DOT Awards $2.2M for Asphalt Pavement Training, Lasting 5 Years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $220,191 ($220.2K)

Contractor: Applied Pavement Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2020-02-12

End Date: 2025-08-11

Contract Duration: 2,007 days

Daily Burn Rate: $110/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: DELIVERY OF NHI COURSE: NHI-131139 INSPECTING ASPHALT PAVEMENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS (2-DAY ILT)

Place of Performance

Location: URBANA, CHAMPAIGN County, ILLINOIS, 61801

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $220,191.28 to APPLIED PAVEMENT TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: DELIVERY OF NHI COURSE: NHI-131139 INSPECTING ASPHALT PAVEMENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS (2-DAY ILT) Key points: 1. Contract value of $2.2M for specialized training. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting market price discovery. 3. Risk appears moderate given the fixed-price contract and established vendor. 4. Sector focus is professional development within transportation infrastructure.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.2M over 5 years for a 2-day course appears reasonable, especially given the specialized nature of asphalt pavement inspection. Benchmarking against similar professional development contracts in the transportation sector would provide further validation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically leads to competitive pricing. The firm fixed-price structure further ensures cost certainty for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential training to ensure quality in infrastructure projects, potentially preventing future costly repairs.

Public Impact

Ensures federal and state personnel are trained in proper asphalt pavement inspection techniques. Supports the Federal Highway Administration's mission to maintain and improve the nation's highways. Contributes to the longevity and safety of transportation infrastructure through skilled oversight.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if additional training modules are requested without contract modification.
Vendor performance dependency for consistent quality delivery over the contract period.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract limits cost overrun risk.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive market rate.
Long-term contract allows for sustained skill development.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional and management development training sector, specifically for the Department of Transportation. Spending in this area is crucial for ensuring the effective management and execution of large-scale infrastructure projects.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to assess small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The Federal Highway Administration is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard procurement regulations and performance monitoring should ensure accountability and proper execution of the training services.

Related Government Programs

Professional and Management Development Training
Department of Transportation Contracting
Federal Highway Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Contract duration is long (5 years), increasing exposure to potential changes in technology or training needs.
Reliance on a single vendor for a critical training function.
Potential for instructor quality variability over the contract period.
Limited visibility into specific learning outcomes and their direct impact on project quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $220,191.28 to APPLIED PAVEMENT TECHNOLOGY, INC.. DELIVERY OF NHI COURSE: NHI-131139 INSPECTING ASPHALT PAVEMENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS (2-DAY ILT)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is APPLIED PAVEMENT TECHNOLOGY, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $220,191.28.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-02-12. End: 2025-08-11.

What is the specific curriculum covered in the NHI-131139 course, and how does it align with current best practices in asphalt pavement inspection?

The NHI-131139 course focuses on inspecting asphalt pavement construction projects. It likely covers topics such as material quality, placement techniques, compaction, and quality control measures. Alignment with current best practices would depend on the course's update frequency and the expertise of the instructors, which should be verified through the course syllabus and instructor qualifications.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the effectiveness of the training provided by Applied Pavement Technology, Inc.?

Key performance indicators could include participant feedback surveys, post-training assessments of knowledge retention, and ultimately, observed improvements in the quality of pavement inspection performed by trained personnel on actual projects. The contract should specify these metrics to ensure the training delivers tangible benefits.

How does the cost per participant for this training compare to similar industry-standard courses, considering the duration and specialized content?

Without specific per-participant cost data or detailed course outlines from competitors, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the specialized nature and the firm fixed-price contract awarded through full and open competition, the pricing is likely competitive within its niche. A detailed cost-benefit analysis considering the long-term impact on infrastructure quality would be beneficial.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Business Schools and Computer and Management Training › Professional and Management Development Training

Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 115 W MAIN STE 400, URBANA, IL, 61801

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $632,022

Exercised Options: $329,543

Current Obligation: $220,191

Actual Outlays: $220,191

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 693JJ319D000041

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline