DOJ awards $47.9K for UPS system, highlighting need for reliable IT infrastructure in federal prisons

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $47,895 ($47.9K)

Contractor: Alphasix, LLC.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-10

End Date: 2026-05-08

Contract Duration: 28 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.7K/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: UPS SYSTEM FOR COMPUTER BACKUP

Place of Performance

Location: STERLING, LOUDOUN County, VIRGINIA, 20166

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $47,895.27 to ALPHASIX, LLC. for work described as: UPS SYSTEM FOR COMPUTER BACKUP Key points: 1. Contract value is modest, suggesting a focused need for a specific IT component. 2. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, indicating a deliberate procurement process. 3. Short duration (28 days) points to an urgent or immediate requirement. 4. The service category (Other Computer Related Services) is broad, but the specific item (UPS) narrows the scope. 5. Contract awarded to ALPHASIX, LLC, a single vendor for this specific order. 6. Firm Fixed Price contract type helps manage cost certainty for this acquisition.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $47,895.27 for a UPS system appears reasonable for a federal agency's IT needs. Without specific details on the UPS capacity or features, direct benchmarking is difficult. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost control. Compared to larger IT infrastructure projects, this is a small expenditure, likely addressing a localized or specific equipment need.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This implies that while the competition was intended to be broad, certain sources were excluded for specific reasons, possibly related to technical requirements or prior performance. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' designation suggests an effort to solicit from a wide range of qualified vendors.

Taxpayer Impact: This procurement method aims to ensure fair pricing and access to the best value for taxpayers by allowing broad participation, even with some exclusions.

Public Impact

Federal Prison System personnel and operations benefit from reliable power backup for critical computer systems. Ensures continuity of essential IT services within Bureau of Prisons facilities. Geographic impact is localized to the facility or facilities where the UPS system is deployed. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily involving the installation and maintenance of the UPS unit.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if this specific UPS model requires proprietary maintenance or consumables.
Risk of inadequate technical specifications leading to a UPS that doesn't fully meet operational needs.
Dependence on a single vendor (ALPHASIX, LLC) for this specific delivery order.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides budget certainty.
Short performance period suggests a focused and potentially urgent need being met efficiently.
Use of a standard procurement category (Other Computer Related Services) indicates adherence to established acquisition processes.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector for government procurement is vast, encompassing hardware, software, and related services. This contract falls under the 'Other Computer Related Services' NAICS code (541519), which is a broad category. Federal spending in IT services is substantial, with agencies constantly seeking to upgrade and maintain their technological infrastructure to ensure operational efficiency and security. This specific contract for a UPS system is a small but critical component of maintaining IT resilience.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). ALPHASIX, LLC's size status is not provided, but the contract value is relatively small, which could be accessible to small businesses. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements, suggesting that the primary contractor is expected to fulfill the order directly.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General, particularly concerning the proper use of funds and adherence to contract terms. The Bureau of Prisons likely has internal quality assurance processes to verify the delivery and functionality of the UPS system. Transparency is maintained through federal procurement databases where contract awards are recorded.

Related Government Programs

Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA) related spending
IT Infrastructure Modernization Programs
Corrections Technology and Systems
Emergency Preparedness and Business Continuity IT

Risk Flags

Potential for inadequate technical specifications.
Risk of insufficient vendor capacity for short-notice delivery/installation.
Limited visibility into specific vendor qualifications for this task.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $47,895.27 to ALPHASIX, LLC.. UPS SYSTEM FOR COMPUTER BACKUP

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 $47,895.27.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2026-05-08.

What is the specific model and capacity of the UPS system procured, and how does it align with the power requirements of the intended IT equipment?

The provided data does not specify the exact model or capacity of the UPS system. However, the NAICS code 541519 (Other Computer Related Services) and the contract description 'UPS SYSTEM FOR COMPUTER BACKUP' indicate its purpose. To assess alignment, one would need to review the detailed technical specifications within the contract solicitation (if publicly available) and compare them against the power load and runtime requirements of the specific computer systems it is intended to protect within the Federal Prison System. Without this granular detail, it's presumed the contracting officers validated the specifications meet the agency's needs.

How does the price of this UPS system compare to similar systems purchased by other federal agencies or the private sector?

Benchmarking the price of $47,895.27 for this UPS system requires more specific technical details (e.g., kVA rating, battery runtime, features). However, given the contract is a Delivery Order under a larger IDIQ or similar vehicle, the pricing might be pre-negotiated. Generally, federal procurement aims for competitive pricing. If this were a standalone purchase, comparing unit costs against GSA Schedule offerings or commercial price lists for comparable UPS units would be necessary. The relatively short duration and specific nature suggest it might be a specialized or high-capacity unit, potentially influencing its price point compared to standard commercial off-the-shelf models.

What is ALPHASIX, LLC's track record with federal contracts, particularly for IT hardware and backup power solutions?

Information on ALPHASIX, LLC's specific track record for this contract is limited in the provided data. A deeper analysis would involve querying federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) to review their past performance on similar contracts. Key areas to examine would include contract values, types of services/products delivered, past performance ratings, and any history of contract modifications, disputes, or terminations. Understanding their experience with UPS systems and federal IT infrastructure specifically would provide insight into their capability to fulfill this order successfully.

What are the potential risks associated with a short-duration contract (28 days) for a critical IT component like a UPS?

A short-duration contract for a UPS system, while potentially indicating efficiency, also carries risks. The primary risk is insufficient time for thorough testing, integration, and user acceptance, especially if the UPS requires complex configuration or installation. This could lead to deployment delays or operational issues. Furthermore, it might suggest an urgent, reactive procurement rather than planned infrastructure investment, potentially indicating underlying issues with previous equipment or planning. Ensuring adequate quality control and vendor support within such a tight timeframe is crucial for mitigating these risks.

How does this spending align with the Department of Justice's broader IT modernization and cybersecurity goals?

Spending on UPS systems directly supports IT modernization and cybersecurity goals by ensuring the reliability and availability of critical computing infrastructure. Uninterruptible Power Supplies prevent data loss and system downtime during power fluctuations or outages, which are common causes of IT failures and potential security vulnerabilities. For the Federal Prison System, maintaining operational continuity of IT systems is paramount for security, administration, and inmate management. This expenditure, though small in dollar amount, is a foundational element for robust IT operations and aligns with the overarching need for secure and reliable technology within the DOJ.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - COMPUTE

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: $47,895

Exercised Options: $47,895

Current Obligation: $47,895

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD28B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline