DOT awards $2M task order for human factors research and development to Toxcel LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,008,840 ($2.0M)

Contractor: Toxcel LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2024-08-29

End Date: 2027-08-28

Contract Duration: 1,094 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: TASK ORDER UNDER HUMAN FACTORS IDIQ TITLED "TECHNICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT FOR HUMAN FACTORS RELATED ACTIVITIES".

Place of Performance

Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22101

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $2.0 million to TOXCEL LLC for work described as: TASK ORDER UNDER HUMAN FACTORS IDIQ TITLED "TECHNICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT FOR HUMAN FACTORS RELATED ACTIVITIES". Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is a delivery order under an existing IDIQ, indicating a pre-established framework. 3. Fixed-price contract type may limit cost overruns but could disincentivize innovation. 4. The duration of nearly three years suggests a significant scope of work. 5. Focus on human factors research and development aligns with agency needs for understanding user interaction. 6. The award to a single contractor, Toxcel LLC, warrants scrutiny of performance and value. 7. Small business set-aside was not utilized, potentially limiting opportunities for smaller firms.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2,008,840 over approximately three years for research and development services appears moderate. Without specific benchmarks for human factors research and development task orders under similar IDIQs, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the fixed-price nature suggests the government has a clear understanding of the scope and cost. Further analysis would require comparing this award to other task orders issued under the same IDIQ or to similar contracts for R&D services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This task order was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the designation suggests a robust competitive environment. Full and open competition is generally expected to yield fair market prices and encourage a wide range of solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is favorable for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and best value solutions, minimizing the risk of overpayment.

Public Impact

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is the primary beneficiary, likely utilizing the research to improve transportation systems and user safety. Services delivered will focus on research and development in human factors, potentially leading to advancements in transportation design, policy, and operational efficiency. The geographic impact is likely national, given the scope of federal transportation initiatives, though specific project locations are not detailed. Workforce implications may include specialized roles for researchers, analysts, and subject matter experts in human factors and transportation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on the number of bidders limits the assessment of the true competitive landscape.
The fixed-price contract type could lead to scope creep if not managed carefully, potentially increasing costs beyond initial projections.
Performance metrics and evaluation criteria for this task order are not publicly detailed, making it difficult to assess contractor performance proactively.

Positive Signals

Awarded under a full and open competition, suggesting a fair and accessible bidding process.
The task order is part of a larger IDIQ, implying that the contractor has already met initial qualification standards.
The fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government, assuming the scope is well-defined.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on social sciences and humanities (NAICS 541720). The market for human factors research is driven by the need to understand and optimize human interaction with systems, products, and environments. Federal agencies, particularly in transportation, often contract for such services to enhance safety, efficiency, and user experience. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other R&D contracts within the Department of Transportation and other agencies with similar human-centered research needs.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that this was not a small business set-aside. As a result, opportunities for small businesses to directly participate in this specific task order are limited unless they are subcontractors. The prime contractor, Toxcel LLC, is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data, suggesting it may be a larger entity. Further investigation into Toxcel's size status and subcontracting plans would be necessary to fully assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this task order would typically fall under the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) within the Department of Transportation. Accountability measures are inherent in the contract structure, particularly with a fixed-price type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within budget. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award notice, but detailed performance reports and Inspector General oversight would depend on specific agency policies and any identified issues.

Related Government Programs

Human Factors Research and Development
Transportation Safety Research
IDIQ Contracts
Federal Highway Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep in R&D contracts.
Reliance on a single contractor for a significant task order.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in public award notice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $2.0 million to TOXCEL LLC. TASK ORDER UNDER HUMAN FACTORS IDIQ TITLED "TECHNICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT FOR HUMAN FACTORS RELATED ACTIVITIES".

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TOXCEL LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-08-29. End: 2027-08-28.

What is Toxcel LLC's track record with the Federal Highway Administration and other government agencies?

A comprehensive review of Toxcel LLC's contract history with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and other government entities is necessary to assess their track record. This would involve examining past performance evaluations, any documented issues or disputes, and the successful completion of previous contracts, particularly those involving research and development or human factors. Databases like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) and the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) are crucial resources for this analysis. Understanding their history of delivering on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards provides insight into their reliability for this current task order.

How does the $2,008,840 value compare to similar human factors R&D task orders?

Benchmarking the $2,008,840 value against similar human factors R&D task orders requires access to detailed contract data. Comparisons should ideally be made with task orders issued under the same IDIQ vehicle, if applicable, or with contracts awarded by the FHWA and other transportation-related agencies for comparable research and development services. Factors such as contract duration, scope of work complexity, and the specific research methodologies employed are critical for a fair comparison. Without this granular data, it is difficult to definitively state whether this award represents excellent, good, or fair value for money. However, the fixed-price nature suggests a defined scope and cost.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Key risks for this contract include potential scope creep, where the research objectives may expand beyond the initial definition, leading to cost overruns or delays, especially given the fixed-price nature. Another risk is the contractor's ability to deliver high-quality, relevant research findings that meet the FHWA's evolving needs. Mitigation strategies likely include robust project management by the FHWA, clearly defined milestones and deliverables, regular progress reviews, and potentially performance-based incentives or penalties. The contractor's experience and the competitive bidding process also serve as risk-reduction factors, assuming thorough vetting occurred.

How effective is the human factors research likely to be in improving transportation systems?

The effectiveness of the human factors research hinges on several factors, including the clarity and relevance of the research questions posed by the FHWA, the rigor of the methodologies employed by Toxcel LLC, and the actionable nature of the findings. If the research successfully identifies user behaviors, cognitive processes, and environmental interactions relevant to transportation safety and efficiency, it can lead to significant improvements in system design, policy development, and operational procedures. The FHWA's ability to translate research outcomes into practical applications will be a key determinant of its ultimate impact on transportation systems.

What is the historical spending trend for human factors R&D at the Federal Highway Administration?

Analyzing historical spending trends for human factors R&D at the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requires examining procurement data over several fiscal years. This would involve identifying contracts specifically tagged with human factors research, R&D in social sciences, or related keywords within the FHWA's budget. Trends might reveal whether spending in this area is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable, and whether it is concentrated with a few key contractors or distributed across many. Understanding these patterns can provide context for the current $2M task order, indicating if it represents a typical investment or a significant deviation.

What specific human factors challenges is the FHWA aiming to address with this contract?

The specific human factors challenges the FHWA aims to address are not detailed in the award notice but can be inferred from the agency's mission and the nature of human factors research. Common areas include driver behavior and distraction, pedestrian and cyclist safety, the human-machine interface in autonomous or connected vehicles, usability of transportation infrastructure, and the cognitive load on transportation system operators. The research likely seeks to provide data-driven insights to inform policy, design standards, and public awareness campaigns aimed at mitigating risks and enhancing the overall user experience within the transportation network.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Transportation R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7140 HERITAGE VILLAGE PLZ, GAINESVILLE, VA, 20155

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,019,915

Exercised Options: $2,174,995

Current Obligation: $2,008,840

Actual Outlays: $1,407,453

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 693JJ324D000016

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline