Viasat Awarded $2.6M for Communications Equipment by GSA, Sole-Source
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,644,080 ($2.6M)
Contractor: Viasat Inc
Awarding Agency: General Services Administration
Start Date: 2024-07-01
End Date: 2025-06-30
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.3K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: JS VIASAT TO287 SOCOM DISA AND RIVET JOINT
Place of Performance
Location: TAMPA, HILLSBOROUGH County, FLORIDA, 33621
State: Florida Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
General Services Administration obligated $2.6 million to VIASAT INC for work described as: JS VIASAT TO287 SOCOM DISA AND RIVET JOINT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Viasat Inc. for 'Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing'. 2. Significant portion of spending in Florida. 3. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and potential price discovery. 4. Focus on IT/Communications sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $2.64 million is for a single delivery order. Without more data on the specific equipment and its intended use, a direct pricing assessment against similar contracts is difficult. However, the sole-source nature warrants scrutiny.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning competition was not sought. This method limits price discovery and may result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitively bid contract.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition in this sole-source award could lead to suboptimal pricing, potentially increasing the financial burden on taxpayers.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be paying more due to the absence of competitive bidding. The specific communication equipment's necessity and functionality for SOCOM/DISA/RIVET are not detailed. Potential for future sole-source awards if this is a pattern.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- Limited transparency on equipment specifics
Positive Signals
- Contract awarded to a known entity (Viasat Inc.)
- Clear contract duration and pricing type (Firm Fixed Price)
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT and Communications Equipment Manufacturing sector. Spending in this area is critical for national security and operational efficiency, but competitive procurement is key to ensuring value for money.
Small Business Impact
The award was made directly to Viasat Inc. and does not indicate any subcontracting or set-aside for small businesses. This suggests a lack of opportunity for small businesses in this specific procurement.
Oversight & Accountability
The General Services Administration (GSA) awarded this contract. Oversight should focus on the justification for the sole-source award and ensure the equipment meets the stated needs of SOCOM, DISA, and RIVET.
Related Government Programs
- Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing
- General Services Administration Contracting
- Federal Acquisition Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Potential for inflated pricing due to lack of competition.
- Lack of transparency regarding specific equipment and its necessity.
- No indication of small business participation.
Tags
other-communications-equipment-manufactu, general-services-administration, fl, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
General Services Administration awarded $2.6 million to VIASAT INC. JS VIASAT TO287 SOCOM DISA AND RIVET JOINT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is VIASAT INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-07-01. End: 2025-06-30.
What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and what steps were taken to ensure the price is fair and reasonable?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of available sources. Without access to the specific justification documentation, it's impossible to detail the steps taken to ensure price reasonableness. However, agencies are expected to perform market research and use available data to validate pricing even in sole-source scenarios.
How does the cost of this sole-source awarded equipment compare to similar commercially available or previously procured items?
Direct comparison is challenging without knowing the exact specifications and intended use of the 'Other Communications Equipment'. However, sole-source contracts inherently lack the price pressure of competition. A thorough review of the contract file, including any independent government cost estimates or price analyses performed by GSA, would be necessary to assess if the price is fair and reasonable compared to benchmarks.
What is the long-term strategic value and potential for obsolescence of the 'Other Communications Equipment' being procured under this contract?
The long-term strategic value depends on the specific operational requirements of SOCOM, DISA, and RIVET. Given the rapid pace of technological advancement in communications, there's always a risk of obsolescence. The contract's duration of one year (364 days) suggests a focus on immediate needs rather than long-term strategic deployment, mitigating some obsolescence risk but raising questions about future sustainment and upgrades.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Communications Equipment Manufacturing › Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: 47QFLA24Q0115
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 6155 EL CAMINO REAL, CARLSBAD, CA, 92009
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $2,644,080
Exercised Options: $2,644,080
Current Obligation: $2,644,080
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 47QFLA19D0006
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-07-01
Current End Date: 2025-06-30
Potential End Date: 2025-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-07
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