DoD awards $166.9M for deployable KU Earth terminal hardware and services to Datapath, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $166,917,834 ($166.9M)
Contractor: Datapath, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2011-08-26
End Date: 2014-03-31
Contract Duration: 948 days
Daily Burn Rate: $176.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: DELIVERY ORDER CONTRACT FOR DEPLOYABLE KU EARTH TERMINAL HARDWARE AND SERVICES.
Place of Performance
Location: DULUTH, GWINNETT County, GEORGIA, 30096
State: Georgia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $166.9 million to DATAPATH, INC. for work described as: DELIVERY ORDER CONTRACT FOR DEPLOYABLE KU EARTH TERMINAL HARDWARE AND SERVICES. Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting market availability. 2. Firm Fixed Price contract type aims to control costs. 3. The contract duration is 948 days, indicating a medium-term need. 4. The award is for hardware and services, covering a broad scope.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The total award amount is $166.9 million. Without specific unit breakdowns or comparable contract data, a precise per-unit cost assessment is difficult. However, the scale suggests significant investment in communication infrastructure.
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 likely considered. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value offering.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is intended to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment that drives down prices.
Public Impact
Ensures critical communication capabilities for the Department of Defense. Supports advanced satellite communication technology for military operations. Potential impact on the wireless communications equipment manufacturing sector.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of detailed cost breakdown makes value assessment challenging.
- Specific performance metrics and service level agreements are not detailed.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Firm Fixed Price contract type.
- Addresses a critical defense need for communication hardware and services.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing sector. Spending in this sector is crucial for maintaining modern communication infrastructure, especially for defense applications, and benchmarks vary widely based on technology and scale.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific set-asides for small businesses. The primary contractor, Datapath, Inc., is not explicitly identified as a small business in this context, suggesting the award may not have directly benefited small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency, which is responsible for ensuring contractor performance and compliance. Oversight would focus on delivery schedules, quality of hardware and services, and adherence to the firm fixed price.
Related Government Programs
- Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Contract Management Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns if scope creeps beyond hardware and services.
- Dependence on a single vendor for critical communication infrastructure.
- Risk of technological obsolescence if hardware is not easily upgradeable.
- Vulnerability to supply chain disruptions for specialized components.
Tags
radio-and-television-broadcasting-and-wi, department-of-defense, ga, delivery-order, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $166.9 million to DATAPATH, INC.. DELIVERY ORDER CONTRACT FOR DEPLOYABLE KU EARTH TERMINAL HARDWARE AND SERVICES.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is DATAPATH, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $166.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2011-08-26. End: 2014-03-31.
What is the breakdown of costs between hardware and services, and how does this compare to industry standards for similar deployable Earth terminal solutions?
The provided data does not specify the cost allocation between hardware and services. A detailed breakdown is essential for a thorough value assessment. Comparing this to industry standards would require access to specific pricing models for comparable deployable KU Earth terminals, considering factors like terminal specifications, data rates, and service level agreements.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for the hardware and services, and what are the potential risks if these are not met?
Key performance indicators are not detailed in the provided data. Potential risks if KPIs are not met could include degraded communication capabilities, mission delays, or increased operational costs for the Department of Defense. Robust performance metrics and contingency plans are crucial for mitigating these risks.
How does the pricing of this contract compare to other similar government or commercial contracts for deployable KU Earth terminals?
Without specific unit pricing or detailed contract comparisons, it's challenging to benchmark this contract's pricing effectively. The total award of $166.9 million over 948 days suggests a significant investment. A comprehensive comparison would require analyzing pricing structures, technical specifications, and service scopes of comparable contracts.
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
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Datapath Inc. (UEI: 079492041)
Address: 2205 NORTHMONT PKWY, DULUTH, GA, 30096
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $318,268,993
Exercised Options: $166,917,834
Current Obligation: $166,917,834
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W15P7T06DL215
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2011-08-26
Current End Date: 2014-03-31
Potential End Date: 2014-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2016-06-06
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