DOT's FAA spent $28M on IT services for pilot weather briefings, awarded via full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,077,887 ($28.1M)

Contractor: Csra Information Systems LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2008-09-19

End Date: 2015-04-16

Contract Duration: 2,400 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: PROVIDE WEATHER BRIEFINGS AND FLIGHT PLANNING SERVICES TO GENERAL AVIATION PILOTS THROUGH A DIRECT USER ACCESS SERVICE. VENDOR, TO BE DETERMINED.

Place of Performance

Location: CHANTILLY, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20151

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $28.1 million to CSRA INFORMATION SYSTEMS LLC for work described as: PROVIDE WEATHER BRIEFINGS AND FLIGHT PLANNING SERVICES TO GENERAL AVIATION PILOTS THROUGH A DIRECT USER ACCESS SERVICE. VENDOR, TO BE DETERMINED. Key points: 1. The contract provided essential IT services for disseminating weather information to pilots. 2. A definitive contract structure was used, indicating a long-term service agreement. 3. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The fixed-price contract type aimed to control costs for the government. 5. The duration of the contract was substantial, spanning nearly seven years. 6. The services supported general aviation, a key segment of air travel.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $28 million over its nearly seven-year term represents a significant investment in aviation safety and information dissemination. While specific cost benchmarks for similar weather briefing IT services are not readily available, the use of a firm-fixed-price contract suggests an effort to manage costs predictably. The number of bids received (3) indicates some level of competition, which generally supports reasonable pricing. Further analysis would require benchmarking against the cost of similar IT service contracts for data dissemination and user access platforms.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. Three bids were received, indicating a moderate level of competition for this specific requirement. While three bidders suggest some market interest, a higher number of bidders typically leads to more robust price discovery and potentially lower prices for the government. The specific details of the solicitation and evaluation criteria would further illuminate the competitive dynamics.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages multiple vendors to offer their best pricing and services, potentially leading to cost savings and better value.

Public Impact

General aviation pilots directly benefited from improved access to critical weather information for flight planning. The service enhanced aviation safety by providing timely and accurate weather data. The contract supported the Federal Aviation Administration's mission to ensure the safety and efficiency of the national airspace system. The IT infrastructure and services likely supported a distributed user base across the United States. The contract supported jobs within the IT services sector, specifically related to data management and delivery.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The contract duration of nearly seven years might have limited opportunities for adopting newer technologies if not managed proactively.
The number of bids (3) could indicate potential barriers to entry or limited market interest for this specific service.
The definitive contract type, while suitable for long-term needs, requires careful management to ensure continued value and alignment with evolving requirements.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, maximizing the potential for competitive pricing and innovation.
The firm-fixed-price contract type provided cost certainty for the government over the contract period.
The service directly supported the safety and efficiency of general aviation operations.

Sector Analysis

The Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically focusing on Computer Facilities Management Services, is a critical area for government operations. This contract falls within the broader IT services market, which is characterized by rapid technological advancements and a wide range of specialized providers. The market size for government IT services is substantial, with agencies continually investing in systems that support data dissemination, user access, and operational efficiency. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other contracts for IT infrastructure, software development, and data management services within the federal government, particularly those related to public safety or critical information delivery.

Small Business Impact

This contract did not include a small business set-aside, nor is there information indicating significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses. The primary contractor, CSRA Information Systems LLC, is a large business. This suggests that the primary focus of the contract was on the capabilities of larger IT service providers, and the direct impact on the small business ecosystem may have been limited unless they were part of a larger subcontracting chain not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would have been managed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) within the Department of Transportation. As a definitive contract, it likely involved regular performance reviews and financial oversight to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, which provide basic information on contract awards. Specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction would depend on the nature of any potential fraud, waste, or abuse identified within the contract's execution.

Related Government Programs

FAA Weather Information Systems
Aviation Safety IT Services
General Aviation Support Programs
IT Infrastructure Management Contracts
Data Dissemination Services

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may lead to technology obsolescence.
Moderate competition (3 bidders) could impact price optimization.
Dependence on a single IT system for critical safety information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $28.1 million to CSRA INFORMATION SYSTEMS LLC. PROVIDE WEATHER BRIEFINGS AND FLIGHT PLANNING SERVICES TO GENERAL AVIATION PILOTS THROUGH A DIRECT USER ACCESS SERVICE. VENDOR, TO BE DETERMINED.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CSRA INFORMATION SYSTEMS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $28.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-09-19. End: 2015-04-16.

What was the specific nature of the 'Computer Facilities Management Services' provided under this contract?

The contract data indicates that the services provided were related to 'PROVIDE WEATHER BRIEFINGS AND FLIGHT PLANNING SERVICES TO GENERAL AVIATION PILOTS THROUGH A DIRECT USER ACCESS SERVICE.' This suggests that the IT services encompassed the management, maintenance, and operation of the computer facilities and systems necessary to deliver weather information and flight planning tools directly to pilots. This likely included aspects of data ingestion, processing, storage, network access, and user interface management for the platform used by pilots. The 'Computer Facilities Management Services' (NAICS code 541513) classification points towards the operational and infrastructure support aspects of these IT systems.

How does the $28 million contract value compare to similar FAA IT contracts for weather services?

Benchmarking the $28 million contract value requires comparing it to similar IT service contracts awarded by the FAA or other aviation authorities for weather briefing and flight planning systems. Without access to a comprehensive database of comparable contracts, a precise comparison is difficult. However, considering the contract duration of nearly seven years (approximately 84 months), the average annual spend was around $4 million ($28M / 7 years). This figure needs to be evaluated against the scope, complexity, and user base of the system. Contracts for large-scale IT infrastructure, data analytics, and public-facing service delivery platforms within government often range from millions to tens of millions of dollars annually, depending on the criticality and scale of the service.

What were the primary risks associated with this contract, and how were they mitigated?

Primary risks associated with this contract likely included technological obsolescence, data accuracy and timeliness, cybersecurity threats, and vendor performance issues. Technological obsolescence could arise from the long contract duration if the system wasn't updated. Data accuracy and timeliness are critical for aviation safety, so rigorous quality control and validation processes would be essential. Cybersecurity risks are inherent in any IT system handling sensitive data and user access. Vendor performance risks are managed through contract oversight, performance metrics, and the firm-fixed-price structure which incentivizes the vendor to meet requirements. Mitigation strategies would involve clear performance standards, regular system reviews, robust security protocols, and contingency planning for service disruptions.

What was the historical spending pattern for similar weather briefing services by the FAA prior to this contract?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for similar FAA weather briefing services prior to this contract (awarded in 2008) would require examining contract awards from earlier periods. Information on previous contracts for weather dissemination and flight planning tools would reveal whether the FAA historically relied on similar IT service providers, used different technological approaches, or managed these services in-house. Understanding past spending levels and contract structures can provide context for the $28 million awarded here, indicating whether this represented an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in such services. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to ascertain the trend.

How effective was the 'direct user access service' in reaching general aviation pilots?

The effectiveness of the 'direct user access service' in reaching general aviation pilots would be measured by metrics such as user adoption rates, system uptime, user satisfaction surveys, and the impact on pilot decision-making and safety. While the contract itself doesn't provide these effectiveness metrics, the FAA's continued investment in such services suggests a perceived value and utility. A successful 'direct user access service' would be characterized by widespread adoption among the target pilot community, reliability, and a demonstrable contribution to reducing weather-related aviation incidents. Feedback mechanisms and usage analytics would be key to assessing its true effectiveness.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Dyncorp (UEI: 003242013)

Address: 15000 CONFERENCE CENTER DR, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $406,073,270

Exercised Options: $28,863,174

Current Obligation: $28,077,887

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline