DOT's FAA Spends $104K on Eaton UPS Equipment for Pensacola TRACON

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $103,960 ($104.0K)

Contractor: Eaton Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2026-04-10

End Date: 2027-04-10

Contract Duration: 365 days

Daily Burn Rate: $285/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: IIJA UPS EQUIPMENT PURCHASE. JCN:23001460, LOC:P31 PCS, PENSACOLA FL. COST FOR EATON EQUIPMENT AT P31 TRACON UPS REPLACEMENT PROJECT. NOTE $8,000.00 WILL BE CHARGED TO THE FREIGHT TASK ORDER.

Place of Performance

Location: RALEIGH, WAKE County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27615

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $103,960.05 to EATON CORPORATION for work described as: IIJA UPS EQUIPMENT PURCHASE. JCN:23001460, LOC:P31 PCS, PENSACOLA FL. COST FOR EATON EQUIPMENT AT P31 TRACON UPS REPLACEMENT PROJECT. NOTE $8,000.00 WILL BE CHARGED TO THE FREIGHT TASK ORDER. Key points: 1. Significant investment in critical infrastructure for air traffic control. 2. Sole supplier identified as Eaton Corporation, raising questions about competition. 3. Project duration of 365 days with a firm fixed price contract. 4. Spending falls within the 'All Other Miscellaneous Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing' NAICS code.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The $103,960.05 cost for Eaton UPS equipment appears to be a standard procurement for specialized air traffic control infrastructure. Benchmarking against similar large-scale UPS systems for critical facilities would be necessary for a definitive assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. However, the specific mention of 'Eaton Equipment' implies a potential reliance on a particular manufacturer, which warrants further investigation into the bidding process.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential upgrades to air traffic control systems, ensuring operational reliability and safety.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation of critical air traffic control systems. Supports the modernization of aviation infrastructure under the IIJA. Potential for future maintenance and upgrade contracts with the same vendor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Reliance on a single manufacturer (Eaton) despite full and open competition.
Limited transparency on specific pricing details and alternatives considered.

Positive Signals

Procurement supports critical infrastructure upgrades.
Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

This procurement falls under the 'All Other Miscellaneous Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing' sector. Spending on electrical components for government infrastructure is common, with benchmarks varying widely based on system complexity and scale.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were subcontracting opportunities on this project.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a delivery order under a larger award, suggesting it has undergone some level of review. However, the specific oversight mechanisms for ensuring competitive pricing and value for this particular order are not detailed.

Related Government Programs

All Other Miscellaneous Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing
Department of Transportation Contracting
Federal Aviation Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for sole-source reliance despite full and open competition.
Lack of detailed cost-benefit analysis publicly available.
Limited information on alternative solutions considered.
Long-term cost implications of vendor lock-in.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $103,960.05 to EATON CORPORATION. IIJA UPS EQUIPMENT PURCHASE. JCN:23001460, LOC:P31 PCS, PENSACOLA FL. COST FOR EATON EQUIPMENT AT P31 TRACON UPS REPLACEMENT PROJECT. NOTE $8,000.00 WILL BE CHARGED TO THE FREIGHT TASK ORDER.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EATON CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $103,960.05.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2027-04-10.

What was the competitive landscape for this specific Eaton UPS system, and were there viable alternatives considered during the full and open competition?

While the contract states 'full and open competition,' the specific mention of 'Eaton Equipment' suggests a potential preference or requirement for this brand. Further investigation into the solicitation documents and bid analysis would be needed to confirm if other manufacturers' comparable UPS systems were evaluated and if Eaton's bid was demonstrably the best value, considering factors beyond just price.

What is the long-term cost implication of relying on Eaton for this critical UPS system, including maintenance and potential future upgrades?

The current procurement focuses on the initial purchase and installation. Long-term implications involve potential vendor lock-in for maintenance, spare parts, and future upgrades, which could lead to higher costs compared to a multi-vendor strategy. The FAA should assess the total cost of ownership over the system's lifecycle.

How does the $103,960.05 cost compare to similar UPS system procurements for air traffic control facilities of comparable size and criticality?

Benchmarking this cost against similar procurements is crucial for assessing value. Factors such as system capacity (kVA), battery runtime, redundancy features, and warranty terms significantly influence pricing. Without detailed specifications and comparative data, it's difficult to definitively state if this price represents excellent value or is inflated.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing › All Other Miscellaneous Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC EQPT COMPNTS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Eaton Corporation Public Limited Company

Address: 8609 SIX FORKS RD, RALEIGH, NC, 27615

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $103,960

Exercised Options: $103,960

Current Obligation: $103,960

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 6973GH18D00082

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline