DOT awarded $14.5M for mixed-mode transit systems, with a 756-day duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,517,700 ($14.5M)

Contractor: Transitcenter, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2008-09-04

End Date: 2010-09-30

Contract Duration: 756 days

Daily Burn Rate: $19.2K/day

Number of Offers Received: 1

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

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: FRAE 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 $14.5 million to TRANSITCENTER, INC for work described as: FRAE MEDIA Key points: 1. The contract value of $14.5 million for a 756-day period suggests a significant investment in transit system development. 2. Analysis of competition dynamics is crucial given the contract type and awardee. 3. Risk indicators should be monitored, particularly concerning project timelines and deliverables. 4. Performance context is limited without specific metrics on the success of the mixed-mode transit systems. 5. The contract's focus on mixed-mode transit places it within a specialized segment of the transportation sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award of $14.5 million over 756 days averages to approximately $19,196 per day. Without comparable contracts for similar mixed-mode transit system development, it is difficult to definitively benchmark the value. However, the duration suggests a substantial project requiring significant resources. Further analysis would benefit from understanding the specific deliverables and the complexity of the systems being developed to assess if the pricing is competitive.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded as a sole-source action to TRANSITCENTER, INC. The justification for a sole-source award typically implies that only one responsible source is capable of providing the required services or that a compelling reason exists to bypass full and open competition. Without further details on the justification, it is challenging to assess the extent of competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers as they limit price discovery through competitive bidding.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely transit agencies and the public who will utilize the improved or developed mixed-mode transit systems. Services delivered are expected to focus on the planning, design, and potentially implementation of integrated transit solutions. The geographic impact is centered in the District of Columbia, where the contract is administered. Workforce implications may include employment opportunities for urban planners, transportation engineers, and project managers.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to the sole-source nature of the award.
Risk of scope creep if project objectives are not clearly defined and managed.
Dependency on the contractor's expertise, with limited alternatives if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Award to a specialized organization (TRANSITCENTER, INC) suggests targeted expertise for the project.
Clear contract duration provides a defined timeframe for project completion.
The contract is administered by the Department of Transportation, indicating federal oversight.

Sector Analysis

The transportation sector, particularly urban transit, is increasingly focused on developing integrated and mixed-mode systems to improve efficiency and user experience. This contract aligns with a broader trend of investing in smart mobility solutions and sustainable transportation infrastructure. Comparable spending benchmarks in this niche area are difficult to establish without more specific project details, but significant federal investment in transit modernization is ongoing.

Small Business Impact

As this contract was awarded sole-source to TRANSITCENTER, INC, there is no immediate indication of small business set-aside provisions. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses would depend on the prime contractor's procurement practices and the specific nature of the work required. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless the prime contractor actively engages small businesses for specialized services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Transportation's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures would be tied to the contract's performance metrics and deliverables. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases, though detailed project progress reports may not always be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Transit Administration Grants
Metropolitan Planning Organizations
National Highway System
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may limit competitive pricing.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes outcome assessment difficult.
Potential for cost overruns if scope is not tightly managed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $14.5 million to TRANSITCENTER, INC. FRAE 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 $14.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-09-04. End: 2010-09-30.

What specific mixed-mode transit systems or improvements were funded by this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract was for 'Mixed Mode Transit Systems' with a total award of $14,517,699.73 and a duration of 756 days. However, the specific nature of the systems or improvements is not detailed. This could encompass a wide range of initiatives, such as integrating different modes of transport (e.g., bus, rail, ride-sharing), developing new transit technologies, improving intermodal connectivity, or enhancing passenger information systems across various transit types. Further investigation into the contract's statement of work or associated documentation would be necessary to ascertain the precise scope of work and the specific systems being addressed.

What is the track record of TRANSITCENTER, INC. in delivering similar mixed-mode transit projects?

TRANSITCENTER, INC. is identified as the sole awardee for this contract. As a non-profit organization focused on advancing public transit, its track record likely involves research, advocacy, and potentially pilot project development rather than large-scale infrastructure construction. To assess their capability for this specific contract, one would need to examine their past projects, partnerships, and any previous government contracts or grants they have managed. Information regarding their success in implementing or overseeing similar mixed-mode transit initiatives would be crucial for evaluating their performance potential on this $14.5 million award.

How does the daily cost of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for transit system development?

This contract, valued at approximately $14.5 million over 756 days, translates to a daily expenditure of roughly $19,196. Benchmarking this figure against industry standards for mixed-mode transit system development is challenging without specific details on the project's scope, complexity, and deliverables. Transit system development can range from planning and research to technology implementation and infrastructure upgrades, each with vastly different cost structures. Generally, large-scale infrastructure projects incur higher daily costs than research or planning initiatives. A direct comparison would require identifying similar projects in terms of scale, technological integration, and geographic context.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, for transit system development contracts, KPIs might include metrics related to project completion timelines, adherence to budget, successful integration of different transit modes, improvements in ridership or efficiency, user satisfaction, and the implementation of innovative technologies. The effectiveness of the mixed-mode transit systems developed would likely be assessed post-implementation. Without access to the contract's statement of work or performance work statement, these specific KPIs remain unknown.

What is the historical spending pattern for mixed-mode transit systems by the Department of Transportation?

The provided data focuses on a single contract awarded in 2008. To understand historical spending patterns for mixed-mode transit systems by the Department of Transportation (DOT), a broader analysis of DOT's budget and contract awards over several fiscal years would be necessary. This would involve examining spending across various DOT agencies, such as the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and looking for contracts related to transit planning, technology, infrastructure, and integration. This single award of $14.5 million represents a specific investment, but it does not provide a comprehensive view of DOT's overall commitment or historical trends in this area.

What is the justification for awarding this contract as a sole-source action?

The data indicates this contract was awarded as a sole-source action to TRANSITCENTER, INC. The specific justification for this sole-source designation is not provided in the data. Generally, sole-source awards are made when only one responsible source is available to meet the government's needs, or when there is a compelling justification for excluding full and open competition, such as urgent and compelling needs, or when the services require unique capabilities. Understanding the rationale behind this decision is critical for assessing the procurement process and potential impacts on cost and competition.

Industry Classification

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

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

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: $14,517,700

Exercised Options: $14,517,700

Current Obligation: $14,517,700

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DTOS5906D00458

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline