DHS awarded $11.8M for 3,050 land mobile radios to Motorola Solutions under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,862,237 ($11.9M)

Contractor: Motorola Solutions, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2006-07-17

End Date: 2006-07-17

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 3,050 LAND MOBILE RADIOS

Place of Performance

Location: BATON ROUGE, EAST BATON ROUGE County, LOUISIANA, 70802

State: Louisiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $11.9 million to MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC. for work described as: 3,050 LAND MOBILE RADIOS Key points: 1. The contract value of $11.8 million for 3,050 radios suggests a per-unit cost that warrants benchmarking against similar procurements. 2. Awarded to a single vendor, Motorola Solutions, the contract's value proposition should be assessed for competitive pricing and potential for future sole-source awards. 3. The fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government, but requires careful monitoring of scope creep. 4. Procurement through full and open competition indicates an effort to maximize market participation and potentially achieve better pricing. 5. The radios are intended for use in Louisiana, highlighting a specific geographic application for this communication equipment. 6. The contract's duration and performance period are critical for understanding the long-term implications of this technology investment.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract awarded $11.8 million for 3,050 land mobile radios. This equates to approximately $3,856 per radio. Without specific details on the radio models, features, and intended operational environment, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, this per-unit cost appears to be on the higher end when compared to commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) land mobile radios, suggesting that specialized features, integration services, or specific performance requirements may be driving the cost. Further benchmarking against government contracts for similar radio systems with comparable specifications is recommended.

Cost Per Unit: $3,856 per radio (estimated)

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The data does not specify the number of bids received, which is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of the competitive landscape. A robust competition typically involves multiple bidders vying for the contract, leading to more competitive pricing and a wider range of technical solutions. The absence of information on the number of bidders leaves room for inquiry into whether the competition was truly robust or if certain factors may have limited participation.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down prices and encourage innovation. However, without knowing the number of bids, it's difficult to definitively state the extent of taxpayer savings achieved in this instance.

Public Impact

Emergency responders and public safety personnel in Louisiana will benefit from enhanced communication capabilities. The contract provides 3,050 land mobile radios, crucial for critical incident management and daily operations. The geographic impact is focused on the state of Louisiana, supporting state and local government communication needs. The acquisition of these radios supports the operational readiness of public safety workforces.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for higher-than-market per-unit cost without detailed feature comparison.
Lack of information on the number of bidders limits assessment of competitive intensity.
Contract duration and end-of-life support for the radios are not specified.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, maximizing potential vendor participation.
Fixed-price contract type mitigates financial risk for the government.
Procurement addresses critical communication needs for public safety.

Sector Analysis

The procurement falls within the Information Technology and Communications sector, specifically related to wireless communication equipment manufacturing and deployment. The market for land mobile radios (LMR) is characterized by established players and evolving technologies, including the transition towards digital and integrated communication systems. This contract represents a significant investment in maintaining and upgrading critical communication infrastructure for public safety agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal, state, and local government contracts for similar quantities and types of LMR systems, considering factors like encryption, interoperability, and ruggedization.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside criterion for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses through set-asides is likely minimal. However, the prime contractor, Motorola Solutions, may engage small businesses as subcontractors for certain components or services. An analysis of subcontracting plans would be necessary to determine the extent of small business involvement and its contribution to the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a component of the Department of Homeland Security. Oversight mechanisms would include contract administration, performance monitoring, and financial accountability. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS-NG (now SAM.gov). Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Public Safety Communications Grants
FirstNet (Public Safety Broadband Network)
Department of Homeland Security Grants Program Directorate
National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC)

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed technical specifications for procured equipment.
Missing information on the number of bidders received.
Absence of defined performance metrics or KPIs.
Unspecified lifespan and end-of-life support details.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $11.9 million to MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC.. 3,050 LAND MOBILE RADIOS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC..

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 $11.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-07-17. End: 2006-07-17.

What specific models of land mobile radios were procured, and what are their key technical specifications and features?

The provided data does not specify the exact models of the 3,050 land mobile radios procured under this contract. To conduct a thorough analysis, details regarding the radios' technical specifications (e.g., frequency bands, power output, encryption capabilities, interoperability standards, ruggedization ratings) and features (e.g., GPS, emergency button, display type, audio quality) are essential. These details would allow for a more accurate comparison against market offerings and an assessment of whether the selected radios meet the specific operational requirements of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in Louisiana. Without this information, the $3,856 estimated per-unit cost remains difficult to fully contextualize against value.

How many bids were received for this contract, and what was the competitive range of pricing among the bidders?

The data indicates that the contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' which theoretically allows all responsible sources to submit offers. However, the specific number of bids received is not provided. This information is critical for assessing the level of competition and its potential impact on the final award price. If only a few bids were received, or if the pricing among bidders was not significantly varied, it could suggest limitations in the competitive landscape or that the market for these specific radios is concentrated. A robust competition with multiple, diverse bids typically leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government.

What is the expected lifespan and end-of-life support plan for these land mobile radios?

The provided contract data does not include information regarding the expected lifespan or the end-of-life support plan for the 3,050 land mobile radios. This is a crucial aspect for assessing the long-term value and total cost of ownership. Understanding the warranty period, availability of spare parts, software update support, and potential upgrade paths is necessary to evaluate the sustainability of the communication system. Without this information, it is difficult to determine if the initial investment will be adequately supported throughout the radios' operational life, potentially leading to unforeseen costs or obsolescence issues.

Are there any performance metrics or key performance indicators (KPIs) associated with this contract to measure the effectiveness of the radios?

The available data does not specify any performance metrics or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) tied to this contract for the land mobile radios. While the contract is for the delivery of equipment, effective oversight often includes measurable performance standards related to reliability, uptime, signal coverage, and user satisfaction. Establishing and monitoring such KPIs would allow FEMA to objectively assess whether the procured radios are meeting the intended operational needs and delivering the expected communication capabilities in Louisiana. The absence of defined KPIs makes it challenging to quantify the success of this procurement beyond the physical delivery of the units.

How does the per-unit cost of these radios compare to other similar federal procurements for land mobile radio systems?

The estimated per-unit cost of approximately $3,856 for these land mobile radios is a key data point for comparison. To benchmark this effectively, one would need to analyze other federal contracts for similar LMR systems, taking into account factors such as quantity, technology generation (analog vs. digital), specific features (e.g., encryption, GPS, ruggedization), and the vendor. For instance, procurements of basic digital radios might fall in the $1,000-$2,500 range, while highly specialized, integrated systems could exceed $5,000 per unit. Without detailed specifications for the Motorola radios, it's difficult to definitively state if $3,856 is high or low, but it suggests a potentially premium product or service package.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Communications Equipment Manufacturing › Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: COMM/DETECT/COHERENT RADIATION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: HSFELA06R0007

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7031 COLUMBIA GATEWAY DR 3RD FL, COLUMBIA, MD, 03

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,862,237

Exercised Options: $11,862,237

Current Obligation: $11,862,237

Timeline