Energy Department awards $13,000 contract for traffic control services in North Dakota
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $13,000 ($13.0K)
Contractor: Traffic Safety Services Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2024-08-19
End Date: 2025-06-30
Contract Duration: 315 days
Daily Burn Rate: $41/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: TRAFFIC CONTROL NEAR DICKINSON, ND
Place of Performance
Location: BISMARCK, BURLEIGH County, NORTH DAKOTA, 58504
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $13,000 to TRAFFIC SAFETY SERVICES INC for work described as: TRAFFIC CONTROL NEAR DICKINSON, ND Key points: 1. Contract value is relatively small, suggesting a focused scope of work. 2. Competition dynamics for this contract are not detailed, impacting price discovery assessment. 3. The short duration of the contract may indicate a project-specific need. 4. Performance risk appears low given the nature of traffic control services. 5. This contract falls under support services, a broad category with diverse applications. 6. The award was made under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, indicating a streamlined process for smaller purchases.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $13,000 is minimal, making direct comparison to larger contracts difficult. Given the nature of traffic control services, the pricing is likely standard for the region. Without more detailed cost breakdowns or benchmarks for similar localized services, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the small award amount suggests a limited financial exposure for the government.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically allows for a broader range of competition for smaller dollar value procurements. While the specific number of bids received is not provided, SAP generally encourages competition among eligible vendors. The level of competition for this specific award is not fully detailed, but the use of SAP suggests an intent to leverage market forces.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP for this small purchase aims to ensure fair pricing by allowing multiple vendors to bid, ultimately benefiting taxpayers through potentially competitive rates.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are likely local traffic management personnel and potentially construction or maintenance crews working in the Dickinson, ND area. Services delivered include essential traffic control measures to ensure safety and facilitate movement. The geographic impact is localized to Dickinson, North Dakota. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving a small team for the contract duration.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of detailed competition metrics for SAP awards can obscure true price discovery.
- Scope creep is a potential risk if the initial traffic control needs expand beyond the contract's defined parameters.
Positive Signals
- The use of SAP suggests an effort to obtain competitive pricing for a small-value requirement.
- The contract is for a defined period, limiting long-term commitment and associated risks.
- The service type (traffic control) is generally well-understood and has established operational norms.
Sector Analysis
Traffic control services are a niche but essential component of the broader support services sector, particularly relevant for infrastructure projects, events, and public works. The market size for such localized services is fragmented, with many small to medium-sized businesses specializing in this area. This contract fits within the government's need for operational support during specific activities, aligning with broader spending on infrastructure and facility maintenance.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting requirements. Given the small award amount, it is plausible that small businesses were among the bidders. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation or impact.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Department of Energy. Accountability is managed through the terms of the purchase order and the satisfactory completion of services. Transparency is limited due to the small value and use of SAP, with public reporting being the primary mechanism for oversight.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Transportation Traffic Management Contracts
- Federal Highway Administration Support Services
- Construction Project Support Services
Risk Flags
- Low contract value may limit scope and flexibility.
- Limited public detail on competition specifics for SAP awards.
Tags
energy, department-of-energy, north-dakota, dickinson, purchase-order, competed, simplified-acquisition-procedures, traffic-control, support-services, firm-fixed-price, small-value-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $13,000 to TRAFFIC SAFETY SERVICES INC. TRAFFIC CONTROL NEAR DICKINSON, ND
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TRAFFIC SAFETY SERVICES INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $13,000.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-08-19. End: 2025-06-30.
What is the typical cost range for traffic control services in North Dakota for a similar duration?
Determining a precise cost range for traffic control services in North Dakota without more specific details is challenging. Factors such as the complexity of the traffic control plan, the number of personnel required, the type of equipment needed (e.g., cones, signs, flaggers, temporary signals), and the specific location within North Dakota significantly influence pricing. For a short-term, localized contract like this one, awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), the total value of $13,000 suggests a relatively straightforward requirement. Typically, hourly rates for flaggers can range from $25-$50, and equipment rental adds to the cost. Given the 315-day duration (approximately 10.5 months), this award implies a very limited scope, perhaps for a specific phase of a larger project or for intermittent needs, rather than continuous full-time coverage. Benchmarking against similar small-scale, localized contracts would be the most relevant approach, but such data is not readily available in the public domain.
What specific project or activity is this traffic control service supporting?
The provided data indicates the contract is for 'TRAFFIC CONTROL NEAR DICKINSON, ND' awarded to 'TRAFFIC SAFETY SERVICES INC' by the Department of Energy. However, the specific project or activity necessitating these traffic control services is not detailed in the available information. The Department of Energy's involvement suggests it could be related to energy infrastructure maintenance, construction, research facilities, or other operational activities within their purview in the Dickinson area. Without further context from the agency or the contract's statement of work, the exact purpose remains unspecified. This lack of detail is common for smaller, support-oriented contracts awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures.
How does the contractor, Traffic Safety Services Inc., perform on other federal contracts?
Information regarding the past performance of 'TRAFFIC SAFETY SERVICES INC.' on other federal contracts is not included in the provided data snippet. To assess their track record, one would typically need to consult federal procurement databases such as SAM.gov (System for Award Management) or the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) for a history of awards, performance evaluations (Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any past disputes or issues. Without access to this broader performance history, it is difficult to evaluate the contractor's reliability and effectiveness beyond this single award. For a contract of this small value, extensive past performance reviews might not have been a primary evaluation factor.
What is the significance of the contract being a 'PURCHASE ORDER' under 'COMPETED UNDER SAP'?
The designation of this award as a 'PURCHASE ORDER' signifies a streamlined method for acquiring goods or services, typically used for smaller dollar amounts. It is a less formal instrument than a traditional contract. 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' means the procurement followed Simplified Acquisition Procedures, which are designed for purchases below the federal micro-purchase threshold (currently $10,000) and the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000). SAP aims to reduce administrative burden and speed up the acquisition process while still encouraging competition. For this $13,000 award, it indicates the Department of Energy sought competitive bids but used a simplified process suitable for the relatively low value, aiming for efficiency and fair pricing without extensive documentation or negotiation.
Are there any potential risks associated with this contract, given its nature and value?
Given the contract's nature as traffic control services and its relatively low value ($13,000), the primary risks are generally considered low to moderate. Potential risks include: 1) **Scope Creep:** If the initial traffic control needs are underestimated or expand, the limited value of the purchase order might not cover additional requirements, leading to potential delays or the need for a new procurement. 2) **Performance Issues:** While traffic control is a standard service, inadequate execution could lead to safety hazards or disruptions, though the short duration and localized nature might mitigate the impact of any such issues. 3) **Contractor Viability:** For very small businesses, financial stability or resource availability could be a concern, although the use of SAP often implies a pre-qualification or vetting process. 4) **Lack of Competition Detail:** While competed under SAP, the specific level of competition isn't detailed, which could theoretically lead to less optimal pricing than a more broadly competed, larger contract. However, for this value, these risks are typically managed through clear task orders and oversight.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Other Support Services › All Other Support Services
Product/Service Code: LEASE/RENT EQUIPMENT › LEASE OR RENTAL OF EQUIPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 89503424QWA000946
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1900 NORTHERN PLAINS DR, BISMARCK, ND, 58504
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $13,000
Exercised Options: $13,000
Current Obligation: $13,000
Actual Outlays: $13,000
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-08-19
Current End Date: 2025-06-30
Potential End Date: 2025-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-04
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