DOJ's DEA awards $401K for wireless services to AT&T Mobility, highlighting a single-year contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $40,169 ($40.2K)

Contractor: ATT Mobility LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-03-17

End Date: 2027-03-16

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $110/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TITLE: LO/AT&T/CELLPHONES/3.16 REQUESTOR: DACIA M LEVIER AFT#: 2026-LO-0003 ITJA#: ITJA0016874 REF AWARD/BPA: 47QTCA19D00MV POP DATES: 03/17/2026 TO 03/16/2027 FUND TO DATE: 03/16/2027

Place of Performance

Location: LOUISVILLE, JEFFERSON County, KENTUCKY, 40223

State: Kentucky Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $40,168.92 to ATT MOBILITY LLC for work described as: TITLE: LO/AT&T/CELLPHONES/3.16 REQUESTOR: DACIA M LEVIER AFT#: 2026-LO-0003 ITJA#: ITJA0016874 REF AWARD/BPA: 47QTCA19D00MV POP DATES: 03/17/2026 TO 03/16/2027 FUND TO DATE: 03/16/2027 Key points: 1. The contract value represents a modest annual expenditure for wireless telecommunications services. 2. Competition dynamics for this specific award are noted as 'Full and Open', suggesting a broad market solicitation. 3. The contract duration is one year, indicating a need for short-term or regularly re-competed services. 4. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the agency. 5. The award falls under the 'Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite)' NAICS code, a common service category for government agencies.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $401,689 for a one-year period for wireless telecommunications services appears reasonable given the scope. Without specific details on the number of lines, data allowances, or included features, a direct per-unit cost comparison is difficult. However, for a federal agency, this amount is within the expected range for such services, especially when considering potential volume discounts or bundled plans that AT&T might offer.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition', indicating that the solicitation was made available to all responsible sources. This suggests that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'Full and Open' designation generally promotes price discovery and encourages competitive pricing among service providers.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of securing services at the most competitive market rates, preventing potential overspending that could occur with less competitive award methods.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which will receive wireless telecommunications services. These services are crucial for enabling communication and data transfer for DEA operations. The geographic impact is noted as Kentucky (ST: KY, SN: KENTUCKY), suggesting the services may be concentrated in or originate from this state. The contract supports the operational needs of federal law enforcement personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics or service level agreements in the provided data.
Potential for vendor lock-in if renewal options are not carefully managed.
Dependence on a single large carrier could be a systemic risk if not diversified.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides budget predictability.
Contract is for a defined one-year period, allowing for re-evaluation of needs and competition.

Sector Analysis

The wireless telecommunications market is a mature and highly competitive sector. Government agencies are significant consumers of these services, often leveraging large telecommunications providers like AT&T. Spending in this category is consistent across many federal agencies for operational communication needs. Benchmarks for similar contracts vary widely based on the scale of services required, but annual spending in the hundreds of thousands of dollars for a specific operational unit is not uncommon.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). While AT&T Mobility LLC is a large corporation, there is no information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this award. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal for this specific contract, as it appears to be a direct award to a major provider.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Justice's internal procurement and financial management systems. The Drug Enforcement Administration is responsible for ensuring service delivery meets contractual requirements. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, though detailed performance reports may be internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Government Wireless Services Contracts
Department of Justice Telecommunications Spending
Drug Enforcement Administration Operational Support
GSA Schedule Contracts for Wireless Services

Risk Flags

Contract duration is short (1 year), requiring frequent re-competition or renewal.
Limited data provided on specific services included, making detailed value assessment difficult.
No information on small business subcontracting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $40,168.92 to ATT MOBILITY LLC. TITLE: LO/AT&T/CELLPHONES/3.16 REQUESTOR: DACIA M LEVIER AFT#: 2026-LO-0003 ITJA#: ITJA0016874 REF AWARD/BPA: 47QTCA19D00MV POP DATES: 03/17/2026 TO 03/16/2027 FUND TO DATE: 03/16/2027

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ATT MOBILITY LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Drug Enforcement Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $40,168.92.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-17. End: 2027-03-16.

What is the typical cost per line or per user for similar federal wireless service contracts?

Determining a precise per-unit cost for federal wireless services is complex due to the variety of plans, data allowances, included features (like international roaming or hotspot capabilities), and volume discounts. However, industry benchmarks suggest that government rates can range from $20 to $70 per line per month, depending on the service level and carrier. For a contract valued at approximately $401,689 over 364 days, this equates to roughly $1,100 per day. If we assume an average of 100 lines, this would be approximately $4,016 per line annually, or about $334 per line per month. This figure seems high compared to typical per-line costs, suggesting that the contract might include significant data packages, specialized services, or support for a large number of users, or potentially includes costs beyond basic voice and data.

How does the competition level ('Full and Open') typically influence pricing for wireless services?

A 'Full and Open Competition' process is designed to maximize the number of potential bidders, thereby fostering a competitive environment. For wireless services, this means that multiple carriers (e.g., AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile) and potentially resellers or specialized government IT providers can submit proposals. Increased competition generally drives down prices as vendors strive to offer the most attractive combination of cost, service features, and reliability to win the contract. While the specific number of bids received is not detailed here, the 'Full and Open' designation suggests that the DEA had the opportunity to evaluate multiple offers, increasing the likelihood that the awarded price reflects a competitive market rate rather than a price set by a sole-source provider.

What are the potential risks associated with a one-year fixed-price contract for wireless services?

A primary risk with a one-year fixed-price contract is that service needs might change significantly within that period. If the DEA's usage increases dramatically or requires new features not included in the original contract, they might face higher costs for modifications or be unable to adapt quickly. Conversely, if usage decreases, they are still obligated to pay the fixed price. Another risk is that technology evolves rapidly in the wireless sector; a one-year contract might not capture the latest advancements or pricing structures available in the market at renewal. Furthermore, if the fixed price was set too low by AT&T due to competitive pressure, there's a risk of service quality degradation, although this is mitigated by performance clauses typically included in such contracts.

What is AT&T Mobility LLC's track record with federal government contracts?

AT&T Mobility LLC, as a major telecommunications provider, has an extensive history of securing and fulfilling federal government contracts. They are a frequent awardee across various agencies for a wide range of telecommunications services, including wireless, broadband, and network infrastructure. Their track record generally includes managing large-scale deployments and providing services under complex federal procurement regulations. While specific performance details for individual contracts are often not publicly available, their continued presence as a primary vendor for government entities suggests a generally reliable performance history. However, like any large contractor, there can be instances of contract disputes or performance issues, which are typically managed through contract administration and oversight mechanisms.

How does this contract's value compare to overall federal spending on wireless telecommunications?

The $401,689 awarded to AT&T Mobility LLC for wireless services represents a relatively small portion of the total federal spending on telecommunications. Federal agencies collectively spend billions of dollars annually on a vast array of communication services, including wireless. This specific contract appears to be for a particular unit or operational need within the DEA, likely covering a specific number of users or a defined geographic area. When compared to the aggregate federal expenditure on wireless, this contract is a minor component, typical of localized or departmental service needs rather than agency-wide or enterprise-level agreements.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - DATA CENTER

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Tyto Athene, LLC

Address: 1025 LENOX PARK BLVD NE, ATLANTA, GA, 30319

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: $98,909

Exercised Options: $98,909

Current Obligation: $40,169

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15F06720A0001516

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline