DOT awards $113M engineering services contract to Robinson Aviation for RVA AREA 4

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $113,320,207 ($113.3M)

Contractor: Robinson Aviation (RVA), Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2010-02-01

End Date: 2015-09-30

Contract Duration: 2,067 days

Daily Burn Rate: $54.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: RVA AREA 4

Place of Performance

Location: OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA County, OKLAHOMA, 73118, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: Oklahoma Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $113.3 million to ROBINSON AVIATION (RVA), INC. for work described as: RVA AREA 4 Key points: 1. Contract value of $113.3 million over approximately 5.7 years suggests a significant investment in engineering services. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. The firm-fixed-price contract type shifts risk to the contractor, potentially leading to cost efficiencies if managed well. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 points to a focus on engineering services, a critical component for infrastructure projects. 5. The contract's duration of 2067 days (approx. 5.7 years) allows for sustained support and project continuity. 6. The award to Robinson Aviation (RVA), Inc. represents a substantial single contract for the firm within this period.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $113.3 million contract requires more granular data on the specific engineering services provided and their scope. However, the duration of nearly six years suggests a substantial, long-term engagement. Without comparable contract data for similar engineering services within the FAA or DOT, it's difficult to definitively assess if the pricing is competitive or if the value represents a good deal for taxpayers. The firm-fixed-price nature implies that the contractor bears cost overruns, which can be a positive indicator of value if the contractor is efficient.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' which typically means that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 3 bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this contract. While more bidders could potentially drive prices lower, three offers indicate that the opportunity was attractive enough for multiple firms to invest in the bidding process. This level of competition is generally considered adequate for ensuring a reasonable price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition, even with a moderate number of bidders, generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging competitive pricing and ensuring that the government receives services at a fair market value.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and potentially other entities within the Department of Transportation (DOT) requiring specialized engineering expertise. The services delivered are engineering services, crucial for the planning, design, and potentially oversight of aviation-related infrastructure or systems. The geographic impact is specified as 'RVA AREA 4,' suggesting a focus on a particular region or operational area within the FAA's purview. The contract supports the aviation sector's infrastructure needs, indirectly impacting the efficiency and safety of air travel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the 'engineering services' are not precisely defined, leading to cost overruns despite the fixed-price nature.
Dependence on a single contractor for a significant period could create risks if performance falters or if the contractor faces financial instability.
The specific 'RVA AREA 4' designation might indicate a localized need, raising questions about broader applicability or potential for consolidation of services.

Positive Signals

The firm-fixed-price contract type incentivizes contractor efficiency and cost control.
Awarding under full and open competition suggests a commitment to seeking the best value from the market.
The contract's duration allows for continuity of essential engineering services, potentially leading to more effective project execution.

Sector Analysis

The engineering services sector is a vital component of the broader construction and professional services industries. NAICS code 541330, Engineering Services, encompasses establishments primarily engaged in providing architectural, engineering, and related services. This contract falls within a segment of the market that supports government infrastructure and operational needs, particularly within the aviation domain. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other large-scale engineering service contracts awarded by federal agencies for similar types of projects, considering factors like project complexity, duration, and required expertise.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific benefits for the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside provision. The primary focus of this contract appears to be on large-scale engineering services, likely requiring specialized capabilities that may be more readily available from larger firms.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting agency, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a division of the Department of Transportation. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards, delivery schedules, and payment milestones. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where award details are publicly available. The Inspector General for the Department of Transportation would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Federal Aviation Administration Operations
Department of Transportation Infrastructure Projects
Engineering and Architectural Services Contracts
Airport Improvement Programs
Air Traffic Control System Modernization

Risk Flags

Potential for undefined scope in 'engineering services'
Contract duration may pose risks if contractor performance declines
Lack of specific performance metrics in summary data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $113.3 million to ROBINSON AVIATION (RVA), INC.. RVA AREA 4

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ROBINSON AVIATION (RVA), INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $113.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-02-01. End: 2015-09-30.

What specific types of engineering services were included in this $113.3 million contract?

The provided data identifies the contract under NAICS code 541330 (Engineering Services) and specifies the awardee as Robinson Aviation (RVA), Inc. for 'RVA AREA 4'. However, the exact nature of the engineering services is not detailed. Typically, engineering services in the aviation sector can range from feasibility studies, site selection, environmental impact assessments, design of facilities (e.g., runways, terminals, control towers), structural engineering, electrical engineering, systems engineering for air traffic management, and construction oversight. Without further documentation, such as the Statement of Work (SOW) or contract modifications, the precise scope remains unspecified. This lack of detail makes it challenging to benchmark the value or assess performance effectively.

How does the $113.3 million award compare to Robinson Aviation (RVA), Inc.'s typical contract values or annual revenue?

To assess how the $113.3 million award compares to Robinson Aviation (RVA), Inc.'s typical contract values or annual revenue, we would need access to historical contract data for the company and its financial disclosures. This single award represents a significant sum over its nearly six-year duration (2010-2015). If RVA is a small to medium-sized business, this contract could represent a substantial portion of their total business during that period. Conversely, for a very large engineering firm, it might be one of many significant contracts. Without comparative financial data or a portfolio of their other contracts, it's difficult to determine if this award is unusually large or typical for the contractor.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate Robinson Aviation's performance under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate Robinson Aviation's performance. In federal contracts, especially for engineering services, KPIs often include adherence to project timelines, quality of deliverables (e.g., design accuracy, completeness of reports), cost control within the fixed-price framework, compliance with safety and regulatory standards, and responsiveness to government requests. The contract's status 'OK' for 'st' (status) and 'sn' (state) suggests it was completed without major issues, but the specific performance benchmarks are not publicly detailed in this summary data.

What is the historical spending trend for engineering services by the FAA or DOT in similar 'areas' or for comparable projects?

Analyzing historical spending trends for engineering services by the FAA or DOT in similar 'areas' or for comparable projects would require a broader dataset than what is provided. This contract is for 'RVA AREA 4' and falls under NAICS 541330. To establish a trend, one would need to query contract databases for similar engineering service awards over several fiscal years, filter by agency (FAA/DOT), and potentially by geographic region or project type (e.g., airport infrastructure, air traffic systems). This would allow for an assessment of whether the $113.3 million award is consistent with past spending patterns, or if it represents an increase or decrease in investment for such services.

Were there any significant challenges or disputes encountered during the performance of this contract?

The provided summary data does not indicate any significant challenges or disputes encountered during the performance of this contract. The contract status codes ('st': 'OK', 'sn': 'OKLAHOMA') do not suggest major issues. However, this is a high-level summary. A more in-depth review of contract performance reports, modification history, or any associated litigation or claims would be necessary to definitively ascertain if challenges or disputes arose. For a contract of this magnitude and duration, it is not uncommon for minor issues or change orders to occur, but the absence of explicit flags suggests no major disruptions.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: WA-10-01820

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1601 NW EXPWY STE 850, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, 73118

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $191,392,628

Exercised Options: $113,320,207

Current Obligation: $113,320,207

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline