DOT Awards $10.2M Engineering Services Contract to Urban Engineers, Inc. for Transit Projects

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,200,000 ($10.2M)

Contractor: Urban Engineers, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2007-05-10

End Date: 2009-09-20

Contract Duration: 864 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.8K/day

Competition Type: FOLLOW ON TO COMPETED ACTION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: INCREMENTAL FUNDING

Place of Performance

Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK County, NEW YORK, 10004

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $10.2 million to URBAN ENGINEERS, INC for work described as: INCREMENTAL FUNDING Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Urban Engineers, Inc. for $10.2 million. 2. This is a follow-on to a competed action, suggesting prior competition. 3. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. 4. The sector is Engineering Services, crucial for infrastructure development.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can be less price-efficient than fixed-price contracts if costs are not tightly controlled. Benchmarking against similar engineering services contracts is needed to fully assess value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The data indicates this is a 'FOLLOW ON TO COMPETED ACTION,' suggesting a prior competitive process. However, the current award's competition level is not explicitly stated. The pricing mechanism (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) may not incentivize the lowest possible price.

Taxpayer Impact: The $10.2 million award represents taxpayer investment in transit infrastructure. The efficiency of the procurement and contract management will determine the ultimate value for taxpayers.

Public Impact

Supports critical transit infrastructure development and maintenance. Provides essential engineering expertise for public transportation projects. Impacts the efficiency and reliability of public transit services for commuters.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
Lack of explicit competition detail for this award

Positive Signals

Follow-on to a competed action
Supports essential transit infrastructure

Sector Analysis

Engineering services are vital for the planning, design, and oversight of transportation infrastructure. Spending in this sector is benchmarked against project scope and complexity, with federal agencies often relying on specialized firms for expertise.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this specific contract award. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is crucial for Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts to ensure costs remain reasonable and within scope. The Federal Transit Administration's oversight mechanisms will be key to managing this award effectively.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Transportation Contracting
Federal Transit Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type may lead to higher costs.
Competition details for this specific award are not fully transparent.
Potential for cost overruns without stringent oversight.
Incremental funding could indicate evolving project needs or budget constraints.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $10.2 million to URBAN ENGINEERS, INC. INCREMENTAL FUNDING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is URBAN ENGINEERS, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-05-10. End: 2009-09-20.

What was the competitive landscape for this specific follow-on action, and how did it influence the final price?

While noted as a 'FOLLOW ON TO COMPETED ACTION,' the specific competitive dynamics for this award are unclear. If competition was limited or absent, it could impact price discovery. Further details on the bidding process and number of offers received are necessary to assess if the government achieved optimal pricing.

What are the potential risks associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type in this context?

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts carry inherent risks of cost escalation if the fixed fee is not adequately justified or if the government's oversight of direct costs is insufficient. Urban Engineers, Inc. has an incentive to incur costs to achieve the fixed fee, potentially leading to higher overall expenditures than a fixed-price contract.

How effectively will the Federal Transit Administration manage this contract to ensure value for taxpayer dollars?

Effective management hinges on robust oversight of incurred costs and the fixed fee. The FTA must ensure that the engineering services provided are necessary, efficient, and aligned with project goals. Regular performance reviews and cost audits are critical to safeguarding taxpayer funds.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › General Science and Technology R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FOLLOW ON TO COMPETED ACTION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 530 WALNUT STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PA, 90

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,200,000

Exercised Options: $10,200,000

Current Obligation: $10,200,000

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DTFT6004D00012

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline