Transportation's $6.89M contract for ITS JPO strategic planning awarded to Noblis, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,886,054 ($6.9M)

Contractor: Noblis, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2017-06-14

End Date: 2022-06-13

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF COORDINATION FOR THE ITS JPO STRATEGIC PLAN

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20590

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $6.9 million to NOBLIS, INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF COORDINATION FOR THE ITS JPO STRATEGIC PLAN Key points: 1. Contract focused on strategic planning for Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office. 2. Awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Firm-fixed-price contract type indicates defined costs and risks for the government. 4. Duration of 1825 days (5 years) suggests a long-term need for strategic support. 5. The contract's value is relatively modest within the broader federal IT services landscape. 6. Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (NAICS 541990) is a broad category.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $6.89 million over five years averages to about $1.38 million annually. Benchmarking this against similar strategic planning or professional services contracts within the federal government is challenging without more specific service details. However, for a five-year engagement supporting a Joint Program Office, the overall value appears reasonable, not excessively high or low, assuming the scope of work was met. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The data shows one award, but the competition type suggests multiple entities likely participated in the bidding process. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically benefits taxpayers by driving down prices through a competitive bidding environment, leading to better value for money.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office (ITS JPO), which receives strategic planning support. Services delivered likely include analysis, planning, and strategy development to guide the ITS JPO's future initiatives. The geographic impact is primarily within the District of Columbia, where the Department of Transportation is headquartered. Workforce implications are likely limited to the contractor's personnel and potentially government oversight staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the true value and impact of the strategic planning.
The broad nature of 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' could mask inefficiencies or scope creep if not tightly managed.
Reliance on a single contractor for a five-year strategic plan might limit fresh perspectives over time.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive process that should yield fair pricing.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The five-year duration suggests a stable, long-term need and commitment to strategic planning for ITS.
The contract supports a critical Joint Program Office focused on advancing transportation technology.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically related to management and strategic consulting. The ITS JPO operates within the broader transportation technology and infrastructure domain. Federal spending in this area often supports research, development, and implementation of new technologies to improve transportation efficiency, safety, and sustainability. Comparable spending could include contracts for policy analysis, program management support, and technology roadmapping within agencies like DOT, DHS, and DOD.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific benefits for small businesses mandated by this award. The prime contractor, Noblis, Inc., is a large business, and any subcontracting would be at their discretion.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer and program managers within the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the ITS JPO. As a firm-fixed-price contract, oversight would focus on ensuring the contractor meets the defined scope of work and deliverables. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS, though detailed internal strategic planning documents may not be publicly accessible.

Related Government Programs

Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office (ITS JPO) Initiatives
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Planning and Policy Support
Department of Transportation Strategic Planning Contracts
Professional and Technical Services for Government Agencies

Risk Flags

Potential for strategic plan obsolescence due to rapid technological change.
Risk of contractor complacency or lack of adaptability in a long-term fixed-price arrangement.
Difficulty in measuring the tangible impact and ROI of strategic planning services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $6.9 million to NOBLIS, INC.. IGF::OT::IGF COORDINATION FOR THE ITS JPO STRATEGIC PLAN

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NOBLIS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-06-14. End: 2022-06-13.

What specific deliverables or outcomes were expected from Noblis, Inc. under this strategic planning contract?

The contract focused on providing strategic planning support for the Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office (ITS JPO). While specific deliverables are not detailed in the provided data, typical outcomes for such contracts include strategic plans, roadmaps, policy recommendations, analysis of emerging technologies, and guidance for program development and execution. The firm-fixed-price nature suggests that the scope of these deliverables was defined upfront. The success of the contract would be measured by the quality and utility of these strategic outputs in guiding the ITS JPO's future direction and investments in intelligent transportation technologies.

How does the $6.89 million contract value compare to other federal strategic planning or professional services contracts?

The $6.89 million contract value spread over five years equates to an average annual value of approximately $1.38 million. This figure is moderate within the federal contracting landscape for professional and technical services. Larger agencies or programs with extensive strategic needs might award contracts in the tens or hundreds of millions. Conversely, smaller, more focused consulting engagements could be valued in the hundreds of thousands. For a Joint Program Office requiring dedicated strategic support over a multi-year period, this value appears reasonable, suggesting it was sized appropriately for the anticipated scope of work without being excessively large or small.

What are the potential risks associated with a five-year firm-fixed-price contract for strategic planning?

A significant risk with a long-term, firm-fixed-price contract for strategic planning is the potential for the strategic landscape to evolve rapidly, rendering the initial plan outdated before the contract term ends. The contractor might also face challenges in maintaining motivation or adapting to unforeseen changes if the fixed price disincentivizes flexibility. For the government, the risk lies in receiving a plan that doesn't fully address emergent issues or technological shifts. Ensuring robust contract management and incorporating mechanisms for periodic review or adaptation, even within a fixed-price structure, is crucial to mitigate these risks.

What is the track record of Noblis, Inc. in providing similar services to the federal government?

Noblis, Inc. has a substantial track record as a government contractor, particularly in providing professional, scientific, and technical services across various federal agencies. They are known for work in areas such as R&D support, systems engineering, cybersecurity, and program management. While this specific contract was for strategic planning for the ITS JPO, Noblis has experience supporting transportation-related initiatives and other complex government programs. Their history generally indicates a capacity to handle large, complex contracts, though the specific success metrics for this particular strategic planning engagement would require deeper analysis of performance reviews and deliverables.

How has federal spending on Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) evolved over the period of this contract (2017-2022)?

Federal spending on Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) has generally seen consistent investment, driven by initiatives aimed at improving transportation safety, efficiency, and mobility through technology. During the 2017-2022 period, funding levels were influenced by appropriations cycles and specific legislative priorities, such as those related to infrastructure and technological advancement. The ITS JPO plays a crucial role in coordinating research and development across various federal agencies. While this contract specifically funded strategic planning, overall federal outlays for ITS research, development, and deployment likely remained significant, reflecting a continued commitment to leveraging technology in the transportation sector.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › TRANSPORTATION (OTHER) R&D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3150 FAIRVIEW PARK DR, FALLS CHURCH, VA, 22042

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,886,054

Exercised Options: $6,886,054

Current Obligation: $6,886,054

Actual Outlays: $3,983,764

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DTFH6116D00036

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline