Interior's OEM awards $451K for emergency notification services to Trace3 Government, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $451,859 ($451.9K)

Contractor: Trace3 Government, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-03-21

End Date: 2027-03-20

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $620/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (OEM) EVERBRIDGE SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: DENVER, DENVER County, COLORADO, 80210

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $451,859.18 to TRACE3 GOVERNMENT, LLC for work described as: OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (OEM) EVERBRIDGE SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for a two-year emergency notification system. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks. 4. Services are critical for emergency management and public safety. 5. Trace3 Government, LLC is a known entity in federal IT contracting. 6. The contract duration is standard for this type of service.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $451,859 over two years for emergency notification services appears to be within a reasonable range for a government-wide solution. Benchmarking against similar contracts for mass notification systems, which can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars annually depending on scope and user base, suggests this award is moderate. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the agency, which is a positive indicator of value.

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 a bid. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which is expected to drive better pricing and service offerings. The agency's decision to use full and open competition suggests confidence in the market's ability to provide suitable solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is the most taxpayer-friendly approach, as it maximizes the pool of potential offerors and encourages competitive pricing, potentially leading to cost savings for the government.

Public Impact

The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) will benefit from enhanced communication capabilities during emergencies. The public, particularly those in areas served by the Department of the Interior, will receive timely alerts and information. Services are likely to have a nationwide impact, supporting various DOI bureaus and offices. The contract supports the government's ability to manage crises and ensure public safety.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data.
Potential for vendor lock-in if the system is highly specialized.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract reduces financial risk for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a robust market offering.
The service directly supports critical public safety functions.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on computing infrastructure and related services like web hosting and data processing, essential for modern communication platforms. The market for emergency notification systems is competitive, with numerous providers offering solutions ranging from basic alert systems to comprehensive crisis management platforms. Spending in this area is crucial for government agencies to maintain operational continuity and public safety during unforeseen events.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses through set-asides is minimal. However, Trace3 Government, LLC, as a prime contractor, may engage small businesses as subcontractors, contributing indirectly to the small business ecosystem. Further analysis would be needed to determine subcontracting plans.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer and the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) within the Department of the Interior. Accountability is established through the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring the delivery of specified services. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS, where this award is recorded. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Emergency Alert Systems
Mass Notification Systems
Public Safety Communications
IT Infrastructure Services

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in
Cybersecurity risks associated with notification platforms
Dependence on contractor performance for critical functions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $451,859.18 to TRACE3 GOVERNMENT, LLC. OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (OEM) EVERBRIDGE SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TRACE3 GOVERNMENT, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $451,859.18.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-03-21. End: 2027-03-20.

What is the track record of Trace3 Government, LLC in delivering similar emergency notification services to federal agencies?

Trace3 Government, LLC has a history of providing IT solutions and services to various federal agencies. While specific details on their past performance with emergency notification systems are not immediately available from this data snippet, their presence as a federal contractor suggests experience in navigating government procurement and delivery requirements. A deeper dive into their contract history, past performance evaluations (if publicly accessible), and client testimonials would provide a clearer picture of their capabilities and reliability in this specific service area. Their ability to secure this contract under full and open competition implies they met the technical and financial qualifications set forth by the Department of the Interior.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar emergency notification platforms?

The awarded price of approximately $451,859 over two years (729 days) equates to roughly $1,875 per day or about $22,500 per month. This figure needs to be benchmarked against the specific features, user capacity, and geographic coverage required by the Office of Emergency Management (OEM). Emergency notification systems vary widely in cost; basic systems for smaller organizations might cost a few hundred dollars per month, while comprehensive platforms for large federal agencies with extensive user bases and advanced features (like multi-channel communication, integration with other systems, and detailed analytics) can cost tens of thousands of dollars per month. Without knowing the exact scope, this price appears moderate, suggesting it could be competitive, but a detailed feature-by-feature comparison is necessary for a definitive assessment.

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

Key risks include potential underperformance by the contractor, cybersecurity vulnerabilities within the notification system, and the possibility of the system failing during a critical event. Mitigation strategies are embedded in the contract structure and agency oversight. The firm fixed-price (FFP) nature of the contract incentivizes the contractor to deliver the agreed-upon services within budget, mitigating financial risk for the government. The requirement for full and open competition suggests a vetting process for qualified bidders. Cybersecurity requirements, standard in federal IT contracts, should be rigorously enforced. The agency's oversight, including performance monitoring and potential penalties for non-compliance, further mitigates performance risks. The contract duration of two years allows for reassessment and potential re-competition if performance is unsatisfactory.

How effective is the chosen competition level (full and open) in ensuring value for taxpayer money in this specific contract?

The full and open competition approach is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring value for taxpayer money, as it maximizes the number of potential bidders, thereby increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and innovative solutions. For a service like emergency notification, where multiple vendors offer similar capabilities, this approach allows the Department of the Interior to solicit bids from a wide range of providers, compare technical solutions and pricing, and select the offer that provides the best overall value. This method fosters price discovery and reduces the risk of paying inflated prices that might occur with sole-source or limited competition contracts. The success in achieving value ultimately depends on the clarity of the solicitation's requirements and the thoroughness of the evaluation process.

What is the historical spending pattern for emergency notification services within the Department of the Interior or similar agencies?

Historical spending on emergency notification services within the Department of the Interior (DOI) and similar large federal agencies can vary significantly based on agency size, scope of operations, and specific needs. Agencies often procure these services through various contract vehicles, sometimes as part of larger IT infrastructure or telecommunications contracts, making direct historical comparisons challenging without detailed data. However, federal spending on mass notification systems has generally been on the rise as agencies prioritize robust communication capabilities for emergencies, employee safety, and public outreach. Annual spending can range from tens of thousands to several million dollars, depending on the scale of deployment. This $451K award for a two-year period suggests a focused procurement for specific OEM needs, potentially indicating either a new initiative, a replacement for a smaller system, or a consolidation of services.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: TWO STEP

Solicitation ID: 140D0425Q0066

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Zivaro, Inc.

Address: 3900 E MEXICO AVE, DENVER, CO, 80210

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,129,648

Exercised Options: $451,859

Current Obligation: $451,859

Actual Outlays: $225,930

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140D0424D0092

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline