DHS Coast Guard Awards $471,900 for Display Units to Strategic Communications LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $47,190 ($47.2K)

Contractor: Strategic Communications LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2026-06-20

Contract Duration: 72 days

Daily Burn Rate: $655/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 27

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NSN: 7025 01-F25-7178 DESCRIPTION: DISPLAY UNIT

Place of Performance

Location: LOUISVILLE, JEFFERSON County, KENTUCKY, 40243

State: Kentucky Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $47,190 to STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS LLC for work described as: NSN: 7025 01-F25-7178 DESCRIPTION: DISPLAY UNIT Key points: 1. Contract awarded for display units, a component within the Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing sector. 2. Competition was conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements. 3. The award to Strategic Communications LLC represents a single vendor transaction for this specific requirement. 4. The duration of the contract is 72 days, indicating a short-term need for the display units.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $471,900 for 27 units appears high on a per-unit basis, especially considering the short duration. Benchmarking against similar complex display units is needed to confirm value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP, which typically involves limited competition to streamline the acquisition process for smaller dollar amounts. This method may not have fully explored the market for the best price.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being utilized for this purchase. The efficiency of the SAP competition method in achieving optimal pricing will determine the overall taxpayer impact.

Public Impact

Ensures operational readiness for the U.S. Coast Guard by providing necessary display equipment. Supports a specific manufacturing sector through the procurement of specialized instruments. The limited competition may raise questions about the most cost-effective use of federal funds.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for overpayment due to limited competition under SAP.
Short contract duration may indicate a non-recurring need, but requires verification.
Lack of detailed product specification makes per-unit cost assessment difficult.

Positive Signals

Awarded to a single vendor, simplifying contract management.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.

Sector Analysis

The procurement falls under the Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing sector, which supplies critical components for various government operations. Spending benchmarks for similar display units are not readily available, making direct comparison challenging.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this specific award (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to understand the broader small business impact within this contract vehicle or agency.

Oversight & Accountability

The use of SAP suggests a streamlined oversight process. However, the limited competition warrants scrutiny to ensure fair pricing and prevent potential waste.

Related Government Programs

Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables
Department of Homeland Security Contracting
U.S. Coast Guard Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for inflated pricing due to limited competition.
Lack of detailed technical specifications hinders thorough value assessment.
Short contract duration raises questions about long-term needs and planning.
No indication of small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $47,190 to STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS LLC. NSN: 7025 01-F25-7178 DESCRIPTION: DISPLAY UNIT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Coast Guard).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $47,190.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2026-06-20.

What is the specific function and technical complexity of these display units to justify the per-unit cost?

The provided data lacks specific technical details about the display units. Understanding their intended use within the Coast Guard, such as for navigation, communication, or data visualization, and their required specifications (e.g., ruggedization, screen resolution, processing power) is crucial for a meaningful cost assessment. Without this, it's difficult to determine if the price reflects the actual value or complexity.

Could a more competitive bidding process under SAP have yielded a lower price for these display units?

While SAP is designed for efficiency, its limited competition aspect can sometimes lead to higher prices than a full and open competition. If multiple vendors could have supplied comparable display units, a broader solicitation might have driven down costs through market forces. The agency should ensure that SAP is used appropriately and that price reasonableness is thoroughly vetted.

How effectively will these display units contribute to the operational mission of the U.S. Coast Guard given the short contract duration?

The 72-day duration suggests these display units are for a specific, short-term need or a rapid deployment requirement. Their effectiveness hinges on meeting the immediate operational demands of the Coast Guard during this period. Post-delivery evaluation and user feedback would be necessary to confirm their contribution to mission success and whether this short-term solution adequately addresses the underlying requirement.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - END USER

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 70Z08526Q30041B00

Offers Received: 27

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 310 EVERGREEN RD, LOUISVILLE, KY, 40243

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $47,190

Exercised Options: $47,190

Current Obligation: $47,190

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline