DOT Awards $2.65M Task Order for Traffic Records Assessments to Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,651,229 ($2.7M)

Contractor: Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2020-08-13

End Date: 2026-08-13

Contract Duration: 2,191 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: TASK ORDER TO CONDUCTION TRAFFIC RECORDS ASSESSMENTS, WHICH NEED TO BE AWARDED AT THE SAME TIME AS THE PENDING IDIQ CONTRACT. REFERENCING SOLICITATION NUMBER 693JJ920R000003. SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS. BASE YEAR 350,004.37 OPTION YEAR ON

Place of Performance

Location: WATERTOWN, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02472

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $2.7 million to VANASSE HANGEN BRUSTLIN, INC. for work described as: TASK ORDER TO CONDUCTION TRAFFIC RECORDS ASSESSMENTS, WHICH NEED TO BE AWARDED AT THE SAME TIME AS THE PENDING IDIQ CONTRACT. REFERENCING SOLICITATION NUMBER 693JJ920R000003. SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS. BASE YEAR 350,004.37 OPTION YEAR ON Key points: 1. The task order, valued at $2.65 million, supports traffic records assessments. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration spans from August 2020 to August 2026. 4. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is the agency. 5. The NAICS code 541519 suggests services related to computer systems design.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total value of $2.65 million for a 6-year period appears reasonable for traffic records assessment services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for data analysis and IT services would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process is expected to yield fair pricing, thus minimizing unnecessary taxpayer expenditure for these essential traffic safety services.

Public Impact

Enhances the accuracy and completeness of national traffic safety data. Supports data-driven decision-making for improving road safety initiatives. Contributes to a better understanding of traffic accident causes and trends. Potential for improved public safety through data-informed policy.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Task order awarded concurrently with a pending IDIQ contract, potential for coordination issues.
Subject to availability of funds, indicating potential budget constraints.
Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed closely.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Long contract duration allows for sustained support and development.
Supports a critical government function related to public safety.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, specifically NAICS code 541519 (Other Computer Related Services), is broad. This contract focuses on data assessment for traffic safety, a specialized application within this sector. Spending benchmarks for similar data analysis and IT support contracts would be relevant.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business (SB is false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was sought or if the prime contractor intends to subcontract to small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

The award process under full and open competition suggests a degree of oversight. However, the effectiveness of oversight will depend on the agency's contract management practices, particularly given the Time and Materials pricing structure.

Related Government Programs

Other Computer Related Services
Department of Transportation Contracting
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Awarded concurrently with a pending IDIQ, potential for coordination challenges.
Subject to availability of funds, indicating potential budget risks.
No small business participation indicated in the award data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $2.7 million to VANASSE HANGEN BRUSTLIN, INC.. TASK ORDER TO CONDUCTION TRAFFIC RECORDS ASSESSMENTS, WHICH NEED TO BE AWARDED AT THE SAME TIME AS THE PENDING IDIQ CONTRACT. REFERENCING SOLICITATION NUMBER 693JJ920R000003. SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS. BASE YEAR 350,004.37 OPTION YEAR ON

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 (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-08-13. End: 2026-08-13.

What is the specific scope of 'traffic records assessments' and how does it align with NHTSA's strategic goals?

Traffic records assessments typically involve evaluating the quality, completeness, and timeliness of data collected on traffic crashes, citations, and related information. This aligns with NHTSA's strategic goals by providing reliable data to identify safety issues, develop countermeasures, and measure the effectiveness of safety programs, ultimately aiming to reduce fatalities and injuries on U.S. roadways.

What are the potential risks associated with a Time and Materials contract for this type of service?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts carry inherent risks of cost escalation if not closely monitored. The contractor may have less incentive to control costs, and the government bears the risk of increased labor hours or material costs. Effective oversight, clear task definitions, and robust reporting are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure value for money.

How will the effectiveness of these traffic records assessments be measured to ensure value for taxpayer money?

Effectiveness will likely be measured through key performance indicators (KPIs) related to data quality improvements, timeliness of reporting, and the actionable insights generated from the assessments. NHTSA should establish clear metrics for deliverables, such as the accuracy of data analysis, the identification of critical safety trends, and the impact of recommendations on subsequent safety initiatives.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 101 WALNUT ST, WATERTOWN, MA, 02471

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,651,229

Exercised Options: $2,651,229

Current Obligation: $2,651,229

Actual Outlays: $2,358,488

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 693JJ920D000021A

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline