FHWA Awards $50K Task Order for Safety Expertise to Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $50,000 ($50.0K)

Contractor: Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2031-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $27/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: TECHNICAL EXPERTISE AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE FHWA OFFICE OF SAFETY MINIMUM GUARANTEE TASK ORDER.

Place of Performance

Location: WATERTOWN, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02472

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $50,000 to VANASSE HANGEN BRUSTLIN, INC. for work described as: TECHNICAL EXPERTISE AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE FHWA OFFICE OF SAFETY MINIMUM GUARANTEE TASK ORDER. Key points: 1. Contract awarded for technical expertise and support services for the FHWA Office of Safety. 2. Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. secured the task order under full and open competition. 3. The contract spans five years, indicating a long-term need for these services. 4. The value of $50,000 is relatively small, suggesting a focused scope of work.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The $50,000 value for a 5-year task order appears low, suggesting a limited scope or a specific niche service. Benchmarking against similar long-term support contracts is difficult without more detail on the specific services provided.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which generally promotes competitive pricing and allows for a wide range of potential contractors to bid. The fixed-price nature of the contract helps control costs.

Taxpayer Impact: The relatively small value of this task order suggests a minimal direct impact on taxpayers, but it contributes to the overall operational efficiency of the FHWA Office of Safety.

Public Impact

Ensures continued technical expertise for the FHWA Office of Safety. Supports critical safety initiatives and research within the Federal Highway Administration. Provides specialized services that may not be readily available in-house.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep given the long duration and low initial value.
Limited visibility into specific deliverables and performance metrics.
Risk of contractor lock-in if services become highly specialized and integrated.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, maximizing potential for best value.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Long-term engagement suggests a stable and reliable service provider.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, specifically related to transportation safety. Spending in this sector often focuses on research, analysis, and program support to improve public infrastructure and safety standards.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, but there is no indication that small businesses were specifically targeted or participated. The small business status of the awardee is not specified.

Oversight & Accountability

The award is a task order under a larger contract vehicle (implied by 'delivery order'). Oversight would typically involve monitoring performance against the task order requirements and ensuring adherence to the contract terms.

Related Government Programs

All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Department of Transportation Contracting
Federal Highway Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Low contract value for a long duration may indicate limited scope or potential for future modifications.
Lack of detail on specific services makes independent value assessment challenging.
No explicit mention of small business participation.
Performance metrics and oversight details are not provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $50,000 to VANASSE HANGEN BRUSTLIN, INC.. TECHNICAL EXPERTISE AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE FHWA OFFICE OF SAFETY MINIMUM GUARANTEE TASK ORDER.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VANASSE HANGEN BRUSTLIN, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $50,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2031-03-31.

What specific technical expertise and support services are being provided under this task order?

The provided data lacks specifics on the exact nature of the 'technical expertise and support services.' Understanding the granular details of the work, such as data analysis, research, policy development, or system support, is crucial for a comprehensive value assessment. Without this, it's difficult to determine if the $50,000 over five years represents a fair price for the intended outcomes.

How will the performance of Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. be measured and evaluated over the five-year period?

Effective oversight requires clearly defined performance metrics and evaluation criteria. For a long-term, low-value task order, it's important to establish how the FHWA Office of Safety will track progress, ensure quality, and measure the impact of the contractor's support. Regular reviews and feedback mechanisms are essential to mitigate risks associated with extended engagements and ensure continued alignment with agency goals.

What is the strategic importance of this specific task order to the FHWA Office of Safety's overall mission?

While the dollar amount is modest, the five-year duration suggests this task order supports ongoing, critical functions within the Office of Safety. Understanding its role in achieving broader safety objectives, such as reducing fatalities or improving infrastructure safety standards, helps contextualize its effectiveness. This insight is vital for assessing the true value beyond the financial cost.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 101 WALNUT ST, WATERTOWN, MA, 02472

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $50,000

Exercised Options: $50,000

Current Obligation: $50,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 693JJ326D000005

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline