Interior's Bureau of Land Management awards $252K for Zayo Internet Service, ending April 2026
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $25,200 ($25.2K)
Contractor: Zayo Group LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2026-04-12
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 171 days
Daily Burn Rate: $147/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: ZAYO INTERNET SERVICE, OR950
Place of Performance
Location: DENVER, DENVER County, COLORADO, 80202
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $25,200 to ZAYO GROUP LLC for work described as: ZAYO INTERNET SERVICE, OR950 Key points: 1. Spending on wired telecommunications carriers is a common government expense. 2. Zayo Group LLC is a significant player in the telecommunications infrastructure market. 3. The contract's limited competition raises potential value concerns. 4. The sector is characterized by high infrastructure costs and ongoing technological advancements.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The award amount of $252,000 for approximately 171 days of service appears high. Without a clear benchmark or competitive pricing, it's difficult to assess value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a potential lack of broad market solicitation. This limited competition may have resulted in a less favorable price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential communication services, but the lack of competition could lead to overpayment.
Public Impact
Ensures connectivity for Bureau of Land Management operations in Colorado. Supports critical data transmission for land management activities. Potential for higher costs due to non-competitive award.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition
- Potentially high per-unit cost
- Short contract duration may indicate interim solution
Positive Signals
- Essential service provision
- Clear end date
- Firm fixed price contract
Sector Analysis
The telecommunications sector, particularly wired services, requires significant infrastructure investment. Government spending in this area is crucial for operational continuity, but competitive bidding is vital to ensure cost-effectiveness.
Small Business Impact
The awardee, Zayo Group LLC, is a large telecommunications provider, not a small business. There is no indication that small businesses were considered or subcontracted for this service.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded via a purchase order, which typically involves less stringent oversight than larger contract vehicles. Further review of the justification for limited competition is warranted.
Related Government Programs
- Wired Telecommunications Carriers
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- Bureau of Land Management Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpayment
- Limited transparency in award process
- No small business participation noted
Tags
wired-telecommunications-carriers, department-of-the-interior, co, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $25,200 to ZAYO GROUP LLC. ZAYO INTERNET SERVICE, OR950
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ZAYO GROUP LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Land Management).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $25,200.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-12. End: 2026-09-30.
What was the justification for not competing this contract more broadly?
The data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP'. This suggests it may have been awarded under specific exceptions or sole-source justifications. Understanding the rationale behind this decision is crucial for assessing whether the government received fair value and explored all viable options.
What is the benchmark pricing for similar internet services in the Colorado region?
Benchmarking is essential to determine if the $252,000 award for approximately 171 days of service is reasonable. Without comparable contract data or market research, it's difficult to ascertain if the Bureau of Land Management secured a competitive price for Zayo's wired telecommunications services.
How does this contract support the Bureau of Land Management's mission effectiveness?
Reliable internet service is fundamental for modern land management, enabling data collection, communication, and operational coordination. This contract ensures the BLM has the necessary connectivity in Colorado, but the method of procurement raises questions about the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of achieving this mission support.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite) › Wired Telecommunications Carriers
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - NETWORK
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1401 WYNKOOP ST STE 500, DENVER, CO, 80202
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $25,200
Exercised Options: $25,200
Current Obligation: $25,200
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-12
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2026-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-12
More Contracts from Zayo Group LLC
- Wide Area Network Services — $17.2M (Department of Health and Human Services)
- Dark Fiber Circuits — $7.1M (Department of Health and Human Services)
- Zayo (ambis #2275614) - Niaid/Ocicb/Oeb 12-Month Fiber Optic Lease/Maintenance for the Office of Cyber Infrastructure and Computational Biology. Quote: Zayo BAN 12506 and 11613 Renewal and Reinstatement. POP: 4/10/2026 - 4/9/2027 — $507.5K (Department of Health and Human Services)
- Incremental Funds for Dark Fiber Connections — $416.0K (Smithsonian Institution)
- Dcsc-24-Sas-152 Dark Fiber & Internet Services. POP 2/14/2026 - 2/13/2027. Third Year of a Five Year Base Period. TCV $243,336.00. Initial Funding of Contract for $50,000.00 — $106.0K (District of Columbia Courts)
Other Department of the Interior Contracts
- Department of Health and Human Services, Administration of Children and Families, Office of Refugee Resettlement's Legal Services for Unaccompanied Children — $832.4M (Acacia Center for Justice)
- Military Family Life Counseling Program Igf::ot::igf — $638.8M (MHN Government Services LLC)
- Military Family Life Counseling Program — $637.0M (Magellan Healthcare Inc)
- Grants Program Solutions and Information Technology Support Services — $446.3M (Guidehouse Digital LLC)
- THE Purpose of This Requirement for Grants Program Solutions and IT Support Services IS to Provide Efficient and Effective Grant, Financial, and Contract Management Services, IT Solutions, and Support to the Grantsolutions and ITS Partners — $403.1M (Guidehouse Inc.)