VA awards $357K for Motorola radios, bypassing competition for essential communications equipment

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $357,185 ($357.2K)

Contractor: Motorola Solutions, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-02-09

End Date: 2026-05-15

Contract Duration: 95 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.8K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MOTOROLA APX NEXT PORTABLE RADIOS, APX 8500 MOBILE RADIOS, APX 8500 BASE STATION, AND ADDITIONAL ACCESSORIES TO INCLUDE REQUIRED DELIVERY, PROGRAMMING, AND CONFIGURATION.

Place of Performance

Location: ERIE, ERIE County, PENNSYLVANIA, 16504

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $357,184.57 to MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC. for work described as: MOTOROLA APX NEXT PORTABLE RADIOS, APX 8500 MOBILE RADIOS, APX 8500 BASE STATION, AND ADDITIONAL ACCESSORIES TO INCLUDE REQUIRED DELIVERY, PROGRAMMING, AND CONFIGURATION. Key points: 1. The contract focuses on critical communication hardware, suggesting a need for reliable and specific equipment. 2. Sole-source procurement raises questions about potential price inflation and limited market engagement. 3. The short performance period indicates an urgent need or a specific project timeline. 4. The award to Motorola Solutions, a known provider, suggests reliance on established vendor relationships. 5. The lack of competition may limit opportunities for innovative solutions or cost savings from other vendors.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific Motorola radio package is challenging without detailed specifications and comparable bids. However, the firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the VA. Given the sole-source award, it's difficult to assess if the pricing reflects competitive market rates or if there was an opportunity for better value through open competition. The total award amount of $357,184.57 for 95 days of performance appears reasonable for specialized communication equipment, but a lack of competitive bids prevents a definitive value-for-money assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a sole-source award. This means that Motorola Solutions, Inc. was likely the only vendor considered or approached for this requirement. The absence of a competitive bidding process means that the Department of Veterans Affairs did not explore offers from multiple suppliers, which could lead to higher prices and potentially less optimal solutions compared to an open market approach.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may have paid a premium due to the lack of competition, as there was no pressure on vendors to offer their best pricing. This also means less opportunity to discover innovative or more cost-effective solutions available in the broader market.

Public Impact

Veterans Affairs personnel, particularly those requiring mobile and portable communication devices, will benefit from this contract. The contract delivers essential radio communication equipment, including portable, mobile, and base station units, along with necessary accessories and services. The geographic impact is primarily within Pennsylvania, where the contract is being managed. This contract supports the workforce by providing them with reliable communication tools necessary for their duties.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may result in higher costs for taxpayers.
Sole-source awards can limit access to potentially better or more innovative solutions from other vendors.
Reliance on a single vendor could create future dependency and potential supply chain risks.

Positive Signals

Ensures delivery of critical communication equipment from a known and presumably capable supplier.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for the VA.
Short performance period suggests a focused and potentially urgent need is being met.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the 'Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing' sector. This sector is characterized by rapid technological advancements and a need for specialized, reliable communication systems, particularly for government and public safety agencies. Spending in this area often involves significant investment in hardware and software to ensure interoperability and security. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other government procurements for similar communication systems, where competitive bidding often drives down unit costs.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. Given the sole-source nature of the award and the specific nature of the equipment, it is unlikely that subcontracting opportunities for small businesses will be significant unless Motorola Solutions voluntarily engages them. The focus is on a large, established manufacturer, which typically limits the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this particular procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will be managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. As a purchase order under SAP, the level of formal oversight might be less intensive than for larger, competed contracts. Accountability measures are primarily driven by the firm-fixed-price terms and the delivery schedule. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature, with details of the procurement process not publicly available through competitive solicitations.

Related Government Programs

Department of Veterans Affairs Communications Equipment Procurement
Public Safety Radio Systems
Wireless Communications Equipment
Federal Purchase Orders

Risk Flags

Sole-source justification required
Potential for inflated pricing
Limited market exploration
Vendor lock-in risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $357,184.57 to MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC.. MOTOROLA APX NEXT PORTABLE RADIOS, APX 8500 MOBILE RADIOS, APX 8500 BASE STATION, AND ADDITIONAL ACCESSORIES TO INCLUDE REQUIRED DELIVERY, PROGRAMMING, AND CONFIGURATION.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (Department of Veterans Affairs).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $357,184.57.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-02-09. End: 2026-05-15.

What is Motorola Solutions' track record with the Department of Veterans Affairs for similar communication equipment?

Motorola Solutions, Inc. has a history of providing communication systems to various government agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs. While specific details on past VA contracts for these exact radio models are not provided, the company is a well-established vendor in the public safety and government communications market. Their track record generally includes delivering complex radio systems, software, and support services. The VA's decision to sole-source likely stems from a perceived need for continuity, specific technical requirements, or a pre-existing relationship where Motorola's solutions have proven effective and reliable for the agency's operational needs.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar sole-source awards for Motorola radios?

Direct comparison of pricing for sole-source awards is inherently difficult due to the lack of publicly available competitive data. Without knowing the exact configurations, quantities, and specific accessory bundles, it's challenging to benchmark. However, sole-source procurements often carry a risk of higher pricing compared to competitively bid contracts, as the vendor faces less pressure to offer their lowest possible price. To assess value, the VA would ideally have internal cost estimates or historical pricing data for similar sole-source acquisitions to ensure the $357,184.57 is within an acceptable range for the specified equipment and services.

What are the primary risks associated with this sole-source award for the VA?

The primary risks associated with this sole-source award include potential overpayment due to the absence of competitive pricing, limited access to potentially superior or more cost-effective solutions from other manufacturers, and a potential increase in vendor lock-in. If the VA becomes overly reliant on Motorola for specialized equipment and services, future procurements could be less flexible and more expensive. There's also a risk that the specific technical requirements might be overly tailored to Motorola's offerings, inadvertently excluding viable alternatives. Ensuring the necessity of a sole-source justification is critical to mitigate these risks.

How effective are Motorola APX series radios for government communication needs?

Motorola APX series radios, including the APX 8500 models mentioned, are widely regarded as high-performance, feature-rich communication devices designed for public safety and mission-critical operations. They typically offer robust construction, advanced features like integrated GPS and data capabilities, and strong interoperability across different radio systems and bands. Their effectiveness lies in their reliability, durability, and ability to function in challenging environments. For the VA, these radios likely provide essential secure and dependable communication channels for personnel, contributing to operational efficiency and safety.

What is the historical spending pattern of the VA on radio and wireless communication equipment?

The Department of Veterans Affairs, like other large federal agencies, has a consistent need for communication equipment to support its vast network of facilities and personnel. Historical spending patterns for radio and wireless communication equipment would likely show significant investment over time, often involving procurements for both voice and data capabilities. Spending can fluctuate based on technology upgrades, infrastructure modernization projects, and specific operational requirements. While this $357K award is relatively modest in the context of overall federal IT and communications spending, it represents a component of the VA's ongoing investment in maintaining and upgrading its communication infrastructure.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Communications Equipment Manufacturing › Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: COMM/DETECT/COHERENT RADIATION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 36C24426Q0238

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 809 PINNACLE DR STE G, LINTHICUM HEIGHTS, MD, 21090

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $357,185

Exercised Options: $357,185

Current Obligation: $357,185

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline