DHS awards $316M for secure communications radios and batteries to Tribalco LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $315,971,571 ($316.0M)

Contractor: Tribalco LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2025-12-23

End Date: 2029-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,377 days

Daily Burn Rate: $229.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THIS AWARD PROVIDES BOTH MOTOROLA RADIOS AND BATTERIES FOR PERSONNEL TO ENABLE UNINTERRUPTED, SECURE COMMUNICATIONS DURING OPERATIONS, SUPPORTING ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS, SAFEGUARDING NATIONAL SECURITY, AND PROTECTING PUBLIC SAFETY.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20536

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $316.0 million to TRIBALCO LLC for work described as: THIS AWARD PROVIDES BOTH MOTOROLA RADIOS AND BATTERIES FOR PERSONNEL TO ENABLE UNINTERRUPTED, SECURE COMMUNICATIONS DURING OPERATIONS, SUPPORTING ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS, SAFEGUARDING NATIONAL SECURITY, AND PROTECTING PUBLIC SAFETY. Key points: 1. This contract ensures critical communication infrastructure for law enforcement and national security. 2. The award to Tribalco LLC signifies a significant investment in secure wireless technology. 3. Performance duration extends over four years, indicating a long-term need for these assets. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which helps manage cost certainty. 5. The scope includes radios and batteries, essential for operational continuity. 6. This procurement supports personnel safety and operational effectiveness in enforcement actions.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total contract value of $315,971,571.24 over approximately 4.5 years suggests a substantial but potentially reasonable investment for critical communication equipment. Benchmarking against similar large-scale procurements for secure radio systems would be necessary for a definitive value assessment. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost predictability for the agency, which is a positive indicator for value management. However, without detailed cost breakdowns or comparisons to commercial off-the-shelf equivalents, a precise value-for-money judgment remains challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 3 bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this significant award. While more bidders could potentially drive prices lower, a competitive process was indeed followed, allowing the agency to select from qualified offerors. The specific details of the evaluation criteria and the number of proposals received beyond the winning bid would provide further insight into the robustness of the competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages multiple vendors to offer competitive pricing, potentially leading to better value. The fact that there were 3 bids suggests that the market is responsive to this type of requirement.

Public Impact

Personnel within the Department of Homeland Security, particularly U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), will benefit from enhanced communication capabilities. The contract delivers essential radio and battery equipment necessary for secure and uninterrupted operations. This procurement supports national security objectives by ensuring reliable communication during critical enforcement actions. Public safety is enhanced through the improved operational effectiveness of law enforcement personnel. The geographic impact is likely nationwide, supporting ICE operations across various regions. Workforce implications include equipping personnel with reliable tools to perform their duties safely and effectively.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if proprietary systems are used, impacting future flexibility and cost.
Dependence on a single awardee for critical communication hardware could pose supply chain risks.
Ensuring long-term interoperability with existing and future communication systems requires careful planning.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty and budget predictability.
Long-term contract duration (over 4 years) indicates a sustained need and potential for stable supply.
Focus on secure communications directly supports national security and public safety missions.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing sector. This sector is vital for national security and public safety, providing the backbone for critical communications. The market includes specialized manufacturers capable of producing ruggedized, secure communication devices. Spending in this area is often driven by government requirements for reliable and secure systems that can operate in challenging environments. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other large federal contracts for tactical communication systems or secure radio networks.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a large prime contract awarded through full and open competition, it is possible that small businesses could participate as subcontractors to Tribalco LLC. However, without specific subcontracting plans or goals outlined in the award details, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear. Further investigation into subcontracting requirements would be needed to assess opportunities for small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) within the Department of Homeland Security. Standard contract management processes, including performance monitoring and delivery tracking, would be in place. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of contract awards, but detailed operational oversight mechanisms and specific accountability measures are typically internal to the agency. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security Communications Systems
ICE Enforcement Technology
Federal Law Enforcement Radio Procurement
National Security Communications Equipment
Wireless Communication Infrastructure Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for supply chain vulnerabilities
Risk of technological obsolescence
Interoperability challenges with existing systems

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $316.0 million to TRIBALCO LLC. THIS AWARD PROVIDES BOTH MOTOROLA RADIOS AND BATTERIES FOR PERSONNEL TO ENABLE UNINTERRUPTED, SECURE COMMUNICATIONS DURING OPERATIONS, SUPPORTING ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS, SAFEGUARDING NATIONAL SECURITY, AND PROTECTING PUBLIC SAFETY.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TRIBALCO LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $316.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-12-23. End: 2029-09-30.

What is the track record of Tribalco LLC in delivering similar communication systems to federal agencies?

Assessing Tribalco LLC's track record requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving secure radio systems and communication equipment for law enforcement or national security purposes. Information on previous contract values, delivery timeliness, product quality, and customer satisfaction would be crucial. A search of federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for awards to Tribalco LLC, focusing on the specific North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code '334220' (Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing) or related codes, would reveal their experience. Analyzing past performance evaluations, if publicly available, would provide direct insights into their reliability and capability to fulfill this significant DHS contract. Without specific past performance data, it's difficult to definitively assess their suitability beyond the fact they were selected through a competitive process.

How does the per-unit cost of these radios and batteries compare to market rates or similar federal procurements?

Determining the per-unit cost comparison is challenging without specific details on the quantity and model of radios and batteries procured under this $315.9 million contract. The total award amount needs to be divided by the number of units to establish an average per-unit cost. This average would then need to be benchmarked against commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) prices for comparable devices, considering any necessary modifications for security or ruggedization. Additionally, comparing this average to historical federal procurements of similar equipment, especially those awarded under full and open competition, would provide valuable context. Factors like bulk purchasing discounts, contract duration, and specific technical requirements can significantly influence per-unit pricing, making direct comparisons complex but essential for a thorough value assessment.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Primary risks for this contract include potential supply chain disruptions for critical components, technological obsolescence of the radio systems over the contract's duration, and the possibility of cost overruns if the firm fixed-price structure doesn't adequately account for unforeseen market fluctuations in component costs. There's also a risk related to the interoperability of these new systems with existing or future agency communication infrastructure. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust contract management by DHS, including close monitoring of the supplier's production and delivery schedules, contingency planning for component sourcing, and potentially incorporating clauses for technology refresh or upgrade paths. Ensuring clear technical specifications and performance standards upfront also helps mitigate risks related to product suitability and effectiveness.

How effective is the current communication system, and what improvements does this new contract aim to achieve?

The effectiveness of the current communication system is implied to be insufficient, necessitating this significant investment. The contract's description highlights the need for 'uninterrupted, secure communications during operations, supporting enforcement actions, safeguarding national security, and protecting public safety.' This suggests the existing systems may lack the required security, reliability, or capacity. The new contract aims to achieve improvements by providing modern radio and battery technology that ensures seamless connectivity, enhances data security, and supports the demanding operational tempo of law enforcement and national security personnel. The goal is to upgrade the communication infrastructure to meet contemporary threats and operational requirements, thereby increasing personnel safety and mission success rates.

What is the historical spending trend for similar communication equipment within DHS or ICE?

Analyzing historical spending trends for similar communication equipment within DHS or ICE would provide context for the $315.9 million award. This involves examining past contracts for radios, communication devices, and related services over several fiscal years. Key metrics to track would include the total annual spending, the number and value of individual awards, the primary contractors, and the contract types (e.g., firm fixed-price, cost-plus). Significant year-over-year increases or decreases in spending could indicate shifts in technology adoption, operational needs, or budget priorities. Understanding these historical patterns helps in assessing whether the current award represents a typical investment, a surge in spending, or a strategic shift in communication technology procurement for these agencies.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: COMM/DETECT/COHERENT RADIATION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Tribalco, LLC

Address: 7735 OLD GEORGETOWN RD FL 12, BETHESDA, MD, 20814

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $315,981,885

Exercised Options: $315,971,571

Current Obligation: $315,971,571

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70B04C19D00000021

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline