DOJ's $39.7M contract for broadcasting equipment awarded to GovMobile, LLC, a small business

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $39,699 ($39.7K)

Contractor: Govmobile, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2022-10-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $27/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SHORT BURST DATA SERVICE FOR TOD/OST. BASE PLUS FOUR OPTION YEARS. 100% SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE.

Place of Performance

Location: ANNAPOLIS, ANNE ARUNDEL County, MARYLAND, 21401

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $39,699.47 to GOVMOBILE, LLC for work described as: SHORT BURST DATA SERVICE FOR TOD/OST. BASE PLUS FOUR OPTION YEARS. 100% SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE. Key points: 1. The contract is a 100% small business set-aside, indicating a focus on supporting smaller enterprises. 2. Awarded under SAP, suggesting a streamlined procurement process for this type of purchase. 3. The firm-fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 4. The contract duration spans over four years, providing sustained support for broadcasting needs. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 334220 points to equipment manufacturing for radio and television broadcasting. 6. The contract's value of $39.7 million over its term requires careful monitoring for efficiency.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $39.7 million over four years appears reasonable for specialized broadcasting equipment and services. Benchmarking against similar procurements for radio and television broadcasting equipment would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure offers cost predictability, which is a positive indicator for efficient spending. However, without specific details on the equipment's technical specifications and market prices, a definitive value assessment is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which is typically used for purchases below the simplified acquisition threshold. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP generally allows for a competitive process. The fact that it was competed suggests that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid, which should contribute to price discovery and potentially better pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A competed award under SAP suggests that taxpayer dollars were likely used efficiently by leveraging market competition to secure favorable pricing for the broadcasting equipment.

Public Impact

The U.S. Marshals Service benefits from this contract through the acquisition of essential radio and television broadcasting equipment. This equipment is crucial for operational communications and potentially for public information dissemination. The contract supports the broadcasting and wireless communications equipment manufacturing sector. The award to a small business may have positive implications for the small business ecosystem within this sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed technical specifications makes it difficult to assess if the best value equipment was procured.
Potential for scope creep or change orders over the four-year period if not managed tightly.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical function could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

100% small business set-aside demonstrates commitment to supporting small businesses.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty and reduces financial risk for the government.
Competition under SAP indicates a potentially efficient procurement process.
The contract duration allows for sustained operational support.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Information Technology and Telecommunications sector, specifically focusing on radio and television broadcasting and wireless communications equipment manufacturing (NAICS 334220). This sector is characterized by rapid technological advancements and significant government procurement for communication systems. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal contracts for similar broadcasting equipment, considering factors like quantity, technical specifications, and contract duration.

Small Business Impact

This contract is a 100% small business set-aside, meaning it was exclusively offered to small businesses. This is a significant positive signal for the small business ecosystem, directly channeling federal funds to smaller enterprises. It implies that the government identified this procurement as suitable for small business capabilities and aimed to foster their growth and participation in federal contracting. The specific impact on subcontracting would depend on GovMobile, LLC's internal policies and the nature of the equipment supplied.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the U.S. Marshals Service contracting officer and their team. They are responsible for monitoring performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and approving payments. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise during the contract's lifecycle.

Related Government Programs

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulatory activities
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) communications infrastructure
General Services Administration (GSA) schedule contracts for telecommunications equipment

Risk Flags

Potential for obsolescence given rapid technological changes in broadcasting.
Dependence on a single small business contractor for critical equipment.
Lack of detailed technical specifications in the summary hinders full value assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $39,699.47 to GOVMOBILE, LLC. SHORT BURST DATA SERVICE FOR TOD/OST. BASE PLUS FOUR OPTION YEARS. 100% SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GOVMOBILE, 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 $39,699.47.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-10-01. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the specific type and quantity of broadcasting equipment being procured under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'SHORT BURST DATA SERVICE FOR TOD/OST' related to radio and television broadcasting and wireless communications equipment manufacturing (NAICS 334220). However, the specific technical details, models, quantities, and functionalities of the equipment are not detailed in the summary. This information is crucial for a thorough assessment of the contract's value and necessity. Without these specifics, it's difficult to determine if the procured items align precisely with the U.S. Marshals Service's operational requirements or if more cost-effective alternatives exist.

How does the per-unit cost of this equipment compare to similar items purchased by other federal agencies or in the commercial market?

The provided data does not include per-unit cost information, making a direct comparison impossible. The total contract value is $39.7 million over approximately four years. To benchmark the per-unit cost, one would need to know the exact quantity and specifications of the equipment. A comparison would involve searching federal procurement databases (like FPDS) for similar equipment purchases by other agencies or consulting commercial price lists and industry reports. Given the specialized nature of broadcasting equipment, prices can vary significantly based on features, bandwidth, encryption, and durability.

What is GovMobile, LLC's track record with federal contracts, particularly for similar broadcasting equipment or services?

The provided data identifies GovMobile, LLC as the contractor but does not offer details on their past performance or track record with federal contracts. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their contract history, including past awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of disputes or corrective actions. Understanding their experience with similar procurements is essential to gauge their capability to deliver the required broadcasting equipment effectively and on time.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract?

The summary data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract. These are critical components that define the expected performance standards, delivery timelines, and quality metrics for the broadcasting equipment and any associated services. Without defined KPIs and SLAs, it is challenging to objectively measure GovMobile, LLC's performance and ensure the U.S. Marshals Service is receiving the full value stipulated in the contract. These metrics are typically detailed in the contract's statement of work.

What is the historical spending pattern for this type of broadcasting equipment by the U.S. Marshals Service or the Department of Justice?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for this specific type of broadcasting equipment. To analyze this, one would need to examine past contract awards by the U.S. Marshals Service and the broader Department of Justice for similar equipment and services over several fiscal years. Understanding historical spending can reveal trends, identify potential increases or decreases in demand, and provide context for the current contract's value and scope. It also helps in assessing whether this $39.7 million award represents a significant shift or a continuation of established procurement practices.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Communications Equipment Manufacturing › Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 15M10422QA4700014

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1997 ANNAPOLIS EXCHANGE PKWY STE 300, ANNAPOLIS, MD, 21401

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $59,194

Exercised Options: $39,699

Current Obligation: $39,699

Actual Outlays: $19,610

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline