DOJ's DEA Awards $3.58M Firm Fixed Price Contract to Time Warner Cable for Communications Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,580 ($3.6K)
Contractor: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2024-10-01
End Date: 2025-09-30
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $10/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: SERVICES UNDER ACCOUNT 189538701
Place of Performance
Location: YUMA, YUMA County, ARIZONA, 85365
State: Arizona Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $3,579.84 to TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLC for work described as: SERVICES UNDER ACCOUNT 189538701 Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single, well-known provider in the communications sector. 2. Limited competition due to contract type and procurement method. 3. Potential for higher costs due to lack of competitive bidding. 4. Services are critical for DEA operations, indicating high importance.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract is a firm fixed price purchase order for a duration of one year. Without a competitive benchmark or detailed cost breakdown, assessing value for money is difficult. The pricing is likely based on Time Warner Cable's standard commercial rates.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was not competed under SAP, suggesting it may have been awarded through other limited sources or direct negotiation. This lack of broad competition limits price discovery and potentially leads to a higher price than if multiple vendors had bid.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying a premium for these communication services due to the limited competitive environment surrounding this award.
Public Impact
Ensures critical communication infrastructure for the Drug Enforcement Administration. Supports law enforcement operations by providing essential broadcasting and wireless services. Potential impact on budget if costs are not optimized due to limited competition.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpayment
- Limited transparency on pricing justification
Positive Signals
- Essential service for national security
- Firm fixed price contract limits cost overrun risk
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing sector. Spending in this sector for government services can vary widely, but typically involves significant investment in infrastructure and technology. Benchmarks are difficult without specific service details.
Small Business Impact
The awardee, Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC, is a large corporation, not a small business. There is no indication that small businesses were involved in subcontracting opportunities for this specific contract.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is a purchase order, which is a common procurement instrument. Oversight would typically involve monitoring service delivery and payment against the contract terms. The lack of competition warrants closer scrutiny of the pricing and necessity of the services.
Related Government Programs
- Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Drug Enforcement Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competitive bidding
- Potential for inflated pricing
- Limited transparency on service details
- No small business participation noted
Tags
radio-and-television-broadcasting-and-wi, department-of-justice, az, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $3,579.84 to TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLC. SERVICES UNDER ACCOUNT 189538701
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Drug Enforcement Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $3,579.84.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-10-01. End: 2025-09-30.
What is the specific nature of the communication services being procured, and how do they directly support the DEA's mission?
The contract specifies services related to Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing. While the exact services are not detailed, they are crucial for the DEA's operational capabilities, likely encompassing secure communication networks, data transmission, and potentially broadcasting capabilities for intelligence gathering or dissemination. These services are fundamental to maintaining situational awareness and coordinating law enforcement activities.
What justification was provided for not competing this contract more broadly, and how was the price determined to be fair and reasonable?
The data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP'. Further justification would be needed to understand why a broader competition was not pursued. Price reasonableness is typically determined by the contracting officer through various methods, such as comparing to commercial prices, historical data, or certified cost or pricing data, though details are absent here.
What is the potential long-term cost implication for the DEA if similar contracts continue to be awarded with limited competition?
If contracts for essential services like communications are consistently awarded with limited competition, the DEA could face escalating costs over the long term. Without the downward pressure of competitive bidding, vendors may not be incentivized to offer the most cost-effective solutions, leading to a higher overall expenditure for the agency and potentially diverting funds from other critical mission areas.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Communications Equipment Manufacturing › Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - NETWORK
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Charter Communications, Inc.
Address: 12405 POWERSCOURT DR, SAINT LOUIS, MO, 63131
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $3,580
Exercised Options: $3,580
Current Obligation: $3,580
Actual Outlays: $3,580
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-10-01
Current End Date: 2025-09-30
Potential End Date: 2025-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-01
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