Transportation awards $4.5M bridge contract to Sohum Systems for safety investigations and inspections support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,484,530 ($4.5M)

Contractor: Sohum Systems LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2025-09-10

End Date: 2026-09-09

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS PR IS TO EXERCISE THE 12-MONTH BRIDGE CONTRACT FOR SAFESPECT INVESTIGATIONS AND INSPECTIONS SUPPORT.

Place of Performance

Location: OVERLAND PARK, JOHNSON County, KANSAS, 66221

State: Kansas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $4.5 million to SOHUM SYSTEMS LLC for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS PR IS TO EXERCISE THE 12-MONTH BRIDGE CONTRACT FOR SAFESPECT INVESTIGATIONS AND INSPECTIONS SUPPORT. Key points: 1. Contract provides essential support for safety investigations and inspections. 2. Bridge contract ensures continuity of critical services. 3. Sohum Systems LLC is the incumbent contractor. 4. Contract duration is one year, indicating a short-term need. 5. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, offering cost certainty. 6. Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $4.5 million for a 12-month period for investigations and inspections support appears reasonable for specialized services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for safety support services would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The firm fixed-price structure helps manage cost predictability for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This approach generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the method suggests a robust competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages a wider range of potential contractors to compete, potentially driving down costs and improving the quality of services received.

Public Impact

Benefits the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) by ensuring continued support for its safety mission. Services delivered include investigations and inspections critical for transportation safety. Geographic impact is national, supporting FMCSA's regulatory oversight across the United States. Workforce implications may involve specialized personnel for conducting these safety-related activities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Reliance on a single 12-month bridge contract may indicate potential planning gaps or unforeseen needs, requiring further investigation into the program's long-term strategy.
The incumbent contractor, Sohum Systems LLC, may have an advantage in future competitions due to existing knowledge and performance history.

Positive Signals

The use of a Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a fair and accessible process for potential bidders.
The contract supports critical safety functions within the Department of Transportation.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically custom computer programming services (NAICS 541511), though its application is in safety investigations and inspections. The market for such specialized support services can be competitive, with various firms offering expertise in regulatory compliance and operational support for government agencies. Benchmarking against similar contracts for investigative and inspection support services would be relevant.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (ss and sb flags are false) was not a specific set-aside requirement for this contract. Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses through set-asides is minimal. However, the prime contractor, Sohum Systems LLC, may engage small businesses as subcontractors, depending on their own subcontracting plans and capabilities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) within the Department of Transportation. Accountability measures are typically embedded in the contract's performance work statement and delivery terms. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics and oversight reports may not be publicly detailed.

Related Government Programs

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Operations Support
Transportation Safety and Compliance Services
Government Investigations and Inspections Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for service disruption if follow-on contract is delayed.
Limited incentive for long-term service improvement under a bridge contract.
Pricing may not be as competitive as a fully competed, long-term contract.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $4.5 million to SOHUM SYSTEMS LLC. THE PURPOSE OF THIS PR IS TO EXERCISE THE 12-MONTH BRIDGE CONTRACT FOR SAFESPECT INVESTIGATIONS AND INSPECTIONS SUPPORT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SOHUM SYSTEMS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the historical spending pattern for safety investigations and inspections support by the FMCSA, and how does this contract value compare?

Analyzing historical spending for FMCSA's safety investigations and inspections support requires access to detailed budget and contract databases. Typically, such services are procured through a mix of contract types and durations, often awarded competitively. If this $4.5 million contract represents a significant increase or decrease compared to previous years' spending on similar services, it could indicate a shift in program priorities, increased regulatory activity, or a change in contracting strategy. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to provide a precise comparison, but bridge contracts often suggest a need to maintain continuity while a more permanent solution is sought, implying that the spending level is likely aligned with ongoing operational requirements.

What is Sohum Systems LLC's track record with the Department of Transportation and other federal agencies for similar services?

Sohum Systems LLC's track record with the Department of Transportation and other federal agencies is crucial for assessing performance risk. As the incumbent contractor for this bridge contract, their past performance in delivering safety investigations and inspections support would have been a key factor in their selection. A review of their contract history would reveal the types of services they have provided, their performance ratings (if available), and any past issues or commendations. Agencies typically maintain performance evaluation records (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS) that inform future award decisions. A positive performance history suggests a lower risk for this contract, while a negative one would raise concerns about continuity and quality.

How does the $4.5 million value for a 12-month bridge contract benchmark against industry standards for similar support services?

Benchmarking the $4.5 million value for a 12-month bridge contract against industry standards requires detailed knowledge of the specific services provided, the required expertise, and the geographic scope. For specialized support in safety investigations and inspections, costs can vary significantly based on the complexity of the tasks, the number of personnel required, and the level of technical skill involved. If this contract is for nationwide support requiring a large team of inspectors or investigators, the cost might be within a reasonable range. However, if the scope is more limited, it could represent a higher per-unit cost. Comparing this to publicly available contract data for similar services from other agencies or private sector contracts can provide a more concrete benchmark for value assessment.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a bridge contract for critical safety functions?

Relying on a bridge contract for critical safety functions like investigations and inspections carries several potential risks. Firstly, bridge contracts are typically short-term, intended to maintain service continuity while a new, longer-term contract is being procured. This can lead to uncertainty regarding long-term service levels and potential disruptions if the follow-on procurement is delayed. Secondly, the contractor may not have the same incentive to invest in long-term improvements or efficiencies as they would under a multi-year contract. Thirdly, the pricing for bridge contracts can sometimes be less competitive than for fully competed, longer-term agreements, as the urgency to award may limit negotiation leverage. Finally, there's a risk that the services provided might not be fully optimized for the agency's evolving needs if the focus is solely on maintaining the status quo.

What specific performance metrics or deliverables are expected under this contract, and how will they be monitored?

The specific performance metrics and deliverables under this contract would be detailed in the Performance Work Statement (PWS) or Statement of Work (SOW) attached to the delivery order. For safety investigations and inspections support, these typically include metrics related to the number of inspections conducted, the timeliness of reports, the accuracy of findings, adherence to safety protocols, and overall compliance with regulatory requirements. Monitoring these metrics is usually the responsibility of a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) or a Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) within the FMCSA. They would track progress against the PWS, review reports, conduct site visits if applicable, and provide regular feedback to the contractor, escalating any performance issues as necessary through the contracting chain.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 9232 W 143RD TER, OVERLAND PARK, KS, 66221

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,484,530

Exercised Options: $4,484,530

Current Obligation: $4,484,530

Actual Outlays: $1,868,554

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCA19D00FK

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline