Commerce Dept. Spends $5.8M on International Air Traveler Survey by CIC Research
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $5,822,806 ($5.8M)
Contractor: CIC Research, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2023-09-30
End Date: 2025-07-31
Contract Duration: 670 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: SURVEY OF INTERNATIONAL AIR TRAVELERS
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20230
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $5.8 million to CIC RESEARCH, INC. for work described as: SURVEY OF INTERNATIONAL AIR TRAVELERS Key points: 1. Contract awarded via BPA Call, indicating a pre-competed framework. 2. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests predictable costs. 3. No reported small business participation raises questions about outreach. 4. Spending is within the typical range for large-scale market research.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The award amount of $5.8M for a two-year survey is substantial. Benchmarking against similar large-scale market research contracts is difficult without more specific scope details, but the price appears within a reasonable, albeit high, range for comprehensive international data collection.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition via a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call. This method generally promotes competitive pricing, but the specific price discovery achieved through this BPA call is not detailed.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers are funding a comprehensive survey of international air travelers, aiming to provide valuable market insights for the Department of Commerce.
Public Impact
Provides crucial data for understanding international travel trends, impacting tourism and trade policies. Supports economic development by informing strategies for attracting foreign visitors. The survey's findings could influence marketing efforts and resource allocation for travel-related industries.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of small business participation.
- Limited transparency on specific deliverables and success metrics.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition utilized.
- Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling sector (NAICS 541910). Spending in this sector can vary widely based on scope, but large-scale international surveys represent a significant investment, often in the millions.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates no small business participation in this contract. Further analysis is needed to determine if outreach efforts were made or if the contract scope inherently excluded small business capabilities.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Commerce is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard oversight mechanisms should be in place to ensure deliverables meet requirements and funds are used appropriately, though specific oversight details are not provided.
Related Government Programs
- Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- Office of the Secretary Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for limited small business involvement.
- Scope and specific deliverables require further clarification.
- High contract value warrants close monitoring.
- Dependence on contractor's data collection and analysis expertise.
Tags
marketing-research-and-public-opinion-po, department-of-commerce, dc, bpa-call, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $5.8 million to CIC RESEARCH, INC.. SURVEY OF INTERNATIONAL AIR TRAVELERS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CIC RESEARCH, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (Office of the Secretary).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $5.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-09-30. End: 2025-07-31.
What specific methodologies will be employed to ensure the accuracy and representativeness of the international air traveler data collected?
The contract details should specify the sampling methods, survey instruments, data collection platforms (e.g., in-person, online, phone), and quality control procedures. Ensuring a diverse and representative sample across various nationalities, travel purposes, and origins is critical for the survey's validity and the reliability of the insights generated for the Department of Commerce.
How will the data collected be used to directly inform policy decisions or economic development strategies within the Department of Commerce?
The contract should outline expected outputs, such as detailed reports, data visualizations, and actionable insights. The Department of Commerce should have a clear plan for integrating this data into strategic planning, marketing initiatives, and policy formulation related to international trade, tourism, and economic engagement.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will contractor performance be measured against them?
Performance metrics should include data accuracy rates, response rates, timeliness of data delivery, and the quality of analysis provided. Regular performance reviews and adherence to a defined quality assurance plan are essential to ensure the contractor meets the objectives and provides value for the $5.8M investment.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 8361 VICKERS ST, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92111
Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $5,822,806
Exercised Options: $5,822,806
Current Obligation: $5,822,806
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 1331L519A13500013
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-09-30
Current End Date: 2025-07-31
Potential End Date: 2025-07-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-06
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