Motorola Solutions awarded $17.4M contract for enterprise radio core SUA by DHS

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,444,344 ($17.4M)

Contractor: Motorola Solutions, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2020-09-30

End Date: 2023-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ENTERPRISE RADIO CORE SUA

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20223

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $17.4 million to MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC. for work described as: ENTERPRISE RADIO CORE SUA Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in critical communication infrastructure. 2. Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. Contract duration of 1095 days indicates a long-term need for these services. 4. The award is for a specific system (SUA) within a broader communication network. 5. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide budget certainty. 6. The awarding agency, DHS, highlights the national security implications of this procurement.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $17.4 million for enterprise radio core SUA appears reasonable given the duration and the nature of the services. Benchmarking against similar procurements for advanced communication systems is necessary for a definitive value assessment. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests an effort to manage costs effectively. The absence of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes a detailed value-for-money assessment challenging without further context.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This approach generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and innovation. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust process was intended.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process like full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages multiple vendors to offer their best prices and solutions, potentially leading to cost savings and higher quality services.

Public Impact

The U.S. Secret Service benefits from enhanced and reliable communication capabilities. This contract supports the delivery of secure and efficient radio communication services. The primary geographic impact is within the District of Columbia, where the Secret Service operates. The contract likely supports a workforce requiring secure and robust communication tools for their operations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if the SUA is highly proprietary.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical communication infrastructure.
Risk of cost overruns if the fixed-price contract does not adequately account for all potential complexities.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a fair process.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Long contract duration indicates a stable and reliable solution is expected.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the telecommunications equipment manufacturing sector, specifically focusing on radio and wireless communication systems. The market for such enterprise-grade communication solutions is characterized by a few dominant players and significant technological investment. This procurement by the U.S. Secret Service is consistent with government efforts to maintain and upgrade secure communication networks essential for national security and law enforcement operations.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses through set-asides is unlikely. However, the prime contractor, Motorola Solutions, may engage small businesses as subcontractors, though this is not detailed in the provided information. The overall impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on Motorola's subcontracting strategy.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Secret Service contracting officers and program managers. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, which obligates the contractor to deliver specified goods or services within the agreed-upon price. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Homeland Security Communications
Public Safety Radio Systems
Law Enforcement Technology
Secure Communications Networks

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in
Reliance on proprietary technology
Long-term dependence on a single supplier for critical infrastructure

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $17.4 million to MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC.. ENTERPRISE RADIO CORE SUA

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. Secret Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-09-30. End: 2023-09-30.

What is the track record of Motorola Solutions with the Department of Homeland Security and specifically the U.S. Secret Service for similar communication systems?

Motorola Solutions, Inc. has a long-standing history of providing communication solutions to government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its components like the U.S. Secret Service. Their expertise spans various radio and wireless communication technologies. While specific details on past performance for 'Enterprise Radio Core SUA' are not provided, Motorola is a recognized leader in public safety and enterprise communication systems. Historical data from contract databases would reveal the extent and nature of their previous awards and performance with these entities, including any potential issues or commendations related to similar procurements. Their established presence suggests a familiarity with government contracting requirements and operational needs.

How does the $17.4 million contract value compare to similar procurements for enterprise radio core systems?

Benchmarking the $17.4 million contract value requires comparing it against similar procurements for enterprise radio core systems, considering factors like system complexity, user base, contract duration, and geographic scope. Without access to a comprehensive database of comparable contracts, a precise comparison is difficult. However, for a 3-year (1095 days) firm-fixed-price contract for a critical communication infrastructure component like an enterprise radio core SUA, this value appears within a plausible range for a specialized, high-reliability system. The 'full and open competition' aspect suggests that the pricing was subject to market forces, which should theoretically drive it towards a competitive level. Further analysis would involve identifying contracts with similar technical specifications and service level agreements.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks for this contract include potential vendor lock-in, as the 'Enterprise Radio Core SUA' might be proprietary, making future transitions difficult. There's also a risk of technological obsolescence if the system is not designed for future upgrades. Dependence on a single vendor for critical communication infrastructure poses a national security risk if that vendor faces disruptions. Mitigation strategies likely include robust contract language requiring interoperability, clear specifications for future upgrades, and potentially performance-based metrics tied to system reliability and availability. The firm-fixed-price nature helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government, provided the scope is well-defined.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' strategy in ensuring value for money for this specific contract?

The 'full and open competition' strategy is generally effective in ensuring value for money by fostering a competitive environment where multiple vendors vie for the contract. This process encourages bidders to offer their most competitive pricing and innovative solutions to win the award. For this $17.4 million contract, it suggests that the U.S. Secret Service sought to leverage market competition to achieve the best possible outcome. The effectiveness is maximized when the solicitation clearly defines requirements and evaluation criteria, allowing for a fair comparison of proposals. While the number of bidders isn't specified, the intent of the strategy is to drive down costs and improve quality through competitive pressure.

What are the historical spending patterns for enterprise radio core systems by the Department of Homeland Security?

Historical spending patterns for enterprise radio core systems by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would likely show a consistent need for reliable and secure communication infrastructure. DHS, encompassing numerous agencies with diverse operational requirements, invests significantly in communication technologies. Spending in this area typically involves procurements for radio systems, network infrastructure, and associated services. Trends may indicate shifts towards more integrated, IP-based, or secure communication solutions over time. Analyzing past contracts, including their values, durations, and awarded vendors, would reveal the scale of investment and the evolution of technology requirements within DHS for such critical systems.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Communications Equipment Manufacturing › Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 70US0920R70090043

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: $32,541,973

Exercised Options: $24,799,368

Current Obligation: $17,444,344

Actual Outlays: $15,532,208

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70B04C19D00000010

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline