DoD awards $13.8M contract to Signal Solutions for Wired Telecommunications Carriers
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $13,856,393 ($13.9M)
Contractor: Signal Solutions, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2007-09-28
End Date: 2009-09-15
Contract Duration: 718 days
Daily Burn Rate: $19.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: IT
Official Description: ACRN AA FUNDING FOR AMSEL-IE-2007072
Place of Performance
Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22030
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $13.9 million to SIGNAL SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: ACRN AA FUNDING FOR AMSEL-IE-2007072 Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Signal Solutions, LLC for $13.8M. 2. Full and open competition was utilized. 3. The contract falls under the Wired Telecommunications Carriers sector. 4. The contract duration is 718 days.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract is a Time and Materials type, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. The awarded amount of $13.8M for a 718-day period needs further analysis against similar contracts for wired telecommunications services to determine true value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the Time and Materials pricing structure may limit price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs than fixed-price contracts.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is generally beneficial for taxpayers by encouraging competitive pricing. However, the T&M structure warrants scrutiny to ensure efficient use of funds.
Public Impact
Wired telecommunications services are essential for military communications. The contract supports the Department of the Army's operational needs. Signal Solutions, LLC is the prime contractor for this award. The contract was awarded in 2007 and completed in 2009.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials pricing can lead to cost uncertainty.
- Contract duration is relatively long (718 days).
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Supports critical Department of the Army needs.
Sector Analysis
The Wired Telecommunications Carriers sector involves the provision of communication services via wired networks. Spending in this sector can vary significantly based on technological advancements and infrastructure needs. Benchmarks for similar contracts are crucial for assessing value.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors or partners in this contract. Further investigation would be needed to determine any small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would typically involve contract performance monitoring by the Department of the Army to ensure timely delivery and adherence to contract terms, especially given the Time and Materials nature of the award.
Related Government Programs
- Wired Telecommunications Carriers
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Time and Materials contract type.
- Long contract duration.
- Potential for cost overruns.
- Lack of specific performance data.
Tags
wired-telecommunications-carriers, department-of-defense, va, do, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $13.9 million to SIGNAL SOLUTIONS, LLC. ACRN AA FUNDING FOR AMSEL-IE-2007072
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SIGNAL SOLUTIONS, 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 $13.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-09-28. End: 2009-09-15.
What was the final cost compared to the initial estimated value, and how did it align with market rates for similar telecommunications services during the contract period?
Without the final expenditure data, it's difficult to definitively assess the final cost. However, Time and Materials contracts inherently carry a risk of exceeding initial estimates if not closely managed. Comparing the awarded amount ($13.8M) against industry benchmarks for similar wired telecommunications services procured under competitive full and open processes during 2007-2009 would provide insight into whether the government secured a fair market price.
What specific risks were associated with the Time and Materials pricing structure, and how were they mitigated by the Department of the Army?
The primary risk of Time and Materials (T&M) contracts is the potential for cost escalation due to undefined scope or inefficient labor. Mitigation strategies typically include establishing labor rate ceilings, requiring detailed cost reporting, implementing strong contract surveillance, and defining clear deliverables and milestones. The Department of the Army would have needed robust oversight to manage these risks effectively and ensure taxpayer funds were used judiciously.
How effectively did Signal Solutions, LLC deliver the required wired telecommunications services, and did the contract meet the Department of the Army's operational objectives?
Assessing the effectiveness requires reviewing performance metrics, user feedback, and any documented issues or successes during the contract's execution (2007-2009). While the contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a perceived capability, actual performance against the Army's operational needs is not detailed in the provided data. Post-contract reviews or performance reports would be necessary for a comprehensive evaluation.
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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: W9128Z05R0003
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp (UEI: 001381284)
Address: 3040 WILLIAMS DRIVE, FAIRFAX, VA, 11
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $13,856,393
Exercised Options: $13,856,393
Current Obligation: $13,856,393
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W9128Z06D0001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-09-28
Current End Date: 2009-09-15
Potential End Date: 2009-09-15 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2011-04-11
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