Transportation research and communications contract awarded to CASE, LLC for over $11 million

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,011,638 ($11.0M)

Contractor: Case, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2007-10-31

End Date: 2008-10-31

Contract Duration: 366 days

Daily Burn Rate: $30.1K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH ANALYSIS AND COMMUNICATIONS EXPERTISE (TRACX) CONTRACT

Place of Performance

Location: CAMBRIDGE, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02142

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $11.0 million to CASE, LLC for work described as: TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH ANALYSIS AND COMMUNICATIONS EXPERTISE (TRACX) CONTRACT Key points: 1. Contract value of $11 million for a one-year period. 2. Awarded as a 'not available for competition' contract. 3. Services include research analysis and communications expertise. 4. The contract was a Delivery Order under a larger contract vehicle. 5. The period of performance was 366 days. 6. The contract type was Cost Plus Award Fee. 7. The contractor, CASE, LLC, received the full award amount. 8. The contract was awarded to a single vendor.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of over $11 million for a one-year period for research and communications services appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized federal support. However, without specific details on the scope of work and deliverables, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar contracts for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' would provide a clearer picture of whether the pricing was competitive or if it represented a premium for the specific expertise provided by CASE, LLC.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded under a 'not available for competition' designation, indicating that a full and open competition was not conducted. This typically occurs when a specific vendor possesses unique capabilities or when urgent needs arise that cannot be met through a competitive process. The lack of competition means that price discovery through bidding was bypassed, potentially leading to higher costs for the government compared to a competitive award.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition means taxpayers did not benefit from the potential cost savings that can arise from multiple vendors vying for a contract. The government may have paid a higher price than if the contract had been competed.

Public Impact

The Department of Transportation benefits from specialized research and communications support. Services likely enhance the agency's ability to analyze and disseminate transportation-related information. The contract supports the Immediate Office of the Secretary of Transportation, indicating high-level strategic involvement. The impact on the broader transportation sector and public is indirect, through improved agency operations and communication.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may have resulted in a higher cost to taxpayers.
Limited transparency into the justification for sole-source award.
Potential for vendor lock-in if capabilities are highly specialized.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded to a single vendor, CASE, LLC, suggesting specialized expertise.
The contract was a Delivery Order, implying it was part of a pre-existing framework.
The contract was for a defined period, allowing for reassessment of needs.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' category (NAICS 541990). This broad sector encompasses a wide range of specialized services. Federal spending in this area is substantial, supporting various agencies' needs for expertise that doesn't fit into more defined categories like engineering, IT, or research and development. The market for such services is diverse, with many firms offering niche capabilities.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract involved small business set-asides or subcontracting opportunities. As a sole-source award, the focus was likely on securing specific capabilities from the awarded contractor, CASE, LLC, rather than on broader socioeconomic goals.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for this contract would typically involve the Department of Transportation's contracting officers and program managers. As a Cost Plus Award Fee contract, performance metrics and award criteria would be established to guide and evaluate the contractor's work. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature, but internal agency oversight would be in place to ensure funds are used appropriately.

Related Government Programs

Department of Transportation Research and Technology Programs
Federal Communications and Public Relations Contracts
Professional and Technical Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award justification unclear
Potential for cost overruns due to CPAF structure without strong oversight

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $11.0 million to CASE, LLC. TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH ANALYSIS AND COMMUNICATIONS EXPERTISE (TRACX) CONTRACT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CASE, LLC.

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 $11.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-10-31. End: 2008-10-31.

What specific research and communication services were provided under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract was for 'TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH ANALYSIS AND COMMUNICATIONS EXPERTISE (TRACX) CONTRACT'. While the specific deliverables are not detailed, the title suggests services related to conducting research on transportation issues, analyzing findings, and communicating these results through various channels. This could include policy analysis, report generation, public outreach materials, and strategic communication planning for the Department of Transportation, particularly for the Immediate Office of the Secretary.

Why was this contract not competed?

The designation 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' implies that the Department of Transportation determined that a full and open competition was not feasible or appropriate for this requirement. Common reasons for sole-source awards include the unique capabilities of a specific contractor, urgent and compelling needs that preclude a competitive process, or if the contract is a follow-on to a previous sole-source award where the original justification still holds. Without further documentation from the agency, the precise justification remains unknown.

What is the typical cost for similar 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' contracts at the Department of Transportation?

Benchmarking the cost of 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' (NAICS 541990) is challenging due to the broad nature of the category. However, contracts of this magnitude (over $11 million for one year) typically involve complex analytical work, extensive research, or critical communication strategies. To assess value, one would need to compare the scope of work, deliverables, and contractor qualifications against other similar contracts within the Department of Transportation or across federal agencies. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure suggests that performance incentives were a factor in the total compensation.

What is the track record of CASE, LLC in performing federal contracts?

The provided data identifies CASE, LLC as the contractor for this $11 million contract. To assess their track record, one would need to examine their past performance on other federal contracts, including their history of meeting deadlines, quality of work, and adherence to budget. Information on past performance evaluations, any contract disputes, or awards received by CASE, LLC would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability and capability in delivering professional, scientific, and technical services to the government.

How does the Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract type influence contractor performance and cost?

A Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract allows the contractor to be reimbursed for all allowable costs plus an additional fee that is based on the achievement of objective performance targets. This structure incentivizes the contractor to perform well by offering a potential award fee for meeting or exceeding expectations. For the government, it provides flexibility to adjust requirements and reward superior performance, but it also requires robust oversight to ensure costs are reasonable and award fees are justified. The 'base fee' is typically a small percentage of estimated costs, with the 'award fee' being variable.

What is the significance of this contract being a Delivery Order?

This contract being a 'Delivery Order' indicates that it was issued under a pre-existing indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar type of contract vehicle. This means that the basic terms, conditions, and pricing structure were likely established previously, possibly through a competitive process for the IDIQ contract itself. The Delivery Order then specifies the exact quantity, delivery schedule, and price for a particular task or requirement. This approach can streamline the procurement process for recurring needs.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: THE Chenega Corporation (UEI: 622692994)

Address: 645 CHURCH STREET, NORFOLK, VA, 23510

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, HUBZone Firm, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,078,820

Exercised Options: $11,078,820

Current Obligation: $11,011,638

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DTRS5704D30043

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline