FCC awards $7.5M contract for broadband data systems to EMPRATA LLC, a 5-year delivery order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,500,653 ($7.5M)

Contractor: Emprata LLC

Awarding Agency: Federal Communications Commission

Start Date: 2024-02-01

End Date: 2029-01-31

Contract Duration: 1,826 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: BROADBAND DATA COLLECTION-BROADBAND FUNDING MAP SYSTEMS

Place of Performance

Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22033

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Federal Communications Commission obligated $7.5 million to EMPRATA LLC for work described as: BROADBAND DATA COLLECTION-BROADBAND FUNDING MAP SYSTEMS Key points: 1. The contract value of $7.5 million over five years suggests a moderate annual spend for custom computer programming services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, indicating a potentially competitive bidding process that could drive favorable pricing. 3. The contract is a delivery order under an existing contract, which may imply some level of pre-qualification or established relationship. 4. The fixed-price contract type generally shifts risk to the contractor, potentially leading to more predictable costs for the government. 5. The services provided are critical for the FCC's mission of mapping and understanding broadband deployment across the nation. 6. The contractor, EMPRATA LLC, has secured this award, but their specific track record with similar large-scale government projects requires further investigation.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $7.5 million over five years equates to approximately $1.5 million annually. Without specific benchmarks for similar broadband data mapping systems, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money. However, the firm-fixed-price structure is a positive indicator for cost control. The number of bidders (5) suggests a reasonable level of interest, which can contribute to competitive pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, with five bids received. This indicates that multiple vendors had the opportunity to compete for the work, which is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers. The presence of five bidders suggests a healthy level of market interest in providing these services to the FCC.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process like this helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs through market forces.

Public Impact

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is the primary beneficiary, gaining enhanced capabilities for broadband data collection and mapping. The services delivered will support the FCC's mandate to understand and promote broadband deployment nationwide. The geographic impact is national, as the data collected and systems developed will cover all areas within the United States. The contract supports the technology sector through the provision of custom computer programming services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined and managed throughout the contract lifecycle.
Dependence on EMPRATA LLC for the successful development and maintenance of critical broadband data systems.
Ensuring data accuracy and security within the developed systems will be paramount.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
The contract duration of five years allows for long-term system development and stability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically custom computer programming services. The market for such services is vast and highly competitive. The FCC's need for specialized broadband data systems is a niche within this broader sector, driven by regulatory and policy objectives. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within government IT procurements for data management, analysis, and visualization platforms.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses arising from a set-aside provision. The primary contractor, EMPRATA LLC, will be responsible for fulfilling the contract requirements. The impact on the small business ecosystem is indirect, as larger prime contractors often engage small businesses for specialized services, but this is not mandated here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the Federal Communications Commission through contract officers and technical representatives who will monitor performance, deliverables, and adherence to the contract terms. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, where the contractor is responsible for delivering the specified services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is generally facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though specific project details may be proprietary.

Related Government Programs

Broadband Data Collection
National Broadband Map
FCC Technology Modernization
IT Services for Regulatory Agencies
Data Management Systems

Risk Flags

Contractor Performance Risk
Scope Creep Risk
Technological Obsolescence Risk
Data Security and Integrity Risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Federal Communications Commission awarded $7.5 million to EMPRATA LLC. BROADBAND DATA COLLECTION-BROADBAND FUNDING MAP SYSTEMS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EMPRATA LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Federal Communications Commission (Federal Communications Commission).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $7.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-02-01. End: 2029-01-31.

What is EMPRATA LLC's track record with similar large-scale government IT projects, particularly those involving data mapping and analysis?

A thorough review of EMPRATA LLC's contract history and past performance evaluations would be necessary to assess their track record. Information on previous projects, client satisfaction, and adherence to timelines and budgets would provide insight into their capabilities. Specifically, experience with developing and maintaining complex data systems for federal agencies, especially those with regulatory or mapping components, would be highly relevant. Without access to detailed performance data or past performance questionnaires, it is difficult to definitively gauge their suitability beyond the fact that they were selected through a competitive process.

How does the annual cost of this contract ($1.5 million) compare to similar broadband data mapping system contracts awarded by other federal agencies?

Benchmarking this contract's annual cost requires identifying comparable contracts for broadband data mapping and analysis systems. Factors such as system complexity, scope of data, user base, and required functionalities (e.g., real-time data, predictive analytics) significantly influence pricing. A direct comparison would involve analyzing contract awards from agencies like the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) or the Department of Commerce, focusing on projects with similar objectives. The $1.5 million annual spend appears moderate for a specialized government IT system, but a definitive assessment of value for money necessitates a detailed market analysis of comparable procurements.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) that will be used to measure the success of EMPRATA LLC's work on the broadband data systems?

Key performance indicators for this contract would likely focus on the functionality, reliability, accuracy, and timeliness of the broadband data systems. Specific KPIs could include system uptime percentages, data accuracy rates, turnaround time for data processing and reporting, user satisfaction scores (if applicable), and successful integration with other FCC systems. The contract's statement of work and performance work statement would detail these metrics. Regular performance reviews between the FCC and EMPRATA LLC would track progress against these KPIs, informing decisions about contract modifications or renewals.

What is the historical spending pattern of the Federal Communications Commission on broadband data collection and related IT systems?

Analyzing the FCC's historical spending on broadband data collection and IT systems would provide context for the $7.5 million award. This would involve examining past budgets and contract awards related to data infrastructure, mapping technologies, and analytical tools. Understanding trends in spending, such as increases or decreases in investment in this area, can indicate the agency's strategic priorities and the evolving importance of broadband data. Significant prior investments might suggest a mature program, while a new large award could signal a strategic expansion or modernization effort.

What are the potential risks associated with a five-year contract for custom computer programming services, and how are they being mitigated?

Risks in a five-year custom software development contract include technological obsolescence, changing requirements, contractor performance issues, and budget overruns. Mitigation strategies often involve clearly defined scope, phased development with regular reviews, robust contract management, and performance incentives. The firm-fixed-price nature of this contract shifts some financial risk to the contractor. The FCC's oversight, including technical monitoring and performance evaluations, will be crucial in identifying and addressing potential issues proactively throughout the contract's duration.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - PLATFORM

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 273FCC23Q0010

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 11645 PINE TREE DR, FAIRFAX, VA, 22033

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $20,176,111

Exercised Options: $11,720,365

Current Obligation: $7,500,653

Actual Outlays: $6,523,680

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F490DA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline