DOT Awards $56.8M for ATO NEO Directorate Support to Spatial Front Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $56,798,756 ($56.8M)

Contractor: Spatial Front Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2016-08-08

End Date: 2023-05-31

Contract Duration: 2,487 days

Daily Burn Rate: $22.8K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: THIS TASK ORDER PROVIDES ONGOING TECHNICAL AND PROGRAM/ ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE ATO NEO DIRECTORATE, INCLUDING AIM-I SUPPORT, AISR WORKSTATIONS SUPPORT, NAIMES/AIM-I II SUPPORT, AND LE IGF::OT::IGF

Place of Performance

Location: WARRENTON, CULPEPER County, VIRGINIA, 20186

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $56.8 million to SPATIAL FRONT INC for work described as: THIS TASK ORDER PROVIDES ONGOING TECHNICAL AND PROGRAM/ ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE ATO NEO DIRECTORATE, INCLUDING AIM-I SUPPORT, AISR WORKSTATIONS SUPPORT, NAIMES/AIM-I II SUPPORT, AND LE IGF::OT::IGF Key points: 1. Contract supports critical aviation IT infrastructure and administrative functions. 2. Competition was under SAP, suggesting potential for better price discovery. 3. Risk of vendor lock-in and potential cost overruns exists. 4. Sector is IT services, specifically computer related services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract is a Time and Materials type, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed closely. The duration and total value suggest a significant investment, but without specific benchmarks for these niche support services, a precise value assessment is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

Competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), indicating a limited competition pool. While competed, the specific nature of the support may have restricted the number of capable bidders, potentially impacting price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers are funding essential aviation support services. The limited competition and T&M contract type warrant scrutiny to ensure funds are used efficiently.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation of vital aviation systems like AIM-I and NAIMES. Supports administrative functions within the ATO NEO Directorate. Potential impact on air traffic control system reliability and efficiency.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type
Limited competition under SAP
Long contract duration (2487 days)

Positive Signals

Provides essential support for aviation safety systems
Ongoing need for these services is clear

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically 'Other Computer Related Services'. Spending in this area is substantial across government, with benchmarks varying widely based on service complexity and security requirements.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Spatial Front Inc. Analysis of whether this is a small business is not directly provided by the data, but the contract value suggests it could be a significant award for a small business if applicable.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is crucial given the T&M contract type and long duration. The FAA's program management office must actively monitor performance, costs, and scope to ensure accountability and prevent waste.

Related Government Programs

Other Computer Related Services
Department of Transportation Contracting
Federal Aviation Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M contract type.
Limited competition may have resulted in suboptimal pricing.
Long contract duration increases risk of scope creep and vendor lock-in.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical IT support.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $56.8 million to SPATIAL FRONT INC. THIS TASK ORDER PROVIDES ONGOING TECHNICAL AND PROGRAM/ ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE ATO NEO DIRECTORATE, INCLUDING AIM-I SUPPORT, AISR WORKSTATIONS SUPPORT, NAIMES/AIM-I II SUPPORT, AND LE IGF::OT::IGF

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SPATIAL FRONT INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $56.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-08-08. End: 2023-05-31.

What is the specific breakdown of services provided under this task order and how do they align with the ATO NEO Directorate's core mission objectives?

The task order covers technical, program, and administrative support for the ATO NEO Directorate, including specific systems like AIM-I, AISR workstations, NAIMES/AIM-I II, and LE IGF. These services are critical for the operational continuity and effectiveness of air traffic management systems and related administrative functions, directly supporting the directorate's mission.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success and effectiveness of Spatial Front Inc.'s support services?

The provided data does not specify the KPIs. Effective oversight would require clearly defined KPIs related to system uptime, response times for technical issues, successful completion of administrative tasks, and adherence to project milestones. These metrics are essential for evaluating contractor performance and ensuring value for taxpayer money.

How does the pricing structure of this Time and Materials contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar IT support services, considering the specific systems supported?

Without detailed service descriptions and specific labor categories, a direct benchmark comparison is challenging. However, Time and Materials contracts inherently carry a higher risk of cost escalation. The FAA should have conducted a thorough price analysis against independent government cost estimates and market research to ensure the rates negotiated were fair and reasonable.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related 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: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1568 SPRING HILL ROAD, SUITE 300, MCLEAN, VA, 22102

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $56,798,756

Exercised Options: $56,798,756

Current Obligation: $56,798,756

Actual Outlays: $36,249,160

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DTFAWA11A00185

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline