HHS FDA Spends $16.6M on BlackBerry Services via Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $16,569,892 ($16.6M)
Contractor: ATT Mobility LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2010-09-02
End Date: 2015-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,854 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: TAS::75 0600::TAS BLACKBERRY SERVICE
Place of Performance
Location: HANOVER, ANNE ARUNDEL County, MARYLAND, 21076, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $16.6 million to ATT MOBILITY LLC for work described as: TAS::75 0600::TAS BLACKBERRY SERVICE Key points: 1. Significant spending on a niche service, indicating potential for specialized needs. 2. ATT MOBILITY LLC is the sole awardee, suggesting a concentrated market or specific contract. 3. The contract duration of 1854 days (approx. 5 years) points to long-term service reliance. 4. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs, but requires careful scope management.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The total award amount of $16.6M over approximately 5 years averages to $3.3M annually. Without specific service details or comparable contract data, it's difficult to definitively assess pricing. However, for specialized mobile device management and communication services, this figure may be within a reasonable range, but requires further benchmarking.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which is a positive sign for price discovery. However, the single awardee (ATT MOBILITY LLC) suggests that either the market for this specific service is limited, or other potential bidders did not find the opportunity compelling enough to compete.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is intended to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently. The final price reflects the outcome of this competitive process, aiming for the best value.
Public Impact
Ensures critical communication infrastructure for FDA operations. Supports mobile device management and security for agency personnel. Potential impact on public health data integrity and accessibility. Reliance on a single vendor for essential services could pose continuity risks.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Vendor lock-in potential
- Service obsolescence risk
- Dependence on ATT infrastructure
Positive Signals
- Competitive award process
- Fixed-price contract for cost certainty
- Long-term service provision
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519). Spending in this sector can vary widely based on specialization. For mobile communication and device management services, benchmarks are difficult without more specific data, but government spending on IT services remains substantial.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was awarded to ATT MOBILITY LLC, a large business. There is no explicit indication of small business participation or subcontracting in the provided data. Further investigation would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a structured procurement process. Oversight would typically involve contract performance monitoring by the FDA to ensure service delivery meets requirements and that the fixed price remains appropriate.
Related Government Programs
- Other Computer Related Services
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- Food and Drug Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for service obsolescence given the contract end date.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical mobile services.
- Lack of detail on specific services impacts value assessment.
- Limited insight into competitive pricing beyond the award.
Tags
other-computer-related-services, department-of-health-and-human-services, md, do, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $16.6 million to ATT MOBILITY LLC. TAS::75 0600::TAS BLACKBERRY SERVICE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ATT MOBILITY LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Food and Drug Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $16.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2010-09-02. End: 2015-09-30.
What specific BlackBerry services were procured, and how do they align with current FDA operational needs and technological advancements?
The specific BlackBerry services procured are not detailed in the provided data. Given the contract end date of 2015, it's highly probable these services relate to mobile device management, secure communications, or enterprise mobility solutions prevalent at the time. Understanding the exact nature of these services is crucial to assess their continued relevance and value against modern alternatives and evolving cybersecurity threats faced by the FDA.
What was the competitive landscape for these specialized BlackBerry services at the time of award, and did ATT MOBILITY LLC offer a significant price advantage?
The competitive landscape for specialized BlackBerry services in the mid-2010s likely involved a limited number of providers capable of supporting large government contracts. While awarded under 'full and open competition,' the single awardee suggests limited viable competitors. ATT MOBILITY LLC's price advantage would have been determined during the bidding process, but without bid data, it's impossible to confirm if it was significant compared to potential alternatives.
How effectively did this contract support the FDA's mission, and what was the return on investment for the $16.6 million expenditure?
The effectiveness of this contract in supporting the FDA's mission is difficult to quantify solely from the provided data. BlackBerry services were likely critical for secure communication and data access for FDA personnel. Assessing the ROI would require analyzing operational efficiency gains, security incident avoidance, and the overall contribution to public health initiatives enabled by these services, weighed against the total expenditure.
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
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: AT&T Inc. (UEI: 108024050)
Address: 5565 GLENRIDGE CONNECTOR, ATLANTA, GA, 30342
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $16,569,892
Exercised Options: $16,569,892
Current Obligation: $16,569,892
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS35F0297K
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2010-09-02
Current End Date: 2015-09-30
Potential End Date: 2015-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2016-03-03
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