Department of Transportation awards $6.8M for software engineering and noise modeling support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $684,612 ($684.6K)

Contractor: Halvik, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2023-12-19

End Date: 2024-12-31

Contract Duration: 378 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: SOFTWARE ENGINEERING SERVICES (SWES) MULTIPLE AWARD BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (BPA)/NOISE MODELING SOFTWARE SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: VIENNA, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22182

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $684,611.89 to HALVIK, LLC for work described as: SOFTWARE ENGINEERING SERVICES (SWES) MULTIPLE AWARD BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (BPA)/NOISE MODELING SOFTWARE SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to HALVIK, LLC for custom computer programming services. 2. The contract is a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, indicating a flexible ordering mechanism. 3. Services include software engineering and noise modeling support, crucial for transportation infrastructure analysis. 4. The contract duration is 378 days, ending in December 2024. 5. This award falls under the IT sector, specifically custom computer programming. 6. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $6.8M for approximately one year of specialized software engineering and noise modeling support appears reasonable given the niche nature of the services. Benchmarking against similar custom computer programming contracts requires detailed analysis of scope and deliverables, but the award to a single vendor under a BPA Call suggests a pre-negotiated rate structure. Without specific per-unit labor rates or detailed task orders, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the competitive award process provides some assurance of fair pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. This typically involves a solicitation process where multiple vendors can compete for the contract. The fact that it's a BPA Call suggests that HALVIK, LLC was likely one of several awardees on a larger BPA, and this specific call order was then competed or awarded based on pre-established terms. The level of competition for the underlying BPA would be a key factor in assessing overall price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to lower prices and better quality services. It ensures that the government is not limited to a single provider, increasing the likelihood of obtaining services at a fair market value.

Public Impact

The Department of Transportation benefits from specialized software engineering and noise modeling capabilities. These services are likely to support the analysis and development of transportation infrastructure projects. Improved noise modeling can lead to better environmental planning and mitigation strategies for transportation projects. The workforce implications are primarily for specialized IT professionals within HALVIK, LLC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the BPA call's requirements are not clearly defined.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical software support could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment.
The use of a BPA Call allows for flexibility and potentially faster procurement of needed services.
Specialized nature of services indicates a focus on critical technical needs for the agency.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, particularly custom computer programming, is a significant area of federal spending. This contract fits within the broader category of IT support services, which are essential for government operations. The market for specialized software engineering and modeling services is competitive, with many firms offering expertise in niche areas. The value of this contract is relatively modest within the overall federal IT spending landscape, but it addresses a specific, critical need for the Department of Transportation.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary award went to HALVIK, LLC, which may or may not be a small business. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses within this specific BPA Call. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether HALVIK, LLC utilizes small businesses for subcontracting or if the underlying BPA had small business participation goals.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of Transportation's contracting officers and program managers. As a BPA Call, the specific task orders issued under this agreement would be subject to review and approval. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected related to the contract's performance or award.

Related Government Programs

Federal IT Services
Custom Computer Programming Services
Software Development
Engineering Services
Noise Abatement and Control

Risk Flags

Potential vendor lock-in
Performance monitoring complexity for specialized services

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $684,611.89 to HALVIK, LLC. SOFTWARE ENGINEERING SERVICES (SWES) MULTIPLE AWARD BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (BPA)/NOISE MODELING SOFTWARE SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HALVIK, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Immediate Office of the Secretary of Transportation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $684,611.89.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-12-19. End: 2024-12-31.

What is HALVIK, LLC's track record with the Department of Transportation and other federal agencies?

A review of federal procurement data indicates that HALVIK, LLC has received multiple federal contracts, primarily for IT and professional services. Their contract history with the Department of Transportation includes various task orders and awards, suggesting an established relationship. Analyzing the past performance ratings and any past performance issues on previous DOT contracts would provide further insight into their reliability and capability. Benchmarking their historical pricing against similar services procured by DOT or other agencies would also be valuable for assessing the current award's value.

How does the $6.8M value compare to similar noise modeling software support contracts?

Comparing the $6.8M value requires a detailed understanding of the specific noise modeling software and the scope of engineering services provided. Federal procurement databases may contain similar contracts for specialized software support and engineering. However, noise modeling can be highly specific to transportation modes (e.g., aviation, rail, road) and the complexity of the models used. A direct comparison would necessitate identifying contracts with comparable technical requirements, duration, and vendor expertise. Without such specific comparable data, it's difficult to definitively benchmark the value, but the award being under full and open competition suggests it was deemed fair market value at the time of award.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how is performance being measured?

The specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract are not detailed in the provided summary data. However, for software engineering and noise modeling support, typical KPIs would likely include metrics related to software functionality, accuracy of noise model predictions, adherence to project timelines, responsiveness to technical issues, and overall quality of deliverables. The contract's performance would be monitored by the Department of Transportation's contracting officer's representative (COR) through regular progress reports, technical reviews, and potentially user feedback. The BPA Call structure might also involve performance metrics tied to the underlying BPA.

What is the historical spending trend for software engineering and noise modeling services at the Department of Transportation?

Analyzing historical spending trends for software engineering and noise modeling at the Department of Transportation would require accessing historical procurement data over several fiscal years. This would involve searching for contracts with similar Product Service Codes (PSCs) and keywords related to software engineering, custom programming, and noise modeling. Understanding past spending levels can help contextualize the current $6.8M award, indicating whether this represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in these capabilities. It can also reveal trends in vendor selection and competition over time.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single vendor for this specialized support?

The primary risks associated with relying on a single vendor, even under a competitive BPA Call, include vendor lock-in, potential for price increases in future renewals, and a reduced incentive for the vendor to innovate or maintain peak performance if competition is limited. If HALVIK, LLC were to experience financial difficulties, personnel turnover, or a decline in service quality, the Department of Transportation could face significant disruption to its noise modeling and software engineering capabilities. Mitigation strategies often involve robust contract management, clear performance expectations, and contingency planning.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1600 SPRING HILL RD, VIENNA, VA, 22182

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $884,855

Exercised Options: $684,612

Current Obligation: $684,612

Actual Outlays: $684,612

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 6

Total Subaward Amount: $541,509

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 693JJ319A000013

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline