Department of Transportation awarded APPTIS, INC. $34.9M for engineering services, with a 2009 start date

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $34,933,579 ($34.9M)

Contractor: Apptis, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2009-05-04

End Date: 2015-08-18

Contract Duration: 2,297 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROVIDE INCREMENTAL FUNDING FOR LABOR HOURS, TRAVEL, AND ODC'S UNDER APPTIS CONTRACT DTFAWA-09-C-00039, ON WORK AUTHORIZATION #0001.

Place of Performance

Location: CHANTILLY, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20151

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $34.9 million to APPTIS, INC. for work described as: PROVIDE INCREMENTAL FUNDING FOR LABOR HOURS, TRAVEL, AND ODC'S UNDER APPTIS CONTRACT DTFAWA-09-C-00039, ON WORK AUTHORIZATION #0001. Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can incentivize cost overruns if not managed carefully. 3. Performance period spanned over 6 years, indicating a long-term need for the services. 4. The contract was awarded to a single vendor, APPTIS, INC., for this specific work authorization. 5. The base contract was awarded in 2009, with this modification extending its utility. 6. The contract is for engineering services, a critical component for infrastructure and operational support.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific incremental funding requires more context on the labor hours, travel, and other direct costs (ODCs) provided. However, the total award amount of $34.9M over a 6-year period for engineering services suggests a substantial investment. Without comparable contract data for similar engineering services within the FAA or DOT, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type, while allowing for flexibility, can sometimes lead to higher costs compared to fixed-price contracts if cost controls are not robust.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 3 bids suggests a moderate level of competition for the base contract. However, this specific modification is for incremental funding on an existing contract, so the competition level for this particular action is not directly applicable. The initial competition likely helped establish a baseline price, but the long duration and CPFF structure warrant ongoing scrutiny.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more favorable pricing and better service quality. The initial competition for this contract likely ensured the government received competitive offers.

Public Impact

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) benefits from these engineering services, likely supporting its operational and infrastructure needs. Services delivered are crucial for maintaining and potentially upgrading aviation systems and facilities. The geographic impact is likely national, given the FAA's mandate, with specific impacts in Virginia where the contractor is located. The contract supports a workforce of engineers and technical staff employed by APPTIS, INC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
The long performance period (over 6 years) increases the risk of scope creep or evolving requirements.
Limited information on the specific deliverables for this incremental funding makes it hard to assess performance directly.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive initial process.
The contract addresses a long-term need for engineering services within the FAA.
The contractor, APPTIS, INC., has a track record with this specific contract vehicle.

Sector Analysis

Engineering services, particularly within the aerospace and defense sectors, are critical for government operations. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) relies heavily on such services for air traffic control systems, airport infrastructure, and regulatory compliance. The market for these services is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized expertise. This contract fits within the broader category of professional services supporting federal agencies, with spending benchmarks varying widely based on the specific technical requirements and duration.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (sb) was false, and there was no specific small business set-aside (ss) for this contract. This suggests that the contract was not specifically targeted towards small businesses, and larger, established firms were likely the primary bidders. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist but are not explicitly detailed in this summary.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, requiring detailed reporting of costs and progress. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS, although specific performance details may be less public. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

FAA Air Traffic Control Modernization Programs
DOT Infrastructure Engineering Contracts
Federal Aviation Systems Engineering Support
Professional Services Contracts (NAICS 541330)

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize higher costs if not managed properly.
Long contract duration increases potential for scope creep and evolving requirements.
Lack of specific performance metrics in summary data hinders direct assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $34.9 million to APPTIS, INC.. PROVIDE INCREMENTAL FUNDING FOR LABOR HOURS, TRAVEL, AND ODC'S UNDER APPTIS CONTRACT DTFAWA-09-C-00039, ON WORK AUTHORIZATION #0001.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is APPTIS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $34.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-05-04. End: 2015-08-18.

What was the original scope of work for the base contract DTFAWA-09-C-00039 awarded to APPTIS, INC. in 2009?

The original scope of work for the base contract DTFAWA-09-C-00039 awarded to APPTIS, INC. on May 4, 2009, was not detailed in the provided data snippet. This data focuses on a specific work authorization for incremental funding. Generally, contracts of this nature with the FAA involve complex engineering services supporting air traffic control systems, infrastructure development, or operational enhancements. Further investigation into the contract's award documents and modifications would be necessary to ascertain the precise original scope.

How does the total value of this contract compare to other engineering service contracts awarded by the FAA during the same period?

Comparing the total value of $34.9 million for APPTIS, INC.'s contract to other FAA engineering service contracts awarded around 2009 requires access to historical contract databases and specific service categories. Engineering services can range significantly in cost depending on specialization (e.g., civil, electrical, software) and project scale. Without specific benchmarks for comparable FAA engineering contracts during that timeframe, it's challenging to definitively state whether $34.9 million represents a high, low, or average value. However, for a contract spanning over six years, this amount suggests a significant, long-term engagement.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of APPTIS, INC. under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of APPTIS, INC. under contract DTFAWA-09-C-00039. For Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts, performance is typically evaluated based on the contractor's ability to meet technical requirements, adhere to schedules, manage costs within the fixed fee parameters, and deliver quality services. Specific KPIs would likely be detailed in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) and performance work statement (PWS), focusing on aspects like system uptime, project milestones achieved, or technical accuracy of deliverables.

What is the breakdown of the $34.9 million incremental funding for labor hours, travel, and ODCs?

The provided data indicates that the $34.9 million represents incremental funding for labor hours, travel, and Other Direct Costs (ODCs) under Work Authorization #0001 for APPTIS, INC.'s contract DTFAWA-09-C-00039. However, the specific breakdown of this total amount allocated to each category (labor, travel, ODCs) is not detailed in the snippet. Such a breakdown would typically be found in the detailed financial reports or modification documents associated with the work authorization, allowing for a granular analysis of how the funds were utilized.

What is the track record of APPTIS, INC. with the Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration prior to and following this contract?

The provided data indicates that APPTIS, INC. was awarded contract DTFAWA-09-C-00039 by the Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration. This suggests a prior relationship or at least an opportunity to compete for federal contracts. To assess their broader track record, one would need to examine other contracts awarded to APPTIS, INC. by the DOT and FAA, looking at factors like past performance evaluations, contract modifications, and any history of disputes or awards. The duration and value of this specific contract imply a level of established performance, but a comprehensive review would require accessing more extensive contract history data.

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

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: AECOM

Address: 4800 WESTFIELDS BLVD, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $447,726,881

Exercised Options: $34,933,579

Current Obligation: $34,933,579

Actual Outlays: $686,817

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline