DoD's $45.7M contract for wireless comms equipment awarded to Thales Defense & Security Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $45,750,264 ($45.8M)
Contractor: Thales Defense & Security Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2009-12-14
End Date: 2010-09-30
Contract Duration: 290 days
Daily Burn Rate: $157.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: CISCHR SFF-SVAS
Place of Performance
Location: CLARKSBURG, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20871
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $45.8 million to THALES DEFENSE & SECURITY INC for work described as: CISCHR SFF-SVAS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single vendor, Thales Defense & Security Inc. 2. The contract falls under the 'Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing' NAICS code. 3. Awarded under Full and Open Competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The contract value is $45.7 million with a duration of 290 days.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $45.7 million for a 290-day period appears reasonable given the specialized nature of wireless communications equipment. Benchmarking against similar DoD contracts for comparable equipment would be necessary for a definitive assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition,' indicating that multiple vendors were eligible to bid. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds were utilized through a competitive process, aiming for value for money in acquiring essential wireless communications equipment for the Department of Defense.
Public Impact
Ensures the Department of Defense has necessary wireless communications equipment. Supports a company within the defense and security sector. The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited contract duration may impact long-term strategic planning.
- Specific equipment details and performance metrics are not provided.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Contract supports critical defense communications infrastructure.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Information Technology and Defense sectors, specifically related to wireless communications equipment manufacturing. Spending in this area is critical for national security and operational readiness, with benchmarks varying widely based on technology and scale.
Small Business Impact
No specific information is provided regarding small business participation in this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors or prime contractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Defense is responsible for overseeing this contract to ensure timely delivery and adherence to specifications. Accountability is maintained through contract clauses and performance monitoring.
Related Government Programs
- Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Navy Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of specific equipment details.
- Limited contract duration.
- No explicit mention of small business subcontracting.
- Absence of detailed evaluation criteria.
Tags
radio-and-television-broadcasting-and-wi, department-of-defense, md, do, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $45.8 million to THALES DEFENSE & SECURITY INC. CISCHR SFF-SVAS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THALES DEFENSE & SECURITY INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $45.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2009-12-14. End: 2010-09-30.
What was the specific type of wireless communications equipment procured and its intended use?
The data indicates the contract is for 'Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing' (NAICS 334220). While the specific equipment is not detailed, it is intended for use by the Department of the Navy. This could range from tactical communication systems to broadcasting equipment for naval operations, underscoring its importance for command and control or information dissemination.
What were the key evaluation criteria used in the full and open competition?
The provided data does not specify the evaluation criteria used for this 'Full and Open Competition.' Typically, such criteria for defense contracts include factors like technical capability, past performance, price, and small business participation. Understanding these criteria would offer insight into how Thales Defense & Security Inc. was selected over potential competitors.
How does the per-unit cost of this equipment compare to similar commercial or military-grade systems?
A per-unit cost benchmark is not available in the provided data. To assess this, one would need to identify the specific equipment procured and compare its unit price against market rates for comparable commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) or other military-specification wireless communication systems. This comparison is crucial for determining cost-effectiveness.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Communications Equipment Manufacturing › Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: COMM/DETECT/COHERENT RADIATION
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: N6600107R0054
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Thales (UEI: 275250553)
Address: 22605 GATEWAY CENTER DR, CLARKSBURG, MD, 06
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $45,750,264
Exercised Options: $45,750,264
Current Obligation: $45,750,264
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: N6600107D0107
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2009-12-14
Current End Date: 2010-09-30
Potential End Date: 2010-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2010-06-02
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