DOT awards $1.5M for traffic reporting system O&M, replacing prior contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,524,967 ($1.5M)

Contractor: TTW Solutions, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2024-03-29

End Date: 2026-09-28

Contract Duration: 913 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: ISSUE A NEW BASE PLUS FOUR (04) OPTION PERIOD CONTRACT FOR TRAFFIC RECORDS IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM REPORTING SYSTEM (TRIPRS) - OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE. THIS REPLACES PR 693JJ923RQ000202

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20817

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $1.5 million to TTW SOLUTIONS, INC. for work described as: ISSUE A NEW BASE PLUS FOUR (04) OPTION PERIOD CONTRACT FOR TRAFFIC RECORDS IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM REPORTING SYSTEM (TRIPRS) - OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE. THIS REPLACES PR 693JJ923RQ000202 Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential operations and maintenance for a critical traffic reporting system. 2. The award is a definitive contract, indicating a commitment to TTW SOLUTIONS, INC. for the specified period. 3. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the government. 4. This contract replaces a previous award, suggesting a continuation of services rather than a new initiative. 5. The duration of the contract is over two years, ensuring sustained support for the system. 6. The specific National Item Identification Number (NAICS) code points to computer systems design services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $1.5 million over 913 days represents a moderate investment for system operations and maintenance. Benchmarking against similar IT service contracts for government systems is challenging without more detailed scope of work and performance metrics. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests an attempt to control costs. The value appears reasonable for maintaining a specialized reporting system, but a deeper dive into the specific services provided and their necessity would be required for a more definitive value assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed and was awarded sole-source. This indicates that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) likely determined that TTW SOLUTIONS, INC. was the only responsible source capable of providing the required services, possibly due to proprietary knowledge, existing infrastructure, or unique expertise related to the Traffic Records Improvement Program Reporting System (TRIPRS). The lack of competition means that the government did not benefit from potential price reductions or service enhancements that could arise from a competitive bidding process.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, a sole-source award means there is a reduced likelihood of achieving the lowest possible price for these services. Without competition, the government relies on the contractor's proposed pricing and the agency's negotiation skills to ensure fair value.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and potentially other Department of Transportation (DOT) entities that rely on the TRIPRS for data and reporting. The services delivered include operations and maintenance for the TRIPRS, ensuring its continued functionality and availability. The geographic impact is likely national, as traffic data and reporting systems typically serve a broad scope. Workforce implications are minimal for the public sector, as the contract is for external services, but it supports jobs within TTW SOLUTIONS, INC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition limits price discovery and potential cost savings for taxpayers.
Sole-source awards can sometimes lead to complacency or reduced innovation from the awarded contractor.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical system maintenance poses a risk if the contractor faces performance issues or financial instability.

Positive Signals

Contract ensures continuity of essential operations for a critical traffic reporting system.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for the agency.
The award replaces a prior contract, indicating a stable and ongoing relationship for system support.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Computer Systems Design Services sector, a significant segment of the IT services industry. The market for government IT support and maintenance is substantial, with agencies constantly seeking to maintain and upgrade their systems. This specific contract addresses the operational needs of a specialized reporting system, which is common across various government functions that require data management and analysis. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other IT operations and maintenance contracts for similar-sized government systems.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded to a small business, nor does it appear to have a specific small business set-aside. The data indicates the prime contractor is TTW SOLUTIONS, INC. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses within this award notice. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific contract is likely limited, unless TTW SOLUTIONS, INC. voluntarily engages small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) contracting officers and program managers. They are responsible for monitoring performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and approving payments. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award notice, which provides basic details about the contractor, value, and period of performance. The Department of Transportation's Inspector General may also have jurisdiction for audits or investigations if performance or financial irregularities are suspected.

Related Government Programs

Traffic Records Improvement Program
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration IT Services
Department of Transportation Operations and Maintenance Contracts
Computer Systems Design Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may limit price competition.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in abstract.
Contractor's past performance details not readily available.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $1.5 million to TTW SOLUTIONS, INC.. ISSUE A NEW BASE PLUS FOUR (04) OPTION PERIOD CONTRACT FOR TRAFFIC RECORDS IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM REPORTING SYSTEM (TRIPRS) - OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE. THIS REPLACES PR 693JJ923RQ000202

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TTW SOLUTIONS, 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 $1.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-03-29. End: 2026-09-28.

What is the specific functionality and criticality of the TRIPRS system that necessitates a sole-source award for its operations and maintenance?

The Traffic Records Improvement Program Reporting System (TRIPRS) is crucial for collecting, analyzing, and reporting on traffic safety data across the nation. Its criticality stems from its role in supporting NHTSA's mission to reduce traffic crashes and fatalities. The system likely aggregates data from various state and local sources, providing essential insights for policy development, program evaluation, and resource allocation. A sole-source award for its operations and maintenance suggests that TTW SOLUTIONS, INC. possesses unique, proprietary knowledge or has developed specialized tools and processes integral to TRIPRS's functioning, making it difficult or impractical to transition to another vendor without significant disruption or cost.

How does the $1.5 million contract value compare to previous spending on TRIPRS operations and maintenance?

The provided data indicates this contract replaces a previous award (PR 693JJ923RQ000202), but it does not include the value or duration of that prior contract. Therefore, a direct comparison of the $1.5 million value to historical spending on TRIPRS operations and maintenance cannot be made with the available information. To assess value trends, historical contract data for TRIPRS O&M would need to be obtained and analyzed. This would allow for an evaluation of whether the current investment is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable relative to past expenditures for similar services.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract to ensure system performance and reliability?

The provided contract abstract does not detail specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for the TRIPRS operations and maintenance. Typically, such contracts would include metrics related to system uptime, response times for issue resolution, data accuracy and integrity, and security compliance. The effectiveness of the contractor's performance would be measured against these agreed-upon standards. Without this information, it is difficult to objectively assess the expected level of service and the contractor's accountability for maintaining the TRIPRS's operational integrity.

What is TTW SOLUTIONS, INC.'s track record with NHTSA and other federal agencies for similar IT operations and maintenance services?

Information regarding TTW SOLUTIONS, INC.'s specific track record with NHTSA or other federal agencies for IT operations and maintenance is not provided in the abstract. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes. Given this is a sole-source award replacing a prior contract, it suggests a degree of satisfaction or necessity based on past performance or unique capabilities. However, without explicit performance data or contract history details, a thorough evaluation of their track record remains incomplete.

Are there any potential risks associated with the sole-source nature of this award, beyond cost implications?

Yes, beyond the potential for higher costs due to lack of competition, the sole-source nature of this award carries other risks. It creates a dependency on TTW SOLUTIONS, INC., meaning NHTSA has limited options if the contractor fails to perform adequately, experiences financial difficulties, or undergoes significant personnel changes. This dependency can reduce the agency's leverage in negotiations and potentially stifle innovation, as the contractor may face less pressure to improve services or adopt new technologies. Furthermore, it limits opportunities for other capable vendors to gain experience and compete for this essential service in the future.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6550 ROCK SPRING DR, BETHESDA, MD, 20817

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,132,529

Exercised Options: $1,524,967

Current Obligation: $1,524,967

Actual Outlays: $986,596

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline