DOT Awards $70M for Transportation Equipment to FARE MEDIA in DC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $70,000,000 ($70.0M)
Contractor: Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation
Start Date: 2007-10-05
End Date: 2008-09-30
Contract Duration: 361 days
Daily Burn Rate: $193.9K/day
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: OTHER (APPLIES TO AWARDS WHERE NONE OF THE ABOVE APPLY)
Sector: Transportation
Official Description: FARE MEDIA
Place of Performance
Location: DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20590
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Transportation obligated $70.0 million to WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSIT AUTHORITY for work described as: FARE MEDIA Key points: 1. The contract value of $70 million is significant, indicating a substantial need for transportation equipment and supplies. 2. Competition details are not provided, making it difficult to assess if the award represents a competitive price. 3. The short duration (361 days) suggests a specific, time-bound requirement rather than a long-term strategic procurement. 4. The sector is Transportation Equipment and Supplies, a critical area for infrastructure and logistics.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The award amount of $70 million for a 361-day contract needs further context. Without comparable contracts for similar transportation equipment and supplies, it's challenging to definitively assess its value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: unknown
The contract type is a Delivery Order, but the competition method is not specified. This lack of transparency hinders an assessment of price discovery and whether fair and open competition was pursued.
Taxpayer Impact: Without knowing the competition method, it's difficult to quantify the precise taxpayer impact, but a lack of competition could lead to higher costs.
Public Impact
This award directly impacts the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's operations by providing necessary transportation equipment. The procurement supports the broader transportation infrastructure within the District of Columbia. The use of a Delivery Order suggests a specific need that arose, potentially impacting immediate transit services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition data
- Unclear pricing justification
- Short contract duration may indicate urgency or a specific project
Positive Signals
- Addresses a clear need for transportation equipment
- Awarded to a specific entity for a defined period
Sector Analysis
The transportation equipment and supplies sector is vital for maintaining and upgrading public transit systems. Spending benchmarks in this area can vary widely based on the specific equipment and scale of the transit authority.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication in the provided data whether small businesses were involved in this procurement, either as prime contractors or subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The award was made by the Department of Transportation's Immediate Office of the Secretary, suggesting high-level oversight. However, the lack of competition details warrants further scrutiny.
Related Government Programs
- Transportation Equipment and Supplies (except Motor Vehicle) Merchant Wholesalers
- Department of Transportation Contracting
- Immediate Office of the Secretary of Transportation Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of transparency in competition
- Potential for uncompetitive pricing
- Limited duration may not address long-term needs
- No small business participation evident
Tags
transportation-equipment-and-supplies-ex, department-of-transportation, dc, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Transportation awarded $70.0 million to WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSIT AUTHORITY. FARE MEDIA
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSIT AUTHORITY.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Immediate Office of the Secretary of Transportation).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $70.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-10-05. End: 2008-09-30.
What was the justification for the procurement method used for this $70 million award?
The provided data indicates this was a Delivery Order, but the specific justification for the procurement method is not detailed. Further investigation into the contract file would be necessary to understand if it was sole-source, limited, or competed. The absence of this information makes it difficult to assess if the government obtained the best value.
How does the unit cost of the transportation equipment compare to market benchmarks?
Without specific details on the exact type and quantity of transportation equipment and supplies procured, it is impossible to establish a per-unit cost benchmark. A comprehensive review of the contract line items and comparison with industry pricing data would be required to assess cost-effectiveness.
What is the long-term impact of this award on the transit authority's equipment lifecycle and maintenance?
The contract duration of 361 days suggests this award is for immediate or short-term needs rather than a long-term equipment strategy. The impact on the equipment lifecycle and maintenance would depend on whether this purchase is part of a larger replacement plan or addresses a specific gap.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Wholesale Trade › Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers › Transportation Equipment and Supplies (except Motor Vehicle) Merchant Wholesalers
Product/Service Code: MISCELLANEOUS
Contractor Details
Address: 600 5TH ST NW ROOM 6 B15, WASHINGTON, DC, 20001
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $70,000,000
Exercised Options: $70,000,000
Current Obligation: $70,000,000
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: DTOS5904D00452
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-10-05
Current End Date: 2008-09-30
Potential End Date: 2008-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-03-01
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