DOT Awards $110M Contract for Crash Data Services to KLD Associates

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $109,962,219 ($110.0M)

Contractor: KLD Associates Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2021-09-15

End Date: 2025-09-26

Contract Duration: 1,472 days

Daily Burn Rate: $74.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NEW CONTRACT TO PROVIDE FOR CRASH INVESTIGATION, PAR COLLECTION, AND DATA CODING AT 32 CRASH INVESTIGATION SAMPLING SYSTEM (CISS) SITES.

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 $110.0 million to KLD ASSOCIATES INC for work described as: NEW CONTRACT TO PROVIDE FOR CRASH INVESTIGATION, PAR COLLECTION, AND DATA CODING AT 32 CRASH INVESTIGATION SAMPLING SYSTEM (CISS) SITES. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical crash investigation, data collection, and coding across 32 sites. 2. KLD Associates Inc. secured the award through full and open competition. 3. The contract spans over four years, indicating a significant, long-term need for these services. 4. The sector is professional, scientific, and technical services, vital for transportation safety research.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $109.96M over approximately 4 years suggests a substantial investment. Benchmarking against similar large-scale data collection and analysis contracts would be necessary for a precise assessment, but the firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The award was made under full and open competition, indicating a robust price discovery process. This method generally leads to more competitive pricing as multiple qualified vendors can bid.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is positive for taxpayers, likely resulting in a fair market price for essential transportation safety data services.

Public Impact

Enhances road safety by improving the quality and scope of crash data analysis. Supports the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) mission to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries. Provides valuable data for researchers, policymakers, and vehicle manufacturers to implement safety improvements. The contract's duration ensures continuity in critical data collection efforts.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in data collection requirements.
Reliance on a single contractor for a critical function.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Full and open competition suggests competitive pricing.
Long-term contract ensures service continuity.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically related to data collection and analysis for transportation safety. Spending in this area is crucial for regulatory bodies like NHTSA to fulfill their mandates.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false, sb: false). While the primary awardee is not an SMB, opportunities for subcontracting to small businesses may exist within the scope of this large contract.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a definitive contract awarded by the Department of Transportation through NHTSA. Oversight would involve monitoring contract performance, adherence to data quality standards, and financial accountability throughout the contract period.

Related Government Programs

All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Department of Transportation Contracting
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for data quality issues if oversight is insufficient.
Contract duration may limit flexibility if needs change significantly.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical data functions.
Risk of cost overruns if scope is not tightly managed, despite FFP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $110.0 million to KLD ASSOCIATES INC. NEW CONTRACT TO PROVIDE FOR CRASH INVESTIGATION, PAR COLLECTION, AND DATA CODING AT 32 CRASH INVESTIGATION SAMPLING SYSTEM (CISS) SITES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KLD ASSOCIATES 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 $110.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-15. End: 2025-09-26.

What is the specific methodology for crash investigation, PAR collection, and data coding, and how does it ensure data integrity and comparability across sites?

The contract details likely outline standardized protocols for investigation, data collection (e.g., Passenger Activity Record - PAR), and coding. Ensuring data integrity involves rigorous training for site personnel, quality control checks, and potentially independent validation processes. Comparability across the 32 CISS sites hinges on consistent application of these standardized methodologies and data dictionaries.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will KLD Associates' performance be measured against them?

Key performance indicators would likely include metrics related to data accuracy rates, timeliness of data submission, completeness of crash investigations, adherence to coding standards, and overall project management efficiency. NHTSA would monitor these KPIs through regular reporting, data audits, and performance reviews to ensure the contractor meets contractual obligations and delivers high-quality results.

How does the data collected under this contract inform future safety regulations or vehicle design standards?

The comprehensive data gathered on crash circumstances, vehicle dynamics, and occupant behavior provides empirical evidence for identifying safety trends and deficiencies. NHTSA analyzes this data to pinpoint areas needing regulatory attention, such as specific vehicle safety features or road design elements. This evidence-based approach directly influences the development and refinement of safety standards and mandates.

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

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 693JJ920R000030

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: KLD Associates, Inc.

Address: 8 MANOR RD, SMITHTOWN, NY, 11787

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $109,962,219

Exercised Options: $109,962,219

Current Obligation: $109,962,219

Actual Outlays: $90,047,629

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: PRODUCTS OR SERVICES PURSUANT TO FAR 12.102(F)

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline