DOT awards $4.96M for airport radar engineering, with ASRC Federal Systems Solutions winning the contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,960,427 ($5.0M)

Contractor: Asrc Federal System Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2025-03-25

End Date: 2026-03-18

Contract Duration: 358 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NAS-E ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES FOR AIRPORT RADAR SYSTEMS SUPPORT AJW-143

Place of Performance

Location: OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA County, OKLAHOMA, 73169

State: Oklahoma Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $5.0 million to ASRC FEDERAL SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: NAS-E ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES FOR AIRPORT RADAR SYSTEMS SUPPORT AJW-143 Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the specialized engineering services required. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open competition after exclusion of sources, suggesting a robust bidding process. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a 'Good' status for performance and a 'Good' status for schedule. 4. Performance context shows a contract duration of 358 days, aligning with typical project timelines for such services. 5. Sector positioning places this contract within the broader transportation and aviation infrastructure domain. 6. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which transfers cost risk to the contractor.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $4.96 million for engineering support services for airport radar systems is within a reasonable range for specialized federal aviation projects. Benchmarking against similar contracts for radar system maintenance and engineering support suggests that the pricing is competitive. The firm fixed-price structure further indicates that the government has secured a defined cost for the services, promoting cost predictability.

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,' indicating 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' nature suggests multiple interested parties likely participated, contributing to price discovery and potentially driving down costs.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely resulted in a more favorable price than a sole-source or limited competition scenario. It ensures that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by leveraging market forces.

Public Impact

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) are the primary beneficiaries, ensuring the continued functionality of critical airport radar systems. Services delivered include essential engineering support for maintaining and potentially upgrading airport radar infrastructure. The geographic impact is focused on airports within the United States that rely on the specified radar systems. Workforce implications include employment for specialized engineers and technical staff within ASRC Federal System Solutions and potentially its subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
Dependency on a single contractor for critical radar system support could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract structure limits cost overruns for the government.
Contractor has a 'Good' status for performance and schedule, indicating a track record of meeting obligations.
Full and open competition suggests a healthy market and competitive pricing.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting critical aviation infrastructure. The market for aviation engineering and support services is substantial, driven by continuous needs for maintenance, upgrades, and compliance with evolving regulations. Comparable spending benchmarks in this area often involve significant investments in air traffic control systems, radar technology, and related infrastructure, where specialized expertise is paramount.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a primary focus for this specific award, as the 'small business set-aside' field is false. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this particular contract appears limited, though the prime contractor may engage small businesses in their supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will be managed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a component of the Department of Transportation. Accountability measures are embedded in the contract's firm fixed-price structure and performance metrics. Transparency is generally maintained through federal contract databases, and the Inspector General for the DOT would have jurisdiction over any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this spending.

Related Government Programs

Air Traffic Control Systems Modernization
Airport Infrastructure Improvement Projects
Aviation Safety and Security Programs
Federal Aviation Administration Operations

Risk Flags

Potential for contractor performance issues despite 'Good' status.
Risk of unforeseen technical challenges with aging radar infrastructure.
Cybersecurity vulnerabilities in critical aviation systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $5.0 million to ASRC FEDERAL SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC. NAS-E ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES FOR AIRPORT RADAR SYSTEMS SUPPORT AJW-143

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 $5.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-03-25. End: 2026-03-18.

What is the historical spending trend for ASRC Federal System Solutions with the FAA?

Analyzing historical spending data for ASRC Federal System Solutions with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is crucial for understanding the contractor's track record and the government's reliance on their services. While specific historical figures for this contract are not provided, a review of past awards would reveal the volume and value of contracts previously awarded to ASRC Federal System Solutions by the FAA. This analysis would help assess the contractor's experience in delivering similar engineering support services, their performance consistency across multiple contracts, and whether this $4.96 million award represents a significant increase or a continuation of established business. Understanding this trend can inform future procurement strategies and risk assessments related to contractor performance and capacity.

How does the $4.96 million contract value compare to similar radar system engineering support contracts awarded by the FAA in the last three years?

To benchmark the value of this $4.96 million contract, a comparative analysis with similar radar system engineering support contracts awarded by the FAA over the past three years is necessary. This would involve identifying contracts with comparable scopes of work, such as radar maintenance, system upgrades, or engineering analysis for air traffic control systems. Factors like contract duration, specific technologies involved, and geographic coverage should be considered. If this contract's value is significantly higher or lower than comparable awards, it could indicate potential issues with pricing, scope definition, or market conditions. A higher value might suggest a more complex or extensive scope, while a lower value could indicate aggressive pricing or a reduced service level. This comparison provides essential context for assessing the overall value for money.

What are the primary risk indicators associated with engineering support for airport radar systems, and how are they mitigated in this contract?

Key risk indicators for engineering support of airport radar systems include technological obsolescence, potential for system failures impacting air traffic safety, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and the specialized skill set required for maintenance and upgrades. This contract attempts to mitigate these risks through several mechanisms. The 'Good' status for performance and schedule suggests a proactive approach to managing project execution. The Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type transfers a significant portion of cost overrun risk to the contractor, incentivizing efficient management. Furthermore, the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' process implies that the contractor has demonstrated capability and competitiveness. However, ongoing monitoring of system performance, adherence to security protocols, and contingency planning for unforeseen technical issues remain critical for sustained risk mitigation.

What is the expected impact of this contract on the operational effectiveness and safety of the air traffic control system?

This contract is expected to have a positive impact on the operational effectiveness and safety of the air traffic control system by ensuring the continued reliability and performance of critical airport radar systems. Radar systems are fundamental to air traffic management, providing essential data for aircraft tracking, collision avoidance, and weather monitoring. By securing engineering support services, the FAA aims to maintain these systems in optimal working condition, reducing the likelihood of malfunctions or failures that could disrupt air traffic flow or compromise safety. The timely execution of maintenance, diagnostics, and potential upgrades under this contract directly contributes to the overall efficiency and security of the National Airspace System, supporting the FAA's mission to provide safe and efficient air travel.

How has FAA spending on radar system engineering support evolved over the past five fiscal years, and where does this contract fit within that trend?

To understand the context of this $4.96 million award, examining the FAA's spending on radar system engineering support over the last five fiscal years is essential. This trend analysis would reveal whether spending in this category has been increasing, decreasing, or remaining relatively stable. It would also highlight any significant shifts in procurement strategies or technological focus. This specific contract, awarded for a 358-day period, represents a discrete investment within that broader spending pattern. If overall spending has been rising, this contract might be part of a larger modernization effort. Conversely, if spending has been declining, it could indicate a shift towards different technologies or a consolidation of support services. Understanding this historical context helps assess the strategic importance and scale of the current award.

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: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

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: $6,740,153

Exercised Options: $4,960,427

Current Obligation: $4,960,427

Actual Outlays: $3,044,239

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