Interior Dept. Awards $70.6M Wired Telecom Contract to AOC Connect, LLC for 1 Year

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $70,580 ($70.6K)

Contractor: AOC Connect, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-03-15

End Date: 2027-03-14

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $194/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: EFFECTIVE 3/15/2026, CONTRACT NUMBER GS00Q17NSD3003/140D0426F0253 WAS ASSIGNED TO THE INTERIOR BUSINESS CENTER (IBC), ACQUISITION SERVICES DIRECTORATE (AQD) FOR ADMINISTRATION. THE ORIGINAL PIID FOR THIS AWARD IS: GS00Q17NSD3003/140D0426F8108.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20004

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $70,579.82 to AOC CONNECT, LLC for work described as: EFFECTIVE 3/15/2026, CONTRACT NUMBER GS00Q17NSD3003/140D0426F0253 WAS ASSIGNED TO THE INTERIOR BUSINESS CENTER (IBC), ACQUISITION SERVICES DIRECTORATE (AQD) FOR ADMINISTRATION. THE ORIGINAL PIID FOR THIS AWARD IS: GS00Q17NSD3003/140D0426F8108. Key points: 1. Contract value of $70.6M for a 364-day period. 2. Awarded under full and open competition. 3. Potential risk associated with a single delivery order for a significant amount. 4. Telecommunications sector spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $70.6M for a 364-day period suggests a substantial but potentially fair price for wired telecommunications services. Benchmarking against similar large-scale telecom contracts would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust price discovery process. This method generally leads to competitive pricing as multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used efficiently due to the competitive bidding process, aiming to secure the best value for wired telecommunications services.

Public Impact

Ensures continued connectivity for Department of the Interior operations. Supports essential government functions through reliable telecommunications. Impacts the telecommunications market by awarding a significant contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Single delivery order for the full contract value.
Short contract duration (364 days) may necessitate future re-competes.
No small business participation noted.

Positive Signals

Awarded via full and open competition.
Clear contract period and administration.
Firm fixed price contract type.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT and telecommunications sector, specifically for wired telecommunications carriers. Spending in this area is critical for government operations, and benchmarks vary widely based on service scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false, sb: false). There is no indication of small business subcontracting goals or participation in this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is administered by the Interior Business Center (IBC), Acquisition Services Directorate (AQD), suggesting established oversight mechanisms. The use of a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle implies adherence to procurement regulations.

Related Government Programs

Wired Telecommunications Carriers
Department of the Interior Contracting
Departmental Offices Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of detail on specific services provided.
Potential for vendor lock-in if services are highly specialized.
No small business participation.
Short contract duration may lead to frequent re-procurement costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $70,579.82 to AOC CONNECT, LLC. EFFECTIVE 3/15/2026, CONTRACT NUMBER GS00Q17NSD3003/140D0426F0253 WAS ASSIGNED TO THE INTERIOR BUSINESS CENTER (IBC), ACQUISITION SERVICES DIRECTORATE (AQD) FOR ADMINISTRATION. THE ORIGINAL PIID FOR THIS AWARD IS: GS00Q17NSD3003/140D0426F8108.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AOC CONNECT, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $70,579.82.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-15. End: 2027-03-14.

What is the specific scope of services covered by this $70.6M contract?

The provided data identifies the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code as 517110 for Wired Telecommunications Carriers. However, the specific services, such as bandwidth, circuit types, locations, and service level agreements, are not detailed. A comprehensive understanding of the scope is crucial for evaluating the contract's value and necessity.

What is the rationale for a single delivery order covering the entire contract value?

The data indicates this is a delivery order (aw: DELIVERY ORDER) with a duration of 364 days and a value of $70,579.82. It's unclear if this is the only delivery order under a larger contract vehicle or if it represents the entirety of the awarded funds. If it's the sole order, the rationale for its size and duration needs further examination to ensure it aligns with agency needs and competitive principles.

How does the $70.6M award compare to historical spending for similar wired telecommunications services within the Department of the Interior?

Without historical spending data for comparable wired telecommunications services within the Department of the Interior, it is difficult to definitively assess if $70.6M represents an effective or excessive expenditure. Benchmarking against previous contracts for similar scope, duration, and service levels would be necessary to determine if this award is competitive and provides good value.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - NETWORK

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: RFQ1496613

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 19955 HIGHLAND VISTA DR STE 175, ASHBURN, VA, 20147

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $143,277

Exercised Options: $70,580

Current Obligation: $70,580

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q17NSD3003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline