FAA's $97.5M contract for air traffic safety services awarded to CSSI, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $97,498,581 ($97.5M)

Contractor: Cssi, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2010-09-22

End Date: 2016-09-30

Contract Duration: 2,200 days

Daily Burn Rate: $44.3K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) AIR TRAFFIC ORGANIZATION OFFICE OF SAFETY (AJS) HAS A REQUIREMENT FOR A BROAD RANGE OF COMPREHENSIVE PROFESSIONAL, TECHNICAL AND SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO AIR TRANSPORTATION SUPPORT AND ENGINEERING SERVICES. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE DESIGNING, DEVELOPING, DELIVERING, TESTING, PROGRAM PLANNING, DATA COLLECTION, ANALYSIS, AND OPERATION OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN SUPPORT OF THE FAA'S GOAL OF INCREASED SAFETY AND SYSTEM OF CONSTANTLY IMPROVING PERFORMANCE. THE FAA WILL MEET THIS CHALLENGE BY DEVELOPING NEW SYSTEMS TO COLLECT AND ANALYZE SAFETY DATA TRENDS, ANOMALIES, AND OTHER INFORMATION ON WHICH TO BASE INITIATIVES TO HELP THE FAA INCREASE CAPACITY IN THE NATIONAL AIRSPACE SYSTEM (NAS) WHILE CONSTANTLY INCREASING SAFETY TO NAS USERS. TAS::69 1301::TAS

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20024

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $97.5 million to CSSI, LLC for work described as: THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) AIR TRAFFIC ORGANIZATION OFFICE OF SAFETY (AJS) HAS A REQUIREMENT FOR A BROAD RANGE OF COMPREHENSIVE PROFESSIONAL, TECHNICAL AND SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO AIR TRANSPORTATION SUPPORT AND ENGINEERING SERVICES. THESE SER… Key points: 1. Contract supports critical FAA safety initiatives and information system development. 2. Services encompass a broad range of professional, technical, and engineering support. 3. Focus on data collection and analysis to improve National Airspace System safety and capacity. 4. Contract duration spans over five years, indicating a long-term need. 5. Awarded under a Best Practices Acquisition (BPA) Call, suggesting a streamlined process. 6. Firm Fixed Price contract type aims to control costs and provide predictability.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $97.5 million over approximately six years represents a significant investment in air traffic safety. While specific cost breakdowns are not provided, the firm fixed-price structure suggests an effort to manage expenses. Benchmarking against similar large-scale professional and technical services contracts within the federal government would be necessary for a more precise value-for-money assessment. The breadth of services required indicates a comprehensive approach to safety, which can be cost-effective if it leads to demonstrable improvements in air traffic safety and efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a competitive process. While the exact number of bidders is not specified, the use of SAP suggests that multiple offers were likely solicited and evaluated. The competitive nature of the award, even under SAP, generally contributes to price discovery and ensures that the government receives a reasonable price for the services rendered. The fact that it was competed implies that various firms had the opportunity to bid.

Taxpayer Impact: A competed contract, even under SAP, generally leads to better pricing for taxpayers compared to sole-source awards. It ensures that the government is not locked into a single provider, fostering a more cost-effective outcome.

Public Impact

Benefits air transportation users by contributing to increased safety in the National Airspace System. Delivers essential professional, technical, and engineering services to the FAA's Office of Safety. Impacts the national airspace by supporting the development of new systems for safety data analysis. Workforce implications include potential employment for engineers, analysts, and technical support staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep given the broad range of services required.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical safety functions could pose a risk if performance falters.
Ensuring consistent quality across diverse professional and technical services can be challenging.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the FAA.
The contract supports the FAA's strategic goal of increasing safety and capacity.
Awarded to a single entity (CSSI, LLC) can lead to efficiencies through consolidated expertise.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically engineering services. The federal government is a major consumer of such services, particularly within agencies like the FAA that require specialized expertise for complex operations. The market for air transportation support and engineering services is substantial, with numerous firms capable of providing these capabilities. This contract represents a significant portion of spending for specialized safety analysis and system development within the aviation sector.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary contractor, CSSI, LLC, is likely a larger entity. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this data. The absence of a small business set-aside suggests that the competition was open to all qualified offerors, and the focus was on securing the best overall solution rather than specifically promoting small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) contracting officers and program managers. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability by linking payment to deliverables. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases where award details are published. While specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction is not detailed here, the Department of Transportation's Office of Inspector General typically oversees FAA programs and contracts for potential fraud, waste, and abuse.

Related Government Programs

FAA Air Traffic Control Modernization Programs
National Airspace System Safety Initiatives
Aviation Safety Data Analysis Contracts
Federal Aviation Administration Professional Services

Risk Flags

Broad scope of services may lead to management challenges.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical safety functions.
Need for robust oversight to ensure quality and adherence to safety standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $97.5 million to CSSI, LLC. THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) AIR TRAFFIC ORGANIZATION OFFICE OF SAFETY (AJS) HAS A REQUIREMENT FOR A BROAD RANGE OF COMPREHENSIVE PROFESSIONAL, TECHNICAL AND SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO AIR TRANSPORTATION SUPPORT AND ENGINEERING SERVICES. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE DESIGNING, DEVELOPING, DELIVERING, TESTING, PROGRAM PLANNING, DATA COLLECTION, ANALYSIS, AND OPERATION OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN SUPPORT OF THE FAA'S GOAL OF INCREASED SAFETY AND SYSTEM OF CONSTANTLY IMPROV

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CSSI, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $97.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-09-22. End: 2016-09-30.

What is the track record of CSSI, LLC in performing similar federal contracts, particularly with the FAA?

CSSI, LLC has a history of performing federal contracts, including those with the FAA. While this specific contract is a significant award, a deeper dive into their past performance would involve reviewing other contracts they have held, their performance ratings on those contracts (if publicly available), and any past issues or commendations. Examining their experience with information systems development, data analysis, and air transportation support services would be crucial. A review of their contract history on federal procurement databases would reveal the extent and nature of their prior work, providing insight into their capabilities and reliability for this current requirement.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar services procured by the FAA or other federal agencies?

A comprehensive comparison of pricing would require access to detailed cost breakdowns within the contract and benchmark data for similar services. Given this is a Firm Fixed Price contract, the price was negotiated upfront. To assess value, one would compare the per-unit costs or overall service rates against historical data for comparable engineering, technical, and professional support services procured by the FAA or other agencies like NASA or the Department of Defense. Factors such as the complexity of the services, the required expertise, and the duration of the contract would need to be considered. Without specific benchmark data, it's challenging to definitively state if the pricing is optimal, but the competitive award process suggests a reasonable market-based price was achieved.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Key risks include potential scope creep due to the broad nature of services, contractor performance issues impacting critical safety functions, and the possibility of cost overruns if not managed tightly, despite the FFP structure. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust contract management by the FAA, clear performance metrics and deliverables, regular progress reviews, and potentially performance bonds. The FAA's oversight mechanisms, including contract officers and technical representatives, are crucial for monitoring performance and addressing any deviations. The firm fixed-price nature itself acts as a risk mitigation tool by placing the cost burden on the contractor for any unforeseen increases.

How effective has CSSI, LLC been in delivering on the objectives of this contract since its inception?

Assessing the effectiveness of CSSI, LLC in delivering on this contract's objectives requires examining performance reports, milestone achievements, and any feedback from the FAA's program office. Since the contract started in 2010 and ended in 2016, historical performance data would be available. Key indicators of effectiveness would include the successful development and implementation of information systems, the quality of data analysis provided, and contributions to improved safety metrics within the National Airspace System. Without direct access to FAA performance evaluations, a definitive assessment is difficult, but the contract's renewal or completion without major disputes would suggest satisfactory performance.

What has been the historical spending trend for similar air traffic safety and engineering services by the FAA?

Historical spending trends for similar services by the FAA would likely show a consistent and significant investment in maintaining and enhancing air traffic safety and infrastructure. Agencies like the FAA require ongoing support for complex systems and regulatory functions. Spending in this category often fluctuates based on modernization projects, new safety regulations, and technological advancements. Analyzing past FAA budgets and contract awards for engineering, technical support, and safety analysis services would reveal patterns of investment, highlighting the sustained importance of these functions to the agency's mission and the overall growth or stability of spending in this domain.

Are there any known issues or controversies related to CSSI, LLC's performance on this or other FAA contracts?

To determine if there are known issues or controversies, a thorough review of federal contract databases (like SAM.gov), Inspector General reports, and news archives would be necessary. This would include looking for contract disputes, performance deficiencies, or any legal challenges involving CSSI, LLC and the FAA. Without specific findings from such searches, it is assumed that the contract was performed without significant, publicly documented controversies. However, a comprehensive due diligence process would involve actively seeking out any such information to ensure a complete understanding of the contractor's history.

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: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 400 VIRGINIA AVE SW STE 710, WASHINGTON, DC, 20024

Business Categories: Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $97,498,581

Exercised Options: $97,498,581

Current Obligation: $97,498,581

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DTFAWA10A00086

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline