ASRC Federal Systems Solutions awarded $5.4M for National Aerospace System Engineering Support Services by DOT

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,407,970 ($5.4M)

Contractor: Asrc Federal System Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2022-03-15

End Date: 2023-04-07

Contract Duration: 388 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: NATIONAL AEROSPACE SYSTEM ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES (AJW-1433)

Place of Performance

Location: OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA County, OKLAHOMA, 73169

State: Oklahoma Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $5.4 million to ASRC FEDERAL SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: NATIONAL AEROSPACE SYSTEM ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES (AJW-1433) Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control risks if not managed closely. 3. The duration of the contract is 388 days, indicating a medium-term engagement. 4. The award was a delivery order, suggesting it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. 5. The contractor, ASRC Federal System Solutions LLC, has a track record with federal contracts. 6. The service category is Engineering Services, a critical area for aerospace system support.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount of $5.4 million for engineering services over approximately 13 months appears within a reasonable range for specialized aerospace support. However, without specific details on the scope of work and deliverables, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure necessitates close monitoring to ensure efficient resource utilization and prevent cost overruns compared to fixed-price contracts. Benchmarking against similar, highly specialized engineering support contracts within the aerospace sector would provide a clearer picture of cost-effectiveness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which implies that while the competition was broad, specific sources may have been excluded based on predefined criteria. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competitive environment. This approach is intended to maximize opportunities for qualified contractors and potentially drive down prices through market forces.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process generally benefits taxpayers by fostering price discovery and encouraging contractors to offer their best value propositions. This approach aims to ensure that government funds are used efficiently by selecting the most capable and cost-effective solution.

Public Impact

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) benefits from enhanced engineering support for the National Aerospace System. Services delivered include critical engineering expertise to maintain and improve aerospace systems. The geographic impact is likely national, given the scope of the National Aerospace System. The contract supports a workforce of engineers and technical specialists within ASRC Federal System Solutions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.
The 'Exclusion of Sources' clause in the competition type warrants further investigation into the rationale.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the quality of services delivered.
The contract duration is relatively short, which might lead to frequent re-competition and potential disruption.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a full and open competition, indicating a competitive process.
The contractor, ASRC Federal System Solutions LLC, is an established entity in the federal contracting space.
Engineering Services are crucial for the operational integrity of the National Aerospace System.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting aerospace systems. The federal government is a significant consumer of engineering services, particularly for complex infrastructure and defense-related projects. The market for aerospace engineering support is specialized, with a limited number of firms possessing the requisite expertise and security clearances. Spending in this area is driven by the need for continuous innovation, maintenance, and upgrades of critical national assets like the air traffic control system.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside provision. However, the prime contractor, ASRC Federal System Solutions LLC, may engage small businesses as subcontractors depending on their own procurement practices and the specific needs of the engineering services required.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) contracting officer and program managers. Performance monitoring, invoice review, and adherence to contract terms are standard oversight mechanisms. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Aerospace Engineering Support Contracts
Federal Aviation Administration Contracts
Department of Transportation Contracts
Engineering Services Contracts
Time and Materials Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data.
The specific rationale for 'Exclusion of Sources' in the competition is not detailed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $5.4 million to ASRC FEDERAL SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC. NATIONAL AEROSPACE SYSTEM ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES (AJW-1433)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ASRC FEDERAL SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-03-15. End: 2023-04-07.

What is the specific scope of work covered under the "NATIONAL AEROSPACE SYSTEM ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES (AJW-1433)" contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific scope of work for the "NATIONAL AEROSPACE SYSTEM ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES (AJW-1433)" contract. However, based on the contract title and the agency (Federal Aviation Administration), it is highly probable that the services involve providing technical expertise, analysis, design support, testing, and potentially system integration for various components of the National Airspace System (NAS). This could include air traffic control systems, navigation aids, communication infrastructure, surveillance technologies, and related software and hardware. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure suggests that the exact hours and resources needed may not have been fully predictable at the time of award, requiring flexibility in the service delivery.

How does the contractor, ASRC Federal System Solutions LLC, perform compared to other federal engineering service providers?

Assessing ASRC Federal System Solutions LLC's performance requires access to historical performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS) which are not included in the provided data. Generally, ASRC Federal System Solutions LLC is a known entity in the federal contracting space, often performing IT and engineering services for various agencies. Their status as a recipient of this contract, awarded under full and open competition, suggests they met the technical and financial qualifications set by the FAA. However, without specific performance metrics or comparative data against peers on similar contracts, a definitive performance comparison is not possible from this dataset alone. Their track record on other contracts would offer more insight.

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, such as this one 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 actual cost of materials. If the scope of work is not well-defined, or if project management is lax, contractors may incur more hours or use more expensive materials than anticipated, leading to costs exceeding initial estimates. This necessitates robust government oversight, including detailed tracking of labor hours, verification of material costs, and strong program management to ensure efficiency and control spending. The FAA must actively monitor the contractor's effort to mitigate these risks.

What is the historical spending pattern for National Aerospace System Engineering Support Services by the FAA?

The provided data only includes details for a single delivery order valued at approximately $5.4 million awarded in March 2022. To understand the historical spending pattern for National Aerospace System Engineering Support Services by the FAA, one would need to analyze contract data over several fiscal years. This would involve querying databases like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) for similar contract actions awarded to various contractors for engineering support related to the NAS. Analyzing trends in award amounts, contract types, competition levels, and incumbent contractors over time would reveal spending patterns, identify periods of increased or decreased investment, and highlight any shifts in procurement strategies.

How does the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' differ from standard full and open competition?

Standard 'Full and Open Competition' means that all responsible sources are permitted to submit a bid or proposal, and the contract is awarded to the responsible source submitting the lowest price, highest evaluated price for best value, or other basis that provides the greatest value to the United States. 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' as indicated in the contract data, implies that while the competition was intended to be broad, certain potential sources were intentionally excluded based on specific, documented reasons. These reasons might include national security concerns, proprietary data limitations, or the need for specialized capabilities that only a limited number of entities possess. The exclusion must be justified and documented according to federal acquisition regulations (FAR) to ensure fairness and prevent undue restriction of competition.

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: TWO STEP

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Arctic Slope Regional Corporation

Address: 7000 MUIRKIRK MEADOWS DR STE 100, BELTSVILLE, MD, 20705

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,989,763

Exercised Options: $5,407,970

Current Obligation: $5,407,970

Actual Outlays: $5,407,970

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 6973GH18D00008

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline