Transportation contract for road data services awarded to Pacific Western Technologies for $5.16M over 5 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,155,663 ($5.2M)

Contractor: Pacific Western Technologies, Ltd.

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2022-03-01

End Date: 2027-03-01

Contract Duration: 1,826 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ROAD INVENTORY PROGRAM DATA COLLECTION, DATABASE ADMINISTRATION/QUALITY CONTROL, GIS SUPPORT, AND REPORT QUALITY CONTROL.

Place of Performance

Location: ASHBURN, LOUDOUN County, VIRGINIA, 20147

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $5.2 million to PACIFIC WESTERN TECHNOLOGIES, LTD. for work described as: ROAD INVENTORY PROGRAM DATA COLLECTION, DATABASE ADMINISTRATION/QUALITY CONTROL, GIS SUPPORT, AND REPORT QUALITY CONTROL. Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for a 5-year data services agreement. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Fixed-price contract type may limit cost overruns. 4. Contract duration of 5 years allows for long-term data management. 5. Awarded to a single vendor, indicating specific capabilities required. 6. Performance period aligns with typical federal IT and data service cycles.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $5.16 million over five years for road inventory program data collection, database administration, GIS support, and quality control appears to be within a reasonable range for such specialized services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for large-scale data management and environmental consulting services suggests that the pricing is competitive. The firm-fixed-price structure further supports value for money by shifting cost-risk to the contractor.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 4 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this requirement. This competitive environment is generally favorable for price discovery and ensures that the government receives proposals from multiple qualified vendors.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically leads to more favorable pricing for taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment where contractors strive to offer their best value proposals.

Public Impact

Benefits the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) by ensuring accurate and up-to-date road inventory data. Supports the maintenance and improvement of the nation's road infrastructure. Services delivered include data collection, database management, GIS support, and quality control. Geographic impact is national, covering the scope of the FHWA's responsibilities. Workforce implications include specialized roles in data analysis, GIS, and quality assurance.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in due to specialized data management systems.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical road data could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Full and open competition indicates a robust selection process.
Long-term contract allows for consistent service delivery and relationship building.
Award to an established entity suggests a track record of capability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Consulting Services sector, specifically focusing on data management and GIS support for transportation infrastructure. The market for such services is driven by government needs for accurate data to manage and maintain large public assets. Comparable spending benchmarks in this sector often involve significant investments in data collection, analysis, and technology platforms to support infrastructure planning and operations.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem appears minimal for this specific award, though the prime contractor may engage small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Federal Highway Administration contracting officer and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms and performance expectations. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific operational oversight details are not provided.

Related Government Programs

National Highway System Data Collection
Transportation Infrastructure Data Management
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Services
Environmental Consulting Services
Federal Highway Administration IT Support

Risk Flags

Contract performance risk
Data accuracy and integrity risk
Vendor dependency risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $5.2 million to PACIFIC WESTERN TECHNOLOGIES, LTD.. ROAD INVENTORY PROGRAM DATA COLLECTION, DATABASE ADMINISTRATION/QUALITY CONTROL, GIS SUPPORT, AND REPORT QUALITY CONTROL.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PACIFIC WESTERN TECHNOLOGIES, LTD..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Federal Highway Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-03-01. End: 2027-03-01.

What is the track record of Pacific Western Technologies, Ltd. in performing similar federal contracts?

Pacific Western Technologies, Ltd. has a history of performing federal contracts, particularly within the Department of Transportation and other agencies requiring specialized technical and data management services. Their experience often includes areas like environmental consulting, GIS support, and data quality control. Reviewing their past performance evaluations and contract history on federal procurement databases would provide a more detailed understanding of their reliability, quality of work, and ability to meet deadlines and budget requirements on similar projects. Specific details on past project successes or challenges would offer further insight into their capabilities for this road inventory program contract.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar road data services?

The awarded price of approximately $5.16 million over five years for comprehensive road inventory program data collection, database administration, GIS support, and quality control needs to be benchmarked against market rates. Factors influencing market rates include the geographic scope of data collection, the complexity of the road network, the specific technologies used (e.g., LiDAR, aerial imagery), and the required level of data accuracy and reporting. While a precise comparison requires detailed service specifications, the firm-fixed-price nature and the competitive bidding process suggest the price is likely aligned with or favorable compared to industry standards for large-scale, multi-year data management contracts.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract and how are they mitigated?

Key risks include potential performance issues from the contractor, such as delays in data collection or inaccuracies in reporting, which could impact the FHWA's ability to manage the nation's roads effectively. Another risk is the potential for cost increases if the scope expands beyond the initial firm-fixed-price agreement, though this is mitigated by the contract type. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust performance monitoring by the government, clear deliverables and quality standards outlined in the contract, and the contractor's own quality control processes. The competitive award process also mitigates risk by selecting a vendor with a demonstrated capability to perform.

How effective is the firm-fixed-price contract type in ensuring value for money for this service?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally considered effective in ensuring value for money for services where the scope of work is well-defined, as is the case with data collection and management. Under an FFP contract, the contractor assumes the primary risk for cost overruns, incentivizing them to manage resources efficiently and control expenses. This provides the government with cost certainty, as the total price is fixed regardless of the contractor's actual costs. For services like road inventory data, where the tasks are largely predictable, FFP helps prevent budget blowouts and encourages the contractor to deliver the specified services at the agreed-upon price, thereby maximizing value.

What is the historical spending trend for similar road data services by the Department of Transportation?

Historical spending trends for similar road data services by the Department of Transportation, particularly the Federal Highway Administration, often show consistent investment in data collection, analysis, and management systems. These programs are crucial for infrastructure planning, maintenance, and safety initiatives. Spending can fluctuate based on federal budget allocations, infrastructure initiatives (like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law), and the specific needs for updating road inventory databases. Analyzing past contract awards for data collection, GIS, and quality control services within the FHWA would reveal patterns in contract values, durations, and the types of services procured over time, indicating a sustained need for such data.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting Services

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

Solicitation ID: 693C7322Q000005

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3000 YOUNGFIELD ST, WHEAT RIDGE, CO, 80215

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $7,691,845

Exercised Options: $5,155,663

Current Obligation: $5,155,663

Actual Outlays: $3,035,979

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAA21D005V

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline