DOJ's $6.19B AT&T Mobility contract for wireless services awarded under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,187 ($6.2K)

Contractor: ATT Mobility LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2023-06-01

End Date: 2026-07-31

Contract Duration: 1,156 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: GCR -TOG-- FY23-26 AT&T MOBILITY SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: SPRINGFIELD, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22152

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $6,186.68 to ATT MOBILITY LLC for work described as: GCR -TOG-- FY23-26 AT&T MOBILITY SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract represents a significant investment in essential communication infrastructure for the U.S. Marshals Service. 2. Awarded under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, suggesting a streamlined procurement process for established agreements. 3. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to provide cost certainty for the government over the contract's duration. 4. The large dollar value indicates a critical and ongoing need for mobile communication services. 5. The contract spans over three years, aligning with strategic planning for federal agency operational needs. 6. The vendor, AT&T MOBILITY LLC, is a major player in the telecommunications sector, implying established market presence.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of $6.19 billion over approximately three years suggests a substantial but potentially reasonable cost for nationwide wireless telecommunications services for a large federal agency like the U.S. Marshals Service. Benchmarking this against similar large-scale government wireless contracts is challenging due to the unique scope and duration, but the firm-fixed-price nature provides predictability. The absence of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes a detailed value-for-money assessment difficult, but the scale implies a need for robust and reliable service.

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 were eligible to bid and the solicitation was widely advertised. This approach is designed to foster a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and service offerings. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competitive process was intended.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the potential for competitive pricing and the assurance that the government sought the best value through an open bidding process, rather than being limited to a single provider.

Public Impact

Federal law enforcement agencies, primarily the U.S. Marshals Service, will benefit from reliable and extensive wireless communication services. The contract ensures the delivery of critical mobile communication capabilities essential for operational effectiveness and officer safety. Services will likely be utilized across various geographic locations within the United States where the U.S. Marshals Service operates. The contract supports jobs within the telecommunications industry, particularly at AT&T MOBILITY LLC and its supply chain.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if transition to a new provider is complex or costly.
Reliance on a single large telecommunications provider could pose risks in case of widespread service disruptions.
Ensuring consistent service quality and coverage across all operational areas requires diligent oversight.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, maximizing potential for competitive pricing.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty and limits the government's exposure to cost overruns.
Long-term nature of the contract allows for strategic planning and integration of services.
Utilizes an established vendor with a significant market presence in telecommunications.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the telecommunications sector, specifically wireless carrier services. The U.S. government is a major consumer of telecommunications, with significant spending across various agencies for voice, data, and mobile services. The market is dominated by a few large providers, making government contracts substantial. This $6.19 billion award to AT&T MOBILITY LLC represents a significant portion of federal spending on wireless services, likely encompassing a wide array of devices and data plans necessary for nationwide law enforcement operations.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a large-scale telecommunications service contract awarded to a major provider, the primary focus is likely on the prime contractor's capabilities. However, AT&T MOBILITY LLC, like other large telecommunications companies, often utilizes a network of subcontractors, which may include small businesses for specific services or equipment. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business subcontracting opportunities associated with this BPA Call.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the U.S. Marshals Service contracting officers and program managers. As a BPA Call under an existing BPA, the foundational oversight was established during the initial BPA's procurement. Specific oversight mechanisms would involve monitoring service delivery, ensuring compliance with contract terms, managing performance, and verifying billing accuracy. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports are typically internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Government Wireless Services Contracts
Department of Justice Telecommunications Spending
U.S. Marshals Service Operational Support
Law Enforcement Communication Systems
Nationwide Mobile Service Agreements

Risk Flags

Potential for service disruption impacting critical law enforcement operations.
Cybersecurity risks associated with handling sensitive government data.
Ensuring consistent service quality and coverage across diverse geographic locations.
Long-term reliance on a single vendor may limit future flexibility.
Complexity in managing a large number of devices and user accounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $6,186.68 to ATT MOBILITY LLC. GCR -TOG-- FY23-26 AT&T MOBILITY SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ATT MOBILITY LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (U.S. Marshals Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6,186.68.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-06-01. End: 2026-07-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for AT&T Mobility services with the Department of Justice and its components?

Analyzing historical spending requires access to detailed federal procurement databases beyond the provided summary. However, given AT&T's position as a major telecommunications provider, it is highly probable that the Department of Justice (DOJ) and its various agencies, including the U.S. Marshals Service, have had numerous contracts and task orders with AT&T Mobility over many years. These would likely range from individual device plans to large enterprise-level agreements for data and voice services. The current $6.19 billion contract, spanning FY23-26, suggests a consolidation or significant expansion of wireless needs, potentially replacing or augmenting previous agreements. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to quantify the exact trend, but consistent reliance on major carriers like AT&T for essential communication infrastructure is a common pattern across federal agencies.

How does the per-user cost of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar government wireless services?

Determining a precise per-user cost requires knowing the total number of users or devices covered under this $6.19 billion contract over its 1156-day duration (approximately 3.17 years). If we assume, for illustrative purposes, that the contract covers 100,000 users, the average annual cost per user would be roughly $6.19 billion / 100,000 users / 3.17 years ≈ $1,952 per user per year, or about $163 per user per month. This figure would need to be compared against specific government rate agreements (like GSA schedules) or commercial enterprise plans for similar service levels (e.g., unlimited data, international roaming, specific device support). Government contracts often achieve lower rates due to volume and negotiated discounts, but the complexity of services included makes direct comparison difficult without granular detail. Industry benchmarks for enterprise mobile plans can vary widely, but monthly costs often range from $50 to $150+, depending heavily on data allowances, device management, and support.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this AT&T Mobility services contract?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. However, for large-scale telecommunications service contracts, typical KPIs often include network uptime and availability (e.g., 99.9% or higher), data throughput speeds, call completion rates, customer service response times, and adherence to security protocols. For the U.S. Marshals Service, specific KPIs might also relate to the reliability of communication in diverse operational environments, including remote or high-demand areas. Contract performance is usually monitored through regular reports submitted by the contractor and periodic reviews by government contracting officers to ensure compliance with service level agreements (SLAs).

What is the risk associated with AT&T Mobility LLC's track record in fulfilling large federal contracts?

AT&T Mobility LLC, as a subsidiary of a major telecommunications conglomerate, generally has a strong track record in fulfilling large federal contracts. They are a primary provider for many government agencies, indicating a history of successful service delivery and compliance. Risks associated with large federal contracts typically involve potential service disruptions, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, billing disputes, or challenges in adapting to evolving technological requirements. While major providers like AT&T invest heavily in network reliability and security, the sheer scale of operations means that isolated incidents or outages can occur. Government agencies mitigate these risks through robust contract terms, performance monitoring, service level agreements, and contingency planning. Specific past performance data, including any past disputes or performance issues, would require a deeper dive into contract databases and agency records.

How does the $6.19B value compare to overall federal spending on wireless telecommunications?

The $6.19 billion allocated to AT&T Mobility Services by the Department of Justice (DOJ) represents a significant portion of federal spending on wireless telecommunications, but it is not the entirety. Federal agencies collectively spend tens of billions of dollars annually on a wide range of telecommunications services, including wireless voice and data, satellite communications, and network infrastructure. This particular contract is substantial due to its duration (FY23-26) and the scope of services likely required by the U.S. Marshals Service nationwide. While this contract is large, it should be viewed within the broader context of federal IT and communications spending, which is distributed across numerous agencies and service providers. Benchmarking requires comparing it to total federal obligations for 'Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite)' (NAICS code 517312) across all agencies.

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

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: $6,187

Exercised Options: $6,187

Current Obligation: $6,187

Actual Outlays: $1,996

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15F06720A0001516

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline