DOJ Awards $1.38M to Cox Business for Arizona Federal Courthouse Telecom Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $138,532 ($138.5K)
Contractor: COX Arizona Telecom LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2023-12-13
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,022 days
Daily Burn Rate: $136/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: FY24-28 D08/AZ - COX BUSINESS SERVICES FOR PHOENIX, TUCSON, FLAGSTAFF AND YUMA FEDERAL COURTHOUSE AND OFFICES. CF: APC-FY23-000022
Place of Performance
Location: PHOENIX, MARICOPA County, ARIZONA, 85027
State: Arizona Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $138,532.36 to COX ARIZONA TELECOM LLC for work described as: FY24-28 D08/AZ - COX BUSINESS SERVICES FOR PHOENIX, TUCSON, FLAGSTAFF AND YUMA FEDERAL COURTHOUSE AND OFFICES. CF: APC-FY23-000022 Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Cox Business Services for wired telecommunications. 2. Competition method was 'COMPETED UNDER SAP', suggesting a streamlined process. 3. The contract duration is over 3 years, indicating a medium-term need. 4. The award value is $1.38M, a significant but not massive sum for federal telecom.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $1.38M over approximately 3 years appears reasonable for comprehensive telecommunications services across multiple federal locations. Benchmarking against similar federal telecom contracts would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which typically involves a limited number of vendors. While this can expedite the process, it may not always yield the lowest possible price compared to full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP suggests an effort to efficiently procure necessary services, but the limited competition might mean taxpayers are not getting the absolute best price available in the market.
Public Impact
Ensures essential communication infrastructure for federal courthouses and offices in Arizona. Supports the operational needs of the U.S. Marshals Service. Provides reliable wired telecommunications services to federal employees and operations.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition under SAP
- Potential for higher pricing due to limited vendor pool
Positive Signals
- Timely award to meet operational needs
- Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT and Telecommunications sector, specifically wired telecommunications carriers. Federal spending in this area is substantial, supporting agency operations nationwide. Benchmarks vary widely based on service type and geographic location.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and was awarded to Cox Arizona Telecom LLC, a large telecommunications provider. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded via Purchase Order, a common method for acquiring goods and services. Oversight would typically involve contract management by the U.S. Marshals Service to ensure service delivery and adherence to terms.
Related Government Programs
- Wired Telecommunications Carriers
- Department of Justice Contracting
- U.S. Marshals Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
- Reliance on a single provider for critical infrastructure.
- Potential for price increases in future contract renewals.
- Scope creep risk if additional services are added without proper modification.
Tags
wired-telecommunications-carriers, department-of-justice, az, purchase-order, 100k-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $138,532.36 to COX ARIZONA TELECOM LLC. FY24-28 D08/AZ - COX BUSINESS SERVICES FOR PHOENIX, TUCSON, FLAGSTAFF AND YUMA FEDERAL COURTHOUSE AND OFFICES. CF: APC-FY23-000022
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is COX ARIZONA TELECOM LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Justice (U.S. Marshals Service).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $138,532.36.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-12-13. End: 2026-09-30.
What specific telecommunications services are included in this $1.38M contract, and how do they align with the operational needs of the federal courthouses and offices?
The contract is for wired telecommunications services, likely encompassing internet, voice, and data connectivity. Given the locations (Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, Yuma federal courthouses and offices), these services are critical for secure and reliable communication, supporting judicial proceedings, law enforcement activities, and administrative functions. The specific service details would be outlined in the contract's statement of work.
How does the 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' process impact the overall value and risk of this contract for taxpayers?
Competing under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) is designed for efficiency and speed, often used for purchases under the simplified acquisition threshold. While it can reduce administrative burden, it typically involves fewer vendors than full and open competition. This limited competition might increase the risk of not achieving the best possible price, potentially impacting taxpayer value if more competitive bids were available.
What is the expected effectiveness of Cox Business Services in meeting the telecommunications demands of these federal facilities over the contract period?
Cox Business is a well-established telecommunications provider with a significant presence in Arizona. Their ability to deliver reliable wired telecommunications services is generally expected to be effective, given their infrastructure and experience. The effectiveness will ultimately depend on the quality of service delivery, adherence to Service Level Agreements (SLAs) specified in the contract, and the responsiveness to any technical issues.
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: 15M10223QA4700318
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1550 W DEER VALLEY RD, PHOENIX, AZ, 85027
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $142,774
Exercised Options: $142,774
Current Obligation: $138,532
Actual Outlays: $26,318
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-12-13
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2028-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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