Interior Department awards $778K for 2 new LEO patrol vehicle upfits to White Cloud Communications

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $77,858 ($77.9K)

Contractor: White Cloud Communications, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-09-16

End Date: 2026-05-08

Contract Duration: 234 days

Daily Burn Rate: $333/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 2 NEW LEO PATROL VEHICLE UPFIT

Place of Performance

Location: TWIN FALLS, TWIN FALLS County, IDAHO, 83301

State: Idaho Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $77,858 to WHITE CLOUD COMMUNICATIONS, INC. for work described as: 2 NEW LEO PATROL VEHICLE UPFIT Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the specialized nature of law enforcement vehicle upfitting. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a standard procurement process was followed, potentially limiting aggressive price negotiation. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a firm fixed-price contract and a defined scope of work. 4. Performance context is limited to the delivery of two specialized vehicles. 5. Sector positioning is within the niche market of public safety vehicle outfitting.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value for specialized law enforcement vehicle upfitting is challenging without detailed component costs. However, the price per vehicle ($389,290) seems within a reasonable range for custom-equipped patrol units, considering the complexity of integrating communication, safety, and specialized equipment. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract shifts risk to the contractor, which is generally positive for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a limited number of quotes from pre-qualified vendors. While the exact number of bidders is not specified, SAP is designed for smaller procurements and may not achieve the same level of price competition as full and open competition. The limited competition could mean less downward pressure on pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP suggests an effort to streamline procurement for a relatively small purchase, but it may result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a broader competition.

Public Impact

Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs) in the Bureau of Land Management will benefit from updated and equipped patrol vehicles. The services delivered include the upfitting of two new patrol vehicles with necessary equipment for law enforcement duties. The geographic impact is specific to the areas where these two vehicles will be deployed by the Bureau of Land Management, likely in Idaho. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily affecting the officers who will operate the vehicles.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for higher costs due to limited competition under SAP.
Lack of detailed cost breakdown makes precise value assessment difficult.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract mitigates cost overrun risk for the government.
Specialized nature of upfitting requires specific vendor expertise.

Sector Analysis

The market for law enforcement vehicle upfitting is a specialized segment within the broader automotive and public safety sectors. It involves integrating complex electronic systems, communication equipment, and safety features into standard vehicle platforms. Spending in this area is driven by the need for reliable and functional vehicles for public safety agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without specific vehicle models and upfit packages.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. The award to White Cloud Communications, Inc. does not provide immediate insight into their size category or their utilization of small business subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this purchase order would typically fall under the Bureau of Land Management's contracting and financial management divisions. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract, requiring delivery of specified upfitted vehicles. Transparency is limited by the nature of SAP procurements, which are not always publicly detailed beyond the award notice.

Related Government Programs

Law Enforcement Vehicle Procurement
Public Safety Equipment
Bureau of Land Management Operations

Risk Flags

High Cost Per Unit
Limited Competition Details

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $77,858 to WHITE CLOUD COMMUNICATIONS, INC.. 2 NEW LEO PATROL VEHICLE UPFIT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WHITE CLOUD COMMUNICATIONS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Land Management).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $77,858.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-16. End: 2026-05-08.

What is the typical cost range for law enforcement vehicle upfitting for similar patrol vehicles?

The cost for law enforcement vehicle upfitting can vary significantly based on the vehicle make and model, the specific equipment installed (e.g., communication systems, emergency lighting, sirens, computer mounts, prisoner partitions, K9 units), and the labor involved. For a standard patrol vehicle upfit, costs can range from $15,000 to $50,000 or more. However, the reported cost per vehicle in this award is approximately $389,290. This exceptionally high figure suggests either a misunderstanding of the data provided (e.g., 'upfit' might encompass more than just equipment installation, or the base vehicle cost is included) or a highly specialized, custom build. Without a detailed breakdown of the upfitting components and services, it is difficult to provide a precise benchmark. Standard upfits for basic patrol functions are considerably less expensive.

What specific equipment is included in the 'upfit' for these two LEO patrol vehicles?

The provided data does not specify the exact components included in the 'upfit' for the two new LEO patrol vehicles. 'Upfitting' for law enforcement typically involves the installation of specialized equipment such as emergency lighting, sirens, communication radios, mobile data terminals, GPS units, partition cages, weapon mounts, and potentially modifications for K9 units or other specialized roles. Given the high award amount of $778,580 for two vehicles ($389,290 each), it is possible that the upfit includes advanced technology, integrated systems, or custom fabrication beyond standard equipment. A detailed statement of work or equipment list would be necessary to understand the full scope of the upfitting services.

What is the track record of White Cloud Communications, Inc. in providing similar services to federal agencies?

Information regarding White Cloud Communications, Inc.'s specific track record in providing law enforcement vehicle upfitting services to federal agencies is not detailed in the provided data. The award notice indicates they are the contractor for this specific purchase order. To assess their track record, one would need to review past federal contract awards, performance evaluations (if publicly available), and their company's history in the specialized field of vehicle outfitting. Without this additional context, it is difficult to gauge their experience level and past performance reliability for this type of specialized government procurement.

How does the $778,580 total award compare to historical spending on similar vehicle upfitting contracts by the Department of the Interior?

Comparing this $778,580 award for two LEO patrol vehicle upfits to historical spending by the Department of the Interior (DOI) requires access to historical contract data for similar services. The provided data does not include this historical context. However, the cost per vehicle ($389,290) appears exceptionally high for standard vehicle upfitting. If this represents a typical upfit, it suggests a significant increase in costs for such services or a highly specialized requirement. If historical contracts for similar upfits were substantially lower, this award might warrant further investigation into the scope of work and pricing justification. Without comparative historical data, it's impossible to definitively state how this award compares.

What are the potential risks associated with a firm fixed-price contract for specialized vehicle upfitting?

Firm fixed-price (FFP) contracts are generally favored by the government as they place the risk of cost overruns on the contractor. For specialized vehicle upfitting, the primary risk for the government under an FFP contract is that the contractor may cut corners on quality or use lower-grade materials to maintain their profit margin if the initial pricing was too aggressive or if unforeseen issues arise during the build. Conversely, if the contractor underestimated the complexity or cost, they might struggle to complete the contract, potentially leading to delays or disputes. The government's risk is mitigated by a well-defined statement of work and rigorous inspection upon delivery.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › All Other Telecommunications › All Other Telecommunications

Product/Service Code: INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT › INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140L2625Q0081

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 663 MAIN AVE E, TWIN FALLS, ID, 83301

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $77,858

Exercised Options: $77,858

Current Obligation: $77,858

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline