DOE Transitions HQ Transport to Rideshare via $39,957 Lyft BPA, Ending Shuttle Service
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $39,957 ($40.0K)
Contractor: Lyft, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2023-02-02
End Date: 2025-08-02
Contract Duration: 912 days
Daily Burn Rate: $44/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
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $39,957.15 to LYFT, 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. Significant shift from traditional shuttle to on-demand rideshare for DOE HQ. 2. Lyft secured the contract, indicating potential consolidation in government transportation services. 3. Risk of service disruptions or increased costs if rideshare availability fluctuates. 4. Focus on efficiency and modernization within the transportation sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $39,957.15 for a 2-year period appears reasonable for rideshare services at a headquarters location. Benchmarking against similar government rideshare agreements would provide a more precise assessment, but the pricing seems competitive for the scope.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting a limited competition approach. While efficient for smaller procurements, this method may not always yield the lowest possible price compared to full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used to modernize transportation, potentially offering cost savings over traditional shuttle operations if usage is optimized.
Public Impact
Employees gain flexibility and convenience with on-demand rideshare options. Reduced operational costs for the DOE by eliminating traditional shuttle infrastructure. Potential for increased carbon footprint if rideshare usage leads to more individual trips. Modernization of government services aligns with efficiency goals.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Reliance on a single vendor (Lyft) for critical transportation.
- Potential for price increases upon contract renewal.
- Ensuring equitable access for all employees, regardless of location or need.
Positive Signals
- Modernization of government transportation services.
- Potential for cost savings through optimized usage.
- Increased employee convenience and flexibility.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the travel arrangement and reservation services sector. Government spending in this area is increasingly shifting towards technology-enabled solutions like ridesharing platforms to improve efficiency and user experience.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded to Lyft, Inc., a large corporation. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific BPA call, which is common for large-scale technology-based service contracts.
Oversight & Accountability
The use of a GSA Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) indicates an existing framework for oversight. However, ongoing monitoring of usage, costs, and service quality by the DOE 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
- Limited competition due to SAP.
- Potential for vendor lock-in.
- Lack of direct cost savings data.
- Environmental impact not explicitly addressed.
Tags
all-other-travel-arrangement-and-reserva, department-of-energy, dc, bpa-call, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $39,957.15 to LYFT, 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 LYFT, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $39,957.15.
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 of projected cost savings. However, the transition from a fixed shuttle schedule and infrastructure to an on-demand rideshare model suggests potential savings through reduced operational overhead, maintenance, and staffing. A detailed analysis of usage patterns and per-trip costs versus the previous shuttle's total operating expenses would be needed to quantify these savings accurately.
What are the risks associated with relying solely on Lyft for transportation?
Sole reliance on Lyft introduces risks such as service availability issues during peak demand or in specific locations, potential price hikes upon contract renewal, and data security concerns related to user information. Furthermore, if Lyft experiences service disruptions or policy changes, it could significantly impact DOE's headquarters transportation.
How will the effectiveness of this rideshare service be measured?
Effectiveness can be measured through key performance indicators (KPIs) such as employee satisfaction surveys, average wait times, cost per trip, on-time arrival rates, and overall reduction in transportation-related operational expenses. Regular reporting from Lyft and internal DOE tracking of usage data will be essential for evaluating the service's success.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services › All Other Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services
Product/Service Code: TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCATION › TRAVEL, 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: 185 BERRY STREET, SAN FRANCISCO, CA, 94107
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: $39,957
Actual Outlays: $38,738
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 47QMCB20T0002
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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