DOT awards $15.7M contract for crash investigation sampling system quality control operations

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,735,938 ($15.7M)

Contractor: Automotive Safety Research Center, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2021-08-02

End Date: 2027-03-29

Contract Duration: 2,065 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CRASH INVESTIGATION SAMPLING SYSTEM (CISS) QUALITY CONTROL CENTER OPERATIONS

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 $15.7 million to AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY RESEARCH CENTER, LLC for work described as: CRASH INVESTIGATION SAMPLING SYSTEM (CISS) QUALITY CONTROL CENTER OPERATIONS Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential quality control for automotive safety data. 2. Competition was open after exclusion of sources, suggesting a specific need. 3. Performance period extends over five years, indicating a long-term requirement. 4. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can allow for flexibility but requires careful cost management. 5. The contractor, AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY RESEARCH CENTER, LLC, specializes in automotive safety research. 6. This contract supports the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's mission to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $15.7 million over approximately five years appears reasonable for specialized automotive safety research and quality control services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for scientific and technical services in the automotive safety sector would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates close monitoring of costs to ensure efficiency and prevent overruns, but it allows for adaptation to evolving research needs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be open, specific sources may have been excluded based on predefined criteria, possibly related to specialized expertise or prior performance. The exact number of bidders is not specified, but the 'exclusion of sources' suggests a potentially narrower field than a truly unrestricted full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: This procurement method, while allowing for some competition, may not yield the most competitive pricing compared to a fully unrestricted process. Taxpayers benefit from specialized services but might incur slightly higher costs due to the limited pool of eligible bidders.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the American public, through improved automotive safety standards and data integrity. The contract delivers essential quality control operations for the Crash Investigation Sampling System (CISS). Services are likely concentrated in the District of Columbia, where the contractor is located. The contract supports a specialized workforce in automotive safety research and data analysis.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts require diligent oversight to manage costs effectively and ensure value.
The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition process warrants understanding the specific rationale to ensure fairness and optimal pricing.

Positive Signals

The contract supports a critical function for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in ensuring vehicle safety.
The contractor's specialization in automotive safety research suggests a strong capability to perform the required services.
The long performance period indicates a stable and ongoing need for these vital quality control operations.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically focusing on automotive safety research and data quality assurance. The market for such specialized services is driven by regulatory requirements and the automotive industry's continuous efforts to improve vehicle safety. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found within government contracts awarded to research institutions and specialized engineering firms focused on transportation safety.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside requirement. The primary contractor is AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY RESEARCH CENTER, LLC, and its size status relative to small business definitions would need further investigation if subcontracting opportunities were a focus.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a sub-agency of the Department of Transportation. Accountability measures would be embedded in the Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract terms, requiring regular reporting on costs, progress, and quality. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases, though specific performance metrics and detailed cost breakdowns may not be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Automotive Safety Research
Vehicle Safety Standards
Traffic Accident Data Analysis
Quality Assurance Services
Federal Research Contracts

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract requires diligent cost oversight.
Competition method 'after exclusion of sources' warrants understanding justification.
Long-term contract duration necessitates ongoing performance monitoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $15.7 million to AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY RESEARCH CENTER, LLC. CRASH INVESTIGATION SAMPLING SYSTEM (CISS) QUALITY CONTROL CENTER OPERATIONS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY RESEARCH CENTER, LLC.

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 $15.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-08-02. End: 2027-03-29.

What is the specific historical spending pattern for the Crash Investigation Sampling System (CISS) Quality Control Center Operations?

The provided data reflects a single definitive contract awarded on August 2, 2021, with a total value of $15,735,938.13 and an estimated duration of 2065 days (approximately 5.65 years). This suggests that this specific contract represents the current or recent major federal spending for these operations. Without access to historical contract databases or prior awards for CISS quality control, it is difficult to establish a comprehensive spending pattern. However, the existence of this significant, multi-year contract indicates a sustained federal investment in ensuring the quality of crash investigation data.

How does the contractor's track record in automotive safety research influence the assessment of this contract's risk?

The contractor, AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY RESEARCH CENTER, LLC, specializes in automotive safety research. This specialization is a positive signal, suggesting the firm possesses the requisite expertise, knowledge base, and potentially established methodologies to effectively perform the quality control operations for the Crash Investigation Sampling System (CISS). A strong track record in a relevant field generally reduces performance risk, as the contractor is likely familiar with the nuances of automotive safety data, regulatory requirements, and the importance of data integrity. However, a thorough risk assessment would also consider past performance on similar government contracts, including adherence to schedules, budget management, and quality of deliverables.

Can the value of this contract be benchmarked against similar federal contracts for automotive safety data quality control?

Benchmarking this $15.7 million contract against similar federal contracts requires identifying procurements with comparable scope, duration, and service requirements within the automotive safety data quality control domain. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is the primary agency involved, and other contracts supporting its data collection, analysis, or quality assurance programs could serve as benchmarks. Factors such as the complexity of the sampling system, the specific quality control protocols required, and the level of technical expertise needed would influence comparability. Without access to a detailed database of comparable contracts, a precise benchmark is challenging, but the contract's value appears substantial, reflecting the critical nature of ensuring accurate crash data.

What are the potential program effectiveness implications of using a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type for these services?

The use of a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type for CISS quality control operations offers flexibility, which can be beneficial for research-oriented services where the scope might evolve. The fixed fee provides the contractor with a guaranteed profit margin, incentivizing them to complete the work. However, CPFF contracts place a significant burden on the government to monitor costs closely. The agency must ensure that the contractor's costs are reasonable, allocable, and allowable. If oversight is weak, there is a risk of cost overruns, potentially diminishing the overall value for money. Effective program delivery hinges on robust government cost accounting and performance monitoring to ensure the fixed fee is justified by the quality and timeliness of the services rendered.

How does the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' procurement method impact taxpayer value?

The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' method implies that while the competition was intended to be broad, certain potential offerors were excluded based on specific criteria. This exclusion, if justified by unique technical requirements or specialized capabilities, can lead to competition among highly qualified firms. However, if the exclusion narrows the field excessively without a clear justification, it could limit price competition and potentially result in a higher cost to taxpayers than a truly unrestricted full and open competition. The value to taxpayers depends on whether the excluded sources lacked the necessary specialized expertise or if the exclusion was arbitrary. A transparent justification for the exclusion is key to assessing its impact on taxpayer value.

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) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 693JJ920R000032

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 24548 OLDE ORCHARD ST, NOVI, MI, 48375

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Joint Venture Women Owned Small Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $21,894,607

Exercised Options: $15,735,938

Current Obligation: $15,735,938

Actual Outlays: $13,237,741

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline