Air Force awards $4M+ for ELMR sustainment to Motorola Solutions, a sole-source contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,012,563 ($4.0M)

Contractor: Motorola Solutions, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-04-01

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE ENTERPRISE LAND MOBILE RADIO (ELMR) LIFECYCLE MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINMENT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: LINTHICUM HEIGHTS, ANNE ARUNDEL County, MARYLAND, 21090

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $4.0 million to MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC. for work described as: DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE ENTERPRISE LAND MOBILE RADIO (ELMR) LIFECYCLE MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINMENT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting competitive pricing benefits. 2. Focus on lifecycle management and sustainment suggests a need for specialized vendor expertise. 3. The contract duration of one year indicates a short-term need or a bridge to a future procurement. 4. Fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor. 5. The specific NAICS code points to repair and maintenance of electronic equipment. 6. The award amount is modest for a sustainment contract of this nature.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

This contract for sustainment services was awarded sole-source to Motorola Solutions, Inc. Without competition, it is difficult to benchmark the pricing against market rates or similar contracts. The firm fixed-price structure is generally favorable for cost control, but the lack of competitive bidding raises questions about whether the government is achieving the best possible value. Further analysis would require understanding the specific services included and the historical pricing for this system.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed. This typically occurs when only one vendor possesses the necessary capabilities, proprietary knowledge, or when urgent needs preclude a competitive process. The lack of competition means there were no other bidders to drive down prices through a bidding war, potentially leading to higher costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards limit taxpayer benefit by foregoing the cost savings typically achieved through a competitive bidding process. This means taxpayers may be paying a premium for these sustainment services.

Public Impact

The Department of the Air Force benefits from continued sustainment of its Enterprise Land Mobile Radio (ELMR) system. This contract ensures the operational readiness and maintenance of critical communication infrastructure. The services delivered are essential for maintaining secure and reliable radio communications for Air Force operations. The primary beneficiaries are the Air Force personnel who rely on the ELMR system for daily operations and mission success.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits price competition and potential cost savings for taxpayers.
Lack of competition may indicate a lack of market availability for alternative sustainment providers.
Contract duration is short, potentially leading to frequent re-procurement efforts and associated administrative costs.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Contract is for sustainment, indicating a focus on maintaining existing critical infrastructure.
Awardee is a known entity in the radio communications market, suggesting potential for reliable service delivery.

Sector Analysis

The Enterprise Land Mobile Radio (ELMR) system falls within the broader telecommunications and electronic equipment maintenance sector. This sector is characterized by specialized technical expertise and often proprietary technology. Sustainment services for such systems are crucial for ensuring the longevity and operational effectiveness of critical government communication networks. Benchmarking would typically involve comparing pricing for similar sustainment contracts for specialized radio systems across government agencies, though sole-source awards make direct comparisons challenging.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. Given the sole-source nature of the award to a large corporation like Motorola Solutions, Inc., there are likely no subcontracting opportunities for small businesses directly tied to this specific award. The impact on the small business ecosystem is minimal as the primary contract is not designed to foster small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of the Air Force's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, which obligates the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, with details of the justification for sole-sourcing not publicly detailed in this summary. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Enterprise Land Mobile Radio (ELMR)
Air Force Communication Systems Maintenance
Federal Government Radio Communications Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
Potential for increased costs due to single vendor reliance

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $4.0 million to MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC.. DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE ENTERPRISE LAND MOBILE RADIO (ELMR) LIFECYCLE MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINMENT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-04-01. End: 2026-03-31.

What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis to Motorola Solutions, Inc.?

The provided data does not include the specific justification for the sole-source award. Typically, sole-source contracts are awarded when only one responsible source is available or capable of meeting the agency's needs. This could be due to proprietary technology, unique capabilities, or a lack of competition in the market for specialized sustainment services for the Enterprise Land Mobile Radio (ELMR) system. The Department of the Air Force would have a formal justification document outlining these reasons, often citing FAR Part 6.302 for exceptions to full and open competition. Without this document, the exact rationale remains unknown, but it is presumed to be based on the unique nature of the ELMR system and Motorola's role as the original equipment manufacturer or sole provider of necessary expertise and parts.

How does the $4.01 million award compare to historical spending on ELMR sustainment services?

The provided data only includes a single award of $4,012,563.01 for a 12-month period (2025-04-01 to 2026-03-31). To compare this to historical spending, one would need access to historical contract data for ELMR sustainment services, including previous awards to Motorola Solutions or other contractors, their values, and durations. Without this historical context, it is impossible to determine if this $4.01 million award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of spending for these services. A comprehensive analysis would involve querying federal procurement databases for all ELMR sustainment contracts over the past several years to establish a trend.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this sustainment contract?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract. Sustainment contracts for critical communication systems like the Enterprise Land Mobile Radio (ELMR) typically include detailed SLAs related to system uptime, response times for maintenance and repairs, parts availability, and technical support. These metrics are crucial for ensuring the reliability and operational readiness of the radio network. The specific KPIs would be outlined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) and would form the basis for performance evaluations and potential remedies for non-performance. Without access to the SOW, these critical details remain undisclosed.

What is the risk associated with relying on a single vendor (Motorola Solutions) for critical communication system sustainment?

Relying on a single vendor for critical communication system sustainment, as is the case with Motorola Solutions for the ELMR system, presents several risks. Firstly, there is a 'vendor lock-in' risk, where the government becomes dependent on one provider, potentially limiting future flexibility and negotiation power. Secondly, the lack of competition can lead to higher prices over time, as the vendor may face less pressure to innovate or offer cost efficiencies. Thirdly, if the vendor experiences financial difficulties, operational disruptions, or decides to discontinue support for the specific system, the government could face significant challenges in finding alternative solutions, potentially jeopardizing communication capabilities. Finally, sole-source awards can raise concerns about fairness and the best use of taxpayer funds.

What is the estimated total cost of ownership for the ELMR system over its lifecycle, and how does this contract contribute to it?

The provided data only details a single 12-month sustainment contract valued at approximately $4.01 million. It does not offer information on the total cost of ownership (TCO) for the entire Enterprise Land Mobile Radio (ELMR) system, nor does it provide details about the system's expected lifecycle. TCO typically includes acquisition costs, deployment, sustainment, upgrades, and eventual decommissioning. This contract represents a portion of the sustainment cost within the system's lifecycle. To estimate the TCO, one would need data on the initial procurement cost, the number and value of previous and future sustainment contracts, any planned upgrades or modernization efforts, and the projected end-of-life for the system. This single contract is a component, not the entirety, of the ELMR's lifecycle cost.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Other Services (except Public Administration) › Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance › Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

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: $4,012,563

Exercised Options: $4,012,563

Current Obligation: $4,012,563

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA805523D3001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline