DOT awards $15.18M for insurance registration support, highlighting IT services for motor carrier safety

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,183,072 ($15.2M)

Contractor: Senture LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2025-08-04

End Date: 2026-05-03

Contract Duration: 272 days

Daily Burn Rate: $55.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: CUSTOMER INSURANCE REGISTRATION INFORMATION SUPPORT - 2ND GENERATION BRIDGE

Place of Performance

Location: LONDON, LAUREL County, KENTUCKY, 40741

State: Kentucky Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $15.2 million to SENTURE LLC for work described as: CUSTOMER INSURANCE REGISTRATION INFORMATION SUPPORT - 2ND GENERATION BRIDGE Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential IT support for a critical government function. 2. Competition was robust, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. Fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks. 4. Contract duration of 272 days is relatively short-term. 5. Performance is in Kentucky, with potential for broader national impact. 6. The contractor, SENTURE LLC, is tasked with a specialized IT service.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $15.18 million for a 272-day period appears reasonable for specialized IT support. Benchmarking against similar contracts for IT services within the Department of Transportation or other agencies would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The firm fixed-price structure is a positive indicator for cost control. Without specific per-unit cost data or detailed service level agreements, a precise value assessment is challenging, but the overall price point seems aligned with the scope of IT support services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a healthy competitive environment was sought.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically leads to better pricing for taxpayers by fostering a competitive marketplace where contractors vie for the business.

Public Impact

Benefits the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) by ensuring the continuity of critical IT support. Services delivered include support for customer insurance registration information. Geographic impact is primarily in Kentucky where the contractor is located, but the service supports national motor carrier operations. Workforce implications include employment for IT support specialists at SENTURE LLC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if this system becomes highly specialized and difficult to transition.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical IT support could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
The short contract duration might lead to frequent re-competition, incurring administrative costs.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process.
Firm fixed-price contract type helps control costs.
Contract supports a vital function for motor carrier safety and compliance.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically under 'Other Computer Related Services'. The market for IT support services to government agencies is substantial, with numerous companies offering specialized solutions. This contract represents a portion of the broader federal spending on IT infrastructure and operational support, which is crucial for agencies like the FMCSA to manage their regulatory and operational functions effectively. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other IT support contracts for similar agencies or functions.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside provision. The primary focus is on larger contract vehicles that are competed broadly.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, which obligates the contractor to deliver services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration IT Support
Department of Transportation IT Services
Customer Information Systems
Insurance Registration Systems Support

Risk Flags

Short contract duration may lead to frequent re-competition.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical IT support.
Potential for performance issues if contractor lacks adequate experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $15.2 million to SENTURE LLC. CUSTOMER INSURANCE REGISTRATION INFORMATION SUPPORT - 2ND GENERATION BRIDGE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SENTURE 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 $15.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-08-04. End: 2026-05-03.

What is the track record of SENTURE LLC in performing similar IT support contracts for the federal government?

Assessing SENTURE LLC's track record requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving IT support, customer registration systems, or similar functions. Information on past performance, including any awards, past performance evaluations, and any instances of contract disputes or terminations, would be available through federal procurement databases and potentially through agency-specific performance reviews. A positive track record with similar agencies or contract types would increase confidence in their ability to successfully execute this current contract. Conversely, a history of performance issues or unresolved disputes would raise concerns about potential risks.

How does the awarded price of $15.18 million compare to market rates for similar IT support services?

To benchmark the $15.18 million award against market rates, one would typically analyze the contract's scope of work, the labor categories and hours required, and compare these to industry pricing data for comparable IT support services. This could involve using commercial IT service pricing guides, consulting market research reports, or examining pricing on similar government contracts awarded to other vendors. Given the firm fixed-price nature, the contractor has assumed the risk of cost overruns, which can sometimes lead to higher initial pricing compared to cost-reimbursement contracts. However, the 'full and open competition' suggests that the price should be competitive within the market.

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

Key risks include potential performance deficiencies by the contractor, unforeseen technical challenges, or scope creep. Mitigation strategies are embedded in the contract structure: the firm fixed-price (FFP) type shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor. The short duration (272 days) allows for more frequent performance reviews and easier transition if issues arise. Furthermore, the 'full and open competition' process likely vetted multiple bidders, theoretically selecting a capable vendor. Robust oversight by the FMCSA contracting officer and program management will be crucial for monitoring performance and addressing any emerging issues proactively.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' process in ensuring value for money for this specific IT support contract?

The 'full and open competition' process is designed to maximize value for money by encouraging a wide range of qualified contractors to bid, thereby driving down prices through market forces. For this IT support contract, it means that multiple companies had the opportunity to propose solutions and pricing, theoretically leading to the most cost-effective offer being selected. The effectiveness is contingent on the clarity of the solicitation, the number and capability of the bidders, and the evaluation criteria used. A well-executed full and open competition generally yields better value than sole-source or limited competition scenarios.

What is the historical spending pattern for 'CUSTOMER INSURANCE REGISTRATION INFORMATION SUPPORT' by the Department of Transportation?

Analyzing historical spending for this specific service requires accessing federal procurement data over several fiscal years. It would involve identifying previous contracts awarded by the Department of Transportation (or its agencies like FMCSA) for similar 'insurance registration information support' or related IT functions. Trends in spending, contract durations, award values, and the number of competitors over time would reveal whether this $15.18 million award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in this area. Understanding historical patterns helps contextualize the current award and identify potential shifts in program priorities or funding.

Industry Classification

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

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 460 INDUSTRIAL BLVD, LONDON, KY, 40741

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,185,072

Exercised Options: $15,183,072

Current Obligation: $15,183,072

Actual Outlays: $11,010,847

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCA25D002X

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline