DOT Awards $2.16M for AEB/PAEB Crash Test Procedure Validation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,157,996 ($2.2M)

Contractor: Transportation Research Center Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2023-08-08

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,331 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: THIS IS A NEW TASK ORDER TO PERFORM TESTING TO SUPPORT THE REPEATABILITY AND REPRODUCIBILITY OF CRASH AVOIDANCE TEST PROCEDURES PROPOSED BY THE AGENCY IN SUPPORT OF AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING (AEB) AND PEDESTRIAN AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING (PAEB) R

Place of Performance

Location: EAST LIBERTY, LOGAN County, OHIO, 43319

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $2.2 million to TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH CENTER INC for work described as: THIS IS A NEW TASK ORDER TO PERFORM TESTING TO SUPPORT THE REPEATABILITY AND REPRODUCIBILITY OF CRASH AVOIDANCE TEST PROCEDURES PROPOSED BY THE AGENCY IN SUPPORT OF AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING (AEB) AND PEDESTRIAN AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING (PAEB) R Key points: 1. Focuses on validating critical safety test procedures for automatic emergency braking systems. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Potential risk lies in the complexity of test procedure validation and reproducibility. 4. Sector is transportation safety, a key area for public well-being.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to higher costs if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar testing services is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating multiple bidders likely participated. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used to ensure the safety and effectiveness of vehicle safety technologies, which has a positive long-term impact.

Public Impact

Enhances the safety of vehicles by validating critical crash avoidance technologies. Supports the development and standardization of testing for Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) and Pedestrian AEB (PAEB). Aims to improve the reliability and accuracy of safety test results used by regulators and manufacturers.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type may not be the most cost-efficient.
Potential for scope creep in test procedure validation.
Dependence on contractor expertise for accurate test validation.

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical area of vehicle safety technology.
Utilizes full and open competition.
Long-term contract duration allows for thorough validation.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Transportation sector, specifically focusing on vehicle safety and testing services. Spending benchmarks for specialized testing services can vary widely based on complexity and duration.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the contractor is not listed as a small business. Therefore, there is no direct small business participation evident in this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is responsible for overseeing this contract. Oversight will be crucial to ensure the testing procedures are rigorously validated and the fixed fee remains appropriate.

Related Government Programs

Testing Laboratories and Services
Department of Transportation Contracting
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
Potential for subjective interpretation in test procedure validation.
Long duration may increase risk of outdated procedures if not managed.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical validation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $2.2 million to TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH CENTER INC. THIS IS A NEW TASK ORDER TO PERFORM TESTING TO SUPPORT THE REPEATABILITY AND REPRODUCIBILITY OF CRASH AVOIDANCE TEST PROCEDURES PROPOSED BY THE AGENCY IN SUPPORT OF AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING (AEB) AND PEDESTRIAN AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING (PAEB) R

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH CENTER INC.

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 $2.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-08-08. End: 2027-03-31.

What is the specific methodology for validating repeatability and reproducibility of the crash avoidance test procedures?

The contract aims to support the validation of crash avoidance test procedures for AEB and PAEB systems. This likely involves conducting multiple test runs under controlled conditions to ensure consistent results (repeatability) and that different labs or equipment can achieve similar outcomes (reproducibility). The specific methodology would detail the test parameters, data collection, and analysis techniques employed by the Transportation Research Center Inc.

What are the potential risks associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type for this testing service?

A Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract guarantees the contractor a fixed fee regardless of the actual costs incurred. While it incentivizes efficiency, there's a risk that the government may overpay if the contractor's costs are significantly lower than anticipated. Effective oversight is needed to monitor costs and ensure the fixed fee remains fair for the scope of work performed.

How will the results of this testing directly impact the effectiveness and adoption of AEB/PAEB systems?

The validation of test procedures is crucial for establishing standardized and reliable methods to assess AEB/PAEB performance. This ensures that vehicles meeting these validated standards are genuinely safer. Reliable test results build confidence among consumers, manufacturers, and regulators, potentially accelerating the adoption of these life-saving technologies and improving their overall effectiveness.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Transportation R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 693JJ923R000182

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 10820 STATE ROUTE 347, EAST LIBERTY, OH, 43319

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,157,996

Exercised Options: $2,157,996

Current Obligation: $2,157,996

Actual Outlays: $2,047,327

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 693JJ921D000018

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline