DOD Schools Spend $13.5M on Student Bus Transport, Awarded to SIPPEL-TRAVEL GMBH
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $13,515,344 ($13.5M)
Contractor: Sippel-Travel Gmbh
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2002-07-02
End Date: 2011-06-17
Contract Duration: 3,272 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Transportation
Official Description: DOD SCHOOLS STUDENT BUS TRANSPORTATION SERVICE
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $13.5 million to SIPPEL-TRAVEL GMBH for work described as: DOD SCHOOLS STUDENT BUS TRANSPORTATION SERVICE Key points: 1. Significant contract value for essential student transportation services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Long contract duration (2002-2011) may indicate stability or potential for price escalation. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract was awarded under a firm fixed price structure, which is generally favorable for cost control. Benchmarking against similar school transportation contracts would be necessary for a definitive value assessment, but the fixed price nature suggests predictable spending.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method typically fosters competitive pricing and ensures the government receives fair market value.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is positive for taxpayers, as it likely resulted in a more efficient use of funds compared to non-competitive methods.
Public Impact
Ensures safe and reliable transportation for students attending Department of Defense schools. Supports military families by providing essential services. The long duration of the contract suggests a consistent need for these services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration could mask potential price increases over time.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess service quality impact.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition utilized.
- Firm Fixed Price contract type offers cost certainty.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under general transportation services, specifically for educational institutions. Spending benchmarks for school bus transportation can vary significantly by region and service level, but the $13.5M value over nearly a decade indicates a substantial program.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), which is responsible for providing educational services to military dependents. Oversight would typically involve contract management by DoDEA officials to ensure service delivery and compliance.
Related Government Programs
- School and Employee Bus Transportation
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of Defense Education Activity Programs
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration.
- Limited performance data available.
- No indication of small business participation.
- Potential for price creep over extended periods, despite fixed price.
Tags
school-and-employee-bus-transportation, department-of-defense, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $13.5 million to SIPPEL-TRAVEL GMBH. DOD SCHOOLS STUDENT BUS TRANSPORTATION SERVICE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SIPPEL-TRAVEL GMBH.
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 $13.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2002-07-02. End: 2011-06-17.
What was the average annual cost per student for this bus transportation service?
To calculate the average annual cost per student, we would need the total number of students served and the contract duration in years. The total award was $13,515,344.05 over approximately 9 years (July 2002 to June 2011). Without the student count, a precise per-student cost cannot be determined, but it allows for an estimation of the overall program cost.
Were there any performance issues or contract modifications during the 9-year period?
The provided data does not detail contract performance issues or modifications. A review of contract line item details, modification history, and performance reports would be necessary to assess any challenges or changes that occurred during the contract's lifespan. The long duration without apparent major issues could suggest satisfactory performance.
How did the final cost compare to the initial estimated cost, given the firm fixed price structure?
A firm fixed price contract aims to establish a price that is not subject to adjustment based on the contractor's cost experience. Therefore, the final cost should align with the awarded price unless significant contract modifications occurred. Comparing the final awarded amount to any initial solicitation estimates would reveal the accuracy of the government's budgeting and the competitiveness of the winning bid.
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
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Arriva Deutschland Gmbh (UEI: 332768360)
Address: ROEDELHEIMER BAHNWEG 21-23, FRANKFURT
Business Categories: Category Business, Foreign Owned, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $13,515,344
Exercised Options: $13,515,344
Current Obligation: $13,515,344
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2002-07-02
Current End Date: 2011-06-17
Potential End Date: 2011-06-17 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2011-09-10
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