DoD's $19.3M telecommunications contract for Camp Buehring infrastructure awarded to Tribalco LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,342,325 ($19.3M)

Contractor: Tribalco LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2011-05-06

End Date: 2012-12-14

Contract Duration: 588 days

Daily Burn Rate: $32.9K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES THAT SHALL EXTEND AND UPGRADE CAMP BUEHRING S OUTSIDE PLANT (OSP) INFRASTRUCTURE.

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $19.3 million to TRIBALCO LLC for work described as: TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES THAT SHALL EXTEND AND UPGRADE CAMP BUEHRING S OUTSIDE PLANT (OSP) INFRASTRUCTURE. Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential telecommunications infrastructure upgrades at Camp Buehring. 2. Focus on extending and upgrading outside plant (OSP) infrastructure. 3. Contract duration of 588 days indicates a significant project timeline. 4. Awarded as a Delivery Order, suggesting it's part of a larger existing agreement. 5. No indication of small business set-aside or subcontracting goals. 6. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $19.3 million for telecommunications services is substantial. Without specific benchmarks for OSP infrastructure upgrades in similar deployed environments, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides some cost certainty. However, the lack of competition raises questions about whether the government secured the most competitive pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed and was awarded as a sole-source delivery order. This indicates that the procurement process bypassed standard competitive bidding procedures. The absence of multiple bidders means there was no opportunity for price discovery through market competition, potentially leading to higher costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may have paid a premium due to the lack of competitive bidding, as the government did not leverage market forces to obtain the best possible price.

Public Impact

Military personnel at Camp Buehring will benefit from improved and extended telecommunications capabilities. Services delivered include the upgrade and extension of wired telecommunications infrastructure. Geographic impact is localized to Camp Buehring, enhancing its operational readiness. Workforce implications include potential employment for skilled technicians in telecommunications installation and maintenance.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may have resulted in suboptimal pricing.
Sole-source award bypasses standard procurement processes, reducing transparency.
Limited public information on the specific technical requirements and justification for sole-source award.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract type helps manage cost overruns.
Focus on essential infrastructure upgrades supports operational needs.
Award to Tribalco LLC, a company with experience in government contracting.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Wired Telecommunications Carriers sector, specifically addressing the need for robust outside plant (OSP) infrastructure. The market for telecommunications services in support of military installations is specialized, often involving unique security and operational requirements. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without detailed project scope and location specifics, but significant investments are common for maintaining and upgrading critical communication networks in deployed environments.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract included a small business set-aside. Furthermore, the contract details do not specify any subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that small businesses were not specifically targeted for participation in this particular procurement, potentially limiting their direct involvement and the flow-down of contract funds.

Oversight & Accountability

As a delivery order under a larger contract, oversight mechanisms would typically be tied to the parent contract's terms and conditions. Accountability measures would focus on meeting the performance requirements outlined in the order. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, with less public information available compared to a competed contract. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Base Telecommunications Infrastructure
Military Base Communications Modernization
Deployed Communications Services
Wired Network Infrastructure Upgrades

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
Limited transparency due to non-competitive nature.
Potential for higher costs without market comparison.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $19.3 million to TRIBALCO LLC. TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES THAT SHALL EXTEND AND UPGRADE CAMP BUEHRING S OUTSIDE PLANT (OSP) INFRASTRUCTURE.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TRIBALCO LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $19.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-05-06. End: 2012-12-14.

What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The provided data does not include the specific justification for the sole-source award. Typically, sole-source contracts are justified when only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services, often due to unique capabilities, urgent needs, or compatibility requirements with existing systems. For this telecommunications infrastructure upgrade at Camp Buehring, the justification might relate to existing infrastructure compatibility, specialized expertise required for the specific OSP environment, or a critical and time-sensitive need that precluded a competitive solicitation. Further investigation into the contract file or agency justifications would be necessary to determine the precise reasons.

How does the $19.3 million cost compare to similar telecommunications infrastructure projects at other military bases?

Directly comparing the $19.3 million cost to similar projects is challenging without more specific details about the scope of work, geographic location, and the specific technologies deployed. Telecommunications infrastructure projects can vary significantly in cost based on factors such as the size of the base, the existing condition of the infrastructure, the complexity of the required upgrades (e.g., fiber optic vs. copper, wireless integration), and prevailing labor and material costs in the region. Given this contract was awarded sole-source, a benchmark comparison against competitively bid projects would be ideal but is not readily available. The duration of 588 days suggests a substantial undertaking, which could justify a significant investment.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for critical infrastructure like telecommunications?

Sole-source awards for critical infrastructure like telecommunications carry several potential risks. Primarily, the lack of competition can lead to inflated prices, meaning the government may pay more than necessary. It also reduces the incentive for the contractor to innovate or provide exceptional service, as there is no competitive pressure. Furthermore, it limits the government's ability to explore alternative solutions or technologies that might be offered by other vendors. Transparency is also reduced, making it harder for oversight bodies and the public to assess the fairness and value of the procurement. Finally, reliance on a single vendor can create long-term dependencies and potential vulnerabilities if that vendor's performance or business stability declines.

What is Tribalco LLC's track record with Department of Defense telecommunications contracts?

Tribalco LLC has a history of contracting with the Department of Defense, including work related to telecommunications and IT services. While specific details of past performance on similar OSP infrastructure projects are not provided in this data snippet, their engagement with the DoD suggests they possess the necessary clearances and experience to operate within military environments. A deeper dive into contract databases and performance reviews would be needed to fully assess their track record, including on-time delivery, quality of work, and adherence to budget on previous DoD telecommunications contracts.

What is the expected impact of these telecommunications upgrades on the operational readiness of Camp Buehring?

The extension and upgrade of outside plant (OSP) telecommunications infrastructure are expected to significantly enhance the operational readiness of Camp Buehring. Improved OSP infrastructure typically translates to more reliable, higher-bandwidth, and secure communication networks. This is crucial for command and control, intelligence sharing, logistical coordination, and the daily operations of military personnel stationed at the base. Enhanced connectivity can support modern military technologies, improve data transfer speeds, and ensure consistent communication links, all of which are vital for mission effectiveness and personnel safety.

How does the $19.3M contract value compare to the total spending on telecommunications services by the Department of Defense?

The $19.3 million awarded to Tribalco LLC represents a specific investment in infrastructure at Camp Buehring. To contextualize this against the Department of Defense's (DoD) total telecommunications spending, one would need to examine broader spending patterns. The DoD is one of the largest consumers of telecommunications services globally, with annual expenditures likely in the billions of dollars across various contracts for network services, equipment, and infrastructure. This $19.3 million contract, while substantial for a single project, is likely a small fraction of the DoD's overall telecommunications budget. Analyzing historical spending trends for similar OSP upgrades or base communication modernization efforts would provide better comparative context.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite) › Wired Telecommunications Carriers

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: W9115U09R0005

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4915 SAINT ELMO AVE STE 501, BETHESDA, MD, 20814

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Government, Native American Tribal Government, Manufacturer of Goods, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $19,342,325

Exercised Options: $19,342,325

Current Obligation: $19,342,325

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W9115U10D0002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline