Interior Department awards $34M contract to TRIBALCO LLC for broadcasting equipment
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $33,972,920 ($34.0M)
Contractor: Tribalco LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2015-11-13
End Date: 2016-11-12
Contract Duration: 365 days
Daily Burn Rate: $93.1K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: OVERSEAS CONTRACT
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $34.0 million to TRIBALCO LLC for work described as: OVERSEAS CONTRACT Key points: 1. Contract value of $33.97M for broadcasting equipment. 2. Awarded to TRIBALCO LLC by the Department of the Interior. 3. Contract type is Firm Fixed Price with a 365-day duration. 4. No indication of small business participation.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $33.97M for broadcasting equipment is a significant sum. Benchmarking against similar contracts for radio and television broadcasting equipment manufacturing is difficult without more specific details on the equipment procured.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in the government paying more than necessary for the broadcasting equipment, impacting taxpayer funds.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may have paid a premium due to the sole-source nature of the award. Lack of transparency in the procurement process raises questions about value for money. Potential for improved communication infrastructure if the equipment is essential for operations.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
- No small business participation noted.
- Contract duration of one year may not reflect long-term needs.
Positive Signals
- Definitive contract provides clear terms.
- Firm Fixed Price contract offers cost certainty.
Sector Analysis
The Department of the Interior's spending on Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing falls under the broader IT and communications sector. Benchmarks for this specific niche are hard to establish without more detail, but significant investments are common for government communication needs.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. This represents a missed opportunity to support small business growth and innovation.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants further oversight to ensure the price paid was fair and reasonable. Accountability for the decision not to compete the contract is crucial.
Related Government Programs
- Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- Departmental Offices Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition raises concerns about price fairness.
- Potential for overpayment due to sole-source award.
- Limited transparency in the procurement decision.
- No small business participation.
Tags
radio-and-television-broadcasting-and-wi, department-of-the-interior, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $34.0 million to TRIBALCO LLC. OVERSEAS CONTRACT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TRIBALCO LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $34.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2015-11-13. End: 2016-11-12.
What specific broadcasting equipment was procured under this contract, and how does its cost compare to market rates for similar items?
The data indicates the procurement of 'Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing' for $33.97M. Without a detailed list of the specific equipment, it is impossible to accurately benchmark its cost against market rates. A breakdown of the items and their quantities would be necessary for a thorough value assessment.
What justification was provided for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and were alternative competitive strategies considered?
The contract was explicitly marked as 'NOT COMPETED'. The justification for this sole-source award is not provided in the data. Typically, sole-source awards require a documented justification, such as a unique capability or urgent need. Without this justification, it's difficult to assess the necessity of bypassing the competitive process.
How effectively did this contract meet the Department of the Interior's operational needs for broadcasting equipment, and what was the return on investment?
The provided data does not contain information on the effectiveness of the procured equipment or the return on investment. Assessing the contract's success would require post-award performance reports, user feedback, and an analysis of how the equipment contributed to the Department's mission objectives.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Communications Equipment Manufacturing › Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: USFOR-A_CJOA_SERVICES
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 4915 SAINT ELMO AVE STE 501, BETHESDA, MD, 20814
Business Categories: American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Government, Native American Tribal Government, Manufacturer of Goods, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $33,972,920
Exercised Options: $33,972,920
Current Obligation: $33,972,920
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2015-11-13
Current End Date: 2016-11-12
Potential End Date: 2016-11-12 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-08-20
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