Interior's Bureau of Reclamation awards $204K for cellular service at PSFR Monitoring Site
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $20,400 ($20.4K)
Contractor: Cellco Partnership
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2024-04-09
End Date: 2026-04-08
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $28/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: CELLULAR SERVICE FOR PSFR MONITORING SITE
Place of Performance
Location: BASKING RIDGE, SOMERSET County, NEW JERSEY, 07920
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $20,400 to CELLCO PARTNERSHIP for work described as: CELLULAR SERVICE FOR PSFR MONITORING SITE Key points: 1. Spending is modest at $204,000 over two years. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting potential for good pricing. 3. Risk appears low given the service type and contract duration. 4. The sector is Wireless Telecommunications Carriers.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $204,000 for two years of cellular service appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for wireless telecommunications services would provide a more definitive assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically allows for competitive pricing and a wider range of service providers. This method is expected to yield fair market value.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used efficiently through a competitive bidding process for essential monitoring services.
Public Impact
Ensures continuous operation of the PSFR Monitoring Site. Supports critical data collection for environmental or infrastructure monitoring. Provides reliable communication infrastructure for remote operations.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition utilized.
- Modest contract value.
- Clear service requirement.
Sector Analysis
The wireless telecommunications sector is highly competitive, with numerous providers offering various service plans. Government agencies often leverage bulk purchasing power and competitive solicitations to secure favorable rates.
Small Business Impact
While the contract was awarded under full and open competition, there is no specific indication that small businesses were targeted or participated. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract appears to be a standard delivery order under a larger contract vehicle. Oversight would focus on service delivery, performance, and adherence to contract terms by the Bureau of Reclamation.
Related Government Programs
- Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite)
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- Bureau of Reclamation Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for service disruption if the provider experiences network issues.
- Limited visibility into small business participation.
- Dependence on a single provider for critical monitoring data transmission.
Tags
wireless-telecommunications-carriers-exc, department-of-the-interior, nj, delivery-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $20,400 to CELLCO PARTNERSHIP. CELLULAR SERVICE FOR PSFR MONITORING SITE
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 Reclamation).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $20,400.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-04-09. End: 2026-04-08.
What specific monitoring functions does the cellular service support?
The cellular service likely supports the transmission of data from sensors and monitoring equipment at the PSFR Monitoring Site to a central data collection hub. This could include environmental readings, structural integrity data, or operational status updates, ensuring real-time situational awareness and enabling timely responses to any detected anomalies or critical events.
Are there any potential risks associated with relying on a single cellular provider for this monitoring site?
Potential risks include service disruptions due to network outages, weather events, or provider-specific issues. If the site is in a remote area with limited cellular coverage, reliance on a single provider could exacerbate these risks. Redundancy options or alternative communication methods might be considered to mitigate these vulnerabilities.
How does the firm fixed price contract structure ensure cost-effectiveness for this service?
A firm fixed price contract establishes a set price for the services, shifting the risk of cost overruns to the contractor. This structure provides budget certainty for the government and incentivizes the contractor to manage costs efficiently to maintain profitability. For a service like cellular, where usage is generally predictable, this is an effective pricing model.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Wired and Wireless Telecommunications Carriers › Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite)
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - NETWORK
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: 40656688
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: $34,000
Exercised Options: $20,400
Current Obligation: $20,400
Actual Outlays: $5,641
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 47QTCA20D00B5
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-04-09
Current End Date: 2026-04-08
Potential End Date: 2029-04-08 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-01
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