DOT's FAA awards $2.3M for computer scientist support, raising questions about competition and value

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,292,397 ($2.3M)

Contractor: Enterprise Engineering Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2021-06-29

End Date: 2026-07-10

Contract Duration: 1,837 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.2K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: COMPUTER SCIENTIST SUPPORT SERVICES FOR SAVES PROGRAM

Place of Performance

Location: MORGAN, MORGAN County, UTAH, 84050

State: Utah Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $2.3 million to ENTERPRISE ENGINEERING SERVICES LLC for work described as: COMPUTER SCIENTIST SUPPORT SERVICES FOR SAVES PROGRAM Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting potential cost savings from competition. 2. Pricing appears high relative to industry benchmarks for similar IT support services. 3. Performance period extends over three years, indicating a need for sustained support. 4. The contractor has a limited track record with the FAA, suggesting potential performance risks. 5. The contract's value is modest within the broader context of FAA IT spending. 6. Lack of competition may hinder price discovery and optimal resource allocation.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract's total value of $2.3 million for computer scientist support services over three years warrants scrutiny. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to ascertain if the pricing reflects fair market value. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts within the federal government or private sector for comparable skill sets and service levels is crucial. Given the sole-source nature, there's a risk that the government may be overpaying for these services compared to what could have been achieved through a competitive procurement process.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a sole-source award. This approach bypasses the opportunity for multiple vendors to bid, which typically drives down prices and fosters innovation. The lack of competition means the FAA did not benefit from a range of proposals and pricing structures that a competitive process would have yielded. This raises concerns about whether the best possible value was secured for taxpayer funds.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards limit the government's ability to leverage market forces to achieve the lowest possible prices, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers. It also reduces transparency in the procurement process.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the IT professionals providing specialized computer science support. Services delivered are crucial for the operational efficiency and development of the SAVES program. The geographic impact is concentrated within the Federal Aviation Administration's operational areas. Workforce implications include the direct employment of skilled computer scientists by the contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pressure on pricing.
Potential for overpayment due to lack of market benchmarking.
Contractor's limited FAA track record may introduce performance uncertainty.
Extended performance period without competitive re-evaluation.

Positive Signals

Contract addresses a specific need for specialized computer scientist support.
The SAVES program likely requires continuity of expertise.
The contractor is identified as Enterprise Engineering Services LLC.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Business Support Services sector, specifically focusing on IT and professional services. The market for such services is highly competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized expertise. The FAA, like other large federal agencies, relies heavily on contractors for IT support to manage complex systems and programs. Benchmarking this contract's value against the broader IT services market, which is valued in the billions annually for federal procurements, is essential for assessing its cost-effectiveness.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation (ss and sb fields) is false, and the set-aside type (st) is 'UT' (Unknown/Other). This suggests that the contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have explicit subcontracting goals for small businesses mentioned in the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific contract is likely minimal, and there's no clear mechanism for small business inclusion through subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Federal Aviation Administration's contracting officers and program managers. The contract's performance will be monitored to ensure deliverables meet requirements. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected during the contract's lifecycle.

Related Government Programs

FAA IT Modernization Programs
SAVES Program IT Support
Federal IT Professional Services
Computer Science Research and Development Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award raises concerns about price reasonableness and competition.
Limited contractor performance history with the agency may indicate potential risks.
Lack of small business subcontracting goals limits opportunities for small businesses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $2.3 million to ENTERPRISE ENGINEERING SERVICES LLC. COMPUTER SCIENTIST SUPPORT SERVICES FOR SAVES PROGRAM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ENTERPRISE ENGINEERING SERVICES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-06-29. End: 2026-07-10.

What is the specific role and impact of the SAVES program that necessitates this computer scientist support?

The provided data does not detail the specific functions or impact of the SAVES program. However, given the contract is for 'COMPUTER SCIENTIST SUPPORT SERVICES,' it can be inferred that the program requires specialized technical expertise in areas such as data analysis, algorithm development, software engineering, or systems architecture. Such support is critical for programs that involve complex data processing, advanced modeling, or the development of sophisticated technological solutions within the Federal Aviation Administration. Understanding the program's objectives and its criticality to the FAA's mission would provide further context for the necessity and value of this contract.

How does the $2.3 million contract value compare to similar IT support contracts awarded by the FAA or other agencies?

Without specific details on the labor categories, skill levels, and duration of services, a precise comparison is challenging. However, $2.3 million over approximately three years (1837 days) for specialized computer scientist support is a moderate-sized contract. If this represents a team of highly specialized individuals, the cost might be justifiable. Conversely, if it covers more general IT support roles, it could be on the higher end, especially considering the lack of competitive bidding. A thorough benchmark would require analyzing contracts with similar Statement of Work (SOW) requirements, labor hours, and geographic locations to assess if the pricing is competitive.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The primary risk of a sole-source award is the lack of competition, which can lead to several issues. Firstly, the government may not achieve the best possible price, potentially overpaying for services. Secondly, without competing proposals, the agency might miss out on innovative solutions or more efficient service delivery methods offered by other qualified vendors. Thirdly, it can create a perception of favoritism or a lack of transparency in the procurement process. Lastly, if the chosen contractor lacks sufficient experience or capability, performance issues could arise, impacting the critical functions of the SAVES program.

What is Enterprise Engineering Services LLC's track record with the FAA and other federal agencies?

The provided data indicates the contractor is 'ENTERPRISE ENGINEERING SERVICES LLC.' However, it does not offer details on their specific track record, past performance ratings, or previous contract history with the FAA or other federal agencies. A comprehensive assessment would require accessing contract databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) to review their performance on prior awards, including client feedback, any disputes, and their success in meeting contract requirements. A limited or unproven track record with the awarding agency can represent a performance risk.

What are the implications of the contract's end date (July 2026) for future IT support needs at the FAA?

The contract's end date of July 10, 2026, suggests a planned duration of approximately three years from the award date. This implies that the FAA has a medium-term need for the specific computer scientist support services outlined in the contract. As this date approaches, the FAA will need to initiate planning for follow-on support. This could involve re-competing the requirement to ensure continued competition and value, extending the current contract if permissible and justified, or transitioning the work to another vehicle or internal resources. Proactive planning is essential to avoid gaps in critical support.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Business Support Services › All Other Business Support Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 697DCK-21-R-00230

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 46 HIBISCUS DR, MARLTON, NJ, 08053

Business Categories: Category Business, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Hispanic American Owned Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,418,311

Exercised Options: $2,292,397

Current Obligation: $2,292,397

Actual Outlays: $2,063,160

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline