Viasat Inc. awarded $1.6M for Integrated Waveform Phase I by the Department of Defense
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $16,025,673 ($16.0M)
Contractor: Viasat Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2007-04-09
End Date: 2010-08-23
Contract Duration: 1,232 days
Daily Burn Rate: $13.0K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: INTEGRATED WAVEFORM PHASE I
Place of Performance
Location: FALLS CHURCH, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22041
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $16.0 million to VIASAT INC for work described as: INTEGRATED WAVEFORM PHASE I Key points: 1. Contract awarded for computer systems design services, indicating a focus on specialized technical solutions. 2. The contract was not competed, raising questions about potential cost efficiencies and market exploration. 3. A firm-fixed-price contract suggests a defined scope and budget, potentially limiting cost overruns. 4. The duration of the contract (over 3 years) implies a significant project requiring sustained effort. 5. Awarded to Viasat Inc., a known entity in the defense and communications sector. 6. The contract falls under the 'Computer Systems Design Services' NAICS code, a common area for IT support.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $1.6 million for computer systems design services over approximately three years is difficult to benchmark without more specific details on the deliverables. As a sole-source award, there is no direct comparison to other bids to assess value for money. The firm-fixed-price structure provides some cost certainty, but the absence of competition means the government did not benefit from potential price reductions that could arise from a competitive bidding process. Further analysis would require understanding the specific technical requirements and market rates for similar specialized services.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one vendor, Viasat Inc., was solicited. This approach bypasses the standard competitive bidding process. While sole-source awards can be justified for unique capabilities or urgent needs, they limit the government's ability to explore the full range of market solutions and potentially secure lower prices through competition. The lack of multiple bidders means there was no direct price discovery mechanism.
Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can lead to higher costs for taxpayers as the government does not leverage competitive pressures to drive down prices. This limits the potential for cost savings that could be realized in a fully competed environment.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiary is the Department of Defense, specifically the Defense Information Systems Agency, receiving specialized computer systems design services. The services delivered are related to 'Integrated Waveform Phase I', suggesting development or enhancement of communication systems. The geographic impact is likely within the operational areas of the Department of Defense, though specific locations are not detailed. Workforce implications would involve specialized technical personnel employed by Viasat Inc. to fulfill the contract requirements.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition limits price discovery and potential cost savings for taxpayers.
- Sole-source awards can indicate a lack of market research or a reliance on a single vendor.
- The specific nature of 'Integrated Waveform Phase I' is not detailed, making it hard to assess the necessity of a sole-source award.
Positive Signals
- Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for the awarded amount.
- Award to an established contractor like Viasat Inc. may indicate confidence in their technical capabilities.
- Contract duration suggests a project of substance and potential long-term value.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) and Defense sectors, specifically under Computer Systems Design Services. This market segment is characterized by specialized technical expertise and often involves complex system integration and development. Spending in this area by defense agencies is substantial, driven by the need for advanced communication, cybersecurity, and data processing capabilities. Benchmarking this specific contract's value is challenging without detailed scope, but IT services represent a significant portion of federal procurement.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'sb': false. Furthermore, there is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the primary contractor, Viasat Inc., is expected to perform the work directly or through its own resources, with limited direct benefit to the small business ecosystem through this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the contracting agency, the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), and potentially the Department of Defense's Inspector General. As a sole-source award, scrutiny might be higher to ensure the justification for not competing was sound. Transparency is limited by the lack of competitive proposals, but contract award details are generally available through federal procurement databases.
Related Government Programs
- Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Contracts
- Department of Defense IT Procurement
- Viasat Inc. Federal Contracts
- Computer Systems Design Services Contracts
- Integrated Waveform Development
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
- Limited transparency on specific technical requirements and deliverables.
- Potential for higher costs due to lack of competition.
Tags
defense, department-of-defense, disa, viasat-inc, computer-systems-design-services, not-competed, sole-source, firm-fixed-price, it, virginia, research-and-development
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $16.0 million to VIASAT INC. INTEGRATED WAVEFORM PHASE I
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is VIASAT INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Information Systems Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $16.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-04-09. End: 2010-08-23.
What specific technical capabilities does Viasat Inc. possess that justified a sole-source award for 'Integrated Waveform Phase I'?
The justification for a sole-source award typically rests on unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent needs that only a specific contractor can meet. For Viasat Inc. and the 'Integrated Waveform Phase I' contract, this likely relates to specialized expertise in waveform design, signal processing, or existing proprietary technology that is critical for the Department of Defense's communication systems. Without access to the specific sole-source justification documentation (e.g., Justification and Approval - J&A), the precise technical reasons remain undisclosed. However, Viasat is known for its satellite communication systems and secure networking solutions, suggesting the 'Integrated Waveform' project could be tied to enhancing these capabilities for military applications, potentially involving advanced encryption or interoperability features that are difficult to replicate.
How does the $1.6 million contract value compare to similar 'Computer Systems Design Services' contracts awarded by the DoD?
Comparing the $1.6 million value of this contract to similar 'Computer Systems Design Services' contracts requires a detailed analysis of contract scope, duration, and specific services rendered. The NAICS code 541512 covers a broad range of services, from IT support and network management to custom software development and system integration. Given this contract's duration of over three years and its sole-source nature, the $1.6 million might represent a moderate investment for specialized R&D or system enhancement. However, without knowing the exact deliverables, it's challenging to establish a precise per-year or per-service benchmark. Larger, competed contracts for similar services can range from millions to hundreds of millions of dollars, often involving more extensive system deployments or ongoing support.
What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for a technology development contract like this?
Sole-source awards for technology development contracts carry several inherent risks. Firstly, the absence of competition can lead to inflated pricing, as the government does not benefit from the cost-saving pressures that a competitive bidding process typically generates. Secondly, it limits the government's exposure to alternative technological solutions or innovative approaches that other vendors might offer. This can result in the selection of a suboptimal solution or stifle innovation. Thirdly, there's a risk of vendor lock-in, where the government becomes overly reliant on a single provider, potentially hindering future flexibility and increasing long-term costs. Finally, without competitive benchmarking, it's harder to objectively assess the contractor's performance and the overall value for money received.
What is the historical spending pattern for 'Integrated Waveform' related contracts within the Department of Defense?
Analyzing historical spending patterns for 'Integrated Waveform' related contracts requires searching federal procurement databases for similar contract actions over time. The term 'Integrated Waveform' suggests a focus on communication technologies, potentially related to radio frequency (RF) or satellite communications. Historical data might reveal if this is a recurring area of investment for the DoD, the typical contract values, the primary contractors involved, and whether these contracts have historically been competed or awarded sole-source. A trend of sole-source awards in this specific technology area could indicate a niche market or proprietary technology, while a pattern of competitive awards would suggest a more open market for such solutions. Understanding this history provides context for the current award's nature and potential future spending.
What is the significance of the 'Phase I' designation in the contract title 'INTEGRATED WAVEFORM PHASE I'?
The 'Phase I' designation typically signifies the initial stage of a research and development (R&D) project, often associated with Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, although it can also be used in broader R&D contexts. In Phase I, the primary goal is usually to establish the feasibility and scientific/technical merit of a proposed concept or technology. This involves basic research and development, proof-of-concept studies, and feasibility analyses. Contracts awarded for Phase I are generally smaller in scope and value compared to subsequent phases (Phase II, Phase III), which involve more extensive development, prototyping, and eventual commercialization or full-scale implementation. Therefore, 'Phase I' indicates that this $1.6 million award is for foundational research and exploration of the 'Integrated Waveform' concept.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
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: 6155 EL CAMINO REAL, CARLSBAD, CA, 49
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $16,025,673
Exercised Options: $16,025,673
Current Obligation: $16,025,673
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-04-09
Current End Date: 2010-08-23
Potential End Date: 2011-08-23 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2014-10-23
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