DOT awards $9.3M contract for Drug and Alcohol Audit Program to Cahill Swift LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,326,727 ($9.3M)

Contractor: Cahill Swift LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2022-05-18

End Date: 2027-05-17

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: ISSUE NEW BASE AWARD WITH FUNDING FOR THE DRUG AND ALCOHOL AUDIT PROGRAM.

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 $9.3 million to CAHILL SWIFT LLC for work described as: ISSUE NEW BASE AWARD WITH FUNDING FOR THE DRUG AND ALCOHOL AUDIT PROGRAM. Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 5 years indicates a long-term need for these services. 3. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541611 points to management consulting services. 4. The contract type is a Definitive Contract, typically used for complex or long-term requirements. 5. The base award amount is $9.3 million, with potential for growth over the contract period. 6. The contractor, Cahill Swift LLC, is a new awardee for this specific program. 7. The contract is labor-hour based, meaning payment is for time and effort expended.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $9.3 million contract is challenging without more detailed cost breakdowns or comparisons to similar audit programs. The labor-hour pricing structure can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. However, the competitive award process may have helped secure a reasonable price point. Further analysis would require understanding the scope of work and the specific deliverables expected.

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 a bid. The presence of 3 bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this requirement. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider range of innovative solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down costs and improve service quality.

Public Impact

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) benefits from this contract by ensuring compliance with drug and alcohol testing regulations. The services delivered will support the integrity and safety of the public transportation system. The geographic impact is national, as the FTA oversees transit systems across the United States. Workforce implications include the potential for auditors and consultants to be engaged in this program.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Labor-hour contracts can be susceptible to scope creep and cost overruns if not meticulously managed.
The new awardee status for Cahill Swift LLC on this program introduces a performance risk that requires close monitoring.
The specific deliverables and performance metrics are not detailed, making it difficult to assess the full scope of work and potential value.
The administrative management and general management consulting services category is broad, and the specific expertise required for drug and alcohol audits needs to be robust.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, which typically leads to better value and service.
The contract has a defined period of performance (5 years), allowing for consistent service delivery.
The contractor is based in Washington D.C., potentially facilitating easier communication and oversight for the agency.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically management consulting. This sector is characterized by a wide range of specialized services. The federal government is a significant consumer of these services to support policy implementation, program management, and operational efficiency. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other federal contracts for audit, compliance, and management consulting services across various agencies.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. The award to Cahill Swift LLC, without further details on its size, makes it difficult to assess the immediate impact on the small business ecosystem. Future analysis could explore if subcontracting opportunities are being offered to small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Federal Transit Administration's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance metrics and deliverables outlined in the contract. Transparency can be assessed through publicly available contract data, though detailed performance reports are typically internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Transit Administration Drug and Alcohol Testing Program
Department of Transportation Audit Services
Federal Management Consulting Contracts
Government Compliance Audits

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to labor-hour contract type.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in summary data.
New awardee for this specific program, requiring close performance monitoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $9.3 million to CAHILL SWIFT LLC. ISSUE NEW BASE AWARD WITH FUNDING FOR THE DRUG AND ALCOHOL AUDIT PROGRAM.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CAHILL SWIFT LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $9.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-05-18. End: 2027-05-17.

What is the specific scope of work for the Drug and Alcohol Audit Program under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for the 'Drug and Alcohol Audit Program' under NAICS code 541611 (Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services). While the exact scope of work is not detailed in the summary, it likely involves conducting audits to ensure compliance with federal regulations regarding drug and alcohol testing for transit employees. This could include reviewing testing policies, procedures, record-keeping, and overall program effectiveness for transit agencies receiving federal funding. The labor-hour basis suggests the contractor will be compensated for the time spent performing these audit activities and related consulting.

How does the $9.3 million award compare to historical spending on similar audit programs within the FTA or DOT?

Without historical spending data for this specific 'Drug and Alcohol Audit Program,' a direct comparison is not possible. However, the $9.3 million award over five years averages to approximately $1.86 million per year. This figure can be benchmarked against other federal contracts for compliance audits, program evaluations, or management consulting services within the transportation sector or similar regulatory domains. A comprehensive analysis would require accessing historical contract databases to identify comparable programs and their associated costs to determine if this award represents a significant increase or decrease in investment.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables expected from Cahill Swift LLC under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables for this contract. Typically, for audit and consulting services, KPIs might include the number of audits completed, timeliness of audit reports, accuracy of findings, adherence to audit standards, and client satisfaction. Deliverables would likely include detailed audit reports, recommendations for corrective actions, and potentially presentations or briefings to FTA officials. The absence of this information in the summary makes it difficult to assess the contractor's performance expectations and the ultimate value derived from the contract.

What is Cahill Swift LLC's track record with the Department of Transportation or similar federal agencies?

The data indicates this is a 'new base award' for the Drug and Alcohol Audit Program to Cahill Swift LLC. This suggests that while they may have other contracts, their involvement in this specific program is new. To assess their track record, one would need to investigate their past performance on other federal contracts, particularly those involving audits, compliance, or management consulting for agencies like the DOT or FTA. A review of their contract history, past performance evaluations, and any reported issues or successes would provide insight into their reliability and capability.

What are the potential risks associated with a labor-hour contract for audit services?

Labor-hour contracts, like the one awarded to Cahill Swift LLC, compensate the contractor based on the hours worked and the agreed-upon hourly rates. A primary risk is the potential for cost overruns if the scope of work is not well-defined or if the project takes longer than anticipated. This can lead to the total cost exceeding initial estimates. Another risk is 'scope creep,' where the project expands beyond its original objectives without a corresponding increase in funding or a formal contract modification. Effective oversight, clear task orders, and diligent monitoring of hours and progress are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure value for taxpayers.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 240 COMMERCIAL ST STE 2A, BOSTON, MA, 02109

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,326,727

Exercised Options: $9,326,727

Current Obligation: $9,326,727

Actual Outlays: $8,385,903

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline