USDA awards $1.98M telecommunications services contract to Manhattan Telecommunications Corporation LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,976,024 ($2.0M)

Contractor: Manhattan Telecommunications Corporation LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2027-04-02

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: USDA TELECOM (TELECOMMUNICATIONS MANAGED SERVICES TMS)

Place of Performance

Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK County, NEW YORK, 10041

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $2.0 million to MANHATTAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION LLC for work described as: USDA TELECOM (TELECOMMUNICATIONS MANAGED SERVICES TMS) Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is a firm-fixed-price type, providing cost certainty for the agency. 3. Duration of 364 days indicates a short-term or specific project-based need. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 517110 points to services within the wired telecommunications carriers sector. 5. Awarded by the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, highlighting a focus on essential operational support. 6. The contract is a BPA Call, indicating it's an order against a previously established Blanket Purchase Agreement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $1.98 million for a one-year telecommunications managed services agreement appears within a reasonable range for federal contracts of this nature. However, without specific details on the scope of services (e.g., bandwidth, number of lines, equipment provided), a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar BPA calls or managed services contracts for agencies of similar size and needs would provide a clearer picture of whether the pricing is competitive.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this method generally fosters price discovery and encourages competitive pricing. The agency's choice of full and open competition suggests a desire to leverage the broadest possible market to secure the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the potential for lower prices and better service quality due to the competitive nature of the procurement process.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Department of Agriculture, which will receive essential telecommunications managed services. These services are crucial for the operational continuity and communication needs of the agency. The contract is geographically focused on New York, as indicated by the awardee's location and state code. The contract supports the telecommunications infrastructure sector, indirectly benefiting the workforce within that industry.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics or service level agreements (SLAs) in the provided data makes it difficult to assess performance risks.
The short duration of the contract (364 days) may necessitate a follow-on procurement, potentially leading to transition costs or service interruptions if not managed proactively.
Limited information on the specific services included in 'telecommunications managed services' could obscure potential cost overruns or under-delivery of critical functions.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust and fair procurement process.
The firm-fixed-price contract type provides budget certainty for the agency, mitigating cost escalation risks.
The contractor, Manhattan Telecommunications Corporation LLC, is established in the telecommunications sector, implying relevant expertise.

Sector Analysis

The telecommunications services sector is a critical component of modern infrastructure, supporting a vast array of government and commercial operations. This contract falls under the wired telecommunications carriers industry, which includes providers of voice and data services over fixed networks. Federal spending in this area is substantial, encompassing everything from basic phone lines to complex managed network solutions. This specific award represents a small portion of the overall federal IT and telecommunications spending, likely supporting the day-to-day operational needs of the USDA.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses arising from a small business set-aside. The primary contractor is Manhattan Telecommunications Corporation LLC, which may or may not be a small business itself, but the award was not made under a small business program. The impact on the broader small business ecosystem is minimal in this specific award context.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of Agriculture's Office of the Chief Financial Officer, which awarded the contract. As a BPA Call, oversight may also be influenced by the terms of the underlying Blanket Purchase Agreement. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Specific accountability measures would be detailed in the contract's statement of work and terms and conditions, including any performance standards or remedies for non-performance. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

USDA IT Services Contracts
Federal Telecommunications Services
Managed Network Services Contracts
BPA Calls for IT and Telecom

Risk Flags

Potential for service gaps due to short contract duration.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in provided data.
Limited scope definition for 'Managed Services'.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $2.0 million to MANHATTAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION LLC. USDA TELECOM (TELECOMMUNICATIONS MANAGED SERVICES TMS)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MANHATTAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Office of the Chief Financial Officer).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2027-04-02.

What specific telecommunications services are included under this "Managed Services" contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific services encompassed by "Telecommunications Managed Services (TMS)". Typically, such services can include network design, implementation, maintenance, monitoring, and management of voice and data networks. This could range from basic circuit provisioning and management to advanced unified communications, cybersecurity for networks, and cloud-based telecommunication solutions. For a comprehensive understanding, one would need to review the Statement of Work (SOW) or the details of the underlying Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) that this call order is placed against. Without this, it's difficult to assess the full scope and value proposition.

How does the $1.98 million contract value compare to similar USDA telecommunications contracts?

Comparing the $1.98 million contract value requires access to historical spending data for similar telecommunications managed services contracts within the USDA or across comparable federal agencies. The provided data indicates this is a 364-day contract, suggesting an annual spend of approximately $1.98 million. Without knowing the exact services, user base, or geographic scope, direct comparison is difficult. However, for a single agency office's managed telecom needs over a year, this amount is not unusually high, but it's also not insignificant. Benchmarking against contracts with similar NAICS codes (517110) and contract types (BPA Call, Firm Fixed Price) would be necessary for a more precise assessment of value.

What is the track record of Manhattan Telecommunications Corporation LLC with federal contracts?

Manhattan Telecommunications Corporation LLC has a history of federal contract awards. While the provided data does not include specific past performance details for this contractor, a review of federal procurement databases (like FPDS) would reveal their award history, including agencies served, contract values, and types of services provided. Examining this history can offer insights into their experience, reliability, and potential risks associated with awarding them this new contract. It's important to check for any past performance issues, contract terminations, or significant disputes that might be relevant.

What are the potential risks associated with a 364-day contract duration?

A 364-day contract duration, while common for annual requirements, presents a few potential risks. Primarily, it necessitates a recurring procurement process, which can be resource-intensive for the agency and may lead to a gap in services if a follow-on contract is not awarded in a timely manner. There's also the risk of vendor lock-in or complacency if the contractor knows they are likely to receive follow-on work regardless of performance. Furthermore, for complex services, a one-year term might not be sufficient to fully realize the benefits or for the contractor to gain deep institutional knowledge, potentially impacting long-term efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

How does the 'full and open competition' impact price discovery for this contract?

Full and open competition is designed to maximize price discovery by allowing any responsible vendor to submit a bid. This broad participation typically drives down prices as vendors compete to offer the most attractive terms and pricing to win the contract. The agency benefits from a wider range of solutions and potentially lower costs than if the contract were sole-source or competed among a limited number of vendors. The effectiveness of this price discovery depends on the number of bids received and the clarity of the solicitation requirements. A well-defined solicitation encourages meaningful competition.

What is the significance of this contract being a 'BPA Call'?

A 'BPA Call' signifies that this contract is an order placed against an existing Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). BPAs are established mechanisms used by government agencies to streamline the procurement of recurring goods or services from specific vendors. By using a BPA call, the USDA is leveraging a pre-negotiated agreement, which typically means faster ordering, potentially better pricing due to bulk commitments under the parent BPA, and reduced administrative burden compared to a new, standalone contract. The terms and conditions of the underlying BPA govern this call order.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 55 WATER ST FL 32, NEW YORK, NY, 10041

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,976,024

Exercised Options: $1,976,024

Current Obligation: $1,976,024

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12314425A0013

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline