DHS FEMA Awards $23.5M to Lumen for Wired Telecom Services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,538 ($23.5K)

Contractor: Lumen Technologies Government Solutions, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 90 days

Daily Burn Rate: $262/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: WIRELINE TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20024

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $23,538.38 to LUMEN TECHNOLOGIES GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS, INC. for work described as: WIRELINE TELECOMMUNICATIONS Key points: 1. Significant contract value for essential telecommunications infrastructure. 2. Lumen Technologies is a major player in the telecom sector. 3. Potential risk associated with long-term reliance on a single provider. 4. Spending falls within the broad IT and Communications sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $23.5M for a 90-day period appears high for standard telecommunications services. Benchmarking against similar government-wide contracts for wired telecommunications is necessary to assess true value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the specific pricing and discovery of value are not detailed, making it difficult to assess if the best possible price was achieved.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for critical communication infrastructure, with the efficiency of the price discovery process impacting the overall value for money.

Public Impact

Ensures continuity of critical communication services for FEMA during a defined period. Supports the operational needs of a key federal agency. The contract's duration and scope will impact the availability and reliability of wired telecommunications for FEMA.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

High per-day cost for telecommunications services.
Limited duration may indicate a stop-gap measure or specific project need.
Lack of detailed pricing justification.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Supports a critical federal agency's mission.
Clear contract end date.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Wired Telecommunications Carriers industry, which is a subset of the broader IT and Communications sector. Spending benchmarks for similar government contracts are highly variable based on service type and duration.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific set-asides for small businesses. The prime contractor, Lumen Technologies, is a large corporation, suggesting limited direct opportunities for small businesses in this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would involve monitoring service delivery against contract requirements and ensuring adherence to the firm fixed price. The contracting agency (FEMA) is responsible for ensuring accountability and value for taxpayer money.

Related Government Programs

Wired Telecommunications Carriers
Department of Homeland Security Contracting
Federal Emergency Management Agency Programs

Risk Flags

High cost relative to contract duration.
Lack of detailed service breakdown for cost validation.
Potential for overpayment on short-term needs.
Reliance on a single large provider for critical infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $23,538.38 to LUMEN TECHNOLOGIES GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS, INC.. WIRELINE TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LUMEN TECHNOLOGIES GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Federal Emergency Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $23,538.38.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-06-30.

What specific wired telecommunications services are included in this $23.5M delivery order, and how do their unit costs compare to industry benchmarks?

The provided data lacks specifics on the exact services rendered under this $23.5M delivery order for wired telecommunications. A detailed breakdown of services, such as bandwidth, circuit types, and locations, is needed. Comparing these specific service costs against established government-wide or commercial benchmarks is crucial for a thorough value assessment.

Given the short 90-day duration, what is the strategic rationale behind this significant expenditure, and does it represent a potential risk of overpaying for short-term needs?

The short 90-day duration for a $23.5M expenditure suggests this delivery order might be for an urgent, temporary need or a bridge to a longer-term solution. Without further context, it's difficult to ascertain the strategic rationale. There is a risk of overpaying if the pricing is not optimized for short-term needs or if it locks the government into unfavorable rates.

How effectively does the full and open competition process ensure optimal pricing and service delivery for these critical telecommunications services?

While full and open competition is designed to foster competitive pricing, its effectiveness hinges on the clarity of the solicitation, the number and capability of bidders, and the evaluation criteria. For critical telecommunications, ensuring that the lowest price technically acceptable or best value is achieved requires robust evaluation. The impact on service delivery depends on the contractor's performance and the agency's oversight.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite) › Wired Telecommunications Carriers

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - IT MANAGEMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2900 TOWERVIEW RD STE 150, HERNDON, VA, 20171

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $23,538

Exercised Options: $23,538

Current Obligation: $23,538

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70FA3025D00000002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline