DoD awards $2.9M contract for network operations and maintenance at Fort Bliss and WSMR
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,903,149 ($2.9M)
Contractor: A & T Systems, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2025-06-01
End Date: 2026-05-31
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.0K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE FOR NETWORK ENTERPRISE CENTER (NEC) FOR FORT BLISS, EAST BLISS, AND WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE (WSMR)
Place of Performance
Location: FORT BLISS, EL PASO County, TEXAS, 79916
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $2.9 million to A & T SYSTEMS, INC. for work described as: OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE FOR NETWORK ENTERPRISE CENTER (NEC) FOR FORT BLISS, EAST BLISS, AND WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE (WSMR) Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential IT infrastructure management for key military installations. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and potential for cost savings. 3. Performance period of one year suggests a need for ongoing evaluation. 4. The contract type (Firm Fixed Price) shifts cost risk to the contractor. 5. Geographic focus on Texas installations highlights regional IT support needs. 6. The specific NAICS code indicates a market for specialized computer facilities management.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $2.9 million for one year of network operations and maintenance appears to be within a reasonable range for supporting large military installations. However, without detailed breakdowns of services and comparison to similar contracts for NEC support at other bases, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty but requires careful scope definition to avoid scope creep or under-delivery.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not openly competed. This approach is typically used when only one responsible source can provide the required services, often due to unique capabilities or urgent needs. The lack of competition means that the government did not benefit from a bidding process that could have driven down prices or spurred innovation from multiple vendors.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may have paid a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding, as there was no direct pressure on the contractor to offer the lowest possible price.
Public Impact
Military personnel and operations at Fort Bliss, East Bliss, and White Sands Missile Range benefit from reliable network infrastructure. Essential IT services including network maintenance and operations are delivered. The geographic impact is concentrated in Texas, supporting critical defense infrastructure in the region. The contract supports the IT workforce employed by A & T Systems, Inc.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competitive pressure on pricing.
- Lack of transparency in the justification for sole-source award.
- Potential for vendor lock-in if services are highly specialized.
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract shifts cost risk to the contractor.
- Contract duration of one year allows for periodic review and re-competition.
- Focus on essential network operations ensures continuity of critical military functions.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on computer facilities management. The market for these services is substantial, driven by the ongoing need for robust and secure IT infrastructure across government and private industries. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar network operations and maintenance contracts at large federal facilities would provide a clearer picture of cost-effectiveness, but such data is not readily available.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a stated requirement or outcome for this award, as the 'sb' field is false. There is no explicit mention of small business set-asides or subcontracting plans. This suggests that the primary contractor, A & T Systems, Inc., is likely not a small business, and opportunities for small businesses within this specific contract's scope may be limited.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Army's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is limited by the sole-source nature of the award; however, contract details should be publicly accessible through federal procurement databases.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Defense IT Services
- Army Network Operations Contracts
- Fort Bliss IT Support
- White Sands Missile Range IT Infrastructure
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- Potential for cost overruns without competitive pressure
Tags
it-services, department-of-defense, department-of-the-army, fort-bliss, white-sands-missile-range, definitive-contract, firm-fixed-price, sole-source, network-operations, it-maintenance, texas, computer-facilities-management
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $2.9 million to A & T SYSTEMS, INC.. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE FOR NETWORK ENTERPRISE CENTER (NEC) FOR FORT BLISS, EAST BLISS, AND WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE (WSMR)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is A & T SYSTEMS, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-06-01. End: 2026-05-31.
What is the track record of A & T Systems, Inc. in performing similar network operations and maintenance services for the Department of Defense?
A review of public federal procurement data indicates that A & T Systems, Inc. has a history of receiving contracts for IT services, including network support and maintenance. While specific details on past performance for similar large-scale military installations like Fort Bliss or WSMR would require deeper analysis of contract awards and performance evaluations, their presence in the federal contracting space suggests some level of established capability. Further investigation into past performance reviews and any reported issues on previous contracts would be necessary to fully assess their track record for this specific type of service.
How does the awarded amount of $2.9 million compare to similar network operations and maintenance contracts for military bases of comparable size and complexity?
Benchmarking this $2.9 million contract against similar sole-source or competed contracts for network operations and maintenance at large military installations is challenging without access to detailed service scopes and pricing structures. However, for a one-year period supporting multiple installations like Fort Bliss and WSMR, this figure appears to be within a plausible range for comprehensive IT infrastructure management. The absence of competition, however, prevents a direct comparison that would confirm optimal value for money. A more thorough analysis would involve identifying comparable contracts and adjusting for differences in service levels, geographic scope, and contract duration.
What are the specific risks associated with awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and how are these risks being mitigated?
The primary risk of a sole-source award is the potential for inflated pricing due to the lack of competitive pressure, and the possibility that the chosen contractor may not possess the most innovative or cost-effective solutions available in the market. Mitigation strategies often include rigorous negotiation of terms and pricing, detailed performance metrics, and clear scope definition to prevent scope creep. For this contract, the firm fixed-price structure shifts some financial risk to the contractor. However, the government's ability to ensure best value is inherently reduced without a competitive process.
What is the expected impact of this contract on the operational effectiveness of the network enterprise centers at Fort Bliss and White Sands Missile Range?
This contract is intended to ensure the continued and effective operation and maintenance of the network enterprise centers (NECs) at Fort Bliss, East Bliss, and White Sands Missile Range (WSMR). By securing services from A & T Systems, Inc., the Department of the Army aims to maintain the reliability, security, and performance of critical IT infrastructure. This directly supports the daily operations, communication, and data management needs of military personnel and units stationed at these installations, thereby contributing to overall mission readiness and operational effectiveness.
What has been the historical spending trend for network operations and maintenance at Fort Bliss and WSMR over the past five years?
Analyzing historical spending for network operations and maintenance at Fort Bliss and WSMR over the past five years would provide crucial context for evaluating the current $2.9 million award. Without this data, it's difficult to determine if this contract represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment. Understanding past spending patterns, including whether previous contracts were competed or sole-sourced, and their respective values, would help identify any significant shifts in procurement strategy or cost trends for these essential IT services.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Facilities Management Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - NETWORK
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 12200 TECH RD, SILVER SPRING, MD, 20904
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $18,894,435
Exercised Options: $3,421,905
Current Obligation: $2,903,149
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-06-01
Current End Date: 2026-05-31
Potential End Date: 2030-05-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-08
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