DOT Awards $17.16M Engineering Support Contract to Bowhead Mission Solutions for NHTSA

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,162,592 ($17.2M)

Contractor: Bowhead Mission Solutions, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2022-09-27

End Date: 2026-09-27

Contract Duration: 1,461 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ISSUE A NEW FIVE (05) YEAR CONTRACT FOR ENGINEERING, ANALYTICAL, STATISTICAL, AND OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES TO SUPPORT FIVE (05) NHTSA OFFICES. TITLE: ENGINEERING, ANALYTICAL, STATISTICAL, AND OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES FOR FIVE NHTSA OFFICES.

Place of Performance

Location: SPRINGFIELD, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22150

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $17.2 million to BOWHEAD MISSION SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: ISSUE A NEW FIVE (05) YEAR CONTRACT FOR ENGINEERING, ANALYTICAL, STATISTICAL, AND OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES TO SUPPORT FIVE (05) NHTSA OFFICES. TITLE: ENGINEERING, ANALYTICAL, STATISTICAL, AND OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES FOR FIVE NHTSA OFFICES. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on engineering, analytical, and statistical support for five NHTSA offices. 2. Bowhead Mission Solutions, LLC is the incumbent contractor. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 4. This award represents a significant investment in NHTSA's operational and analytical capabilities.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $17.16 million over five years appears reasonable for specialized engineering and analytical support services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for government-wide engineering support would provide a more definitive assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive process. This method aims to ensure fair pricing and access to a broad range of qualified contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process is designed to secure value for taxpayer dollars by fostering a competitive environment for essential government services.

Public Impact

Enhances NHTSA's capacity for data analysis and safety research. Supports critical functions across multiple NHTSA offices. Ensures continued availability of specialized engineering expertise. Potential for improved traffic safety initiatives through enhanced analytical capabilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Contract duration of five years may exceed immediate needs.
Potential for scope creep in "other support services" category.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Supports critical safety functions of NHTSA.
Incumbent contractor likely brings institutional knowledge.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under engineering services (NAICS 541330), a sector crucial for government research, development, and operational support. Spending in this sector is often driven by complex project requirements and the need for specialized expertise.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate specific subcontracting goals for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation in this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

The award process, utilizing full and open competition, suggests a degree of oversight. However, ongoing monitoring of performance and cost control will be essential for accountability.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Transportation Contracting
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Contract duration
Potential for scope creep
Reliance on incumbent contractor
Cost control under CPFF

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $17.2 million to BOWHEAD MISSION SOLUTIONS, LLC. ISSUE A NEW FIVE (05) YEAR CONTRACT FOR ENGINEERING, ANALYTICAL, STATISTICAL, AND OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES TO SUPPORT FIVE (05) NHTSA OFFICES. TITLE: ENGINEERING, ANALYTICAL, STATISTICAL, AND OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES FOR FIVE NHTSA OFFICES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BOWHEAD MISSION SOLUTIONS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-27. End: 2026-09-27.

What specific metrics will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the engineering, analytical, and statistical support provided to NHTSA offices?

The effectiveness of the support will likely be evaluated through performance metrics tied to the successful completion of tasks, adherence to project timelines, quality of deliverables (e.g., reports, analyses, designs), and overall contribution to NHTSA's mission objectives. Specific metrics might include turnaround times for analytical requests, accuracy of statistical models, and successful implementation of engineering recommendations.

How will potential cost overruns be managed under this Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract structure?

While CPFF contracts provide flexibility, cost overruns are managed through rigorous oversight, detailed budget tracking, and defined ceilings. The government will monitor expenditures closely, requiring justification for any deviations from the planned budget. The fixed fee component incentivizes the contractor to control costs to maximize their profit margin.

What is the potential impact of this contract on future NHTSA research and development initiatives?

This contract is expected to positively impact future NHTSA initiatives by providing sustained access to critical engineering and analytical expertise. This continuity allows for the development of long-term research strategies, the refinement of analytical tools, and the efficient execution of complex safety studies, ultimately contributing to advancements in traffic safety.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6564 LOISDALE CT STE 900, SPRINGFIELD, VA, 22150

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $35,390,331

Exercised Options: $17,162,592

Current Obligation: $17,162,592

Actual Outlays: $13,342,076

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $3,167,741

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAD20D8100

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline