DOJ's FBI Spends $41.7M on Wireless Call Services via BPA Call with Cellco Partnership
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $41,683,576 ($41.7M)
Contractor: Cellco Partnership
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2017-09-29
End Date: 2019-09-29
Contract Duration: 730 days
Daily Burn Rate: $57.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: WIRELESS CALL FBI SERVICE LINES IGF::OT::IGF
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20535
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $41.7 million to CELLCO PARTNERSHIP for work described as: WIRELESS CALL FBI SERVICE LINES IGF::OT::IGF Key points: 1. Significant spending on essential communication services for the FBI. 2. Sole provider identified as Cellco Partnership, raising questions about competition. 3. Contract duration of 2 years suggests ongoing need for these services. 4. Spending falls under 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519).
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The total award amount of $41.7M over two years for wireless call services appears substantial. Benchmarking against similar contracts for large-scale wireless communication solutions is necessary to determine if the pricing is competitive.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition' via a BPA Call. However, the specific awardee is Cellco Partnership, indicating that while competition was allowed, this specific vendor was selected.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being utilized for critical communication infrastructure for a federal law enforcement agency. Ensuring cost-effectiveness is key to responsible spending.
Public Impact
Ensures FBI agents and personnel have reliable communication capabilities. Supports national security and law enforcement operations. Potential for cost savings if competitive bidding was robust.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific price breakdown per unit.
- Limited information on the competitive process beyond 'Full and Open Competition'.
Positive Signals
- Essential service for a critical government function.
- Awarded through a recognized procurement vehicle (BPA Call).
Sector Analysis
Spending on wireless communication services is common across government agencies, particularly for operational needs. Benchmarks for similar contracts would typically focus on per-user costs or data allowances.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to assess small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Department of Justice for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Oversight would involve ensuring the services meet the FBI's operational requirements and that the pricing remains fair throughout the contract term.
Related Government Programs
- Other Computer Related Services
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Federal Bureau of Investigation Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential lack of robust competition despite 'Full and Open' designation.
- Absence of per-unit cost data makes detailed value assessment difficult.
- Long-term reliance on a single provider could limit future negotiation leverage.
- Need for clear performance metrics and oversight to ensure service quality.
Tags
other-computer-related-services, department-of-justice, dc, bpa-call, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $41.7 million to CELLCO PARTNERSHIP. WIRELESS CALL FBI SERVICE LINES IGF::OT::IGF
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CELLCO PARTNERSHIP.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Investigation).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $41.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2017-09-29. End: 2019-09-29.
What was the specific competitive landscape during the BPA Call process that led to Cellco Partnership being selected?
While the award states 'Full and Open Competition,' the specifics of the competitive process for this particular BPA Call are not detailed. Understanding the number of bids received, the evaluation criteria, and the reasons for selecting Cellco Partnership would provide greater insight into the effectiveness of the competition and potential price discovery.
How does the $41.7M expenditure compare to industry benchmarks for similar wireless communication services for an organization of the FBI's size?
Without detailed service specifications (e.g., data volume, number of users, specific features), a direct comparison to industry benchmarks is challenging. However, $41.7M over two years for a federal agency's wireless needs suggests a significant investment. A thorough analysis would require comparing per-user costs, data rates, and service level agreements against comparable government or large enterprise contracts.
What measures are in place to ensure the ongoing effectiveness and value for money of these wireless call services throughout the contract period?
The contract type is 'FIRM FIXED PRICE,' which generally provides cost certainty. However, ongoing oversight by the FBI is crucial to ensure the services consistently meet performance requirements and evolving operational needs. Periodic reviews of service utilization and vendor performance would help confirm continued value for taxpayer money.
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 › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Verizon Communications Inc (UEI: 107212169)
Address: 180 WASHINGTON VALLEY ROAD, BEDMINSTER, NJ, 07921
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $41,683,576
Exercised Options: $41,683,576
Current Obligation: $41,683,576
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: JFBI11317A
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2017-09-29
Current End Date: 2019-09-29
Potential End Date: 2019-09-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2019-06-25
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