DOT awards $2.76M for FMCSA IT support, highlighting engineering services and a 486-day duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,758,036 ($2.8M)

Contractor: KBR Wyle Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2025-05-12

End Date: 2026-09-10

Contract Duration: 486 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: MISSION INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT (MITS) SUPPORT SERVICES FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (FMCSA) ENFORCEMENT AND COMPLIANCE PROGRAMS SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: CAMBRIDGE, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02142

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $2.8 million to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC for work described as: MISSION INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT (MITS) SUPPORT SERVICES FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (FMCSA) ENFORCEMENT AND COMPLIANCE PROGRAMS SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential IT support for FMCSA's enforcement and compliance programs. 2. Engineering services (NAICS 541330) are a key component of the awarded work. 3. The contract utilizes a Time and Materials pricing structure. 4. Awarded to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC, a significant player in government contracting. 5. The contract duration is 486 days, indicating a medium-term engagement. 6. This award represents a portion of broader IT spending within the Department of Transportation.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.76 million for 486 days of IT support appears reasonable, especially considering the specialized nature of engineering services within the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts within the Department of Transportation (DOT) suggests competitive pricing for this scope of work. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing model, while requiring careful oversight, allows for flexibility in addressing evolving IT needs. The absence of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes a definitive value assessment challenging, but the overall contract size is not indicative of overspending.

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 specific number of bidders is not provided, but the competitive nature of the procurement process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government. Full and open competition is the preferred method for federal procurements, aiming to maximize opportunities for qualified contractors and ensure the best value is obtained.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process for this contract ensures that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment that drives down costs and improves service quality.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and its mission to ensure the safety of commercial motor vehicles and drivers. Services delivered include crucial IT support for enforcement and compliance programs, vital for regulatory functions. The geographic impact is national, supporting FMCSA's nationwide operations. Workforce implications include the employment of IT professionals and engineers by KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) pricing requires diligent oversight to prevent cost overruns and ensure efficient use of labor hours.
The specific performance metrics and deliverables are not detailed, making it difficult to assess the contractor's performance against expectations.
The contract duration of 486 days necessitates a clear transition plan to ensure continuity of services upon completion.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process and potential for competitive pricing.
The contractor, KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC, has a significant presence and experience in government contracting, indicating a level of established capability.
The contract supports critical enforcement and compliance programs within the FMCSA, aligning with the agency's safety mission.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330) and specifically addresses IT support needs for a federal agency. The IT services market within the federal government is substantial, with agencies consistently investing in technology to support their missions. This contract represents a small but vital component of the Department of Transportation's overall IT spending, focusing on specialized support for regulatory functions. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar IT support services within federal agencies often range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business set-aside (ss) and subcontracting (sb) flags are false. This suggests that the contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor are there explicit indications of mandatory small business subcontracting goals tied to this award. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this particular contract appears limited, though KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC may engage small businesses as part of its broader supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily reside with the Department of Transportation's contracting officers and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) program managers. Given the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, robust oversight will be crucial to monitor labor hours, costs, and adherence to the contract's scope of work. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases like FPDS, which record contract awards. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) IT Modernization Efforts
Department of Transportation (DOT) Enterprise IT Services
Information Technology Support Services for Federal Agencies
Engineering and Technical Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Time and Materials Pricing
Potential for Scope Creep
Contractor Personnel Turnover
Technology Obsolescence

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $2.8 million to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC. MISSION INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT (MITS) SUPPORT SERVICES FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (FMCSA) ENFORCEMENT AND COMPLIANCE PROGRAMS SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KBR WYLE SERVICES, 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 $2.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-05-12. End: 2026-09-10.

What is the historical spending pattern of the FMCSA on IT support services, and how does this contract compare?

Analyzing historical spending for FMCSA's IT support services requires access to detailed budget and contract databases beyond the provided data. However, the current award of $2.76 million for a 486-day period suggests a consistent need for specialized IT and engineering support for the agency's enforcement and compliance programs. Federal agencies typically allocate significant portions of their budgets to IT infrastructure and support to maintain operational efficiency and regulatory functions. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to definitively state if this contract represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of spending. However, the duration and value are indicative of a medium-sized support contract, common for agencies with complex operational needs like FMCSA.

What specific engineering services are included under NAICS code 541330 for this contract?

NAICS code 541330, 'Engineering Services,' is broad and encompasses a wide range of activities. For this contract supporting the FMCSA's enforcement and compliance programs, these engineering services likely relate to the design, development, integration, and maintenance of IT systems that underpin these critical functions. This could include network engineering, software engineering for compliance tracking systems, cybersecurity engineering to protect sensitive data, or systems engineering to ensure the interoperability and reliability of various IT platforms. The services would be tailored to the specific technical requirements of FMCSA's operational needs, ensuring that the IT infrastructure effectively supports regulatory enforcement and data management.

How does the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure impact the government's risk and potential for cost overruns?

The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while offering flexibility, inherently carries a higher risk of cost overruns for the government compared to fixed-price contracts. This is because the government pays for the actual labor hours and material costs incurred by the contractor, plus a fixed fee or percentage for profit. The risk is mitigated through stringent oversight, detailed reporting requirements, and the establishment of not-to-exceed (NTE) clauses within the contract. For this FMCSA IT support contract, the Department of Transportation must actively monitor the contractor's timekeeping, resource allocation, and material purchases to ensure that costs remain within budgeted limits and that the work performed is necessary and efficient. Without robust oversight, T&M contracts can become significantly more expensive than initially projected.

What is KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC's track record with similar IT support contracts within the Department of Transportation or other federal agencies?

KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC, is a well-established government contractor with a significant history of performing IT and engineering services across various federal agencies, including the Department of Defense and NASA. While specific details of their past performance with the Department of Transportation (DOT) are not provided in this data, their extensive experience suggests a strong capability in managing complex IT projects. Companies of this size and tenure typically have established processes for quality control, project management, and compliance. Federal procurement systems often include past performance evaluations as a key factor in award decisions, implying that KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC likely demonstrated a satisfactory or better track record to secure this DOT contract.

What are the potential performance risks associated with a 486-day contract duration for IT support?

A contract duration of 486 days (approximately 16 months) for IT support presents several potential performance risks. Firstly, technology landscapes evolve rapidly; the systems and support needs at the beginning of the contract may differ significantly by its end, requiring adaptability. Secondly, contractor personnel turnover can lead to loss of institutional knowledge and disruptions in service delivery. Thirdly, maintaining consistent service quality and performance over this period requires ongoing effective program management from both the contractor and the government. Finally, ensuring a smooth transition to a new contract or incumbent at the end of the period is critical to avoid service gaps. The government's oversight must focus on managing these risks through clear communication, performance monitoring, and proactive planning.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: KBR, Inc.

Address: 8120 MAPLE LAWN BLVD, FULTON, MD, 20759

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,957,274

Exercised Options: $3,913,233

Current Obligation: $2,758,036

Actual Outlays: $1,613,955

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 6913G621D300001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline