Forest Service awards $12.6M for P25 portable subscriber units, with 3 bidders competing

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,588,538 ($12.6M)

Contractor: Relm Communications, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2025-07-10

End Date: 2026-02-27

Contract Duration: 232 days

Daily Burn Rate: $54.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: (7583) VHF P25 PORTABLE SUBSCRIBER UNITS

Place of Performance

Location: MELBOURNE, BREVARD County, FLORIDA, 32904

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $12.6 million to RELM COMMUNICATIONS, INC. for work described as: (7583) VHF P25 PORTABLE SUBSCRIBER UNITS Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the competitive nature of the award. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a healthy market. 3. No immediate risk indicators are apparent from the provided data. 4. Performance context is tied to the delivery of essential communication equipment. 5. This contract falls within the broader telecommunications equipment manufacturing sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $12.6 million for portable subscriber units seems within a reasonable range, especially considering it was awarded through full and open competition. Benchmarking against similar contracts for P25 radios would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. Without specific unit counts or detailed specifications, a direct per-unit cost comparison is challenging, but the competitive process likely drove a fair market price.

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 presence of 3 bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific requirement. While more bidders would typically lead to greater price discovery, the open competition framework ensures that the government is not unduly limited in its sourcing options and can access a wider range of potential suppliers.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the assurance that the government sought the best possible price and quality through an open bidding process, rather than being restricted to a limited pool of contractors.

Public Impact

Wildland firefighters and other Forest Service personnel will benefit from reliable communication capabilities. The contract delivers essential VHF P25 portable subscriber units, crucial for operational coordination. The geographic impact is primarily within Florida, where the units will likely be deployed or managed. This contract supports jobs in the wireless communications equipment manufacturing sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Firm fixed-price contract type limits cost uncertainty.
Contract duration is reasonable for the equipment type.

Sector Analysis

This contract operates within the Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing sector. This industry is characterized by rapid technological advancements and a need for reliable, interoperable communication systems, particularly for public safety and government agencies. The market for P25 (Project 25) compliant radios is a specialized segment focused on ensuring secure and efficient voice and data communications for first responders. Spending in this area is driven by the need to maintain and upgrade critical communication infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract. However, the prime contractor, RELM COMMUNICATIONS, INC., may engage small businesses as subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation and its impact on the broader small business ecosystem within the wireless communications sector.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is subject to standard federal procurement oversight. The firm fixed-price nature of the award provides a degree of cost control. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of contract awards. The specific oversight mechanisms and accountability measures would be detailed in the contract itself and are subject to review by relevant government agencies and potentially the Inspector General's office if any performance or financial irregularities arise.

Related Government Programs

Public Safety Radio Systems
Wireless Communication Equipment
Emergency Response Technology
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Regulations

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $12.6 million to RELM COMMUNICATIONS, INC.. (7583) VHF P25 PORTABLE SUBSCRIBER UNITS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RELM COMMUNICATIONS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $12.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-07-10. End: 2026-02-27.

What is the track record of RELM COMMUNICATIONS, INC. in fulfilling federal contracts, particularly for similar communication equipment?

RELM COMMUNICATIONS, INC. has a history of providing communication equipment to government entities. A detailed review of their past performance on federal contracts, including delivery timeliness, product quality, and adherence to specifications, would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment. Analyzing past contract awards and performance evaluations would reveal their reliability and experience in meeting the demanding requirements of federal agencies like the Forest Service. Their specific experience with P25 compliant subscriber units is a key factor in evaluating their suitability for this award.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar VHF P25 portable subscriber units?

A precise comparison of the awarded price to market rates requires detailed specifications of the units and current market pricing. However, the fact that this contract was awarded under full and open competition with 3 bidders suggests that the price achieved is likely competitive. To conduct a thorough benchmark, one would need to identify comparable units from other manufacturers, consider factors like features, durability, and warranty, and then compare the per-unit cost. Government databases and industry reports on public safety radio procurement could provide additional data points for this analysis.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Potential risks include technical obsolescence of the equipment, delivery delays, or performance issues. Mitigation strategies are embedded in the contract structure. The firm fixed-price (FFP) nature of the award shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor. The defined delivery schedule and performance specifications provide clear expectations. The Forest Service's oversight and acceptance testing processes serve as further risk mitigation. The contractor's track record and the competitive bidding process also help reduce the risk of selecting an underperforming supplier.

How effective are P25 portable subscriber units in enhancing Forest Service operational effectiveness?

P25 (Project 25) portable subscriber units are designed to provide reliable, secure, and interoperable digital radio communications for public safety agencies, including the Forest Service. Their effectiveness lies in enabling clear communication across wider areas, supporting encryption for secure transmissions, and allowing for interoperability between different agencies' radio systems during emergencies. For the Forest Service, this translates to improved coordination during wildfire suppression, search and rescue operations, and other land management activities, ultimately enhancing safety and operational efficiency.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar communication equipment by the Forest Service or Department of Agriculture?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for similar communication equipment by the Forest Service and the broader Department of Agriculture is crucial for context. This would involve examining past contracts for radios, subscriber units, and related communication infrastructure over several fiscal years. Such an analysis would reveal trends in procurement volume, average contract values, and the types of equipment favored. Understanding these patterns helps in assessing whether the current award is consistent with historical investment levels or represents a significant shift in spending priorities or technological adoption.

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: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Relm Communications Inc.

Address: 7100 TECHNOLOGY DR, MELBOURNE, FL, 32904

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,588,538

Exercised Options: $12,588,538

Current Obligation: $12,588,538

Actual Outlays: $9,562,176

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCA19D00DK

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline