Transportation Department awards $39.2M for bridge performance research, impacting infrastructure nationwide

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $39,199,533 ($39.2M)

Contractor: Rutgers, the State University

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2008-04-02

End Date: 2017-12-29

Contract Duration: 3,558 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: FHWA LONG-TERM BRIDGE PERFORMANCE PROGRAM

Place of Performance

Location: NEW BRUNSWICK, MIDDLESEX County, NEW JERSEY, 08901

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $39.2 million to RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY for work described as: FHWA LONG-TERM BRIDGE PERFORMANCE PROGRAM Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in understanding long-term bridge health. 2. Competition was robust, suggesting a healthy market for specialized engineering services. 3. Performance period of nearly 10 years indicates a long-term strategic focus. 4. The contract aligns with national goals for infrastructure resilience and safety. 5. Engineering services are critical for maintaining and improving transportation networks. 6. Focus on long-term performance aims to prevent costly future repairs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of $39.2 million over its duration appears reasonable for a comprehensive, long-term research program focused on national infrastructure. Benchmarking against similar large-scale, multi-year engineering research contracts is challenging due to the specialized nature of bridge performance analysis. However, the cost-no-fee pricing structure suggests a focus on achieving defined research objectives rather than profit maximization, which can be a positive indicator for value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The presence of 8 bids suggests a competitive environment for this specialized research area. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives proposals that meet technical requirements at a reasonable cost.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a market where contractors are incentivized to offer competitive pricing and innovative solutions.

Public Impact

Benefits the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and state transportation departments by providing critical data for infrastructure management. Services delivered include research and analysis to improve the understanding and prediction of bridge deterioration. Geographic impact is national, as findings will inform bridge maintenance and construction practices across the United States. Workforce implications include support for researchers, engineers, and data analysts involved in the program.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration could lead to scope creep or evolving research needs not fully anticipated at award.
Reliance on a single university for extensive research may limit diverse perspectives if not managed carefully.

Positive Signals

The extensive duration allows for in-depth, long-term data collection and analysis crucial for bridge performance.
Award to a reputable academic institution suggests a strong foundation in research and technical expertise.
Full and open competition indicates a potentially wide pool of qualified offerors, promoting best value.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically focusing on civil engineering and infrastructure research. The market for such specialized services is driven by government funding for transportation projects and infrastructure maintenance. The $39.2 million award is substantial for a research program, reflecting the complexity and national importance of ensuring the longevity and safety of the nation's bridges. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other large-scale federal research grants or contracts in civil engineering and materials science.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'sb': false. The prime contractor is a large university. There is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans or opportunities for small businesses within this specific award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any subcontracting goals were established or met.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) within the Department of Transportation. Mechanisms likely include regular progress reports, technical reviews, and financial audits to ensure research objectives are met and funds are used appropriately. Transparency is generally maintained through public reporting of research findings. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

National Bridge Inventory
Long-Term Pavement Performance Program
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
Federal Aid Highway Program

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may increase risk of scope creep or evolving requirements.
Reliance on a single academic institution for extensive research requires careful monitoring of expertise and output.
Potential for unforeseen technical challenges in long-term performance analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $39.2 million to RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY. FHWA LONG-TERM BRIDGE PERFORMANCE PROGRAM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Federal Highway Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $39.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-04-02. End: 2017-12-29.

What is the track record of Rutgers, The State University, in managing large federal research contracts, particularly in civil engineering?

Rutgers, The State University, has a significant history of managing federal research grants and contracts across various disciplines, including engineering. While specific details on their track record for contracts of this exact magnitude and focus (long-term bridge performance) require deeper investigation into their federal award history, universities of this caliber typically have established administrative and research support structures. These structures are designed to handle complex project management, financial oversight, and compliance requirements inherent in large federal awards. Their success often hinges on the expertise of their principal investigators and the robustness of their internal controls. A review of their past performance ratings on similar federal contracts, if publicly available, would provide a more precise assessment.

How does the $39.2 million cost compare to similar federal investments in bridge research and development?

The $39.2 million awarded to Rutgers for the Long-Term Bridge Performance Program represents a substantial, but not unprecedented, investment in bridge research. Federal spending on infrastructure research is often allocated through large, multi-year programs. For context, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) manages various research initiatives, and the total annual budget for research, development, and technology deployment can run into hundreds of millions of dollars. Specific programs like the Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) program, managed by FHWA, have also involved significant funding over decades. While direct comparisons are difficult due to varying scopes and durations, this award appears to be a significant allocation for a focused, long-term study on bridge performance, aligning with national priorities for infrastructure safety and longevity.

What are the primary risks associated with a nearly decade-long research contract like this?

The primary risks associated with a nearly decade-long research contract include: 1. **Scope Creep:** Research objectives may evolve, or new challenges may emerge, leading to requests for expanded scope and potentially increased costs. 2. **Technological Obsolescence:** The research methods or technologies used at the start of the contract might become outdated before its completion. 3. **Personnel Turnover:** Key researchers or project managers may leave the project, leading to loss of institutional knowledge and potential delays. 4. **Funding Instability:** While awarded, long-term funding can sometimes be subject to future budget appropriations or shifts in government priorities. 5. **Data Interpretation Challenges:** Analyzing long-term performance data can be complex, and unforeseen variables might complicate interpretation. 6. **Contractor Performance:** Ensuring consistent quality and adherence to timelines over such an extended period requires diligent oversight.

How effective is the 'Cost No Fee' (Cost-Reimbursable, No Fee) contract type for achieving research goals in infrastructure?

The 'Cost No Fee' (Cost-Reimbursable, No Fee) contract type is often utilized for research and development efforts, particularly with non-profit organizations like universities. Its primary advantage is that it allows the contractor to be reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred in performing the work, but without any additional profit or fee. This structure is intended to incentivize the contractor to focus on achieving the research objectives efficiently and effectively, rather than maximizing profit. For research goals, this can be beneficial as it aligns the contractor's motivation with the government's objective of acquiring knowledge and solutions. However, it places a strong emphasis on robust cost accounting and oversight to ensure that all reimbursed costs are reasonable, allocable, and necessary for the research.

What historical spending patterns exist within the Federal Highway Administration for bridge-related research and engineering services?

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) consistently allocates significant funding towards bridge research and engineering services, reflecting the critical importance of maintaining the nation's aging bridge infrastructure. Historical spending patterns show a sustained commitment to understanding bridge behavior, developing new materials and construction techniques, and improving inspection and maintenance protocols. This includes funding for programs like the National Bridge Inventory, research into seismic retrofitting, development of advanced monitoring technologies, and studies on long-term performance under various environmental and traffic loads. The 'Long-Term Bridge Performance Program' award aligns with this historical trend of investing in research that provides long-term benefits for infrastructure safety, durability, and cost-effectiveness, aiming to reduce future repair and replacement costs.

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

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: DTFH61-07-R-00136

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3 RUTGERS PLZA, NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ, 08901

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public)

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $39,199,533

Exercised Options: $39,199,533

Current Obligation: $39,199,533

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline