Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs Awards $12.1M for Cellco Phones and Service
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $12,105 ($12.1K)
Contractor: Cellco Partnership
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2024-09-23
End Date: 2026-12-31
Contract Duration: 829 days
Daily Burn Rate: $15/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: CELLCO NEW PHONES AND SERVICE RENEWAL
Place of Performance
Location: BILLINGS, YELLOWSTONE County, MONTANA, 59103
State: Montana Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $12,105.35 to CELLCO PARTNERSHIP for work described as: CELLCO NEW PHONES AND SERVICE RENEWAL Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Cellco Partnership for wireless telecommunications services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration is 829 days, ending in December 2026. 4. The total value is $12.1 million, with a significant portion allocated to new phones.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $12.1 million for wireless services and devices over approximately 2.3 years appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for enterprise mobility solutions is 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 had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential communication services for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education. The competitive award aims to ensure value for money.
Public Impact
Ensures communication capabilities for critical operations within the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education. Supports connectivity for staff and potentially students in remote or underserved areas. The procurement of new phones suggests an upgrade or expansion of existing mobile device infrastructure.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific per-unit cost breakdown for phones vs. service.
- No mention of device management or security protocols.
- Potential for vendor lock-in if service plans are restrictive.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Clear contract duration and end date.
- Specific agency and sub-agency identified.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Wireless Telecommunications Carriers sector. Government spending in this area is substantial, supporting agency operations and connectivity across various locations. Benchmarks for similar enterprise mobility contracts can vary widely based on data plans, device types, and service level agreements.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Cellco Partnership, a major telecommunications provider. There is no indication that small businesses were involved as prime contractors or significant subcontractors in this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education. Standard government procurement oversight processes would apply, including contract administration and performance monitoring.
Related Government Programs
- Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite)
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of cost transparency between hardware and service.
- Potential for unstated security or data management requirements.
- No clear indication of small business participation.
- Need for detailed benchmarking against similar contracts.
Tags
wireless-telecommunications-carriers-exc, department-of-the-interior, mt, delivery-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $12,105.35 to CELLCO PARTNERSHIP. CELLCO NEW PHONES AND SERVICE RENEWAL
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CELLCO PARTNERSHIP.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $12,105.35.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-09-23. End: 2026-12-31.
What is the breakdown of costs between new phone acquisition and ongoing service plans?
The provided data does not specify the cost allocation between new phone purchases and recurring service plans. A detailed breakdown would be crucial for understanding the value proposition, especially concerning the significant portion allocated to new devices. Further analysis would require access to the contract's line-item details or a more granular cost breakdown from the agency.
Are there any specific security or data management requirements included in the service agreement?
The data does not explicitly mention specific security or data management requirements. Given the sensitive nature of government operations, it is expected that standard federal cybersecurity protocols and data handling policies would be incorporated into the contract terms, even if not detailed in this summary. Verification of these clauses within the full contract is recommended.
How does the per-device cost compare to commercial enterprise offerings?
Without a specific per-device cost or model identified, a direct comparison is difficult. However, government contracts often leverage bulk purchasing power. The 'fair' rating suggests the pricing is within an expected range, but a detailed analysis against commercial enterprise bulk deals for similar models and service plans would be needed for a conclusive assessment.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Wired and Wireless Telecommunications Carriers › Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite)
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - END USER
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: Verizon Maryland LLC
Address: 1 VERIZON WAY, BASKING RIDGE, NJ, 07920
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $23,563
Exercised Options: $23,563
Current Obligation: $12,105
Actual Outlays: $8,432
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 47QTCA20D00B5
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-09-23
Current End Date: 2026-12-31
Potential End Date: 2029-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-10
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