DOT's $29.6M Fare Media Voucher Contract Awarded to TRANBEN, Limited Under Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,625,011 ($29.6M)

Contractor: Tranben, Limited

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2010-05-13

End Date: 2010-09-30

Contract Duration: 140 days

Daily Burn Rate: $211.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: FARE MEDIA VOUCHERS

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 $29.6 million to TRANBEN, LIMITED for work described as: FARE MEDIA VOUCHERS Key points: 1. Contract value of $29.6M for fare media vouchers. 2. Awarded to TRANBEN, Limited. 3. Procured via full and open competition. 4. Contract duration of 140 days. 5. Firm fixed price contract type.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $29.6M for a 140-day period appears high for fare media vouchers. Benchmarking against similar contracts for transit fare systems or voucher programs is needed to assess value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the high value relative to the short duration warrants scrutiny of the price discovery and final negotiated price.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for this contract. The value and efficiency of the spending will determine the overall taxpayer impact.

Public Impact

Provides essential fare media services for transit users. Supports the Department of Transportation's operational needs. Potential impact on transit ridership and accessibility.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

High contract value for a short duration.
Lack of clear per-unit cost benchmark.
Potential for overpricing given limited duration.

Positive Signals

Procured through full and open competition.
Firm fixed price contract type provides cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the 'Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation' sector. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on the scale of transit operations and the specific services procured. Benchmarks for similar voucher or fare media systems are crucial for evaluation.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would focus on ensuring the delivered fare media vouchers meet the specifications and that the pricing is justified given the competitive nature of the award and the contract's duration.

Related Government Programs

All Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation
Department of Transportation Contracting
Immediate Office of the Secretary of Transportation Programs

Risk Flags

High contract value relative to duration.
Lack of detailed justification for the high cost.
Potential for inefficient use of taxpayer funds.
Need for benchmarking against similar procurements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $29.6 million to TRANBEN, LIMITED. FARE MEDIA VOUCHERS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TRANBEN, LIMITED.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Immediate Office of the Secretary of Transportation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $29.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-05-13. End: 2010-09-30.

What was the specific service or product provided by the fare media vouchers, and how does the $29.6M value align with market rates for such services over 140 days?

The specific service is fare media vouchers, likely for transit users. The $29.6M value for a 140-day period seems disproportionately high. Without detailed service specifications or comparable contract data, it's difficult to definitively align this value with market rates. Further investigation into the scope of services and potential volume of vouchers is necessary to assess value for money.

Given the full and open competition, what factors contributed to TRANBEN, Limited securing this contract at the awarded price, and were there any concerns raised during the bidding process regarding c

Full and open competition suggests multiple bidders participated, theoretically driving down prices. TRANBEN, Limited likely offered the best value proposition based on price, technical capability, and other evaluation factors. However, the high total value for a short period raises questions about the efficiency of the price discovery mechanism. Any concerns raised during the bidding process would be detailed in procurement records.

How effectively did this contract meet the Department of Transportation's immediate needs for fare media distribution, and what was the measurable impact on transit operations or rider experience?

The effectiveness of this contract hinges on the successful distribution and usability of the fare media vouchers. If the vouchers facilitated seamless transit access for riders and met the operational requirements of the DOT, the contract could be deemed effective. Quantifiable impacts would include increased ridership, reduced fare collection issues, or improved rider satisfaction, which would need to be measured through post-award performance reviews.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation › All Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation

Product/Service Code: TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCATION › OTHER TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCAT SV

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 155 SANDSHELL DR, CHARLESTON, SC, 29492

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $29,625,011

Exercised Options: $29,625,011

Current Obligation: $29,625,011

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DTOS5910D00501

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline