DOJ's FBI Spends $16.7M on Wireless Services from Cellco Partnership
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $16,758,319 ($16.8M)
Contractor: Cellco Partnership
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2009-12-15
End Date: 2010-12-14
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $46.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: WIRELESS VOICE/DATA SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20535
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $16.8 million to CELLCO PARTNERSHIP for work described as: WIRELESS VOICE/DATA SERVICES Key points: 1. Significant spending on essential communication services. 2. Sole provider identified as Cellco Partnership. 3. Contract duration of 364 days. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type. 5. NAICS code 517210 indicates wireless telecommunications carriers.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $16.7M for a year of wireless services appears substantial. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for wireless communication is necessary to determine if this pricing is competitive.
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 provider is Cellco Partnership, and further details on the bidding outcomes are needed to assess price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being utilized for essential communication infrastructure. The effectiveness of the competition in securing the best value for taxpayers is a key consideration.
Public Impact
Ensures critical communication capabilities for the FBI. Supports law enforcement and investigative operations. Potential for cost savings through competitive bidding.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of detailed pricing breakdown.
- Potential for vendor lock-in if competition was limited in practice.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Clear contract duration and type.
Sector Analysis
Spending falls within the IT and telecommunications sector. Government spending on wireless services is a significant category, driven by the need for mobile communication for federal agencies.
Small Business Impact
No specific information is provided regarding small business participation in this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved or had opportunities.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is managed by the Department of Justice for the FBI. The contract's performance and adherence to terms would be subject to agency oversight.
Related Government Programs
- Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite)
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Federal Bureau of Investigation Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited transparency on competitive bidding details.
- Potential for price increases in future renewals.
- Dependence on a single provider.
- Lack of detailed cost breakdown for analysis.
Tags
wireless-telecommunications-carriers-exc, department-of-justice, dc, do, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $16.8 million to CELLCO PARTNERSHIP. WIRELESS VOICE/DATA SERVICES
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 $16.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2009-12-15. End: 2010-12-14.
What was the competitive landscape during the bidding process for this contract?
While the contract states 'full and open competition,' the specific details of the bidding process are not provided. Understanding the number of bidders, the nature of their proposals, and the evaluation criteria would offer insight into the true competitive intensity and how effectively it drove down prices for the FBI.
Are there any identified risks associated with relying on Cellco Partnership for these critical wireless services?
Potential risks could include service disruptions, security vulnerabilities, or escalating costs in future contract renewals if competition diminishes. Assessing Cellco's track record, service level agreements, and contingency plans is crucial for understanding the associated risks.
How does the cost of these wireless services compare to industry benchmarks for similar government contracts?
Without specific per-unit cost data or detailed service offerings, a direct comparison to industry benchmarks is challenging. A thorough analysis would require comparing the total contract value against the number of users, data allowances, and service features provided, relative to similar government or commercial agreements.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) › Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite)
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Verizon Communications Inc (UEI: 107212169)
Address: 1 VERIZON PLACE, ALPHARETTA, GA, 07
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $16,758,319
Exercised Options: $16,758,319
Current Obligation: $16,758,319
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: DJFJFBI07141
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2009-12-15
Current End Date: 2010-12-14
Potential End Date: 2010-12-14 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2010-07-19
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