DoD spent $25.1M on school bus transportation in Kentucky, awarded to Taylor Motors, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,113,282 ($25.1M)

Contractor: Taylor Motors, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2011-07-13

End Date: 2016-07-14

Contract Duration: 1,828 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: DAILY BUS TRANSPORTATION-CAMPBELL

Place of Performance

Location: MURRAY, CALLOWAY County, KENTUCKY, 42071

State: Kentucky Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $25.1 million to TAYLOR MOTORS, INC. for work described as: DAILY BUS TRANSPORTATION-CAMPBELL Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the 5-year duration and fixed-price nature of the contract. 2. Competition dynamics were favorable, with a full and open competition. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a fixed-price contract and established provider. 4. Performance context is school transportation, a critical service for military families. 5. Sector positioning is within education support services for the Department of Defense.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $25.1 million over five years for daily bus transportation suggests a moderate annual cost. Benchmarking against similar contracts for school transportation services is difficult without more specific data on routes, student numbers, and vehicle types. However, the firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government, which is a positive aspect.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of only one awardee suggests that Taylor Motors, Inc. was the most competitive bidder based on the criteria set forth in the solicitation. The level of competition is generally positive for price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally leads to better pricing for taxpayers by encouraging multiple bids and driving down costs.

Public Impact

Military families and students at Department of Defense schools in Kentucky benefit from reliable daily transportation. Essential school bus transportation services are delivered to ensure students can attend school. The geographic impact is concentrated in Kentucky, serving military installations within the state. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for bus drivers and support staff employed by Taylor Motors, Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price increases in future contract renewals if competition diminishes.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical service could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Long-term contract (5 years) suggests a stable and reliable service provider.
Fixed-price contract provides budget predictability for the agency.
Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive process.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the transportation services sector, specifically focusing on educational support. The market for school bus transportation is often localized, with established providers serving specific geographic areas. The total federal spending on school bus transportation is likely a fraction of the overall education and transportation budgets, but critical for supporting military-dependent students.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract included a small business set-aside. Given the nature of large-scale transportation services, it is possible that subcontracting opportunities may exist for smaller, specialized service providers, though this is not explicitly stated. The primary awardee is Taylor Motors, Inc., which may or may not be a small business.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is subject to standard federal procurement oversight. The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) would be responsible for monitoring performance and ensuring compliance. Inspector General oversight would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of contract awards.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) School Transportation
General Services Administration (GSA) Fleet and Transportation Management
Department of Transportation (DOT) School Bus Safety Initiatives

Risk Flags

Potential for single-source dependency if contractor performance falters.
Limited visibility into specific performance metrics without contract details.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $25.1 million to TAYLOR MOTORS, INC.. DAILY BUS TRANSPORTATION-CAMPBELL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TAYLOR MOTORS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of Defense Education Activity).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $25.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-07-13. End: 2016-07-14.

What is the historical spending pattern for this specific school bus transportation service?

The provided data indicates a single definitive contract awarded on July 13, 2011, and ending on July 14, 2016, with a total value of $25,113,281.50. This suggests that for the period covered by this contract, the spending was concentrated within this single award. To understand the broader historical spending pattern, one would need to examine contracts preceding and succeeding this one for similar services in the same geographic region or for the same agency. Without that comparative data, it's difficult to ascertain trends or significant deviations in spending.

How does the per-student transportation cost compare to national averages for similar DoD schools?

Determining the per-student transportation cost requires knowing the number of students served by this contract and the total operational cost. The provided data does not include the number of students. However, if we assume a typical school year and a significant student population served by Taylor Motors, Inc. in Kentucky, the annual cost of approximately $5 million ($25.1M / 5 years) would need to be divided by the student count. National averages for DoD school transportation can vary widely based on location, terrain, and service requirements. A comprehensive analysis would involve obtaining student enrollment figures for the relevant DoD schools in Kentucky and comparing the calculated per-student cost against benchmarks provided by DoDEA or other educational cost-analysis resources.

What are the specific performance metrics and quality standards required in the contract?

The contract details likely outline specific performance metrics and quality standards, although these are not provided in the summary data. Typically, for school bus transportation contracts, these would include on-time performance rates, vehicle maintenance schedules, driver qualifications (e.g., background checks, licensing), safety protocols, and adherence to route schedules. The firm fixed-price nature suggests that the contractor is responsible for meeting these standards to receive full payment. Failure to meet critical metrics could result in penalties or contract termination, as stipulated in the contract's terms and conditions.

What is the track record of Taylor Motors, Inc. with federal contracts, particularly in transportation services?

The provided data shows Taylor Motors, Inc. was awarded this definitive contract for school bus transportation. To assess their track record, a deeper dive into federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) would be necessary to identify all contracts awarded to Taylor Motors, Inc. This would reveal the types of services provided, contract values, durations, and performance history (e.g., any contract disputes, terminations, or awards for excellence). A history of successful, on-time, and compliant performance on similar federal contracts would indicate reliability, while a pattern of issues might raise concerns.

Were there any significant cost overruns or changes to the contract value during its performance period?

The data indicates a definitive contract with a total award value of $25,113,281.50. As this is a firm fixed-price contract, the expectation is that the price remains constant unless modified by contract change orders. Significant cost overruns are less likely with this contract type compared to cost-reimbursement contracts. However, contract modifications (which could adjust the total value) might occur due to changes in scope, unforeseen circumstances, or adjustments in service requirements. Without access to the contract's modification history, it's impossible to definitively state whether there were cost overruns or significant value changes.

What is the geographic scope and specific military installations served by this contract?

The contract specifies the state of 'KY' (Kentucky) and the country 'KENTUCKY' as the location. This indicates the service area is within Kentucky. The summary data does not list the specific military installations or bases within Kentucky that are served by this daily bus transportation. Typically, such contracts are awarded to support schools located on or near these installations, serving the children of military personnel residing in the surrounding areas. Further details would be found in the contract's statement of work.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › School and Employee Bus Transportation › School and Employee Bus Transportation

Product/Service Code: TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCATION › TRAVEL, LODGING, RECRUITMENT SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: HEVAS611R0002

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3820 U S HWY 641 S, MURRAY, KY, 42071

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,113,282

Exercised Options: $25,113,282

Current Obligation: $25,113,282

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline