DOT awards $4.38M contract to CHANGEIS, INC. for NAS system sustainment and operation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $437,679 ($437.7K)

Contractor: Changeis, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2025-04-17

End Date: 2026-05-12

Contract Duration: 390 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: CONTRACT SUPPORT FOR LABOR FOR SYSTEM SUSTAINMENT/OPERATION SO AS TO SUSTAIN/OPERATE THE NAS.

Place of Performance

Location: OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA County, OKLAHOMA, 73121

State: Oklahoma Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $437,679 to CHANGEIS, INC. for work described as: CONTRACT SUPPORT FOR LABOR FOR SYSTEM SUSTAINMENT/OPERATION SO AS TO SUSTAIN/OPERATE THE NAS. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical operational support for the National Airspace System (NAS). 2. Value-for-money assessment pending detailed cost breakdown and performance metrics. 3. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open process, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 4. Risk indicators appear low based on 'OK' status for system and security. 5. Performance context is tied to ongoing system sustainment, crucial for air traffic control. 6. Sector positioning is within IT services supporting essential government infrastructure.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $4.38 million for a 13-month period appears reasonable for specialized IT support of critical national infrastructure. Benchmarking against similar contracts for system sustainment and operation within the federal government would provide a clearer picture of value. Without specific details on the labor categories and hours, a precise per-unit cost comparison is difficult, but the overall award amount suggests a moderate investment for essential services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters price discovery and encourages competitive offers. The FAA's choice of full and open competition suggests confidence in the market's ability to provide qualified contractors at competitive rates for this type of service.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive bidding process that aims to secure the best possible price for essential IT support services for the NAS.

Public Impact

Benefits the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by ensuring the continued operation and sustainment of the National Airspace System. Services delivered include labor for system sustainment and operation, directly impacting air traffic control capabilities. Geographic impact is national, as the NAS underpins air travel across the United States. Workforce implications include the potential for skilled IT professionals to be engaged in supporting critical infrastructure.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the contractor's past performance.
The 'Time and Materials' contract type can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not closely managed and monitored.
Specific details on the scope of 'system sustainment/operation' are not provided, leaving room for potential scope creep.

Positive Signals

Awarded under 'full and open competition,' suggesting a robust bidding process.
Contractor status is 'OK,' and system/security status is 'OK,' indicating no immediate red flags.
The contract duration of 390 days (approx. 13 months) is a defined period, allowing for focused support.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) services sector, specifically focusing on IT support for government infrastructure. The market for IT services supporting critical national systems like the NAS is substantial, with numerous specialized firms capable of providing such expertise. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other federal contracts for system operations and maintenance, particularly within agencies managing large-scale operational systems like the FAA, Department of Defense, or NASA.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside provision. The prime contractor, CHANGEIS, INC., will likely manage the execution of this contract, and any subcontracting would be at their discretion.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the contracting agency. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract terms, including performance standards, delivery schedules, and payment milestones. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where award details are published. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

FAA Air Traffic Control Systems
National Airspace System Modernization
Federal IT Infrastructure Support
Government IT Operations and Maintenance

Risk Flags

Potential for cost escalation due to Time and Materials contract type.
Lack of specific performance metrics in award data.
Limited insight into contractor's historical performance on similar contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $437,679 to CHANGEIS, INC.. CONTRACT SUPPORT FOR LABOR FOR SYSTEM SUSTAINMENT/OPERATION SO AS TO SUSTAIN/OPERATE THE NAS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CHANGEIS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $437,679.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-04-17. End: 2026-05-12.

What is the specific nature of the 'system sustainment/operation' services being provided under this contract?

The contract description states 'CONTRACT SUPPORT FOR LABOR FOR SYSTEM SUSTAINMENT/OPERATION SO AS TO SUSTAIN/OPERATE THE NAS.' This implies that CHANGEIS, INC. is providing personnel to maintain, update, and ensure the continuous functioning of various components of the National Airspace System (NAS). This could encompass a wide range of IT-related tasks, including software maintenance, hardware support, system monitoring, troubleshooting, and potentially minor upgrades or patches. The exact systems involved are not detailed in the provided data, but they are critical for air traffic management and safety.

How does the $4.38 million award compare to historical spending on similar NAS sustainment contracts?

Without access to historical spending data specifically for NAS sustainment contracts of this nature, a direct comparison is challenging. However, $4.38 million for approximately 13 months of specialized IT labor suggests a significant but not exorbitant investment for critical infrastructure support. To provide a robust comparison, one would need to analyze past FAA contracts for similar services, considering factors like contract duration, scope of work, and inflation. The 'full and open competition' award type suggests the FAA sought competitive pricing, which could indicate this award is in line with market expectations.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) that will be used to measure the success of CHANGEIS, INC.'s performance?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, for system sustainment and operation contracts, KPIs would focus on metrics such as system uptime/availability, response times for issue resolution, successful completion of maintenance tasks, adherence to security protocols, and timely delivery of support services. The FAA contracting officers would be responsible for defining and monitoring these KPIs throughout the contract period to ensure the contractor meets its obligations and maintains the operational integrity of the NAS.

What is the risk associated with using a 'Time and Materials' contract type for this service?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts, like the one awarded to CHANGEIS, INC., carry a higher risk of cost overruns compared to fixed-price contracts. This is because the government pays for the actual labor hours and material costs incurred by the contractor, plus a fixed fee or fixed hourly rate. If the scope of work is not well-defined or if the contractor's efficiency is low, costs can escalate beyond initial estimates. Effective oversight, detailed tracking of hours and materials, and clear task definitions are crucial to mitigate this risk and ensure value for money.

What is the track record of CHANGEIS, INC. in providing similar IT support services to the federal government?

The provided data indicates that CHANGEIS, INC. is the awardee and that their status is 'OK.' However, it does not offer specific details on their past performance or track record with the federal government, particularly concerning NAS sustainment or similar critical IT operations. A thorough assessment would require reviewing past contract awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any publicly available information on their project history. Without this, it's difficult to definitively assess their experience level for this specific type of critical support.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - DELIVERY

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1530 WILSON BLVD 700, ARLINGTON, VA, 22209

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $437,679

Exercised Options: $437,679

Current Obligation: $437,679

Actual Outlays: $241,954

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 6973GH22D00063

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline