District of Columbia Courts awards $243K dark fiber contract to Zayo Group LLC for one year

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $106,000 ($106.0K)

Contractor: Zayo Group LLC

Awarding Agency: District of Columbia Courts

Start Date: 2026-02-14

End Date: 2027-02-13

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $291/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: DCSC-24-SAS-152 DARK FIBER & INTERNET SERVICES. POP 2/14/2026 - 2/13/2027. THIRD YEAR OF A FIVE YEAR BASE PERIOD. TCV $243,336.00. INITIAL FUNDING OF CONTRACT FOR $50,000.00.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20001

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

District of Columbia Courts obligated $106,000 to ZAYO GROUP LLC for work described as: DCSC-24-SAS-152 DARK FIBER & INTERNET SERVICES. POP 2/14/2026 - 2/13/2027. THIRD YEAR OF A FIVE YEAR BASE PERIOD. TCV $243,336.00. INITIAL FUNDING OF CONTRACT FOR $50,000.00. Key points: 1. Contract is the third year of a five-year base period, indicating potential for long-term reliance. 2. Zayo Group LLC is the sole provider for this specific service, raising concerns about competition. 3. Total Contract Value (TCV) is $243,336, with initial funding at $50,000, suggesting phased expenditure. 4. The service falls under 'All Other Telecommunications' (NAICS 517810), a broad category.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The TCV of $243,336 for a one-year dark fiber and internet service contract appears reasonable given the specialized nature of dark fiber. However, without specific bandwidth and service level agreement details, a precise benchmark is difficult. Pricing should be compared against similar government contracts for dark fiber in the DC metropolitan area.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This significantly limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers as there is no competitive pressure to drive down prices. The agency should justify why competition was not feasible.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition in this sole-source award may result in taxpayers paying a premium for telecommunications services that could potentially be procured at a lower cost through a competitive bidding process.

Public Impact

Ensures continued connectivity for the District of Columbia Courts, crucial for judicial operations. Reliance on a single provider may impact service resilience and future negotiation leverage. The contract's duration and sole-source nature warrant scrutiny for long-term cost-effectiveness.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
Potential for overpayment due to lack of competitive bidding.
Third year of a multi-year contract, raising questions about initial procurement strategy.

Positive Signals

Provides essential telecommunications infrastructure for court operations.
Contract is for a defined period, allowing for future re-evaluation.

Sector Analysis

The telecommunications sector, particularly specialized services like dark fiber, often involves high infrastructure costs and can be prone to limited competition. Government spending in this area is critical for maintaining secure and reliable communication networks, but requires careful oversight to ensure fair pricing and vendor diversity.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as the prime contractor or as subcontractors. The award to Zayo Group LLC, a large telecommunications provider, suggests that small business participation was not a consideration or requirement for this specific procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award necessitates robust oversight to ensure the price is fair and reasonable and that the service meets the agency's needs. The District of Columbia Courts should maintain detailed records justifying the lack of competition and regularly review the contract's performance.

Related Government Programs

All Other Telecommunications
District of Columbia Courts Contracting
District of Columbia Courts Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
Potential for price inflation
Limited vendor options
Third year of a multi-year contract

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

District of Columbia Courts awarded $106,000 to ZAYO GROUP LLC. DCSC-24-SAS-152 DARK FIBER & INTERNET SERVICES. POP 2/14/2026 - 2/13/2027. THIRD YEAR OF A FIVE YEAR BASE PERIOD. TCV $243,336.00. INITIAL FUNDING OF CONTRACT FOR $50,000.00.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ZAYO GROUP LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: District of Columbia Courts (District of Columbia Courts).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $106,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-02-14. End: 2027-02-13.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and what steps were taken to ensure the price is fair and reasonable without competition?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves circumstances where only one responsible source can provide the required supply or service. For dark fiber, this might be due to unique network infrastructure or geographic limitations. The agency should have conducted a price analysis, potentially using historical data, market research, or cost-reimbursement analysis, to validate the reasonableness of Zayo Group LLC's pricing in the absence of competitive bids.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single provider for critical dark fiber and internet services for the District of Columbia Courts?

The primary risks include a lack of competitive pressure leading to inflated prices over time, reduced leverage in future negotiations, and potential service disruptions if the sole provider experiences issues. Vendor lock-in is also a concern, making it difficult and costly to switch providers if performance degrades or needs change. This dependency could impact the continuity of essential court operations.

How does the $243,336 Total Contract Value compare to industry benchmarks for similar dark fiber services in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area?

Benchmarking this contract's value requires detailed comparison with similar service level agreements, bandwidth, and geographic coverage. Dark fiber is a high-capacity, dedicated service, and its cost can vary significantly. While $243,336 for a year of service might be within a reasonable range for specialized government needs, a thorough analysis against comparable government or commercial contracts in the region is necessary to confirm value for money.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › All Other Telecommunications › All Other Telecommunications

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1401 WYNKOOP ST STE 500, DENVER, CO, 80202

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $106,000

Exercised Options: $106,000

Current Obligation: $106,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: PRODUCTS OR SERVICES PURSUANT TO FAR 12.102(F)

Timeline