DoD's $74.6M Incremental Funding for Wired Telecommunications Carriers Awarded to Northrop Grumman

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $74,608,983 ($74.6M)

Contractor: Northrop Grumman Information Technology Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2008-02-14

End Date: 2014-09-30

Contract Duration: 2,420 days

Daily Burn Rate: $30.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: INCREMENTAL FUNDING FOR CLIN 0004

Place of Performance

Location: HANSCOM AFB, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01731

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $74.6 million to NORTHROP GRUMMAN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INC for work described as: INCREMENTAL FUNDING FOR CLIN 0004 Key points: 1. Significant funding allocated to a single large contractor. 2. Contract duration spans over 6 years, indicating long-term service needs. 3. The award is for Wired Telecommunications Carriers, a critical infrastructure sector. 4. Potential for cost overruns given the incremental funding approach.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $74.6M over 6 years suggests a substantial investment. Benchmarking against similar large-scale telecommunications contracts is difficult without more granular data on services provided.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically fosters competitive pricing. However, the incremental funding nature might obscure the total price discovery over the contract's life.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being utilized for essential telecommunications infrastructure, with the expectation of competitive pricing driving value.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation of critical wired telecommunications infrastructure for the Air Force. Supports national security by maintaining robust communication networks. Potential impact on smaller businesses in the telecommunications sector if they were not prime contractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Positive Signals

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT sector, specifically Wired Telecommunications Carriers. Spending in this area is crucial for government operations, but can be subject to rapid technological change and high infrastructure costs.

Small Business Impact

The contract data does not indicate any specific set-aside for small businesses. As a large prime contract, it's possible that small businesses could be involved as subcontractors, but this is not explicitly stated.

Oversight & Accountability

The incremental funding approach requires careful oversight to ensure funds are used efficiently and effectively throughout the contract's duration. Regular reviews by the Department of the Air Force are essential.

Related Government Programs

Risk Flags

Tags

wired-telecommunications-carriers, department-of-defense, ma, do, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $74.6 million to NORTHROP GRUMMAN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INC. INCREMENTAL FUNDING FOR CLIN 0004

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NORTHROP GRUMMAN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $74.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-02-14. End: 2014-09-30.

What specific telecommunications services are being procured under this contract, and how do they align with current Air Force operational requirements?

The contract is for Wired Telecommunications Carriers, a broad category. Without specific details on the services (e.g., bandwidth, network infrastructure, maintenance), it's difficult to assess precise alignment with current Air Force needs. This information is crucial for understanding the true value and necessity of the funding.

How does the incremental funding strategy impact the overall cost-effectiveness and risk of this long-term contract?

Incremental funding can introduce risks such as cost creep and budget uncertainty if not managed tightly. While it allows for phased payments, it can obscure the total contract cost and potentially lead to less competitive pricing over time compared to a fully funded contract awarded upfront.

What mechanisms are in place to ensure the government receives competitive pricing and value for money throughout the contract's extended duration?

Given the full and open competition award, initial pricing should be competitive. However, ongoing oversight and potential contract renegotiations or modifications will be key to ensuring continued value. The agency must monitor market rates and contractor performance closely.

Industry Classification

NAICS: InformationWired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite)Wired Telecommunications Carriers

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONSADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Northrop Grumman Corporation (UEI: 967356127)

Address: 7575 COLSHIRE DRIVE, MCLEAN, VA, 90

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $80,089,475

Exercised Options: $80,088,038

Current Obligation: $74,608,983

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA877104D0004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2008-02-14

Current End Date: 2014-09-30

Potential End Date: 2014-09-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2014-11-21

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