Interior's BIA OJS BIU Wireless Services Contract Awarded to Cellco Partnership for $54.6M
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $54,589 ($54.6K)
Contractor: Cellco Partnership
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2022-07-19
End Date: 2026-07-18
Contract Duration: 1,460 days
Daily Burn Rate: $37/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: WIRELESS SERVICES FOR BIA OJS BIU
Place of Performance
Location: ALBUQUERQUE, BERNALILLO County, NEW MEXICO, 87104
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $54,588.99 to CELLCO PARTNERSHIP for work described as: WIRELESS SERVICES FOR BIA OJS BIU Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Cellco Partnership for wireless services. 2. Spending is within the typical range for similar government wireless contracts. 3. Risk appears low due to firm fixed-price contract and established provider. 4. Sector is IT/Telecommunications, a common area for federal spending.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $54.6 million over approximately four years appears reasonable when compared to similar federal wireless service contracts. Pricing is likely competitive given the full and open competition.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, allowing multiple vendors to bid. This method generally leads to better price discovery and competitive pricing for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from competitive pricing achieved through an open bidding process, ensuring value for money spent on essential wireless services.
Public Impact
Ensures communication services for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education. Supports critical operations for educational and governmental functions in New Mexico. Provides essential connectivity for staff and potentially students/communities served by BIA/BIE.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition utilized.
- Firm fixed-price contract type.
- Long-term contract provides service stability.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically telecommunications services. Federal spending on wireless services is substantial, supporting agency operations nationwide. Benchmarks vary widely based on data volume, user count, and service level agreements.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Cellco Partnership, a large telecommunications provider. There is no specific indication of small business participation in this particular award, which is common for large-scale wireless service contracts.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of the Interior, specifically the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education, is responsible for oversight. Contract performance and adherence to terms will be monitored by the agency contracting officers.
Related Government Programs
- Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite)
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of specific service details.
- No explicit mention of small business subcontracting.
- Potential for price increases upon contract renewal if competition is not re-established.
Tags
wireless-telecommunications-carriers-exc, department-of-the-interior, nm, delivery-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $54,588.99 to CELLCO PARTNERSHIP. WIRELESS SERVICES FOR BIA OJS BIU
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CELLCO PARTNERSHIP.
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 $54,588.99.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-07-19. End: 2026-07-18.
What is the specific breakdown of services included in this wireless contract?
The provided data does not detail the specific services included. Typically, such contracts cover mobile voice and data plans, potentially including device management, hot-spot capabilities, and varying data allowances per user. A detailed service level agreement (SLA) would outline these specifics.
Are there any performance metrics or service level agreements tied to this contract?
While not explicitly stated in the provided summary, government contracts of this nature almost always include Service Level Agreements (SLAs). These define performance expectations such as network uptime, data speeds, and customer support response times, with potential penalties for non-compliance.
How does the per-user cost compare to industry averages for similar government contracts?
Without knowing the exact number of users or data plans, a precise per-user cost comparison is difficult. However, given the full and open competition and firm fixed-price structure, the pricing is likely competitive within the government sector for the services rendered.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Wired and Wireless Telecommunications Carriers › Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite)
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - NETWORK
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
Parent Company: Verizon Maryland LLC
Address: 1 VERIZON WAY, BASKING RIDGE, NJ, 07920
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $67,630
Exercised Options: $67,630
Current Obligation: $54,589
Actual Outlays: $47,178
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 47QTCA20D00B5
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-07-19
Current End Date: 2026-07-18
Potential End Date: 2027-07-18 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-10
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