Department of Transportation Awarded a Contract to LEIDOS, INC. for $1,903,607.95

Summary of Award

### Summary

The contract in question, identified by the ID `175234601`, is a delivery order awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation under its Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) sub-agency. The award is part of a broader initiative that involves intersections-related accessibility research specifically aimed at assisting blind or low-vision pedestrians. The contract is categorized under the product or service code (PSC) AS12, which relates to transportation research and development services, including surface transportation, public transit, and rail applied research.

#### Contract Details The overall funding obligation for this contract stands at approximately $1,548,251, with the potential maximum value, including all options, reaching up to $1,903,607.95. Signed on September 23, 2024, the contract is scheduled to be in effect from October 1, 2024, until March 31, 2027, providing a clear timeline for the project's execution. The award falls under the competitive solicitation procedures classified as "Full and Open Competition" with a mention that it is subject to "Multiple Award Fair Opportunity." The primary focus of the research is to ensure that intersections are safer and more accessible for pedestrians with visual impairments, which is part of the major program identified under this contract. This aligns with the FHWA's mission to improve transportation infrastructure of all dimensions, facilitating mobility and safety for all users, including those with disabilities. #### Contract Recipient Leidos, Inc., the contract recipient, is a major player in the realm of professional, scientific, and technical services. Based in Reston, Virginia, Leidos Hamilton is categorized under the NAICS code 541990, indicating that it specializes in various other professional, scientific, and technical services. The company is part of Leidos Holdings, Inc., which functions as its parent entity. Leidos, Inc. is a U.S.-owned corporate entity that is not exempt from taxes and is not designated as a small business. It holds various special business designations and operates out of Reston, Fairfax County, Virginia. Leidos boasts a strong track record in research and development services, focusing on applied research in transportation among other domains. Its involvement in the project aims to enhance pedestrian access infrastructure, bringing extensive expertise in technical services to the forefront of the initiative. #### Transactions and Agency Involvement The transaction associated with this contract is recorded with an action date of April 10, 2025. The transaction log identifies the modification code "P00001" but indicates a transaction amount of zero. This may reflect an administrative record rather than new financial activity. Both the awarding and funding responsibilities are held by the Department of Transportation through the Federal Highway Administration. The transaction and relevant award activities are overseen by the "693JJ3 Acquisition and Grants Management" office within the FHWA. The agency ensures that the contractual obligations align with the goals of improving transportation accessibility and making informed use of federal funds. #### Financial and Administrative Context The contract is structured as a "Firm Fixed Price" agreement, which guarantees that the price established at the outset of the contract remains unchanged, incentivizing efficiency and cost predictability. The small business competitive status is noted as false, highlighting that the procurement did not leverage small business set-aside mechanisms. Cost or pricing data compliance is affirmed ("Yes"), indicating thorough financial audits and validations were part of the award's formation process. Importantly, the contract is registered as a U.S.-owned business engagement with no foreign funding implications. #### Place of Performance and Impact Geographically, the place of performance aligns with Leidos’s location in Reston, Virginia, suggesting the research activities will be conducted, at least partly, from or coordinated through this location. Such research endeavors are expected to contribute substantially to infrastructure strategies that better serve visually impaired pedestrians across the nation. This award represents a critical step forward in addressing the crucial challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, promoting safer and more inclusive urban planning and transportation systems. The adaptation of intersections to the needs of low-vision or blind pedestrians embodies an essential investment in public safety and accessibility. Conclusively, this contract underlines the collaborative efforts between federal institutions like the FHWA and industry leaders like Leidos to confront unique public domain challenges with innovative solutions, paving the way for future advancements in transportation equity.