DOT awards $435K BPA Call for National Address Database services to Halvik, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $434,619 ($434.6K)

Contractor: Halvik, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2023-03-21

End Date: 2026-03-18

Contract Duration: 1,093 days

Daily Burn Rate: $398/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: SWES BPA CALL - NATIONAL ADDRESS DATABASE

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 $434,619.2 to HALVIK, LLC for work described as: SWES BPA CALL - NATIONAL ADDRESS DATABASE Key points: 1. Contract awarded via a broad agency announcement (BAA) call, indicating a need for specialized services. 2. The contract duration of 1093 days suggests a long-term requirement for address database maintenance or development. 3. The primary service category is Custom Computer Programming Services, pointing to software development or integration needs. 4. Awarded to a single contractor, Halvik, LLC, raising questions about the extent of competition. 5. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, suggesting it was competed broadly or met other criteria. 6. The contract's value is relatively modest, indicating a focused scope of work within the Federal Highway Administration.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $434,619.20 over approximately three years appears reasonable for custom computer programming services. However, without specific details on the deliverables or the complexity of the National Address Database, a direct comparison to similar contracts is challenging. The pricing structure is based on labor hours, which can introduce variability. Benchmarking the value would require understanding the scope of work and the specific programming services rendered.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under a BPA Call, which typically implies that the underlying BPA was competed on a full and open basis. However, the specific call itself may have had a limited number of proposals submitted. The 'full and open' designation suggests that all responsible sources were permitted to submit an offer, but the number of actual bidders for this specific call is not provided. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition, even if only a few proposals were received for this specific call, generally ensures that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by encouraging competitive pricing.

Public Impact

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is the primary beneficiary, likely utilizing the National Address Database for its operational needs. Services delivered include custom computer programming, essential for maintaining and potentially enhancing the national address database. The geographic impact is national, as the contract pertains to a national database. Workforce implications are likely limited to the contractor's personnel, with potential for specialized IT roles.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on the number of bidders for this BPA Call limits assessment of true competition.
Pricing based on labor hours can lead to cost overruns if not managed effectively.
The specific functionalities and criticality of the National Address Database are not detailed, making risk assessment difficult.

Positive Signals

Awarded under a BPA Call, suggesting a pre-vetted contractor and potentially streamlined acquisition process.
The contract duration indicates a stable, long-term need, allowing for focused development and expertise building.
The service category (Custom Computer Programming) points to specialized IT skills being utilized.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically custom computer programming. The market for such services is vast and competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized development. Within the federal IT landscape, contracts for database management and custom software are common across many agencies. The value of this specific contract is relatively small compared to larger IT modernization efforts, suggesting a focused, task-order-level requirement.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it indicate any specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the competition was open to all responsible sources, and the primary contractor, Halvik, LLC, is likely not a small business or the set-aside criteria were not met for this specific award. The impact on the small business ecosystem is minimal unless Halvik, LLC engages in significant small business subcontracting, which is not specified.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer and program managers within the Federal Highway Administration. Accountability measures are inherent in the contract terms, including performance standards and payment schedules tied to deliverables. Transparency is facilitated by federal contract databases, though detailed performance metrics may not be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Highway Administration IT Services
National Address Database Initiatives
Custom Computer Programming Contracts
Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Awards

Risk Flags

Limited competition information available for the specific BPA Call.
Potential for cost overruns due to 'labor hours' contract type.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in public award data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $434,619.2 to HALVIK, LLC. SWES BPA CALL - NATIONAL ADDRESS DATABASE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HALVIK, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $434,619.2.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-03-21. End: 2026-03-18.

What is the specific nature of the 'National Address Database' and its importance to the Federal Highway Administration?

The National Address Database (NAD) is a critical component for various functions within the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). While specific details of this particular database are not publicly elaborated in the contract award, national address data is generally used for geographic information systems (GIS), infrastructure planning, emergency response coordination, and statistical analysis related to transportation. For the FHWA, it could be instrumental in mapping road networks, analyzing traffic patterns, managing assets, and supporting policy decisions. The custom computer programming services awarded to Halvik, LLC likely aim to maintain, update, or enhance the functionality and data integrity of this vital national resource, ensuring its accuracy and usability for the agency's mission.

How does the 'BPA Call' mechanism influence the competition and potential value for money compared to a standard contract?

A Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call is a task order issued against an existing BPA. The underlying BPA is typically competed on a full and open basis, establishing pre-negotiated terms, conditions, and pricing structures. A BPA Call then allows an agency to quickly procure specific goods or services from the BPA holder(s) without conducting a full, separate procurement for each order. This can lead to faster delivery and potentially better value due to pre-negotiated rates. However, the competition for the initial BPA is key. If the BPA itself had limited competition, or if this specific call was awarded to only one vendor without further competition among BPA holders, the value for money on this particular call might be less optimized than if it were competed individually.

What are the potential risks associated with a 'labor hours' contract type for custom computer programming?

Contracts awarded on a 'labor hours' basis, like this one, carry inherent risks, primarily related to cost control. Since payment is based on the hours worked by contractor personnel multiplied by fixed hourly rates, there's a risk of cost overruns if the project takes longer than anticipated or if the contractor's efficiency is low. Unlike fixed-price contracts, the government does not benefit from contractor efficiencies. Effective oversight is crucial to monitor labor hours, ensure productivity, and prevent scope creep. Without strong project management and diligent tracking of effort, the final cost could exceed initial expectations, potentially diminishing the overall value for money.

Can the 'Custom Computer Programming Services' (NAICS 541511) classification provide insight into the specific tasks performed under this contract?

Yes, the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541511, 'Custom Computer Programming Services,' provides significant insight. This code specifically covers establishments primarily engaged in writing, modifying, testing, and supporting software to meet the needs of a particular customer. This can include developing custom application software, operating system software, database applications, and website development. For the National Address Database, this likely means Halvik, LLC is engaged in activities such as developing new software modules, integrating the database with other systems, troubleshooting and fixing bugs, customizing reporting features, or enhancing data processing capabilities based on the FHWA's specific requirements. It indicates a focus on bespoke software solutions rather than off-the-shelf products.

Given the contract is for a 'National Address Database', what are the potential implications if Halvik, LLC's performance is subpar?

Subpar performance on a contract for a National Address Database could have significant implications. The accuracy and accessibility of address data are crucial for numerous government functions, including infrastructure management, emergency services, and policy analysis. If Halvik, LLC fails to maintain data integrity, update records promptly, or ensure system availability, it could lead to flawed analysis, inefficient resource allocation, and potentially compromised public safety operations. The FHWA would face challenges in its core missions. Remedial actions could include contract modifications, performance improvement plans, or, in severe cases, termination for default, which would necessitate a potentially lengthy and costly re-procurement process.

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

Solicitation ID: 693JJ323Q000017

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: $660,972

Exercised Options: $434,619

Current Obligation: $434,619

Actual Outlays: $304,276

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 5

Total Subaward Amount: $272,050

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 693JJ319A000013

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline