Commerce Department awards $3.37M contract for spectrum management support to Freedom Technologies, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,373,624 ($3.4M)

Contractor: Freedom Technologies, Incorporated

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2021-09-15

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,841 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SPECTRUM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20230

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $3.4 million to FREEDOM TECHNOLOGIES, INCORPORATED for work described as: SPECTRUM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of over 5 years indicates a long-term need for these services. 3. The fixed-price contract type may offer cost certainty for the government. 4. Services fall under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting, a broad category. 5. The contract is a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery contract vehicle. 6. Awarded to a single contractor, Freedom Technologies, Inc., for the specified period.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $3.37 million over approximately 5 years for spectrum management support appears moderate. Without specific benchmarks for similar, highly specialized spectrum management consulting services, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract provides some predictability. Further analysis would require comparing this contract's per-unit costs or overall value against other government contracts for similar services or against private sector rates for comparable expertise.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The data does not specify the number of bids received, but the designation suggests a robust competitive environment. A competitive process generally aims to achieve fair market prices and encourage innovative solutions by allowing multiple vendors to vie for the contract.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it is expected to drive down costs and improve the quality of services through market forces.

Public Impact

The Department of Commerce benefits from specialized support in managing critical spectrum resources. This contract ensures continuity in administrative and management consulting services related to spectrum. The services are delivered within the District of Columbia. The contract supports the government's ability to effectively allocate and manage radio frequency spectrum, which is vital for various communication technologies and services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics or deliverables in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the contractor's performance.
The long contract duration could pose a risk if the contractor's capabilities become outdated or if market needs shift significantly.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a potentially competitive pricing structure.
The firm fixed-price contract type can provide cost certainty for the government.
The contract is for a defined period, allowing for periodic reassessment of needs.

Sector Analysis

Spectrum management is a critical function within the telecommunications and technology sectors, involving the regulation and allocation of radio frequencies. This contract falls under administrative and management consulting services, supporting the government's role in overseeing this vital resource. The market for spectrum management consulting is specialized, often involving technical expertise in radio frequency engineering, policy, and regulatory compliance. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found within other agencies managing telecommunications infrastructure or related regulatory functions.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a small business set-aside. The award to Freedom Technologies, Inc. does not inherently preclude them from utilizing small businesses as subcontractors, but this is not a mandated requirement based on the contract's designation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within the Department of Commerce responsible for spectrum management. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract structure, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services. Transparency is facilitated by contract award databases, though detailed performance reports may not always be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Spectrum Management
Telecommunications Policy
Administrative Management Consulting
Government IT Services
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Directives

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may increase risk of obsolescence or changing requirements.
Limited performance data available in public records.
Contract is a delivery order, implying potential for further task orders under a parent contract.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $3.4 million to FREEDOM TECHNOLOGIES, INCORPORATED. SPECTRUM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FREEDOM TECHNOLOGIES, INCORPORATED.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (Office of the Secretary).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-15. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the track record of Freedom Technologies, Inc. in performing similar federal contracts?

A review of federal contract databases would be necessary to fully assess Freedom Technologies, Inc.'s track record. Based on the provided data, this is a single delivery order valued at $3.37 million with a duration extending to September 2026. Without access to historical contract performance data, past performance reviews, or details on other contracts awarded to this company, it is difficult to definitively evaluate their experience and success rate in fulfilling similar government requirements. Further investigation into their contract history, including any awards, terminations, or performance issues, would be required for a comprehensive assessment.

How does the value of this contract compare to similar spectrum management support contracts awarded by the federal government?

Benchmarking this $3.37 million contract against similar federal spectrum management support contracts requires access to a broader dataset of government procurements. Spectrum management services can vary significantly in scope and complexity, impacting pricing. Contracts for policy development, technical analysis, or regulatory support might differ in value. Without specific comparable contracts detailing similar service scopes, durations, and agencies, it is challenging to definitively state whether this contract represents a particularly high or low value. A comprehensive analysis would involve identifying and comparing contracts with analogous objectives and service requirements.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Potential risks for this contract include the possibility of scope creep, where the requirements expand beyond the initial agreement, potentially increasing costs or delaying timelines. Another risk is contractor performance falling short of expectations, impacting the Department of Commerce's spectrum management capabilities. Given the long duration (over 5 years), there's also a risk of technological obsolescence or changes in regulatory needs that the contractor may not adequately address. Mitigation strategies likely include clear contract language, defined deliverables, performance monitoring by the contracting officer, and the fixed-price nature which incentivizes the contractor to manage costs effectively within the agreed scope.

How effective is the Department of Commerce likely to be in achieving its spectrum management goals with this contract?

The effectiveness of this contract in achieving the Department of Commerce's spectrum management goals hinges on several factors not fully detailed in the provided data. The fact that the contract was awarded through full and open competition suggests an effort to secure qualified services. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost control. However, the ultimate effectiveness depends on the specific expertise of Freedom Technologies, Inc., the clarity and completeness of the statement of work, and the government's own oversight and management of the contractor's performance. Without insight into the specific tasks and performance metrics, a definitive judgment on effectiveness is premature.

What are the historical spending patterns for spectrum management support within the Department of Commerce or similar agencies?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for spectrum management support requires access to multi-year budget and contract data for the Department of Commerce and potentially other agencies like the FCC or NTIA. This specific contract represents $3.37 million over approximately five years. Understanding broader trends would involve examining whether spending in this area has been consistent, increasing, or decreasing, and whether this award aligns with or deviates from previous investment levels. Factors influencing historical spending could include regulatory changes, technological advancements, and shifts in national priorities regarding spectrum utilization.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1101 WILSON BLVD STE 1700, ARLINGTON, VA, 22209

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,376,109

Exercised Options: $3,373,624

Current Obligation: $3,373,624

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00F013CA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline