DOJ's FBI awards $28.8M for wireless services, impacting critical communication infrastructure

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,799,040 ($28.8M)

Contractor: Cellco Partnership

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2020-01-22

End Date: 2022-09-30

Contract Duration: 982 days

Daily Burn Rate: $29.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: FUNDING FOR WIRELESS SERVICES FOR THE WIRELESS COMMUNICATION PROGRAM PROVIDED BY PRIMARY MOBILE CARRIER VERIZON. IMPACT IF NOT FUNDED WILL RESULT IN NO VOICE OR DATA SERVICES FROM VERIZON OR AT&T AND WE RUN THE

Place of Performance

Location: BASKING RIDGE, SOMERSET County, NEW JERSEY, 07920

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $28.8 million to CELLCO PARTNERSHIP for work described as: FUNDING FOR WIRELESS SERVICES FOR THE WIRELESS COMMUNICATION PROGRAM PROVIDED BY PRIMARY MOBILE CARRIER VERIZON. IMPACT IF NOT FUNDED WILL RESULT IN NO VOICE OR DATA SERVICES FROM VERIZON OR AT&T AND WE RUN THE Key points: 1. Contract ensures continuity of essential voice and data services for the FBI. 2. Funding is critical to prevent disruption of vital communication capabilities. 3. The contract covers a significant period, indicating a need for stable service. 4. Service delivery is concentrated in New Jersey. 5. The award was made under full and open competition. 6. The contractor, Cellco Partnership (Verizon), is a primary mobile carrier.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $28.8 million over approximately 32 months represents a substantial investment in essential communication services. Benchmarking this against similar large-scale federal wireless service contracts is challenging without more granular data on service levels and geographic coverage. However, the duration and the nature of the services suggest a fair market value, assuming competitive pricing was achieved through the full and open competition.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the process suggests a competitive environment that should drive price discovery and potentially favorable terms for the government. The use of a delivery order under a broader contract vehicle also implies a structured procurement process.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive marketplace, which can lead to lower prices and better service quality compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.

Public Impact

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) personnel benefit from uninterrupted voice and data services. Essential law enforcement and operational activities are supported by reliable communication. The primary geographic impact is in New Jersey, where services are delivered. The contract supports the operational workforce of the FBI.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if future needs are highly specific to current provider's infrastructure.
Reliance on a single primary carrier for critical communications could pose a risk if the carrier experiences widespread outages.
The 'Time and Materials' pricing model, if not carefully managed, could lead to cost overruns if not adequately monitored.

Positive Signals

Ensures continuity of essential communication services for a critical federal agency.
Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive and potentially cost-effective procurement.
The contractor is a major, established mobile carrier, implying reliability and extensive network coverage.
The contract duration suggests a stable, long-term need for these services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the telecommunications services sector, specifically focusing on mobile wireless communication. The federal government is a significant consumer of such services, with spending spread across various agencies for operational needs. Benchmarking this specific contract's value requires comparison to other large federal or enterprise-level wireless service agreements, considering factors like data volume, user count, and geographic scope.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans is not explicitly detailed in the provided data. As the contract is with a primary mobile carrier (Cellco Partnership/Verizon), it is likely a large prime contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses within the scope of this award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officers and program managers within the FBI and the Department of Justice. The 'Delivery Order' nature suggests it might be under a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract, which would have its own oversight mechanisms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance monitoring details are often internal.

Related Government Programs

Federal Information Technology, Infrastructure, and Communications Services
Law Enforcement Agency Communications
Mobile Device Management and Services
Next Generation Wireless Networks

Risk Flags

Critical Infrastructure Reliance
Single Point of Failure Potential
Vendor Lock-in Risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $28.8 million to CELLCO PARTNERSHIP. FUNDING FOR WIRELESS SERVICES FOR THE WIRELESS COMMUNICATION PROGRAM PROVIDED BY PRIMARY MOBILE CARRIER VERIZON. IMPACT IF NOT FUNDED WILL RESULT IN NO VOICE OR DATA SERVICES FROM VERIZON OR AT&T AND WE RUN THE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CELLCO PARTNERSHIP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Investigation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $28.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-01-22. End: 2022-09-30.

What is the historical spending pattern for wireless services by the FBI, and how does this award compare?

Analyzing historical spending requires access to detailed procurement data over multiple fiscal years. Without that specific data, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the $28.8 million award for a period of approximately 32 months suggests a significant, ongoing investment in wireless communication capabilities. If the FBI has consistently relied on major carriers like Verizon for similar services, this award might represent a continuation or renewal of existing support. Fluctuations in historical spending could be attributed to changes in technology, agency needs, or competitive bidding outcomes. Understanding the trend would involve looking at prior contract values, durations, and the number of providers engaged over time to assess if this represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of expenditure.

What specific types of wireless services are included in this $28.8 million contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'FUNDING FOR WIRELESS SERVICES FOR THE WIRELESS COMMUNICATION PROGRAM PROVIDED BY PRIMARY MOBILE CARRIER VERIZON.' This broadly covers voice and data services. Given the context of the FBI, these services likely encompass mobile voice communication, cellular data access for mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops), potentially mobile hotspots, and possibly specialized communication solutions for law enforcement operations. The 'Other Computer Related Services' NAICS code (541519) suggests a broader scope than just basic telephony, possibly including network management, integration, or support services related to the wireless infrastructure. Detailed service level agreements (SLAs) and technical specifications within the full contract would clarify the exact nature and extent of services.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the success of this wireless services contract?

Key performance indicators for a federal wireless services contract typically focus on network reliability, service availability, data speeds, call quality, and customer support responsiveness. For the FBI, metrics such as uptime percentage for voice and data services, average latency, successful call completion rates, and response times for technical support would be critical. The contract likely includes specific Service Level Agreements (SLAs) that define acceptable performance thresholds. Failure to meet these KPIs could result in financial penalties or corrective action plans for the contractor. While not detailed in the summary data, these performance metrics are crucial for ensuring the government receives the value expected for the $28.8 million investment.

What is the contractor's track record with the federal government, particularly the FBI, for providing similar services?

Cellco Partnership, operating as Verizon, is a major telecommunications provider with a long-standing presence in serving government agencies, including the FBI. Their track record generally includes providing widespread network coverage and a range of mobile services. Federal procurement databases often contain past performance information, which would detail their success in meeting contractual obligations on previous awards. For the FBI, Verizon has likely been a provider of wireless services for many years, supporting critical operational needs. Assessing their specific track record for this type of contract would involve reviewing past performance evaluations, any documented disputes or contract terminations, and the overall satisfaction levels reported by government stakeholders on prior engagements.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single primary mobile carrier for critical FBI communications?

Relying on a single primary mobile carrier like Verizon presents several potential risks. Firstly, there's the risk of service disruption due to widespread network outages affecting the carrier, which could cripple FBI communications during critical incidents. Secondly, a lack of robust competition in future renewals could lead to less favorable pricing or service terms. Thirdly, if the FBI's needs evolve significantly, the current carrier's infrastructure might not be the most suitable or cost-effective solution compared to alternatives. Finally, dependence on one vendor can reduce leverage in negotiations and limit flexibility in adopting new technologies. Mitigating these risks often involves negotiating strong SLAs, exploring backup communication options, and ensuring thorough market research before future contract actions.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Verizon Communications Inc

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: $28,799,040

Exercised Options: $28,799,040

Current Obligation: $28,799,040

Actual Outlays: $26,033,137

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0119P

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline