DoD Awards $78.5M for 313 MIDS JTRS Terminals to Data Link Solutions LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $78,531,074 ($78.5M)
Contractor: Data Link Solutions LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2025-11-26
End Date: 2028-11-30
Contract Duration: 1,100 days
Daily Burn Rate: $71.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: THIS DELIVERY ORDER IS FOR 313 MIDS JTRS AV5 TERMINALS WITH WARRANTIES.
Place of Performance
Location: CEDAR RAPIDS, LINN County, IOWA, 52498
State: Iowa Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $78.5 million to DATA LINK SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: THIS DELIVERY ORDER IS FOR 313 MIDS JTRS AV5 TERMINALS WITH WARRANTIES. Key points: 1. Significant award for critical communication terminals. 2. Competition method is 'Full and Open', suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. Risk is moderate due to the large dollar value and multi-year duration. 4. Sector is 'Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing', a specialized area.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The award amount of $78.5M for 313 units suggests a per-unit cost of approximately $250,866. This is a substantial investment, and benchmarking against similar advanced communication terminals would be necessary to fully assess value.
Cost Per Unit: $250,866
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically allows for the widest range of potential bidders and can lead to more competitive pricing. The specific price discovery mechanisms within this competition are not detailed but the method itself is favorable.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive bidding process that aims to secure the best possible price for these essential communication terminals.
Public Impact
Enhances military communication capabilities with advanced MIDS JTRS terminals. Supports Department of the Navy operations through critical equipment. Long-term contract (through 2028) ensures sustained availability of technology.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 71 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration may introduce future obsolescence risk.
- Reliance on a single vendor for warranty and support.
- Potential for cost overruns if not managed tightly.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Utilizes a firm fixed-price contract type.
- Addresses a critical defense need.
Sector Analysis
This award falls within the 'Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing' sector, which is vital for national defense. Spending in this niche area is often characterized by high technological requirements and specialized manufacturing capabilities, with significant government investment.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific set-asides for small businesses. Given the specialized nature of the equipment and the prime contractor, it's possible that small businesses may be involved as subcontractors, but this is not explicitly stated.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is a Delivery Order under a larger agreement, implying some level of pre-existing oversight. Further review of the parent contract and the specific oversight mechanisms for this order would be beneficial.
Related Government Programs
- Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Navy Programs
Risk Flags
- High dollar value award.
- Long contract duration.
- Potential for technology obsolescence.
- Sole source for warranty and support.
- Complex technology with specialized manufacturing.
Tags
other-communications-equipment-manufactu, department-of-defense, ia, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $78.5 million to DATA LINK SOLUTIONS LLC. THIS DELIVERY ORDER IS FOR 313 MIDS JTRS AV5 TERMINALS WITH WARRANTIES.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is DATA LINK SOLUTIONS LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $78.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-11-26. End: 2028-11-30.
What is the specific technological advantage of the AV5 terminals compared to previous generations or alternatives?
The specific technological advantages of the AV5 terminals are not detailed in the provided data. However, MIDS JTRS (Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System) terminals are known for providing secure, jam-resistant, high-volume, and reliable digital data and voice communications, crucial for joint operations across different military branches.
How does the $250,866 per-unit cost compare to industry benchmarks for similar advanced communication systems?
Benchmarking the $250,866 per-unit cost requires detailed comparison with similar advanced, secure, military-grade communication terminals. Factors like encryption capabilities, bandwidth, interoperability features, and ruggedization significantly influence pricing. Without specific comparable contract data, it's difficult to definitively assess if this price is high or low, though it appears substantial.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the effectiveness of these terminals post-delivery?
Key performance indicators for these terminals likely include reliability rates, uptime, data throughput, successful message delivery, resistance to jamming or interference, and interoperability with other systems. Performance metrics would be tracked through operational reports, system diagnostics, and user feedback to ensure mission effectiveness.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Communications Equipment Manufacturing › Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: COMM/DETECT/COHERENT RADIATION
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: RTX Corp
Address: 350 COLLINS RD NE, CEDAR RAPIDS, IA, 52498
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $78,531,074
Exercised Options: $78,531,074
Current Obligation: $78,531,074
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: N0003924D4004
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-11-26
Current End Date: 2028-11-30
Potential End Date: 2028-11-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-23
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