DOT awards $44.4M contract for NEMSIS database support, highlighting administrative management needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $44,401,305 ($44.4M)

Contractor: University of Utah

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2015-09-29

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 3,836 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.6K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF NEMSIS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER TO OBTAIN A 24 MONTH CONTRACT TO SUPPORT NEMSIS DATABASE DURING A TRANSITION FROM ITS CURRENT GRANTEE TO A NEW CONTRACTOR.

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 $44.4 million to UNIVERSITY OF UTAH for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF NEMSIS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER TO OBTAIN A 24 MONTH CONTRACT TO SUPPORT NEMSIS DATABASE DURING A TRANSITION FROM ITS CURRENT GRANTEE TO A NEW CONTRACTOR. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential administrative management and consulting services for a critical national database. 2. The award was made on a non-competitive basis, raising questions about potential cost efficiencies. 3. A long contract duration of over 3 years suggests a need for sustained support. 4. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is the primary agency overseeing this initiative. 5. This contract addresses a specific need during a transition period for the NEMSIS database. 6. The value of the contract is substantial, indicating the importance of the NEMSIS database.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $44.4 million over approximately 3.8 years for administrative management and consulting services for the NEMSIS database appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized technical support. However, without specific benchmarks for NEMSIS database transition support or comparable contracts for similar administrative functions, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The 'Cost No Fee' contract type suggests that the government will reimburse allowable costs up to the ceiling, which requires careful monitoring to ensure efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach is typically used when only one vendor possesses the unique capabilities or knowledge required for the service, or in situations where urgency or a specific existing relationship dictates a non-competitive award. The lack of competition means that price discovery through market forces was not utilized, potentially leading to higher costs than if multiple bids had been solicited.

Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source nature of this award means taxpayers did not benefit from competitive bidding, which could have driven down the price. Oversight will be crucial to ensure the awarded price reflects fair market value for the services rendered.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and potentially state and local emergency medical services that rely on the NEMSIS database. The contract delivers essential technical assistance and support for the NEMSIS database, ensuring its continuity and functionality during a critical transition period. The geographic impact is national, as the NEMSIS database is a U.S. standard for collecting EMS data. Workforce implications include the potential for specialized technical and administrative roles to be filled by the contractor, the University of Utah.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
The 'Cost No Fee' contract type requires diligent oversight to control expenditures.
The long duration could indicate potential for cost overruns if not managed effectively.

Positive Signals

Ensures continuity of critical NEMSIS database operations during a transition.
Leverages the expertise of the University of Utah, potentially a known entity in this field.
Addresses a specific, defined need for administrative and technical support.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the administrative management and general management consulting services sector, specifically supporting a critical national data infrastructure. The market for such specialized technical and administrative support can be niche, often involving academic institutions or specialized consulting firms with deep domain knowledge. Benchmarking would typically involve comparing costs for similar data management and transition support contracts within government or large-scale non-profit organizations.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded to a small business, nor does it appear to have specific small business set-aside provisions. The nature of the specialized support required for the NEMSIS database transition likely favored an established institution like the University of Utah. There is no explicit indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this 'Cost No Fee' contract would primarily fall under the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Accountability measures would involve regular performance reviews, audits of incurred costs, and ensuring adherence to the contract's scope of work. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases, but detailed performance reports may not be publicly accessible. The Inspector General's office for the Department of Transportation would have jurisdiction for audits and investigations.

Related Government Programs

National EMS Information System (NEMSIS)
Emergency Medical Services Data Standards
Government IT Support Contracts
Administrative Management Consulting

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may limit cost savings.
Contract duration is lengthy, requiring sustained oversight.
Cost-reimbursement type contract necessitates careful financial monitoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $44.4 million to UNIVERSITY OF UTAH. IGF::CL::IGF NEMSIS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER TO OBTAIN A 24 MONTH CONTRACT TO SUPPORT NEMSIS DATABASE DURING A TRANSITION FROM ITS CURRENT GRANTEE TO A NEW CONTRACTOR.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF UTAH.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $44.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2015-09-29. End: 2026-03-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for NEMSIS database support by the Department of Transportation?

The provided data focuses on a single definitive contract awarded to the University of Utah for $44.4 million. Without access to broader contract databases or historical procurement records for the NEMSIS program, it is difficult to establish a comprehensive historical spending pattern. This specific award covers a significant period (September 2015 to March 2026), suggesting a substantial investment in maintaining and transitioning the database. Future analysis would require examining prior contracts for NEMSIS support, including any grants or agreements with previous entities responsible for the database, to understand the trend and scale of federal investment in this area.

How does the cost of this contract compare to similar administrative support contracts for national databases?

Direct comparison of this $44.4 million contract for NEMSIS database support to 'similar' administrative support contracts for national databases is challenging without more specific criteria. The 'administrative management and general management consulting services' (NAICS 541611) category is broad. The uniqueness of the NEMSIS database, its critical role in emergency medical services, and the specific transition phase likely contribute to its cost. Benchmarking would ideally involve contracts for managing and transitioning other large-scale, sensitive national data systems, considering factors like data volume, security requirements, and the complexity of the transition. The sole-source nature of this award also complicates direct price comparisons with competitively bid contracts.

What are the key risks associated with a sole-source award for critical database support?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award for critical database support is the potential for inflated costs due to the absence of competitive pressure. Without multiple bidders vying for the contract, the contractor may have less incentive to offer the most competitive pricing. Another risk is a potential reduction in innovation, as there is no competitive drive to develop novel or more efficient solutions. Furthermore, reliance on a single source can create vulnerabilities if the contractor faces performance issues, financial instability, or other challenges that could disrupt the critical services provided to the NEMSIS database. Robust oversight and performance management become paramount to mitigate these risks.

What is the track record of the University of Utah in managing large federal IT or data infrastructure contracts?

The University of Utah is a large research institution, and its track record in managing federal contracts, particularly in IT and data infrastructure, would need to be assessed through a review of its past performance on similar government awards. While the provided data indicates they are the contractor for this $44.4 million NEMSIS support contract, it does not detail their broader history. A thorough assessment would involve examining past performance evaluations, any documented issues or successes on previous federal contracts, and their demonstrated capacity to handle the scale and complexity of managing critical national databases. Their experience with NEMSIS specifically, prior to this award, would also be a key indicator.

How effective has the NEMSIS database been in achieving its stated goals, and how does this contract contribute to that effectiveness?

The National EMS Information System (NEMSIS) aims to standardize the collection of EMS data across the United States, providing valuable insights for improving emergency medical services, patient care, and public health initiatives. Its effectiveness is generally considered high in providing a consistent dataset for analysis. This contract directly contributes to the effectiveness by ensuring the continuity and technical integrity of the NEMSIS database, especially during a crucial transition period. Reliable data infrastructure is fundamental to the database's utility; therefore, this contract supports the ongoing ability of researchers, policymakers, and EMS agencies to access and utilize NEMSIS data for its intended purposes.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 201 S PRESIDENT CIRCLE RM 408, SALT LAKE CITY, UT, 84112

Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), U.S. Regional/State Government

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $44,751,305

Exercised Options: $44,751,305

Current Obligation: $44,401,305

Actual Outlays: $30,342,415

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $350,000

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline