FEMA's $39.7M Telecom Management Contract with Ambit Group LLC: A Decade of Support
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $39,673,614 ($39.7M)
Contractor: Ambit Group LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2008-09-17
End Date: 2015-03-16
Contract Duration: 2,371 days
Daily Burn Rate: $16.7K/day
Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER
Number of Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE TELECOMMUNICATIONS MANAGEMENT SUPPORT FOR ALL FEMA TELECOMMUNICATIONS CONTRACTS.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20024
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $39.7 million to AMBIT GROUP LLC for work described as: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE TELECOMMUNICATIONS MANAGEMENT SUPPORT FOR ALL FEMA TELECOMMUNICATIONS CONTRACTS. Key points: 1. The contract awarded to Ambit Group LLC for telecommunications management support to FEMA totals $39.7 million. 2. This contract falls under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services (NAICS 541611). 3. The contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order, suggesting some level of price discovery. 4. The duration of the contract is substantial, spanning from September 2008 to March 2015. 5. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $39.7 million over nearly 7 years for comprehensive telecommunications management support appears within a reasonable range for large-scale federal agencies. Benchmarking against similar contracts for management consulting services would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: unknown
Awarded as a competitive delivery order, this indicates that multiple vendors likely had an opportunity to bid, fostering competition. The specific competition method and its impact on price discovery are not detailed but the 'competitive' nature suggests a mechanism for achieving fair pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award mechanism likely ensured a reasonable price for the services, benefiting taxpayers by avoiding excessive costs.
Public Impact
Ensures continuity of critical telecommunications services for FEMA's disaster response operations. Supports efficient management of complex telecom infrastructure, potentially leading to cost savings. Provides specialized expertise in telecommunications management that may not be available in-house. The long duration suggests a stable, ongoing need for these services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of detailed performance metrics.
- Potential for vendor lock-in over the contract's long duration.
- Limited transparency on specific cost breakdowns.
Positive Signals
- Competitive award process.
- Firm Fixed Price contract type.
- Long-term support for critical agency functions.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically administrative and management consulting. Spending benchmarks for this category can vary widely based on the scope and complexity of services required by federal agencies.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Department of Homeland Security (FEMA). Oversight would typically involve contract officers and program managers ensuring deliverables are met and funds are used appropriately.
Related Government Programs
- Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- Federal Emergency Management Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration.
- Potential for scope creep.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical support.
- Limited information on performance metrics.
Tags
administrative-management-and-general-ma, department-of-homeland-security, dc, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $39.7 million to AMBIT GROUP LLC. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE TELECOMMUNICATIONS MANAGEMENT SUPPORT FOR ALL FEMA TELECOMMUNICATIONS CONTRACTS.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AMBIT GROUP LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Federal Emergency Management Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $39.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-09-17. End: 2015-03-16.
What specific telecommunications management services were provided under this contract, and how did they contribute to FEMA's mission effectiveness?
The contract provided comprehensive telecommunications management support for all FEMA telecommunications contracts. This likely included network management, procurement of telecom services, inventory management, and strategic planning for telecom infrastructure. Effective execution of these services would be crucial for ensuring reliable communication channels during disaster response and recovery operations, directly supporting FEMA's core mission.
Given the $39.7M value and nearly 7-year duration, what were the key risks associated with this contract, and how were they mitigated?
Key risks could include cost overruns if not managed tightly, vendor performance issues impacting critical communications, and technological obsolescence. Mitigation strategies might have involved robust contract oversight, performance-based incentives, regular reviews of telecom technology trends, and clear termination clauses. The Firm Fixed Price structure also shifted some cost risk to the contractor.
How does the competitive delivery order award mechanism compare to other contracting methods in terms of ensuring value for money for this type of service?
A competitive delivery order allows multiple vendors to compete for specific task orders under a broader contract vehicle. This generally promotes better price discovery and value for money compared to sole-source awards. However, the effectiveness depends on the number and quality of competing bids and the clarity of the requirements outlined in the delivery order.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1902 CAMPUS COMMONS DR STE 300, RESTON, VA, 20191
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business, Woman Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $107,823,324
Exercised Options: $58,028,291
Current Obligation: $39,673,614
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS10F0034P
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-09-17
Current End Date: 2015-03-16
Potential End Date: 2015-03-16 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-11-29
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