Transportation Department awards $376,630 labor hour contract to MACROSYS, LLC for research and technology support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $376,630 ($376.6K)

Contractor: Macrosys, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2024-09-27

End Date: 2026-09-26

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $517/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: THIS IS A LABOR HOUR TASK ORDER AGAINST IDIQ CONTRACT 693JK422D800003, FOR THE CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE ALL MATERIALS AND PERSONNEL NECESSARY TO PROVIDE THE OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY (OST-R)/ BUREAU OF TRANSPORTATION

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 $376,630 to MACROSYS, LLC for work described as: THIS IS A LABOR HOUR TASK ORDER AGAINST IDIQ CONTRACT 693JK422D800003, FOR THE CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE ALL MATERIALS AND PERSONNEL NECESSARY TO PROVIDE THE OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY (OST-R)/ BUREAU OF TRANSPORTATION Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a labor hour basis, indicating a need for flexible staffing and expertise. 2. The contract is a task order against an existing IDIQ, suggesting a pre-vetted contractor. 3. MACROSYS, LLC has been selected for this task order, implying a competitive process for the IDIQ. 4. The contract duration is approximately two years, aligning with typical project-based support needs. 5. The scope covers support for the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology (OST-R). 6. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, suggesting a focus on larger prime contractors. 7. The contract is for 'All Other Support Services', a broad category that requires careful monitoring of deliverables.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

This contract is a labor hour task order, making direct value-for-money assessment challenging without detailed labor rates and hours. Benchmarking against similar support services contracts for OST-R or equivalent offices within other agencies would be necessary. The fixed ceiling of $376,630 provides a clear budget limit, but the actual spend will depend on hours utilized. Without specific deliverables or performance metrics, it's difficult to definitively assess if the pricing represents excellent value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract is a task order against an IDIQ contract that was awarded under full and open competition. This suggests that MACROSYS, LLC was one of multiple bidders for the underlying IDIQ, and this task order was likely competed among eligible IDIQ holders or awarded based on the terms established during the IDIQ competition. The level of competition for the IDIQ itself is a key factor in determining price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition for the underlying IDIQ generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to better pricing and a wider pool of qualified contractors.

Public Impact

The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology (OST-R) will benefit from the specialized support services provided. This contract supports the advancement of research and technology initiatives within the Department of Transportation. The services delivered are expected to enhance the operational capabilities and strategic planning of OST-R. The primary geographic impact is within the District of Columbia, where the Department of Transportation is headquartered. The contract may indirectly impact the transportation technology workforce by supporting research and development efforts.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Labor hour contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not closely managed and monitored for efficiency.
The broad 'All Other Support Services' category may lack specific performance metrics, making it harder to track value.
Without detailed breakdown of labor categories and rates, it's difficult to assess if the pricing is competitive.

Positive Signals

Awarded as a task order against an existing IDIQ, suggesting a streamlined procurement process and pre-qualified vendor.
The contract is for a defined period, providing clear start and end dates for the services.
The specific agency and office (OST-R) indicate a focused area of support, likely aligned with strategic goals.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically supporting government administrative functions. The NAICS code 561990 ('All Other Support Services') is broad and encompasses a wide range of activities. Comparable spending in this category across federal agencies often involves program management, administrative support, and specialized consulting. The market size for such services is substantial, with numerous firms capable of providing these support functions.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside. The prime contractor, MACROSYS, LLC, is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. This suggests that the contract was competed broadly, and there may be opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors to MACROSYS, LLC, depending on the specific requirements and subcontracting plans.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of Transportation's contracting officers and program managers within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology. Accountability measures will be tied to the performance of the services rendered against the task order requirements. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Transportation - Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology (OST-R) Support Services
Federal IDIQ Contracts for Support Services
Labor Hour Task Orders for Government Support
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Labor Hour Contract Risk
Broad Scope of Services
Potential for Cost Overruns

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $376,630 to MACROSYS, LLC. THIS IS A LABOR HOUR TASK ORDER AGAINST IDIQ CONTRACT 693JK422D800003, FOR THE CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE ALL MATERIALS AND PERSONNEL NECESSARY TO PROVIDE THE OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY (OST-R)/ BUREAU OF TRANSPORTATION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MACROSYS, LLC.

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 $376,630.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-27. End: 2026-09-26.

What is the track record of MACROSYS, LLC with the Department of Transportation and similar agencies?

A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to fully assess MACROSYS, LLC's track record. This would involve examining past contract awards, performance evaluations (if publicly available), and any history of disputes or contract modifications. Understanding their experience with the Department of Transportation, specifically with the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, would provide crucial context. Additionally, evaluating their performance on similar labor hour contracts for other federal agencies can indicate their capability to manage flexible staffing and deliver required support services effectively. Without specific historical data, it is difficult to provide a definitive assessment of their track record.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar support services contracts for research and technology offices within the federal government?

To benchmark this contract, one would need to compare it against other labor hour task orders or fixed-price contracts for 'All Other Support Services' awarded to similar research and technology offices (e.g., within agencies like NASA, NSF, or other DOT bureaus) over the past 1-3 years. Key comparison points would include the duration, scope of work, and the number of labor hours or personnel involved. The $376,630 ceiling for a two-year period suggests a moderate-sized contract, likely for a small team or specialized individual support. A detailed analysis would require access to contract databases to identify comparable awards and analyze their pricing structures and deliverables to determine if this award represents fair and reasonable pricing.

What are the primary risks associated with this labor hour contract, and how are they being mitigated?

The primary risks associated with this labor hour contract include potential cost overruns if labor hours are not efficiently utilized, scope creep if the requirements are not clearly defined and managed, and a lack of measurable performance outcomes if deliverables are not well-articulated. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust oversight by the contracting officer's representative (COR), detailed tracking and reporting of labor hours, regular progress meetings to ensure alignment with objectives, and clearly defined task order requirements. The fixed ceiling of $376,630 provides a budgetary control, but effective management of the labor hours is crucial to ensure value for money. The fact that it's a task order against an IDIQ may imply some level of pre-qualification and established processes.

What is the expected impact of this contract on the Department of Transportation's research and technology initiatives?

This contract is expected to provide essential support services to the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology (OST-R), enabling the office to more effectively pursue its strategic goals. The support could range from administrative assistance, project coordination, data analysis, to specialized technical expertise, depending on the specific tasks defined within the task order. By augmenting OST-R's internal capabilities, this contract aims to accelerate research, foster innovation, and improve the development and implementation of transportation technologies. The ultimate impact will be measured by OST-R's ability to achieve its mission objectives and contribute to advancements in the transportation sector.

How does this contract fit into the broader spending patterns for support services within the Department of Transportation?

This contract represents a component of the Department of Transportation's overall spending on support services, which are crucial for the efficient operation of its various offices and bureaus. Support services contracts, including those for administrative, technical, and program management assistance, are common across federal agencies. The $376,630 award is relatively modest in the context of large federal agency budgets. Analyzing historical spending data for OST-R and similar offices within DOT would reveal trends in the utilization of external support services, the types of services procured, and the average contract values. This specific award suggests a need for flexible, on-demand expertise rather than large-scale, long-term projects.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Other Support Services › All Other Support 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: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1901 N MOORE ST STE 602, ARLINGTON, VA, 22209

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $548,692

Exercised Options: $376,630

Current Obligation: $376,630

Actual Outlays: $211,703

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 693JK422D800003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline