DOJ awards $1.63M for fugitive apprehension radios, with a 1-year duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $163,186 ($163.2K)

Contractor: Silvus Technologies, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2027-04-07

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $448/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MISSION CRITICAL - APPREHENDING FUGITIVES TOD/OST-VSU: STREAMCASTER RADIO SET CF: APC-FY26-000069

Place of Performance

Location: LOS ANGELES, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 90024

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $163,186 to SILVUS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. for work described as: MISSION CRITICAL - APPREHENDING FUGITIVES TOD/OST-VSU: STREAMCASTER RADIO SET CF: APC-FY26-000069 Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the equipment. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. Risk indicators are low due to a firm-fixed-price contract and short duration. 4. Performance context suggests a need for reliable communication in critical operations. 5. Sector positioning places this within the specialized communications equipment manufacturing industry.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $1.63 million for a 364-day period for specialized communication equipment seems within a reasonable range for mission-critical technology. Benchmarking against similar contracts for law enforcement communication systems would provide a more precise value assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under SAP (Small Acquisition Procedures), suggesting a competitive process for acquisitions below certain thresholds. While the number of bidders is not specified, this method generally aims for broad participation and fair pricing. The use of SAP implies that the agency sought multiple quotes to ensure competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: A competed award under SAP is beneficial for taxpayers as it promotes price discovery and ensures the government receives competitive pricing for its needs.

Public Impact

The U.S. Marshals Service benefits from enhanced communication capabilities. Services delivered include the provision of specialized streamcaster radio sets. Geographic impact is national, supporting fugitive apprehension efforts across the U.S. Workforce implications include equipping law enforcement officers with advanced technology.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty.
Short contract duration (364 days) limits long-term financial commitment and allows for reassessment.
Awarded to a known entity in the communications equipment sector.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing sector. This industry is characterized by rapid technological advancements and specialized applications, particularly for government and public safety. Spending in this sector for defense and law enforcement communications can be substantial, with contracts often involving high-value, custom-engineered solutions.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were mandated or if small businesses participated as prime contractors or subcontractors in the competitive process.

Oversight & Accountability

The U.S. Marshals Service, as part of the Department of Justice, is subject to internal and external oversight mechanisms. The firm-fixed-price contract type provides a degree of financial oversight. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance monitoring details are not provided here.

Related Government Programs

Law Enforcement Communications Systems
Public Safety Radio Equipment
Fugitive Apprehension Technology

Risk Flags

Potential for technological obsolescence if not managed proactively.
Dependence on contractor's ability to meet stringent performance requirements for 'mission critical' use.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $163,186 to SILVUS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. MISSION CRITICAL - APPREHENDING FUGITIVES TOD/OST-VSU: STREAMCASTER RADIO SET CF: APC-FY26-000069

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SILVUS TECHNOLOGIES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (U.S. Marshals Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $163,186.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2027-04-07.

What is the specific capability of the 'Streamcaster Radio Set' and how does it enhance fugitive apprehension?

The 'Streamcaster Radio Set' likely refers to a specialized, portable radio communication device designed for real-time audio and potentially data transmission in the field. For fugitive apprehension, such a system would enable seamless, secure communication between field agents, command centers, and other units involved in an operation. This could include transmitting live audio feeds from the scene, receiving tactical updates, coordinating movements, and maintaining situational awareness, which is critical for apprehending individuals who may be dangerous or attempting to evade capture. The 'mission critical' designation implies a high degree of reliability and performance is expected under demanding conditions.

How does the $1.63 million award compare to typical spending on similar communication equipment by law enforcement agencies?

Benchmarking this $1.63 million award requires comparing it to similar procurements for specialized law enforcement communication systems. Contracts for advanced tactical radios, body-worn communication devices, or integrated command and control systems can range significantly in price depending on features, quantity, and vendor. For a single-year award of streamcaster radio sets, this amount suggests either a substantial quantity of units or highly sophisticated, perhaps custom-developed, technology. Without specific details on the number of units or the exact technical specifications, a precise comparison is difficult, but it appears to be a significant investment for a single contract vehicle.

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

The primary risks associated with this contract are potential performance issues (equipment not meeting operational needs), delivery delays, or cost overruns if the firm-fixed-price (FFP) structure is not managed effectively by the contractor. However, the FFP contract type itself is a mitigation strategy, placing the cost risk on the contractor. The short 364-day duration also limits the government's exposure to long-term performance issues or technological obsolescence. The 'mission critical' nature implies rigorous testing and acceptance criteria are likely in place, further mitigating performance risks.

What is the track record of Silvus Technologies, Inc. in providing similar communication equipment to government agencies?

Silvus Technologies, Inc. is known for its high-performance wireless networking solutions, often used in demanding environments such as defense and public safety. Their StreamCaster™ line of radios is frequently cited for robust performance in challenging conditions, including mobile ad-hoc networking capabilities. Government agencies, including military and law enforcement, have utilized Silvus products for tactical communications, video streaming, and data transmission. A review of federal procurement databases would likely reveal a history of awards to Silvus for similar technologies, indicating a degree of established performance and familiarity with government requirements.

How does the competition level ('Competed under SAP') impact the value received by the taxpayers?

Competing under Small Acquisition Procedures (SAP) generally implies that the agency solicited quotes from multiple sources, aiming to achieve competitive pricing. For acquisitions below certain thresholds (e.g., $250,000 for many services, but potentially higher for specific goods or under different regulations), SAP allows for streamlined procurement processes while still encouraging competition. This means taxpayers benefit from potentially lower prices than a sole-source award, as vendors are incentivized to offer their best terms. The effectiveness of this competition depends on the number of quotes received and the specific market dynamics for this type of equipment.

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: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 15M10226QA4700064

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 10990 WILSHIRE BLVD STE 1500, LOS ANGELES, CA, 90024

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $163,186

Exercised Options: $163,186

Current Obligation: $163,186

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline