Sole Source Modification to Washington Metroploitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)

The U.S. EPA intends to award a sole source modification (per 41 U.S.C. 253 (c)(1)) to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) for increased SmartBenefits and MetroCheks for employees per the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) Part V - Parity for Transportation Fringe Benefits. EPA Headquarters has a policy aimed at improving air quality and reducing traffic congestion by offering employees incentives to commute to and from work using public transportation. Federal agency participation in specific transit benefit programs is authorized by Public Law 103-172 and Executive Order 13150, entitled "Federal Workforce Transportation." The purpose of this contract is to procure public transportation fare media (MetroCheks and SmartBenefits) in support of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Transit Subsidy Program pursuant to Public Law 103-172 which allows agencies to support employee commuting costs when public transportation is used. Per the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) Part V - Parity for Transportation Fringe Benefits increases the amount of qualified transportation fringe benefits that are excluded from gross income from $121 to $230 per month starting from the date of the enactment of the ARRA through January 1, 2011 per P.L. 111-5 Section 1151. Increased Exclusion Amount For Commuter Transit Benefits and Transit Passes. These benefits are to retroactively begin on February 2009 - December 30, 2010, that equates to 20 months at the higher monthly rate per the ARRA. This increases the total valus of the contract by approximately $2.3 million. However, the increase in transportation benefits may be extended beyond the December 31, 2010 date that is currently set and may need to be applied to the remainder of the contract through November 30, 2013.This would increase the total value of the contract by approximately $6.3 million.