DHS awards AT&T $12.3M for Border Patrol's remote video surveillance mobile services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $12,305 ($12.3K)
Contractor: ATT Mobility LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2021-09-01
End Date: 2025-03-31
Contract Duration: 1,307 days
Daily Burn Rate: $9/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: AT&T FIRSTNET MOBILE SERVICES TO SUPPORT THE NORTHERN BORDER REMOTE VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM (NB-RVSS) FOR THE U.S. BORDER PATROL (USBP).
Place of Performance
Location: SPRINGFIELD, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22153
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $12,304.5 to ATT MOBILITY LLC for work described as: AT&T FIRSTNET MOBILE SERVICES TO SUPPORT THE NORTHERN BORDER REMOTE VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM (NB-RVSS) FOR THE U.S. BORDER PATROL (USBP). Key points: 1. Contract supports critical border surveillance infrastructure. 2. AT&T is a major player in wireless telecommunications. 3. Potential for cost overruns or service disruptions exists. 4. Spending falls within the IT and telecommunications sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $12.3M for mobile services over approximately 3.5 years appears reasonable given the scope of supporting a national surveillance system. Benchmarking against similar large-scale government wireless contracts would provide further validation.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition via a BPA Call, suggesting a competitive process. This method generally promotes price discovery and potentially better pricing for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used to enhance border security through advanced technology, aiming for improved operational effectiveness.
Public Impact
Enhances U.S. Border Patrol's ability to monitor remote areas. Utilizes advanced mobile technology for real-time video surveillance. Supports national security objectives by improving border management.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical mobile services.
- Potential for scope creep or unbudgeted service expansions.
- Cybersecurity risks associated with transmitting sensitive video data.
Positive Signals
- Leverages existing government-wide acquisition vehicles (BPA).
- Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
- Supports a vital national security mission.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically wireless telecommunications services. Government spending on such services is substantial, driven by the need for secure and reliable communication for various agencies.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific provisions or set-asides for small businesses in this contract award. The primary awardee is a large telecommunications corporation.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Homeland Security, through U.S. Customs and Border Protection, is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard oversight mechanisms for federal contracts should be in place to ensure performance and compliance.
Related Government Programs
- Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite)
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection Programs
Risk Flags
- Vendor lock-in potential
- Dependence on AT&T network reliability
- Data security and privacy concerns
- Long-term contract duration may limit flexibility
Tags
wireless-telecommunications-carriers-exc, department-of-homeland-security, va, bpa-call, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $12,304.5 to ATT MOBILITY LLC. AT&T FIRSTNET MOBILE SERVICES TO SUPPORT THE NORTHERN BORDER REMOTE VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM (NB-RVSS) FOR THE U.S. BORDER PATROL (USBP).
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ATT MOBILITY LLC.
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 $12,304.5.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-09-01. End: 2025-03-31.
What is the projected cost per remote site or per surveillance unit supported by this contract?
The provided data does not detail the number of remote sites or surveillance units. Therefore, a precise per-unit cost cannot be calculated. Further analysis would require information on the deployment scale and the specific services included in the mobile support package.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for the mobile services, and how will AT&T's performance be measured?
Key performance indicators are not detailed in the provided data. Typically, for such contracts, KPIs would focus on network uptime, data transmission speeds, latency, and service availability in remote areas. Performance would likely be monitored through regular reporting and service level agreement adherence.
How does the cost of these mobile services compare to similar private sector deployments for video surveillance?
Direct comparison to private sector deployments is challenging without detailed service specifications and usage patterns. However, government contracts often include specific security and reliability requirements that can increase costs. The firm fixed price nature suggests an attempt to control costs within the defined scope.
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: $25,134
Exercised Options: $12,305
Current Obligation: $12,305
Actual Outlays: $11,759
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 70B04C20A00000015
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-09-01
Current End Date: 2025-03-31
Potential End Date: 2025-03-31 13:23:04
Last Modified: 2026-04-07
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