DOT awards $1.11M to FARE MEDIA for Mixed Mode Transit Systems research

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,127,500 ($11.1M)

Contractor: Transitcenter, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2007-10-05

End Date: 2008-09-30

Contract Duration: 361 days

Daily Burn Rate: $30.8K/day

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: OTHER (APPLIES TO AWARDS WHERE NONE OF THE ABOVE APPLY)

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: FARE MEDIA

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 $11.1 million to TRANSITCENTER, INC for work described as: FARE MEDIA Key points: 1. The contract value of $1.11M is moderate for research and development in the transportation sector. 2. Competition details are not provided, making it difficult to assess market competitiveness. 3. Potential risks include the lack of transparency in the award process and the specific impact on taxpayer value. 4. The sector is transportation, focusing on transit systems research.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $1.11M for a 361-day duration is difficult to benchmark without more information on the scope of work and deliverables. Pricing assessment is not possible without comparable contracts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The award type is a Delivery Order, but the contract vehicle and competition method are not specified. This lack of transparency hinders an assessment of price discovery and whether fair and reasonable pricing was achieved.

Taxpayer Impact: The impact on taxpayers is unclear due to the unspecified competition and potential for non-competitive pricing.

Public Impact

Research into mixed-mode transit systems could lead to improved public transportation efficiency and user experience. The funding supports a specific project within the Department of Transportation, potentially influencing future transit policies. The award contributes to the knowledge base for urban planning and transportation infrastructure development.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition information
Unclear taxpayer value
Limited public impact details

Positive Signals

Potential for improved transit systems
Funding for research and development

Sector Analysis

The transportation sector, particularly transit systems, often involves significant federal investment for research and infrastructure. Benchmarks vary widely based on project scope, but $1.11M for a year-long research project is within a typical range for specialized studies.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication whether small businesses were involved in this contract award. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The award is a delivery order under an unspecified contract. Oversight would typically involve monitoring the contractor's performance against the delivery order requirements and ensuring adherence to contract terms.

Related Government Programs

Mixed Mode Transit Systems
Department of Transportation Contracting
Immediate Office of the Secretary of Transportation Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of transparency in award process
Unclear competition method
Potential for non-competitive pricing
Limited information on deliverables and expected impact

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $11.1 million to TRANSITCENTER, INC. FARE MEDIA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TRANSITCENTER, INC.

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 $11.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-10-05. End: 2008-09-30.

What specific research outcomes are expected from this $1.11M award for Mixed Mode Transit Systems, and how will they translate into tangible improvements for public transportation?

The expected outcomes are not detailed in the provided data. Typically, such research aims to identify best practices, develop new methodologies, or assess the feasibility of integrating different transit modes. Tangible improvements could include enhanced rider experience, optimized operational efficiency, or data-driven policy recommendations for transit agencies.

Given the lack of competition details, what is the assessed risk of inflated pricing or suboptimal resource allocation for this $1.11M contract?

The risk is elevated due to the unknown competition method. Without a competitive bidding process, there's a higher likelihood that the price may not be the most advantageous or that the chosen contractor may not be the most qualified. This necessitates robust oversight to ensure value for taxpayer money.

How effective is the Department of Transportation in leveraging research contracts like this to drive innovation and efficiency in the transit sector?

Effectiveness is difficult to gauge from a single award. The DOT's overall effectiveness depends on its ability to consistently award contracts that yield impactful research, foster innovation, and lead to measurable improvements in transit systems nationwide. A portfolio-level analysis of research outcomes would be needed for a comprehensive assessment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Urban Transit Systems › Mixed Mode Transit Systems

Product/Service Code: MISCELLANEOUS

Contractor Details

Address: 1065 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS 16TH FL, NEW YORK, NY, 10018

Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,127,500

Exercised Options: $11,127,500

Current Obligation: $11,127,500

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DTOS5906D00458

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline