Tribalco LLC awarded $43M contract for LMR JNCC#A NETOPS, highlighting potential value in wireless communications equipment

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $42,988,474 ($43.0M)

Contractor: Tribalco LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2012-11-08

End Date: 2014-11-30

Contract Duration: 752 days

Daily Burn Rate: $57.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ''IGF::OT::IGF'' CREATE A NEW PO FOR LMR JNCC#A NETOPS

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22203

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $43.0 million to TRIBALCO LLC for work described as: ''IGF::OT::IGF'' CREATE A NEW PO FOR LMR JNCC#A NETOPS Key points: 1. Contract value of $42.99M suggests significant investment in network operations. 2. Full and open competition indicates a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type offers cost certainty for the government. 4. Contract duration of 752 days (approx. 2 years) allows for sustained service delivery. 5. Awarded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, indicating a need for specialized communication infrastructure. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 334220 points to the manufacturing of radio and television broadcasting and wireless communications equipment.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $42.99M for LMR JNCC#A NETOPS appears reasonable given the scope of wireless communications equipment manufacturing and related services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for network operations and specialized equipment procurement would provide a more precise value assessment. The firm fixed-price structure suggests that the initial pricing was deemed acceptable and aimed at cost control.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 3 bidders (no) indicates a moderate level of competition. This competitive environment is generally favorable for price discovery and achieving market-based pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs and encouraging vendors to offer their best value.

Public Impact

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service benefits from enhanced radio and wireless communication capabilities, crucial for its operational needs. The contract supports the manufacturing sector for wireless communications equipment, potentially impacting domestic production and supply chains. The services delivered are critical for maintaining reliable communication networks essential for agency operations, potentially across various geographic locations. The contract may have implications for the workforce involved in the manufacturing and maintenance of specialized communication equipment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if specialized equipment or services are required beyond the initial contract scope.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical network operations could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

The firm fixed-price contract type provides budget certainty and limits the government's exposure to cost overruns.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process that likely favored the most capable and cost-effective offeror.
The contract duration allows for stable service provision and avoids frequent re-competition costs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology and Communications sector, specifically related to the manufacturing of radio and television broadcasting and wireless communications equipment (NAICS 334220). The market for such equipment is driven by demand for reliable and advanced communication systems across various industries, including government. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal procurements for similar communication infrastructure and equipment.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract. As it was awarded under full and open competition, it is unlikely that small businesses were exclusively targeted. However, the prime contractor, Tribalco LLC, may engage small businesses as subcontractors, depending on their own subcontracting plans and capabilities.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is subject to standard federal procurement oversight mechanisms. The Department of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would oversee contract performance. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Information Technology, Communications, and Network Infrastructure Procurement
Department of the Interior Agency-Specific Technology Needs
Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing Contracts
Radio and Television Broadcasting Equipment Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for technological obsolescence
Reliance on single vendor for critical infrastructure
Performance and reliability of specialized equipment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $43.0 million to TRIBALCO LLC. ''IGF::OT::IGF'' CREATE A NEW PO FOR LMR JNCC#A NETOPS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TRIBALCO LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $43.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-11-08. End: 2014-11-30.

What is the track record of Tribalco LLC in fulfilling federal contracts, particularly those related to wireless communications?

Tribalco LLC has a history of receiving federal contracts, primarily within the Department of Defense and other civilian agencies. Their contract portfolio often includes telecommunications, IT services, and equipment procurement. Analyzing their past performance on similar wireless communication contracts would be crucial to assess their capability and reliability for this specific award. A review of past performance evaluations and any reported contract disputes or terminations would provide further insight into their track record. The current contract's duration and value suggest a level of trust placed in the contractor by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

How does the awarded amount of $42.99M compare to similar procurements for LMR JNCC#A NETOPS or equivalent systems?

Direct comparison of the $42.99M award for LMR JNCC#A NETOPS requires access to detailed specifications of the system and its intended use. However, this value falls within a range typical for significant federal procurements of specialized communication infrastructure and equipment. Contracts for nationwide or agency-wide network operations, especially those involving custom manufacturing or integration of wireless communication hardware, can easily reach tens of millions of dollars. Benchmarking against other awards for similar NAICS codes (e.g., 334220) or for specific government communication systems (like public safety radio networks) would provide a more precise context for value assessment.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, considering its scope and duration?

Key risks include potential technological obsolescence of the wireless communication equipment over the contract's 752-day duration, especially if the technology evolves rapidly. Performance risks related to the reliability and maintenance of the LMR JNCC#A NETOPS system are also present, as is the risk of cost overruns if the firm fixed-price contract has unforeseen contingencies or if scope creep occurs. Dependence on Tribalco LLC for critical communication infrastructure could pose an operational risk if the contractor faces financial instability or performance issues. Ensuring adequate technical support and spare parts availability throughout the contract lifecycle is also a consideration.

How effective is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in managing contracts for specialized communication equipment?

Assessing the effectiveness of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) in managing contracts for specialized communication equipment requires a review of their procurement history, contract administration processes, and the outcomes of previous similar contracts. FWS, like other federal agencies, operates under strict procurement regulations. Their ability to manage this contract effectively would depend on factors such as the technical expertise of their contracting officers and technical monitors, the clarity of the contract requirements, and the robustness of their oversight mechanisms. Past performance data and any IG reports related to FWS technology procurements would offer more specific insights.

What are the historical spending patterns for radio and television broadcasting and wireless communications equipment manufacturing by the Department of the Interior?

Historical spending patterns for NAICS code 334220 by the Department of the Interior (DOI) would reveal the agency's investment trends in this specific manufacturing sector. Analyzing past contract awards, their values, and durations would indicate whether this $42.99M contract represents a significant increase or a continuation of established spending levels. Such analysis could highlight periods of increased investment, potentially linked to modernization efforts or new operational requirements within DOI bureaus like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Understanding these patterns helps contextualize the current award within the agency's broader technology procurement strategy.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT › INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4915 SAINT ELMO AVE STE 501, BETHESDA, MD, 20814

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Government, Native American Tribal Government, Limited Liability Corporation, Manufacturer of Goods, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $42,988,474

Exercised Options: $42,988,474

Current Obligation: $42,988,474

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: SERVICES PURSUANT TO FAR 12.102(G)

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: INF11PC00161

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline