DOT awards $2.2M contract for telematics technology to combat distracted driving

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,239,193 ($2.2M)

Contractor: Dunlap and Associates, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2024-09-30

End Date: 2029-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: TITLE: TELEMATICS TECHNOLOGY AND DISTRACTED DRIVING

Place of Performance

Location: CARY, WAKE County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27511

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $2.2 million to DUNLAP AND ASSOCIATES, INC. for work described as: TITLE: TELEMATICS TECHNOLOGY AND DISTRACTED DRIVING Key points: 1. Contract aims to leverage technology for safer roads by addressing driver distraction. 2. Focus on research and development in social sciences and humanities suggests an innovative approach. 3. The contract duration of 5 years indicates a long-term commitment to this research area. 4. Awarded to Dunlap and Associates, Inc., a company with a history in relevant research. 5. The use of a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) pricing structure requires careful monitoring of costs. 6. North Carolina is the state where the contractor is located, potentially impacting local economic benefits.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.24 million over five years appears reasonable for a research and development initiative focused on a critical safety issue like distracted driving. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts in transportation safety would provide a more precise assessment, but the scope suggests a significant undertaking. The CPFF pricing structure, while common in R&D, necessitates diligent oversight to ensure costs remain aligned with the project's objectives and do not escalate unnecessarily.

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. With four bidders identified, this suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this research area. A competitive process generally leads to better pricing and innovative solutions as contractors vie for the award.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process through potentially lower costs and a higher likelihood of receiving the most effective and innovative solutions for addressing distracted driving.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the public, through the development of technologies and strategies to reduce traffic accidents caused by distracted driving. Services delivered will include research, development, and potentially testing of telematics systems and related safety interventions. The geographic impact is national, as findings and technologies are intended to improve road safety across the United States. Workforce implications may include employment for researchers, engineers, and data analysts involved in the project.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost overruns are a potential concern with Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts if not managed tightly.
Ensuring the developed technology is practical and scalable for widespread adoption presents a challenge.
Measuring the actual impact of telematics on reducing distracted driving behavior requires robust evaluation methodologies.

Positive Signals

The focus on a critical public safety issue like distracted driving is a significant positive.
Full and open competition increases the likelihood of selecting the most capable contractor and innovative solution.
The five-year duration allows for thorough research and development, potentially leading to more impactful outcomes.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader transportation technology and safety research sector. The market for telematics and driver assistance systems is growing, driven by safety concerns and technological advancements. Spending in this area by government agencies like NHTSA is crucial for advancing public safety initiatives beyond what the private sector might prioritize alone. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found in R&D budgets for transportation safety agencies.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not appear to have a specific small business set-aside. However, the prime contractor, Dunlap and Associates, Inc., may engage small businesses as subcontractors for specialized services or research components, contributing to the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures will be tied to the achievement of milestones and deliverables outlined in the contract. Transparency will be facilitated through regular reporting requirements and potentially public dissemination of research findings, subject to any proprietary or sensitive information.

Related Government Programs

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Research Programs
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Initiatives
Department of Transportation Research and Development

Risk Flags

Cost management risk in CPFF contracts
Effectiveness measurement of behavioral interventions
Scalability and adoption of developed technologies

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $2.2 million to DUNLAP AND ASSOCIATES, INC.. TITLE: TELEMATICS TECHNOLOGY AND DISTRACTED DRIVING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DUNLAP AND ASSOCIATES, 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: 2024-09-30. End: 2029-09-29.

What is the track record of Dunlap and Associates, Inc. in similar telematics or distracted driving research?

Dunlap and Associates, Inc. has a documented history of conducting research related to human factors, safety, and technology, often in collaboration with government agencies. While specific details on their past telematics projects for NHTSA may require deeper database searches, their general expertise in areas like driver behavior, cognitive psychology, and the application of technology to safety issues suggests they are well-positioned for this contract. Their previous work likely involved analyzing driver performance, developing safety countermeasures, and evaluating the effectiveness of various interventions, which are directly relevant to the objectives of this telematics and distracted driving initiative.

How does the $2.24 million contract value compare to similar R&D efforts in transportation safety?

The $2.24 million contract value over five years, averaging approximately $448,000 per year, appears to be within a reasonable range for a focused research and development project in transportation safety. Similar R&D contracts from agencies like NHTSA or the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) that involve technology development, human factors research, or behavioral studies can range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars, depending on the scope, duration, and complexity. For instance, projects developing advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) or studying the impact of new vehicle technologies often command significant funding. This contract's value suggests a substantial effort dedicated to understanding and mitigating distracted driving through telematics.

What are the primary risks associated with this Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract structure?

The primary risk with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract is the potential for cost overruns. While the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs, the fixed fee provides them with a guaranteed profit margin regardless of the final cost. This can create less incentive for the contractor to control expenses rigorously compared to fixed-price contracts. For the government, the risk is that the total cost of the contract could exceed initial estimates if costs are not managed effectively. Robust oversight, detailed cost tracking, and clear definition of allowable expenses are crucial to mitigate this risk and ensure value for taxpayer money.

What are the expected outcomes or deliverables for this telematics technology contract?

The expected outcomes and deliverables for this contract likely include a comprehensive research report detailing findings on telematics technologies and their effectiveness in reducing distracted driving. Deliverables may also encompass the development or refinement of specific telematics systems or algorithms, prototypes for testing, and recommendations for policy or future technology development. The contract aims to provide actionable insights and potentially deployable solutions that NHTSA can use to enhance road safety. This could involve data analysis from real-world driving scenarios, user studies, and evaluations of different technological approaches to monitor and influence driver behavior.

How has federal spending on distracted driving research evolved over the past five years?

Federal spending on distracted driving research has been a consistent priority for agencies like NHTSA, reflecting the ongoing threat posed by this behavior. While specific year-over-year figures fluctuate based on program priorities and available funding, there has been a sustained investment in understanding the causes, consequences, and potential countermeasures for distracted driving. This includes research into mobile device usage, in-vehicle distractions, and the effectiveness of various interventions, including technological solutions like telematics. The trend generally shows a commitment to leveraging research to inform policy, public awareness campaigns, and the development of safer vehicle technologies.

What is the significance of the 'Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities' NAICS code for this contract?

The assignment of NAICS code 541720, 'Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities,' is significant because it highlights the contract's focus on understanding human behavior, cognitive processes, and societal factors related to distracted driving. While telematics technology is involved, the core of the research likely lies in how people interact with technology while driving, the psychological aspects of distraction, and the societal implications of these behaviors. This code suggests that the contract will involve qualitative and quantitative research methods common in social sciences, such as surveys, interviews, observational studies, and analysis of behavioral data, rather than purely engineering or hardware development.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 125 EDINBURGH SOUTH DR STE 111, CARY, NC, 27511

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,239,193

Exercised Options: $2,239,193

Current Obligation: $2,239,193

Actual Outlays: $448,292

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline