DHS awards $5.7M Motorola Solutions contract for engineering services in Florida

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,686,458 ($5.7M)

Contractor: Motorola Solutions, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2024-09-30

End Date: 2026-09-26

Contract Duration: 726 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CSUB SUA TOE FNE TASK ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: ORLANDO, ORANGE County, FLORIDA, 32803

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $5.7 million to MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC. for work described as: CSUB SUA TOE FNE TASK ORDER Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single, established vendor, raising questions about competitive pricing. 2. The fixed-price contract structure aims to control costs, but performance monitoring is key. 3. Limited small business participation noted, suggesting potential missed opportunities for smaller firms. 4. The contract duration of approximately two years requires ongoing assessment of evolving needs. 5. Geographic focus on Florida may indicate specific regional operational requirements. 6. Engineering services are critical for maintaining and upgrading complex systems.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $5.7 million for engineering services over two years appears moderate. Without specific benchmarks for similar engineering support to U.S. Customs and Border Protection or other Department of Homeland Security components, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The firm fixed-price structure suggests an attempt to lock in costs, but the absence of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to gauge if the price reflects optimal efficiency or if there's potential for overpayment if deliverables are not rigorously managed. Comparison to industry standards for specialized engineering services would be beneficial.

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. However, only one award was made, which could suggest that either only one vendor met all the stringent requirements, or that the market for this specific type of engineering service is concentrated. The level of competition, while initially broad, resulted in a single award, which warrants further investigation into the bidding process and the specific qualifications sought.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it aims to drive down prices through market forces. However, when only one award results, it can limit the direct cost savings that might be expected from a more robustly contested bid.

Public Impact

The contract directly benefits U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) by providing essential engineering services. These services are crucial for the operational readiness and technological advancement of border security infrastructure. The primary geographic impact is within Florida, suggesting support for specific CBP operations in that state. The contract likely supports a specialized engineering workforce, potentially including engineers and technical specialists.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of transparency on the number of bids received under full and open competition.
Potential for vendor lock-in if this is a specialized service with few alternatives.
Limited visibility into the specific performance metrics and deliverables tied to the $5.7M award.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, theoretically maximizing market participation.
Firm fixed-price contract type helps to establish cost certainty for the government.
Contract duration is defined, allowing for planned resource allocation.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, a critical component of the broader professional services market supporting government operations. The market for specialized engineering services supporting federal agencies, particularly in areas like defense, homeland security, and infrastructure, is substantial. Companies like Motorola Solutions, Inc. often compete for these contracts due to their established expertise and track record. Benchmarking this award against other similar engineering support contracts within DHS or other agencies would provide further context on pricing and scope.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the primary award went to a large business. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Without specific subcontracting goals or reporting, it is difficult to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem. Further review of the contract details would be needed to determine if any small business participation is mandated or encouraged.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) contracting and program management offices within the Department of Homeland Security. Accountability measures are usually embedded within the contract's performance work statement and delivery schedules. Transparency is often facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where basic award information is published. The Inspector General for the Department of Homeland Security would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security - Procurement
U.S. Customs and Border Protection - Operations
Engineering Services Contracts
Federal IT and Communications Support
Florida State Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in due to specialized nature of services.
Need for robust performance monitoring to ensure value for money.
Limited visibility into specific deliverables and success metrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $5.7 million to MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC.. CSUB SUA TOE FNE TASK ORDER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Customs and Border Protection).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-30. End: 2026-09-26.

What is the specific nature of the engineering services being procured under this contract?

The contract specifies 'Engineering Services' under NAICS code 541330. While the data does not detail the exact services, this code typically encompasses establishments primarily engaged in providing engineering services for (1) civil engineering, (2) electrical engineering, (3) mechanical engineering, (4) sanitary engineering, (5) environmental engineering, and (6) other engineering activities. For U.S. Customs and Border Protection, these services could range from the design and development of new border security technologies, the maintenance and upgrade of existing surveillance and communication systems, to specialized technical support for operational equipment deployed in the field, particularly in the Florida region.

How does the $5.7 million award compare to historical spending on similar engineering services by CBP or DHS?

To accurately compare this $5.7 million award, one would need to analyze historical contract data for engineering services procured by CBP and DHS. This involves searching databases like FPDS for contracts with similar NAICS codes (e.g., 541330) and service descriptions awarded over the past several fiscal years. Factors such as contract duration, scope of work, and the specific technologies or systems involved are crucial for a meaningful comparison. Without this detailed historical analysis, it's difficult to ascertain if $5.7 million represents a typical, high, or low investment for the services rendered. However, given the specialized nature of border security technology, such an amount for a two-year period could be within a reasonable range, assuming the scope is substantial.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables expected under this contract, and how will they be measured?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables for this contract. Typically, these would be detailed in the Performance Work Statement (PWS) or Statement of Work (SOW) attached to the contract award. For engineering services supporting CBP, KPIs might include response times for technical support, successful implementation of system upgrades, adherence to project timelines, quality of engineering designs, and overall system reliability improvements. Measurement methods would likely involve regular progress reports, system performance monitoring, user feedback, and formal acceptance testing of completed work. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract implies that the contractor is responsible for delivering the specified outcomes within the agreed-upon budget.

What is Motorola Solutions, Inc.'s track record with DHS and CBP for similar engineering services?

Motorola Solutions, Inc. is a well-established provider of communication and security solutions, frequently contracting with federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its components like U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Their track record likely includes providing a range of services such as radio communications systems, command and control software, video surveillance, and related engineering and technical support. To assess their specific performance on this contract, one would need to review past CBP/DHS contracts awarded to Motorola Solutions, looking at factors like past performance evaluations, any contract disputes or modifications, and the successful delivery of similar engineering services. Generally, large, established companies like Motorola Solutions have extensive experience but also command higher price points.

Are there any identified risks associated with this contract, such as technical obsolescence or contractor performance issues?

Potential risks associated with this contract include technical obsolescence, where the technology or systems being supported become outdated during the contract period, requiring costly upgrades or replacements. Contractor performance risk is always present; even with a strong track record, there's a possibility of delays, cost overruns (though mitigated by fixed-price), or failure to meet performance standards. Given the critical nature of border security, system failures or performance degradation could have significant operational impacts. The firm fixed-price structure helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government, but performance monitoring remains crucial. The specific nature of the engineering services would dictate other potential risks, such as cybersecurity vulnerabilities in supported systems or challenges in integrating new technologies.

What is the estimated total cost per year for these engineering services, and how does it compare to industry benchmarks?

The total contract value is $5,686,458.09 with a duration of 726 days (approximately 2 years). To estimate the annual cost, we can divide the total value by the approximate duration in years: $5,686,458.09 / (726/365) ≈ $5,686,458.09 / 1.99 ≈ $2.85 million per year. Comparing this to industry benchmarks for specialized engineering services supporting federal agencies requires access to proprietary cost data or detailed market research reports. Factors influencing benchmarks include the specific skill sets required (e.g., cybersecurity engineers, network architects, systems integration specialists), the complexity of the systems supported, and the geographic location. Without specific details on the services, a precise benchmark comparison is difficult, but an annual cost in the mid-seven figures for specialized federal engineering support is not uncommon.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: COMM/DETECT/COHERENT RADIATION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 70B02C24R00000093

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: $17,493,581

Exercised Options: $5,686,458

Current Obligation: $5,686,458

Actual Outlays: $2,716,608

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70B04C19D00000035

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline