Viasat Awarded $2.06M for Communications Equipment, Lacking Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,064,274 ($2.1M)
Contractor: Viasat Inc
Awarding Agency: General Services Administration
Start Date: 2022-09-30
End Date: 2027-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,826 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.1K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: JS VIASAT TO198 AFMC AFLCMCHBDC
Place of Performance
Location: HANSCOM AFB, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01731
Plain-Language Summary
General Services Administration obligated $2.1 million to VIASAT INC for work described as: JS VIASAT TO198 AFMC AFLCMCHBDC Key points: 1. Significant contract value of over $2 million. 2. Sole-source award raises concerns about price discovery. 3. Potential for higher costs due to limited competition. 4. Focus on 'Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing' sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract's value is substantial, but without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if the pricing is optimal. Benchmarking against similar 'Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing' contracts would be necessary for a thorough evaluation.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, indicating a lack of competition. This method limits price discovery and may result in higher costs for the government compared to a fully competed procurement.
Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition could lead to taxpayers paying more than necessary for the required communications equipment.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be overpaying due to the sole-source nature of the award. Limited visibility into the justification for not competing this requirement. Potential impact on the availability of advanced communications equipment if competition is stifled long-term.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of price competition
- Potential for inflated costs
Positive Signals
- Contract awarded to a known entity (Viasat Inc.)
- Clear contract duration and end date
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the 'Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing' sector, which is crucial for various government operations. Benchmarks for this sector are difficult to ascertain without competitive data, but significant procurements often involve specialized technology.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific provisions or considerations for small businesses in this sole-source award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were excluded or had an opportunity to participate.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny from oversight bodies to ensure the justification for bypassing competition was sound and that the pricing is fair and reasonable.
Related Government Programs
- Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing
- General Services Administration Contracting
- Federal Acquisition Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competitive pricing
- Potential for overpayment
- Limited vendor options
Tags
other-communications-equipment-manufactu, general-services-administration, ma, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
General Services Administration awarded $2.1 million to VIASAT INC. JS VIASAT TO198 AFMC AFLCMCHBDC
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is VIASAT INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-09-30. End: 2027-09-30.
What was the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and was it adequately documented?
The provided data does not include the justification for the sole-source award. Typically, such justifications are documented and approved by relevant authorities, citing reasons like unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of other sources. Without this documentation, it's impossible to assess the validity of bypassing the competitive process.
How does the unit cost of this equipment compare to similar items procured competitively by the government or in the commercial market?
A direct comparison of unit cost is not possible with the given data, especially since this was a sole-source award. To assess value, one would need to identify comparable communication equipment procured through competitive means or analyze commercial pricing for similar specifications and quantities.
What is the potential risk to mission effectiveness if Viasat Inc. is the only provider for this specific type of communication equipment?
The primary risk to mission effectiveness stems from a lack of alternative suppliers. This could lead to supply chain vulnerabilities, potential price gouging, and extended lead times if Viasat faces production issues or decides to discontinue the product line. Dependence on a single source can also limit technological advancement.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Communications Equipment Manufacturing › Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: 47QFLA22Q0241
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 6155 EL CAMINO REAL, CARLSBAD, CA, 92009
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: $2,064,274
Exercised Options: $2,064,274
Current Obligation: $2,064,274
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 47QFLA19D0006
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-09-30
Current End Date: 2027-09-30
Potential End Date: 2027-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-06
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