NHTSA awards $2M contract for financial support services, highlighting GSA FSS 8(a) program utilization

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,006,770 ($2.0M)

Contractor: Trust Consulting Services Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2025-09-30

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: FINANCIAL SUPPORT SERVICES FY2025 - FY2027 THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) HEREBY ISSUES THIS TASK ORDER (TO) FOR THE PROJECT ENTITLED, "FINANCIAL SUPPORT SERVICES" UNDER GSA FSS 8(A) PROGRAM SMALL DISADVANTAGE

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20036

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $2.0 million to TRUST CONSULTING SERVICES INC. for work described as: FINANCIAL SUPPORT SERVICES FY2025 - FY2027 THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) HEREBY ISSUES THIS TASK ORDER (TO) FOR THE PROJECT ENTITLED, "FINANCIAL SUPPORT SERVICES" UNDER GSA FSS 8(A) PROGRAM SMALL DISADVANTAGE Key points: 1. Contract aims to secure essential financial support services for NHTSA operations. 2. Utilizes the GSA Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) 8(a) program, indicating a focus on small disadvantaged businesses. 3. The contract duration is one year, with a total value of approximately $2 million. 4. Competition was full and open, suggesting a broad market engagement. 5. The primary service code (NAICS 561612) is for Security Guards and Patrol Services, which appears to be a mismatch for 'Financial Support Services'. 6. The contract is a delivery order under an existing GSA schedule. 7. The awardee is TRUST CONSULTING SERVICES INC.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of approximately $2 million for a one-year period for financial support services needs further benchmarking against similar contracts. The provided service code (NAICS 561612 - Security Guards and Patrol Services) is highly unusual for 'Financial Support Services,' raising significant questions about the appropriateness of the classification and potentially the pricing structure. Without clarity on the specific services rendered under this code, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. It is recommended to verify the service code and its alignment with the actual work performed.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This approach is generally favored for ensuring competitive pricing and access to a wide range of capabilities. The specific number of bidders is not provided, which would offer further insight into the level of competition and its potential impact on price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more cost-effective solutions and better pricing.

Public Impact

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will benefit from enhanced financial support services. These services are crucial for the efficient operation and administration of NHTSA's programs. The contract is geographically focused on Washington D.C. The impact on the workforce is likely to involve personnel engaged in financial administration and support roles.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential mismatch between the stated service (Financial Support Services) and the assigned NAICS code (Security Guards and Patrol Services).
Lack of detail on the specific financial support services to be provided.
The contract is a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger GSA schedule, but details of the parent contract are not provided.
The contract is for labor hours, which can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.

Positive Signals

Awarded under a full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process.
Utilizes the GSA FSS 8(a) program, which supports small disadvantaged businesses.
The contract is for a defined period, allowing for periodic review and re-competition.

Sector Analysis

The financial support services sector is a broad category encompassing a wide range of activities critical to government operations. This contract falls within the administrative and support services industry. The government's reliance on specialized firms for these functions is common, often leveraging GSA schedules for efficient procurement. Benchmarking against similar contracts for financial support services within federal agencies would provide a clearer picture of cost-effectiveness, though the unusual NAICS code complicates direct comparisons.

Small Business Impact

While the contract is under the GSA FSS 8(a) program, which is designed to support small disadvantaged businesses, the data indicates that small business set-aside was not specifically applied to this task order (ss: false, sb: false). This means that while the awardee might be an 8(a) firm, the competition was open to all eligible vendors, not exclusively set aside for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are included or encouraged.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) contracting officers and program managers. As a delivery order under a GSA schedule, GSA also maintains oversight of the underlying contract. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, but detailed performance metrics and specific oversight mechanisms are not publicly detailed in the provided data. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

GSA Federal Supply Schedule (FSS)
8(a) Small Business Contracting Program
Financial Management Services
Administrative Support Contracts

Risk Flags

NAICS Code Mismatch
Potential Service Scope Misalignment
Limited Public Detail on Specific Services

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $2.0 million to TRUST CONSULTING SERVICES INC.. FINANCIAL SUPPORT SERVICES FY2025 - FY2027 THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) HEREBY ISSUES THIS TASK ORDER (TO) FOR THE PROJECT ENTITLED, "FINANCIAL SUPPORT SERVICES" UNDER GSA FSS 8(A) PROGRAM SMALL DISADVANTAGE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TRUST CONSULTING SERVICES 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 $2.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-30. End: 2026-09-29.

What specific financial support services are being procured under NAICS code 561612 (Security Guards and Patrol Services)?

The provided data presents a significant discrepancy between the contract's stated purpose ('FINANCIAL SUPPORT SERVICES') and its assigned North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code (561612 - Security Guards and Patrol Services). This NAICS code typically covers services related to guarding property and providing security personnel. It is highly unusual for financial support functions, such as accounting, budgeting, or financial analysis, to be classified under this code. It is possible that the financial support services are ancillary to a security-related function, or there may be an administrative error in the NAICS code assignment. Without further clarification from the agency, it is impossible to definitively state the specific financial support services being procured under this code. This mismatch warrants further investigation to ensure accurate classification and appropriate pricing.

How does the contract value of approximately $2 million compare to similar financial support service contracts awarded by NHTSA or other DOT agencies?

Benchmarking this $2 million contract against similar financial support service contracts requires access to a broader dataset of federal procurements. However, for a one-year contract focused on administrative or financial support, $2 million is a moderate value. The key factor influencing comparability is the scope and complexity of the services. If these services are routine administrative tasks, the value might be on the higher end. If they involve specialized financial analysis, system implementation, or extensive program support, the value could be justified. The unusual NAICS code complicates direct comparison, as contracts under 'Security Guards and Patrol Services' would have a different cost structure and service expectations. A more accurate comparison would necessitate identifying contracts with similar stated objectives and service descriptions, irrespective of the NAICS code, or clarifying the services performed under the current code.

What is the track record of TRUST CONSULTING SERVICES INC. in performing federal contracts, particularly those related to financial support or security services?

TRUST CONSULTING SERVICES INC. has been awarded federal contracts, as indicated by this award. To assess their track record, a review of their past performance on similar contracts is necessary. This would involve examining contract performance reports (CPARs), identifying any past issues or commendations, and analyzing the types and values of previous awards. Specifically, understanding their experience with financial support services or, given the NAICS code, security services, would be crucial. A lack of extensive relevant past performance could indicate a higher risk for this contract. Information on contract close-outs, any disputes, or contract terminations would also provide valuable insights into their reliability and capability as a federal contractor.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a financial support services contract under the NAICS code for Security Guards and Patrol Services?

The primary risk associated with awarding a financial support services contract under NAICS code 561612 (Security Guards and Patrol Services) is a fundamental misalignment of service scope and pricing. Financial support services typically involve expertise in accounting, budgeting, financial analysis, and compliance, requiring different skill sets and cost structures than security personnel. If the contractor is primarily equipped for security services, they may lack the specialized knowledge or personnel to effectively deliver financial support, leading to subpar performance, delays, or increased costs as they attempt to acquire necessary expertise. Furthermore, the pricing models for security services may not be appropriate for financial support tasks, potentially leading to overpayment or under-resourcing. This discrepancy also raises concerns about the accuracy of market research and competition analysis conducted prior to the award.

How does the use of the GSA FSS 8(a) program in this award impact competition and potential outcomes for small disadvantaged businesses?

The utilization of the GSA FSS 8(a) program for this task order signifies an intent to leverage the government's established framework for procuring services from small disadvantaged businesses (SDBs). The 8(a) program aims to help SDBs compete more effectively in the federal marketplace. However, the fact that this specific task order was competed under 'full and open' competition, rather than being a direct 8(a) sole-source or competitive 8(a) set-aside, means that while an 8(a) firm (TRUST CONSULTING SERVICES INC.) was awarded the contract, the competition was not restricted to only 8(a) firms. This approach can lead to a broader pool of bidders but might reduce the direct advantage for SDBs compared to a dedicated 8(a) set-aside. The ultimate impact on SDBs depends on how many SDBs participated in the full and open competition and their success rate.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Investigation and Security Services › Security Guards and Patrol Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 693JJ925R000061

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1250 CONNECTICUT AVE NW STE 700, WASHINGTON, DC, 20036

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,013,539

Exercised Options: $2,006,770

Current Obligation: $2,006,770

Actual Outlays: $627,275

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSWA20D000Y

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline