DOE Transitions HQ Transport to Rideshare via GSA BPA, Costing $1.05M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $105,000 ($105.0K)

Contractor: Uber Technologies, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Energy

Start Date: 2023-02-02

End Date: 2025-08-02

Contract Duration: 912 days

Daily Burn Rate: $115/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROVIDE THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE) WITH RIDESHARE SERVICES UNDER THE GSA RIDESHARE BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT. THIS WILL COMPLETELY TRANSITION DOE'S HEADQUARTERS TRANSPORTATION OFFERINGS FROM A TRADITIONAL SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE TO A SCALA

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20585

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Energy obligated $105,000 to UBER TECHNOLOGIES, INC. for work described as: PROVIDE THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE) WITH RIDESHARE SERVICES UNDER THE GSA RIDESHARE BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT. THIS WILL COMPLETELY TRANSITION DOE'S HEADQUARTERS TRANSPORTATION OFFERINGS FROM A TRADITIONAL SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE TO A SCALA Key points: 1. Spending focuses on modernizing transportation with rideshare services. 2. Uber Technologies, Inc. is the primary contractor. 3. The contract is a BPA Call under a larger GSA agreement. 4. Transitioning from shuttle buses to rideshare aims for efficiency.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract is a BPA Call, suggesting it leverages existing GSA pricing. The total award of $1.05M over approximately 3 years appears reasonable for rideshare services for a large agency headquarters.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), indicating it was likely a limited competition. This method can be efficient for smaller procurements but may not always yield the lowest prices compared to full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used to modernize transportation services, potentially leading to cost savings and improved convenience compared to traditional shuttle services.

Public Impact

Employees at DOE headquarters will benefit from on-demand transportation. This initiative represents a shift towards technology-enabled government services. Potential for reduced operational costs and environmental impact compared to shuttle buses.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Limited competition under SAP may not guarantee best value.
  • Reliance on a single vendor (Uber) could pose future risks.

Positive Signals

  • Modernization of government transportation services.
  • Leverages existing GSA Blanket Purchase Agreement.
  • Potential for increased employee satisfaction and efficiency.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under travel arrangement and reservation services, a niche within the broader professional services sector. Spending benchmarks for this specific sub-sector are difficult to pinpoint, but government adoption of commercial rideshare platforms is increasing.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to involve small businesses, as it is with Uber Technologies, Inc. and competed under SAP, which often favors established vendors for specific services.

Oversight & Accountability

The use of a GSA Blanket Purchase Agreement provides a layer of oversight. However, ongoing monitoring of usage, cost controls, and vendor performance will be crucial for accountability.

Related Government Programs

  • All Other Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services
  • Department of Energy Contracting
  • Department of Energy Programs

Risk Flags

  • Potential for price increases due to surge pricing.
  • Dependence on a single commercial platform.
  • Data privacy and security concerns with third-party rideshare services.
  • Ensuring consistent service quality across all rides.

Tags

all-other-travel-arrangement-and-reserva, department-of-energy, dc, bpa-call, 100k-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Energy awarded $105,000 to UBER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. PROVIDE THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE) WITH RIDESHARE SERVICES UNDER THE GSA RIDESHARE BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT. THIS WILL COMPLETELY TRANSITION DOE'S HEADQUARTERS TRANSPORTATION OFFERINGS FROM A TRADITIONAL SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE TO A SCALA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UBER TECHNOLOGIES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $105,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-02-02. End: 2025-08-02.

What is the projected cost savings compared to the previous shuttle bus service?

The data does not provide a direct comparison to the previous shuttle bus service costs. While rideshare is expected to be more efficient, a detailed cost-benefit analysis would be needed to quantify actual taxpayer savings. Factors like utilization rates and surge pricing will influence the final cost.

What are the specific performance metrics and service level agreements for Uber's rideshare service?

The provided data does not detail the specific performance metrics or service level agreements (SLAs) in place for this contract. Typically, such agreements would cover response times, vehicle availability, driver quality, and customer satisfaction. These details are likely within the full BPA Call documentation.

How will the DOE ensure equitable access to rideshare services for all employees, including those with disabilities?

Ensuring equitable access is a key consideration. The DOE would need to establish clear guidelines and potentially work with Uber to ensure accessibility features are available and utilized. This might include specifying vehicle types or ensuring drivers are trained to assist passengers with disabilities.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation ServicesTravel Arrangement and Reservation ServicesAll Other Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services

Product/Service Code: TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCATIONTRAVEL, LODGING, RECRUITMENT SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1725 3RD ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA, 94158

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $285,120

Exercised Options: $285,120

Current Obligation: $105,000

Actual Outlays: $103,614

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QMCB20T0001

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline

Start Date: 2023-02-02

Current End Date: 2025-08-02

Potential End Date: 2025-08-02 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2026-04-07

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