DHS awards $14M to Verizon for nationwide mobile services supporting USBP's ATAK program

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,037,056 ($14.0M)

Contractor: Cellco Partnership

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2022-06-16

End Date: 2025-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,202 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: VERIZON WIRELESS LINES OF SERVICE & REFRESH DEVICES WITH UNLIMITED VOICE, DATA, MESSAGING AND TETHERING FOR MULTIPLE SECTORS NATIONWIDE UNDER THE ANDROID TEAM AWARENESS KIT (ATAK) PROGRAM SUPPORTING USBP.

Place of Performance

Location: ORLANDO, ORANGE County, FLORIDA, 32822

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $14.0 million to CELLCO PARTNERSHIP for work described as: VERIZON WIRELESS LINES OF SERVICE & REFRESH DEVICES WITH UNLIMITED VOICE, DATA, MESSAGING AND TETHERING FOR MULTIPLE SECTORS NATIONWIDE UNDER THE ANDROID TEAM AWARENESS KIT (ATAK) PROGRAM SUPPORTING USBP. Key points: 1. Contract provides essential mobile communication services for critical border security operations. 2. Pricing appears competitive given the nationwide scope and unlimited data requirements. 3. Potential for cost escalation exists if service demands significantly exceed projections. 4. Performance is tied to the successful deployment and utilization of the ATAK program. 5. This contract positions Verizon as a key provider for national security communications. 6. The firm-fixed-price structure offers budget certainty for the agency.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $14.04 million for nationwide unlimited voice, data, messaging, and tethering services over approximately three years appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar large-scale government mobile service contracts suggests this pricing is within expected ranges, especially considering the support for a specialized program like ATAK. The firm-fixed-price nature helps control costs, but actual value will depend on usage and the effectiveness of the services in supporting USBP operations.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This process is designed to foster competitive pricing and ensure the government receives the best value. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the open competition suggests a robust market response, which is generally favorable for price discovery and innovation.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the competitive bidding process, which aims to secure these essential communication services at the most advantageous price possible, preventing overpayment and ensuring efficient use of public funds.

Public Impact

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel, particularly those involved with the Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK) program, will benefit from enhanced communication capabilities. Services delivered include unlimited voice, data, messaging, and tethering nationwide. The geographic impact is nationwide, supporting border security operations across the United States. Workforce implications include enabling field agents with reliable mobile communication tools crucial for situational awareness and operational coordination.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if ATAK integration becomes highly specialized.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical communication infrastructure carries inherent risks.
Ensuring consistent service quality across diverse geographic locations nationwide can be challenging.

Positive Signals

Award to a major telecommunications provider ensures broad network coverage.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive market was leveraged.
Support for a critical national security program like ATAK indicates strategic importance.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the telecommunications and IT services sector, specifically focusing on mobile connectivity solutions for government agencies. The market for enterprise mobility services is large and competitive, with major carriers like Verizon offering extensive nationwide networks. This contract represents a significant award for providing essential communication infrastructure that underpins critical national security functions, aligning with broader government trends towards leveraging advanced mobile technologies for operational efficiency.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions or subcontracting requirements for this contract. As a large-scale telecommunications award to a major provider, the primary focus is likely on network capabilities and service delivery rather than small business participation. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any subcontracting opportunities exist within the scope of this agreement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price structure and service level agreements, which define performance expectations. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases, though specific operational details of ATAK usage remain sensitive.

Related Government Programs

ATAK Program Support
USBP Communications Modernization
DHS Nationwide Mobile Services
Federal Enterprise Mobility Management

Risk Flags

Potential for service disruption impacting critical operations
Ensuring consistent nationwide network performance
Security of sensitive data transmission

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $14.0 million to CELLCO PARTNERSHIP. VERIZON WIRELESS LINES OF SERVICE & REFRESH DEVICES WITH UNLIMITED VOICE, DATA, MESSAGING AND TETHERING FOR MULTIPLE SECTORS NATIONWIDE UNDER THE ANDROID TEAM AWARENESS KIT (ATAK) PROGRAM SUPPORTING USBP.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CELLCO PARTNERSHIP.

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 $14.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-06-16. End: 2025-09-30.

What is the historical spending pattern for mobile services by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for similar nationwide support?

Analyzing historical spending requires access to detailed procurement data beyond this single award. However, large federal agencies like DHS and its components, such as CBP, typically have substantial and ongoing expenditures for mobile communication services due to their widespread operational footprint and the need for constant connectivity. Spending patterns often reflect evolving technology, increasing data demands, and the expansion of mobile-first strategies for field operations. Contracts for such services are usually multi-year and can range from millions to tens of millions annually, depending on the scope, number of users, and specific services included. This $14 million award for a defined period suggests a significant but potentially consistent level of investment in mobile capabilities for critical programs like ATAK.

How does the per-user cost of this contract compare to other federal agencies providing similar unlimited mobile services?

Determining a precise per-user cost is challenging without knowing the exact number of users or devices covered under this contract, as this information is not explicitly provided in the data. However, the total contract value of $14.04 million over its duration (approximately 3 years) suggests an average annual cost of roughly $4.68 million. If we assume a large user base, such as thousands of agents nationwide, the per-user cost could be relatively low, which is typical for large enterprise agreements where economies of scale are leveraged. To make a direct comparison, one would need to identify contracts with similar service levels (unlimited voice/data/messaging/tethering) and user counts across different federal agencies and calculate their respective per-user annual costs.

What are the specific performance metrics and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract to ensure effective support for the ATAK program?

The provided data does not detail the specific performance metrics or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract. However, for a critical program like the Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK) supporting U.S. Border Patrol (USBP), SLAs would typically focus on network availability (e.g., 99.9% uptime), data speeds, latency, and responsiveness for technical support. Performance would likely be measured by the reliability and consistency of voice, data, and messaging services, particularly in remote or challenging operational environments. Failure to meet these SLAs could result in penalties or service credits for the government, underscoring the importance of robust monitoring and reporting mechanisms throughout the contract's duration.

What is Verizon's track record in providing similar nationwide mobile communication services to other federal agencies, particularly for national security or law enforcement applications?

Verizon Wireless, operating as Cellco Partnership, has a well-established track record of providing extensive wireless communication services to numerous federal agencies, including those in national security and law enforcement. They are a primary carrier for many government entities, offering secure and reliable mobile solutions across their nationwide network. Verizon has supported various critical missions, including public safety initiatives and defense communications, often leveraging their robust infrastructure and specialized government solutions. Their experience includes managing large-scale deployments, ensuring compliance with federal security standards, and providing support for mission-critical applications, making them a common choice for agencies requiring dependable mobile connectivity for sensitive operations.

Are there any identified risks related to the technology or integration of these mobile services with the existing ATAK program infrastructure?

Potential risks associated with integrating mobile services with the ATAK program could include compatibility issues between device operating systems and network protocols, although major carriers like Verizon generally ensure broad compatibility. A more significant risk might be related to the security of data transmission over the mobile network, requiring robust encryption and adherence to federal security standards. Dependence on a single provider for nationwide connectivity also presents a risk; any widespread network outage or service disruption could severely impact ATAK operations. Furthermore, the rapid evolution of mobile technology could necessitate future upgrades or contract modifications to maintain optimal performance and security for the ATAK program.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services

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

Solicitation ID: 20131396

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Verizon Maryland LLC

Address: 1 VERIZON WAY, BASKING RIDGE, NJ, 07920

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,037,056

Exercised Options: $14,037,056

Current Obligation: $14,037,056

Actual Outlays: $8,900,944

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70B04C20A00000016

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline