DOT Awards $76.7M for National Capitol Region Transit Benefits via Smart Benefit Program

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $76,721,426 ($76.7M)

Contractor: Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2021-10-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $42.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS THAT THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE FEDERAL EMPLOYEES THE MEANS TO OBTAIN SPECIFIC TRANSIT BENEFITS WITHIN THE NATIONAL CAPITOL REGION (NCR) THROUGH THE SMART BENEFIT PROGRAM IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATEMENT OF WORK.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20001

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $76.7 million to WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSIT AUTHORITY for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS THAT THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE FEDERAL EMPLOYEES THE MEANS TO OBTAIN SPECIFIC TRANSIT BENEFITS WITHIN THE NATIONAL CAPITOL REGION (NCR) THROUGH THE SMART BENEFIT PROGRAM IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATEMENT OF WORK. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on providing transit benefits to federal employees in the NCR. 2. Competition was limited, with the award going to Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. 3. Risk is moderate due to the essential nature of the service and long-term contract. 4. Spending is within the transit and ground passenger transportation sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $76.7M over five years for transit benefits in the NCR appears reasonable given the scope. However, without specific per-unit cost data or benchmarks for similar transit benefit programs, a precise value assessment is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not available for competition, indicating a limited procurement approach. This likely impacts price discovery, as there was no competitive bidding to drive down costs or explore alternative solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers are funding essential transit benefits for federal employees in a major metropolitan area. The lack of competition may result in a higher cost than a fully competitive scenario.

Public Impact

Ensures federal employees in the NCR have access to essential transit benefits. Supports public transportation usage and reduces reliance on single-occupancy vehicles. Facilitates employee commuting and potentially improves retention in the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for cost overruns without competitive pressure

Positive Signals

Provides essential service to federal employees
Supports public transit infrastructure

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'All Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation' sector. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on infrastructure projects and service contracts. The $76.7M value is significant for a service-oriented contract within this category.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication in the provided data that small businesses were involved in this contract. The award went to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, which is a large public entity.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the Department of Transportation, specifically the Immediate Office of the Secretary. Oversight would involve ensuring the contractor fulfills the statement of work and provides the specified transit benefits effectively.

Related Government Programs

All Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation
Department of Transportation Contracting
Immediate Office of the Secretary of Transportation Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition may lead to higher costs.
Lack of detailed cost breakdown makes value assessment difficult.
Contract duration of five years requires ongoing monitoring.
Dependence on a single provider for a critical service.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $76.7 million to WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSIT AUTHORITY. THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS THAT THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE FEDERAL EMPLOYEES THE MEANS TO OBTAIN SPECIFIC TRANSIT BENEFITS WITHIN THE NATIONAL CAPITOL REGION (NCR) THROUGH THE SMART BENEFIT PROGRAM IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATEMENT OF WORK.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSIT AUTHORITY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Immediate Office of the Secretary of Transportation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $76.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-10-01. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the specific per-employee cost for transit benefits under this contract?

The provided data does not include a specific per-employee cost. To determine this, one would need to know the total number of federal employees utilizing the Smart Benefit Program through this contract and divide the total contract value by that number. Without the employee count, a precise per-unit cost cannot be calculated.

What are the risks associated with a sole-source or limited competition award for transit benefits?

The primary risk of a limited competition award is the potential for inflated costs due to the absence of competitive pressure. It also limits the government's ability to explore innovative solutions or alternative providers that might offer better value or service. Ensuring fair pricing and performance monitoring becomes crucial.

How does this contract contribute to the overall effectiveness of federal employee commuting in the NCR?

This contract is directly effective in ensuring federal employees in the National Capitol Region have a reliable and accessible means to obtain transit benefits. By facilitating these benefits, it supports employee commuting, potentially reducing traffic congestion and promoting the use of public transportation, thereby contributing to the government's operational efficiency and environmental goals.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation › All Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation

Product/Service Code: TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCATION › OTHER TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCAT SV

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 600 5TH ST NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20001

Business Categories: U.S. Government Authorities, Category Business, Government, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, U.S. Regional/State Government

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $372,077,626

Exercised Options: $372,077,626

Current Obligation: $76,721,426

Actual Outlays: $65,065,268

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 693JK421D500004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline