum requirements of the contract but is not necessarily exceeding expectations or demonstrating exceptional performance. Specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are typically defined within the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS) or Statement of Work (SOW). For administrative, professional, and technical services supporting medical certification, these KPIs could include metrics related to timeliness of task completion (e.g., processing applications within a certain timeframe), accuracy of work performed, responsiveness to requests, adherence to reporting requirements, and overall client satisfaction. The 'OK' rating suggests that while these KPIs are being met at a satisfactory level, there may be opportunities for improvement in areas such as proactive problem-solving, innovation, or exceeding established service level agreements. A more detailed understanding would require access to the contract's PWS and the government's performance evaluations.

What is the track record of Technology Trends Group, LLC with federal contracts, particularly within the Department of Transportation or FAA?

Technology Trends Group, LLC has a history of performing federal contracts. A review of public procurement data indicates they have received awards from various agencies, including the Department of Transportation. Their contract history often includes services related to management consulting, administrative support, and professional services. Assessing their track record specifically within the FAA or for similar aerospace-related functions would involve examining past performance evaluations and the types of services previously rendered. While the current contract is rated 'OK', understanding their performance on previous engagements can provide further context on their reliability and capability. Companies with a consistent record of satisfactory performance on federal contracts are generally viewed favorably, though specific project successes or challenges are often detailed in internal agency evaluations.

What are the potential risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for this service, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risk associated with Time and Materials (T&M) contracts is the potential for cost overruns if the scope of work is not well-defined or if contractor effort is inefficiently managed. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements do not have a ceiling on the total cost, making budget predictability a concern. For this contract supporting the Aerospace Medical Certification Division, risks could include extended timelines for tasks, increased labor hours billed, or the incorporation of unnecessary services. Mitigation strategies employed by the government typically involve robust oversight by contracting officers and program managers, detailed monitoring of labor hours and materials used, establishing a contract ceiling, and requiring regular progress reports. Furthermore, the 'OK' performance rating suggests that while the contractor is meeting requirements, continuous vigilance is necessary to ensure efficient resource utilization and prevent scope creep.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › CERTIFIED MEDICAL SUPPORT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2121 N 15TH ST STE 300, ARLINGTON, VA, 22201

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Government, Native American Tribal Government, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $29,972,044

Exercised Options: $6,311,002

Current Obligation: $6,311,002

Actual Outlays: $4,843,152

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 693KA922A00325

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline