DoD's $14.5M IRU Link 39 contract with BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC awarded under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,582,401 ($14.6M)

Contractor: BY Light Professional IT Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2016-06-01

End Date: 2026-05-31

Contract Duration: 3,651 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: INDEFEASIBLE RIGHT OF USE (IRU) LINK 39 IGF::CT::IGF

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22201

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $14.6 million to BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC for work described as: INDEFEASIBLE RIGHT OF USE (IRU) LINK 39 IGF::CT::IGF Key points: 1. The contract value of $14.5M over approximately 10 years suggests a significant investment in telecommunications infrastructure. 2. Awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' this indicates a competitive process with specific justifications for source exclusion. 3. The 'Definitive Contract' type with 'Firm Fixed Price' terms provides cost certainty for the government. 4. The contract duration of 3651 days (over 10 years) points to a long-term need for these services. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 517110 for Wired Telecommunications Carriers places this contract within a specific industry segment. 6. The contract is associated with the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), highlighting its strategic importance for military communications.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $14.5M over approximately 10 years for an Indefeasible Right of Use (IRU) link suggests a potentially reasonable price for long-term dedicated bandwidth. Without specific details on the link's capacity, route, and service level agreements, a direct comparison to similar contracts is challenging. However, IRU agreements are typically cost-effective for sustained, high-capacity needs compared to shorter-term leased lines. The firm fixed-price nature provides budget predictability.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This designation implies that while the competition was intended to be broad, certain sources were excluded based on specific criteria or justifications. The presence of 4 bids suggests a degree of competition, but the exclusion of sources may limit the overall market engagement and potentially impact price discovery compared to a truly unrestricted full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: While competition was present, the exclusion of certain sources means taxpayers may not have benefited from the absolute lowest price achievable if all potential bidders had been included. However, the fact that multiple bids were received indicates some level of market interest and potential for competitive pricing.

Public Impact

This contract directly benefits the Department of Defense by providing a critical telecommunications link for its operations. The service delivered is an Indefeasible Right of Use (IRU) link, which grants the government exclusive use of a specific fiber optic path for an extended period. The geographic impact is primarily within Virginia, where the link is located, supporting regional DoD infrastructure. Workforce implications are likely related to the installation, maintenance, and management of this telecommunications infrastructure, potentially involving specialized IT and network engineers.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'Exclusion of Sources' in the competition type warrants further investigation to ensure it was fully justified and did not unduly restrict competition.
The long contract duration (over 10 years) could lead to vendor lock-in or missed opportunities for more cost-effective solutions if technology evolves rapidly.

Positive Signals

Awarded under 'Full and Open Competition' (even with exclusions) suggests a structured procurement process.
The 'Firm Fixed Price' contract type provides cost certainty and reduces the risk of cost overruns for the government.
The contract is with BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC, a known entity in the telecommunications sector, potentially indicating a reliable provider.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Wired Telecommunications Carriers sector, a critical component of the IT and Defense industries. This sector involves the infrastructure that underpins modern communication networks, including fiber optic cables and associated equipment. The market is characterized by significant capital investment, long lead times for infrastructure deployment, and a mix of large established players and specialized service providers. Spending in this area by government agencies is essential for maintaining secure and reliable communication capabilities, especially for national security operations.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications mandated for small businesses through this specific award. The primary contractor, BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC, will likely manage the subcontracting opportunities based on its own business strategy and operational needs, rather than specific government requirements tied to small business participation for this particular contract.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), which has established oversight mechanisms for telecommunications procurements. As a definitive contract with a firm fixed price, financial oversight focuses on adherence to the agreed-upon terms and delivery milestones. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Defense Information Systems Network (DISN)
Telecommunications Infrastructure Procurement
Wired Network Services
Indefeasible Right of Use (IRU) Agreements

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion.
Long contract duration may not adapt to rapid technological changes.
Dependence on a single IRU link could pose a single point of failure risk if not adequately redundant.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $14.6 million to BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC. INDEFEASIBLE RIGHT OF USE (IRU) LINK 39 IGF::CT::IGF

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Information Systems Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $14.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-06-01. End: 2026-05-31.

What specific justification was provided for the exclusion of sources in this 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' award?

The provided data indicates the contract type as 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This designation implies that while the procurement was intended to be competitive, certain potential bidders were excluded based on specific criteria outlined in the solicitation or preceding documentation. Common reasons for excluding sources include proprietary technology requirements, specific security clearances, unique capabilities, or prior performance issues. A thorough review of the contract's solicitation documents, justifications for other than full and open competition (J&A), or agency-specific documentation would be necessary to ascertain the precise reasons for excluding specific sources. Without this detailed documentation, it's impossible to definitively state the justification, but it suggests a deliberate narrowing of the competitive pool based on predefined requirements.

How does the $14.5M contract value compare to similar IRU link procurements by the DoD or other federal agencies?

Benchmarking the $14.5M contract value for an IRU link requires detailed information on the link's specifications, such as bandwidth capacity (e.g., 10 Gbps, 100 Gbps), geographic route, service level agreements (SLAs), and the contract duration (approximately 10 years). IRU agreements are capital-intensive upfront but can offer lower long-term operational costs compared to leased lines. For high-capacity, long-haul routes, $1.45M per year (approximate annual cost) might be competitive, especially if it involves specialized infrastructure or secure pathways. However, without these specifics, a direct comparison is difficult. Generally, federal agencies aim for competitive pricing through full and open competition to ensure value for taxpayer money. The 'Exclusion of Sources' aspect here might have influenced the final price compared to a truly unrestricted competition.

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

The provided data does not explicitly detail the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this Indefeasible Right of Use (IRU) link contract. Typically, for such telecommunications infrastructure, SLAs would cover aspects like uptime guarantees (e.g., 99.999%), latency thresholds, jitter limits, and restoration times in case of outages. The KPIs would likely focus on the contractor's adherence to these SLAs. The 'Definitive Contract' and 'Firm Fixed Price' nature suggests that the performance expectations are clearly defined and agreed upon. DISA, as the procuring agency, would have specific requirements for network reliability and performance critical for defense operations, which would be detailed in the contract's statement of work.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar wired telecommunications services by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA)?

Analyzing DISA's historical spending on wired telecommunications services, particularly IRU agreements and similar long-term bandwidth provisions, would reveal trends in procurement volume, average contract values, and dominant service providers. DISA, as the primary IT communications provider for the DoD, consistently invests heavily in robust and secure networks. Historical data would likely show a significant and sustained expenditure in this area, driven by the evolving needs of military operations and technological advancements. Examining past contracts under NAICS code 517110 or related telecommunications service codes would provide context on pricing benchmarks and the competitive landscape DISA typically engages with. This specific $14.5M contract represents one component of DISA's broader telecommunications infrastructure budget.

What is the track record of BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC in fulfilling large federal telecommunications contracts?

BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC has a notable track record in fulfilling federal telecommunications contracts. As a significant player in the government contracting space, the company has been awarded numerous contracts across various agencies, including the Department of Defense. Their portfolio often includes complex network infrastructure, telecommunications services, and IT solutions. Examining publicly available contract databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) would provide specific details on their past performance, including contract values, types, and agencies served. A positive performance history with large, complex contracts would indicate a lower risk associated with this current IRU link award, suggesting they possess the capability and experience to deliver on the requirements.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite) › Wired Telecommunications Carriers

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: HC101315R0016

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8484 WESTPARK DR STE 600, MCLEAN, VA, 22102

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,726,031

Exercised Options: $14,726,031

Current Obligation: $14,582,401

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 5

Total Subaward Amount: $8,584,285

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline