Department of Transportation awards $37.8M delivery order to TRANBEN, LIMITED for transit and ground passenger transportation services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $37,828,741 ($37.8M)

Contractor: Tranben, Limited

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2011-05-03

End Date: 2012-09-30

Contract Duration: 516 days

Daily Burn Rate: $73.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: NEW DELIVERY ORDER FOR TRANBEN DTOS59-10-D-00501

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 $37.8 million to TRANBEN, LIMITED for work described as: NEW DELIVERY ORDER FOR TRANBEN DTOS59-10-D-00501 Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 516 days indicates a medium-term service requirement. 3. Fixed-price contract type may offer cost certainty for the government. 4. The award is a delivery order against a larger contract vehicle. 5. The service falls under 'All Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation', a broad category. 6. The contractor, TRANBEN, LIMITED, is the sole awardee for this specific order.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $37.8 million for a 516-day period needs further benchmarking against similar transit and ground passenger transportation services. Without specific deliverables or performance metrics, assessing value for money is challenging. The fixed-price nature provides some cost control, but the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the services rendered are not immediately apparent from the provided data. Comparison to market rates for similar services would be necessary for a more definitive value assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The data does not specify the number of bidders, which is crucial for understanding the intensity of the competition. A robust competition typically leads to better pricing and service options for the government. The fact that it was competed fully suggests an effort to achieve market-based pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down costs and improve service quality, ensuring government funds are used more efficiently.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of Transportation and potentially the public through improved transit and ground passenger services. Services delivered are related to transit and ground passenger transportation, though specifics are not detailed. The geographic impact is centered in the District of Columbia (DC). Workforce implications would involve personnel required to deliver these transportation services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the quality of services delivered.
The broad nature of 'All Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation' could mask inefficiencies or specialized needs.
The contract is a delivery order, meaning its performance is contingent on the terms of the parent contract.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a commitment to competitive sourcing.
Fixed-price contract type provides a degree of cost predictability.
The contract is for a defined period, allowing for reassessment of needs upon completion.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Transportation sector, specifically focusing on transit and ground passenger services. This segment of the transportation industry is vital for public mobility and economic activity. Spending in this area can range from public transit operations to specialized ground transportation for government personnel or services. Benchmarking would involve comparing this award to other government contracts for similar transportation services, considering factors like fleet size, routes, and service levels.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a small business set-aside. The primary contractor, TRANBEN, LIMITED, is likely a larger entity, and its role in the broader small business ecosystem would depend on its own subcontracting practices, which are not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Transportation's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the fixed-price contract, requiring delivery of services as specified. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award data being publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Transit Administration Programs
Department of Transportation Operating Contracts
Ground Transportation Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics.
Broad service category may obscure specific needs and performance.
Sole awardee for this order could concentrate risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $37.8 million to TRANBEN, LIMITED. NEW DELIVERY ORDER FOR TRANBEN DTOS59-10-D-00501

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 $37.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-05-03. End: 2012-09-30.

What is the track record of TRANBEN, LIMITED with federal contracts, particularly within the Department of Transportation?

Information regarding TRANBEN, LIMITED's specific track record with federal contracts, especially within the Department of Transportation, is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their performance, one would need to review historical contract awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any past issues or disputes. A history of successful contract completion, adherence to schedules, and quality service delivery would indicate a reliable contractor. Conversely, a record of defaults, significant cost overruns, or poor performance would raise concerns about their capability to fulfill this $37.8 million delivery order effectively.

How does the value of this delivery order compare to similar contracts for transit and ground passenger transportation services?

The value of this $37.8 million delivery order for 516 days of service needs to be benchmarked against comparable contracts. Factors such as the scope of services (e.g., type of vehicles, routes covered, passenger capacity, maintenance requirements), geographic location, and contract duration are critical for a fair comparison. Without these details, it's difficult to definitively state if the price is competitive. Researching other DOT or agency contracts for similar transportation needs, potentially using contract databases and analysis tools, would be necessary to establish a baseline for value for money and identify potential outliers.

What are the specific risks associated with this contract, given its fixed-price nature and service category?

The primary risks associated with this fixed-price contract include potential cost overruns for the contractor if unforeseen operational challenges arise, which could lead to reduced service quality or contractor default. For the government, the risk lies in the contractor potentially cutting corners to maintain profitability, impacting service reliability or safety. The broad 'All Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation' category presents a risk of scope creep or misinterpretation of requirements if not clearly defined in the parent contract. Additionally, reliance on a single contractor for this order carries performance risk if TRANBEN, LIMITED faces operational disruptions.

What is the historical spending pattern for 'All Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation' by the Department of Transportation?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for 'All Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation' by the Department of Transportation would provide context for this $37.8 million award. This involves examining annual expenditures in this category over several fiscal years to identify trends, significant fluctuations, or consistent levels of investment. Understanding this history can reveal whether this award represents a typical investment, an increase in spending, or a decrease. It also helps in assessing the overall importance of this service category to the agency's mission and budget allocation.

What performance metrics are typically used to evaluate contracts for transit and ground passenger transportation services?

Typical performance metrics for transit and ground passenger transportation contracts often include on-time performance rates, vehicle availability and maintenance schedules, passenger safety records, customer satisfaction scores, and adherence to environmental or operational standards. For this specific contract, the absence of detailed deliverables makes it impossible to know which metrics are being applied. Effective evaluation requires clearly defined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) tied to the contract's objectives, allowing for objective assessment of the contractor's performance and value delivered.

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: 1

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: $37,828,741

Exercised Options: $37,828,741

Current Obligation: $37,828,741

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DTOS5910D00501

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline