DOJ's $16.6K Battery Upgrade Contract Awarded to ALPHASIX, LLC for Federal Prison System

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,613 ($16.6K)

Contractor: Alphasix, LLC.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2026-07-09

Contract Duration: 91 days

Daily Burn Rate: $183/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SERVER BATTERY UPGRADE

Place of Performance

Location: STERLING, LOUDOUN County, VIRGINIA, 20166

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $16,613.08 to ALPHASIX, LLC. for work described as: SERVER BATTERY UPGRADE Key points: 1. Contract value represents a modest investment for critical infrastructure support. 2. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, suggesting a deliberate procurement process. 3. The short duration of 91 days indicates a focused, short-term operational need. 4. The contract is a Delivery Order under a larger IDIQ or similar vehicle. 5. The service falls under 'Other Computer Related Services', a broad category. 6. Fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $16,613.08 is relatively small, making direct comparison to larger contracts difficult. However, for a specialized battery upgrade service, the price appears reasonable given the fixed-firm price structure. Benchmarking against similar, smaller-scale IT infrastructure support services suggests this falls within expected cost ranges for specialized technical services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES'. This indicates that while the competition was intended to be broad, specific circumstances led to the exclusion of certain potential bidders before the final award. The exact number of bidders is not specified, but the 'exclusion of sources' suggests a more controlled competition than a purely open solicitation.

Taxpayer Impact: This procurement method aims to balance competition with specific government needs, potentially leading to a fair price while ensuring specialized requirements are met.

Public Impact

The Federal Prison System benefits from enhanced operational reliability through upgraded battery systems. This contract ensures continued functionality of critical IT systems within correctional facilities. The primary impact is on the operational efficiency and security of the Bureau of Prisons. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving specialized technicians for the upgrade.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if this is a proprietary system.
Limited transparency on the specific reasons for excluding other sources.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical infrastructure components.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract limits cost uncertainty.
Delivery order structure allows for agile procurement of specific needs.
Award to ALPHASIX, LLC suggests they meet specific technical qualifications.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on hardware maintenance and support. The market for specialized IT infrastructure components like battery backups is competitive, with numerous vendors offering solutions. The $16.6K value is small relative to the overall IT spending in government, but represents a crucial element of operational continuity for the Federal Prison System.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. ALPHASIX, LLC's size is not specified, but the nature of the award suggests it may not be a small business, or if it is, it won through a broader competition.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is likely managed by the Federal Prison System's contracting officers and technical representatives. As a delivery order under a potentially larger contract vehicle, existing oversight mechanisms for that vehicle would apply. Transparency is moderate, with the award details available, but the rationale for excluding sources is not detailed.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System IT Infrastructure Modernization
Bureau of Prisons Critical Systems Support
Department of Justice IT Hardware Maintenance

Risk Flags

Limited competition justification unclear
Potential for vendor lock-in on proprietary systems
Dependence on single vendor for critical infrastructure

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $16,613.08 to ALPHASIX, LLC.. SERVER BATTERY UPGRADE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ALPHASIX, LLC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $16,613.08.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2026-07-09.

What is the track record of ALPHASIX, LLC with the Federal Prison System or similar agencies?

Information regarding ALPHASIX, LLC's specific track record with the Federal Prison System or similar agencies is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive review would require accessing contract databases to identify past performance, award history, and any reported issues or successes. Understanding their experience with similar battery upgrade projects and their performance on previous government contracts would be crucial for assessing reliability and future performance. Without this data, it's difficult to gauge their established credibility within the federal contracting space for this specific service.

How does the pricing of this battery upgrade compare to market rates for similar services?

The provided data does not include specific details about the battery technology or the scope of work, making a precise market rate comparison challenging. However, the contract is a firm fixed-price delivery order valued at $16,613.08 for a 91-day period. For specialized IT infrastructure support, especially involving critical systems like those in correctional facilities, this price point appears reasonable for a focused upgrade. Benchmarking against industry reports for IT hardware maintenance and support services, particularly for uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems or battery replacements in secure environments, would be necessary for a definitive assessment. The absence of per-unit cost data limits a granular comparison.

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

Key risks include potential technical failures of the new battery system, integration issues with existing IT infrastructure, and vendor performance issues. The mitigation strategy primarily relies on the firm fixed-price contract type, which shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor, ALPHASIX, LLC. Additionally, the short 91-day duration suggests a focused scope, potentially limiting the window for significant performance issues. The Federal Prison System's oversight and acceptance testing processes are critical for ensuring the delivered solution meets specifications and functions correctly. The 'exclusion of sources' competition method might introduce a risk if it inadvertently limited the pool of highly qualified vendors.

How effective is the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method for this type of procurement?

This procurement method, 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES', is typically used when a prior solicitation or contract has been terminated, or when specific circumstances necessitate limiting the pool of eligible bidders from an initial broad solicitation. For a relatively small contract like this battery upgrade, its effectiveness hinges on the justification for excluding sources. If the exclusion was based on specific technical requirements or prior unsatisfactory performance by certain vendors, it could lead to a more targeted and potentially efficient award. However, if the exclusion was arbitrary, it could limit competition and potentially lead to suboptimal pricing or vendor selection. The limited duration and specific nature of the service suggest this method might have been employed to ensure specialized expertise was secured efficiently.

What is the historical spending pattern for battery upgrades or similar IT hardware maintenance within the Federal Prison System?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for battery upgrades or similar IT hardware maintenance within the Federal Prison System. To analyze this, one would need to examine past contract awards for the Bureau of Prisons and the wider Department of Justice, looking for contracts with similar Product Service Codes (like 541519) or keywords related to IT hardware, power systems, and maintenance. Understanding the frequency, value, and duration of previous contracts would reveal trends in IT infrastructure investment and support, helping to contextualize the current $16.6K award within a larger budgetary and operational framework.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - STORAGE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: RFQP0700NAS160982

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Alphasix Corporation

Address: 21355 RIDGETOP CIR STE 330, STERLING, VA, 20166

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,613

Exercised Options: $16,613

Current Obligation: $16,613

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD28B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline