Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs Spends $15M on Telephone Services for Rosebud Agency

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,071 ($15.1K)

Contractor: Golden West Telecommunications Cooperative Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2023-01-12

End Date: 2023-12-31

Contract Duration: 353 days

Daily Burn Rate: $43/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: TELEPHONE SERVICES FOR BIA, ROSEBUD AGENCY

Place of Performance

Location: MISSION, TODD County, SOUTH DAKOTA, 57555

State: South Dakota Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $15,071.33 to GOLDEN WEST TELECOMMUNICATIONS COOPERATIVE INC for work described as: TELEPHONE SERVICES FOR BIA, ROSEBUD AGENCY Key points: 1. The contract awarded to Golden West Telecommunications Cooperative Inc. is for wired telecommunications services. 2. The service falls under NAICS code 517111, Wired Telecommunications Carriers. 3. The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller procurements. 4. The total award amount is $15,071.33 for a duration of 353 days. 5. The contract was awarded as a Purchase Order with a Firm Fixed Price.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award amount of $15,071.33 for telephone services is relatively small. Benchmarking against similar contracts for telecommunications services in rural areas would be necessary for a precise pricing assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a limited number of quotes or proposals. This method may not always yield the most competitive pricing compared to full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is minimal given the small contract value of approximately $15,000.

Public Impact

Ensures essential communication infrastructure for the Bureau of Indian Affairs at the Rosebud Agency. Supports the operational needs of federal agencies serving Native American communities. Provides a critical service that enables daily operations and connectivity.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition due to SAP.
Potential for better pricing through broader competition.

Positive Signals

Essential service provision.
Firm Fixed Price contract limits cost uncertainty.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the IT and Telecommunications sector, specifically Wired Telecommunications Carriers. Spending benchmarks for this category vary widely based on service type and geographic location.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this procurement. SAP can sometimes favor small business participation, but it's not guaranteed.

Oversight & Accountability

The award was made via a Purchase Order, which is a common method for smaller procurements. Oversight would typically involve ensuring service delivery and adherence to contract terms.

Related Government Programs

Wired Telecommunications Carriers
Department of the Interior Contracting
Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for higher costs due to limited competition.
Lack of detailed service description.
Dependence on a single provider for a critical service.
No clear indication of small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $15,071.33 to GOLDEN WEST TELECOMMUNICATIONS COOPERATIVE INC. TELEPHONE SERVICES FOR BIA, ROSEBUD AGENCY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GOLDEN WEST TELECOMMUNICATIONS COOPERATIVE INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $15,071.33.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-01-12. End: 2023-12-31.

What is the specific nature of the telephone services required by the BIA at the Rosebud Agency?

The specific nature of the telephone services is not detailed in the provided data. However, given the NAICS code 517111 (Wired Telecommunications Carriers), it likely includes landline telephone service, potentially broadband internet access, and related infrastructure maintenance. These services are crucial for the agency's daily operations, communication with the public, and internal connectivity.

Could the Bureau of Indian Affairs have achieved better pricing through a different procurement strategy?

It is possible. While SAP is efficient for smaller purchases, a broader competition, such as through full and open procedures or a larger IDIQ contract, might have attracted more vendors and potentially led to more aggressive pricing. However, the relatively small value of this specific contract may not have justified the administrative effort of a larger-scale competition.

What is the long-term strategy for ensuring reliable and cost-effective telecommunications for the Rosebud Agency?

The long-term strategy is not evident from this single contract. Agencies typically review their needs periodically and may consolidate requirements into larger contracts or utilize existing government-wide contracts to achieve better pricing and service levels. Continuous market research and analysis of evolving telecommunications technologies are also key to ensuring future cost-effectiveness and reliability.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite) › Wired Telecommunications Carriers

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140A0123Q0017

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 415 CROWN ST, WALL, SD, 57790

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,071

Exercised Options: $15,071

Current Obligation: $15,071

Actual Outlays: $15,071

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline