GSA contract for aircraft maintenance and R&D support awarded to URS Federal Services for over $28.5M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,544,679 ($28.5M)

Contractor: URS Federal Services, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2013-03-27

End Date: 2014-03-27

Contract Duration: 365 days

Daily Burn Rate: $78.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Defense

Official Description: AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE MODIFICATION AND COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONIC RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING CENTER FLIGHT ACTIVITY SUPPORT. IGF::CT::IGF FOR CRITICAL FUNCTIONS

Place of Performance

Location: LAKEHURST, OCEAN County, NEW JERSEY, 08733

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $28.5 million to URS FEDERAL SERVICES, INC. for work described as: AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE MODIFICATION AND COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONIC RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING CENTER FLIGHT ACTIVITY SUPPORT. IGF::CT::IGF FOR CRITICAL FUNCTIONS Key points: 1. Contract value of $28.5M for a one-year period suggests a significant investment in specialized support services. 2. The award to URS Federal Services indicates a reliance on established contractors for critical functions. 3. The 'Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics Consulting Services' NAICS code may not fully capture the scope of 'Aircraft Maintenance, Modification, and Communications and Electronic R&D'. 4. A single delivery order under this contract suggests a focused scope of work for the period. 5. The contract's duration of 365 days points to a short-term need for these services. 6. The absence of small business set-aside flags warrants further investigation into subcontracting opportunities.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $28.5M for a one-year duration for aircraft maintenance and R&D support is substantial. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for specialized engineering and flight support services would be necessary to determine value for money. The specific services rendered under this contract, particularly the R&D component, are not detailed, making a precise value assessment challenging without further context. The Time and Materials pricing structure can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not carefully managed.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. However, only one delivery order was issued, suggesting that while the initial competition was broad, the specific task order may have been awarded to a single entity based on best value or other evaluation criteria. The level of competition for the specific task order is not detailed, but the initial broad competition is a positive sign for price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more favorable pricing and innovative solutions.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the military or government entities requiring specialized aircraft maintenance, modification, and electronic R&D support. Services delivered include critical functions related to aircraft readiness and technological advancement in aviation. The contract is geographically located in New Jersey, implying a concentration of activity and potential workforce impact in that region. The contract supports specialized technical roles within the aerospace and defense sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost creep due to Time and Materials pricing structure.
Scope of work ambiguity between NAICS code and contract description.
Limited duration may indicate a stop-gap measure rather than a long-term strategic investment.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process.
Contract supports critical functions for aviation and defense.
Contractor has experience in federal services, indicated by the award.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically related to aerospace engineering and logistics support. The market for these services is highly specialized, often dominated by large defense contractors. Spending in this area is driven by defense modernization, aircraft sustainment, and research into new aviation technologies. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within the Department of Defense's procurement data for similar engineering and maintenance services.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements. This suggests that the primary award went to a large business, and opportunities for small businesses would likely be through direct subcontracting by URS Federal Services, the details of which are not provided in this award notice.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer at the General Services Administration (GSA) and the relevant program office within the agency utilizing the services. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, but detailed performance metrics and specific oversight activities are not publicly disclosed. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Aircraft Maintenance Services
Aerospace Engineering Support
Research and Development Services
Logistics Consulting
Defense Contract Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M pricing.
Scope ambiguity between NAICS code and contract description.
Lack of detail on specific R&D objectives and deliverables.
Limited contract duration may not reflect long-term needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $28.5 million to URS FEDERAL SERVICES, INC.. AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE MODIFICATION AND COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONIC RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING CENTER FLIGHT ACTIVITY SUPPORT. IGF::CT::IGF FOR CRITICAL FUNCTIONS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is URS FEDERAL SERVICES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $28.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-03-27. End: 2014-03-27.

What specific aircraft platforms or systems are covered under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact aircraft platforms or systems supported by this contract. The description 'AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE MODIFICATION AND COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONIC RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING CENTER FLIGHT ACTIVITY SUPPORT' suggests a broad scope potentially covering various military or government aircraft. To determine the specific platforms, one would need to consult the detailed contract statement of work (SOW) or task orders issued under this contract. This level of detail is crucial for understanding the operational context and the criticality of the services provided.

How does the $28.5M contract value compare to historical spending on similar services by the agency?

The contract value of $28.5 million for a one-year period is a significant sum. To assess its comparability, historical spending data from the General Services Administration (GSA) or the specific end-user agency (if different from GSA's role as contracting vehicle) for aircraft maintenance, modification, and related R&D would be required. Without access to historical procurement databases or agency budget reports, it is difficult to benchmark this specific award. However, given the specialized nature of aircraft R&D and maintenance, such a value is not unusual for substantial support contracts within the defense or federal aviation sectors.

What is the track record of URS Federal Services, Inc. in performing similar government contracts?

URS Federal Services, Inc. (now part of AECOM) has a substantial history of performing various federal government contracts, including those in defense, engineering, and technical services. Their track record typically involves large-scale support operations, infrastructure management, and specialized technical services. A detailed review of their past performance ratings, contract history, and any past performance issues or awards would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment. Given their size and scope, they are generally considered an experienced contractor capable of handling complex federal requirements.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate the success of this contract?

The provided contract abstract does not detail the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate the success of this contract. Typically, for aircraft maintenance and modification contracts, KPIs might include aircraft availability rates, turnaround times for repairs, quality of workmanship (e.g., defect rates), adherence to schedules, and successful completion of R&D milestones. For flight activity support, metrics could involve flight hours, mission readiness, and safety compliance. These KPIs are usually defined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) and are monitored through regular performance reviews.

What is the nature of the 'Communications and Electronic Research Development and Engineering' component of this contract?

The 'Communications and Electronic Research Development and Engineering' (C4ISR R&D) component of this contract likely involves activities related to the development, testing, and integration of communication systems, electronic warfare capabilities, radar, navigation, and other electronic systems for aircraft. This could range from conceptual research and prototyping to system upgrades and modifications. Given that it's part of a larger contract that also includes maintenance and modification, the R&D efforts may be directly tied to improving existing platforms or developing new electronic capabilities for them.

Are there any specific risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for this requirement?

Yes, Time and Materials (T&M) contracts carry inherent risks, primarily concerning cost control. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. The primary risk for the government is the potential for cost overruns if the effort required is greater than anticipated or if labor hours are not efficiently managed. To mitigate this, T&M contracts typically include a ceiling price and require close monitoring of labor hours and material costs by the contracting officer's representative (COR).

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: ID02120040

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: AECOM (UEI: 153561212)

Address: 20501 SENECA MEADOWS PKWY STE 300, GERMANTOWN, MD, 20876

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $38,567,416

Exercised Options: $38,567,416

Current Obligation: $28,544,679

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS10F0038M

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline