DOT's Federal Transit Administration Spends $9,450 on Transit Academy Training for Employees
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $9,450 ($9.4K)
Contractor: Rutgers, the State University
Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation
Start Date: 2017-05-25
End Date: 2017-11-24
Contract Duration: 183 days
Daily Burn Rate: $52/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF THE PURPOSE OF THIS PURCHASE ORDER IS FOR FEDERAL TRANSIT EMPLOYEES TO ATTEND TRANSIT ACADEMY WITH THE NATIONAL TRANSIT INTITUTE.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20523
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Transportation obligated $9,450 to RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF THE PURPOSE OF THIS PURCHASE ORDER IS FOR FEDERAL TRANSIT EMPLOYEES TO ATTEND TRANSIT ACADEMY WITH THE NATIONAL TRANSIT INTITUTE. Key points: 1. The contract focuses on administrative management and general management consulting services, specifically training. 2. The sole provider is Rutgers, the State University, indicating a lack of competition for this specific training. 3. The fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the $9,450 expenditure. 4. The training is for Federal Transit Administration employees, suggesting internal capacity building.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The $9,450 cost for training is difficult to benchmark without specific details on the curriculum and duration. However, for professional development services, this amount is not inherently excessive.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, suggesting a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs than if multiple vendors had competed.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for employee training. While necessary for skill development, the lack of competition raises questions about the optimal use of funds.
Public Impact
Federal employees receive specialized training to enhance their skills in transit management. The National Transit Institute partners with universities to deliver this training. This expenditure supports the operational effectiveness of the Federal Transit Administration.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpayment due to sole-source award
Positive Signals
- Clear training objective
- Fixed-price contract for cost control
Sector Analysis
The sector is administrative management and general management consulting services, often involving training and advisory roles. Benchmarks for such services vary widely based on scope and expertise.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to involve small businesses, as it was awarded to a university. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The award was a purchase order, which is a common procurement instrument. Oversight would typically involve ensuring the training was delivered as specified and met objectives.
Related Government Programs
- Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
- Department of Transportation Contracting
- Federal Transit Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of documented justification for sole-sourcing
- Potential for uncompetitive pricing
- Limited transparency in vendor selection
Tags
administrative-management-and-general-ma, department-of-transportation, dc, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Transportation awarded $9,450 to RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY. IGF::CL::IGF THE PURPOSE OF THIS PURCHASE ORDER IS FOR FEDERAL TRANSIT EMPLOYEES TO ATTEND TRANSIT ACADEMY WITH THE NATIONAL TRANSIT INTITUTE.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Federal Transit Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $9,450.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2017-05-25. End: 2017-11-24.
What is the specific value proposition of this training for federal transit employees?
The value proposition lies in enhancing the skills and knowledge of federal transit employees in administrative and general management consulting, specifically tailored to the transit industry. This training aims to improve their ability to manage transit operations, programs, and policies more effectively, ultimately benefiting the efficiency and impact of the Federal Transit Administration's mission.
What are the risks associated with a sole-source award for this training?
The primary risk of a sole-source award is the lack of competitive pressure, which can lead to inflated pricing and reduced incentive for the provider to offer the most cost-effective or highest quality service. It also limits the government's ability to explore alternative training providers or methodologies that might be more suitable or economical.
How does this training expenditure contribute to the overall effectiveness of the Federal Transit Administration?
By investing in specialized training for its employees, the FTA aims to bolster its internal expertise in transit management and consulting. This enhanced capacity can lead to better program oversight, more informed policy development, improved grant management, and ultimately, more effective delivery of transit services and initiatives across the nation.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3 RUTGERS PLZA, NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ, 08901
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $9,450
Exercised Options: $9,450
Current Obligation: $9,450
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2017-05-25
Current End Date: 2017-11-24
Potential End Date: 2017-11-24 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-02
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