Doe's $408K Contract for HF ALE Maintenance Awarded to by Light Professional IT Services LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $408,803 ($408.8K)
Contractor: BY Light Professional IT Services LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2018-08-24
End Date: 2023-11-23
Contract Duration: 1,917 days
Daily Burn Rate: $213/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: MAINTENANCE AND TRAINING IN SUPPORT OF THE OPERATION OF THE HIGH FREQUENCY (HF) AUTOMATIC LINK ESTABLISHMENT (ALE) CURRENTLY INSTALLED AT THE ALBUQUERQUE, NM AND GERMANTOWN, MD FACILITIES FOR THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY OPERATIONS, CONTINUITY PROGRAM OFFICE (NA-40.2) OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE), NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (NNSA).
Place of Performance
Location: GERMANTOWN, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20874
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $408,802.94 to BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC for work described as: MAINTENANCE AND TRAINING IN SUPPORT OF THE OPERATION OF THE HIGH FREQUENCY (HF) AUTOMATIC LINK ESTABLISHMENT (ALE) CURRENTLY INSTALLED AT THE ALBUQUERQUE, NM AND GERMANTOWN, MD FACILITIES FOR THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY OPERATIONS, CONTINUITY PROGRAM OFFICE (NA-40.2) OF THE U.S. DEPA… Key points: 1. Contract covers maintenance and training for High Frequency (HF) Automatic Link Establishment (ALE) systems. 2. BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC is the sole awardee. 3. The contract spans nearly 5 years, indicating a long-term need. 4. Spending is concentrated in IT services, specifically computer-related services.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $408,802.94 over nearly 5 years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar IT maintenance contracts would be necessary for a precise assessment, but the duration and scope appear reasonable for specialized equipment support.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which generally promotes competitive pricing. The specific price discovery mechanisms within this competitive process are not detailed, but the method itself is favorable for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is expected to yield a fair price, maximizing taxpayer value for the required maintenance and training services.
Public Impact
Ensures operational readiness of critical communication systems for the Office of Emergency Operations. Supports the National Nuclear Security Administration's continuity programs. Provides specialized training for personnel operating sensitive equipment. Maintains vital infrastructure for national security and emergency response.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
- Potential for vendor lock-in with specialized equipment maintenance.
- Limited insight into the criticality of the ALE system to overall NNSA operations.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Long-term contract indicates sustained need and potential for stable service.
- Supports critical national security functions.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under IT services, specifically 'Other Computer Related Services'. The spending of $408K over nearly 5 years is relatively small for IT infrastructure maintenance, suggesting a niche or specialized system rather than broad IT support.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business (sb: false). There is no information provided on subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this award.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration. Oversight would involve monitoring performance, ensuring adherence to contract terms, and verifying the necessity and effectiveness of the maintenance and training provided.
Related Government Programs
- Other Computer Related Services
- Department of Energy Contracting
- Department of Energy Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for sole-source follow-on if specialized knowledge is retained.
- Limited transparency on specific performance metrics.
- Dependence on a single vendor for critical communication system maintenance.
- Aging technology (HF ALE) may have more modern, cost-effective alternatives.
Tags
other-computer-related-services, department-of-energy, md, delivery-order, 100k-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $408,802.94 to BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC. MAINTENANCE AND TRAINING IN SUPPORT OF THE OPERATION OF THE HIGH FREQUENCY (HF) AUTOMATIC LINK ESTABLISHMENT (ALE) CURRENTLY INSTALLED AT THE ALBUQUERQUE, NM AND GERMANTOWN, MD FACILITIES FOR THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY OPERATIONS, CONTINUITY PROGRAM OFFICE (NA-40.2) OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE), NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (NNSA).
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $408,802.94.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2018-08-24. End: 2023-11-23.
What is the specific criticality of the HF ALE system to the NNSA's continuity operations?
The criticality of the HF ALE system is directly tied to the Office of Emergency Operations' mandate. These systems are essential for maintaining reliable, long-range communication, particularly in scenarios where other communication methods might fail. Their role in ensuring continuity of operations for the NNSA, a critical national security agency, underscores their importance for command and control during emergencies.
Are there alternative communication technologies that could fulfill the same function at a lower cost or higher efficiency?
While HF ALE systems offer robust long-range communication, alternative technologies like satellite communications (SATCOM) or advanced digital radio systems could be considered. The cost-effectiveness and efficiency comparison would depend on factors like bandwidth requirements, geographic coverage needs, susceptibility to jamming or interference, and the existing infrastructure. A thorough technology assessment would be needed to determine if alternatives offer a better value proposition.
What performance metrics are used to evaluate the effectiveness of the maintenance and training provided by BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC?
The provided data does not specify the performance metrics used to evaluate the maintenance and training. Typically, such evaluations would include system uptime percentages, response times for maintenance requests, successful link establishment rates, and user proficiency assessments post-training. Without these details, it's difficult to quantitatively gauge the contractor's effectiveness beyond the contract's duration and scope.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services
Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: 89233118QNA000032
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 8484 WESTPARK DR, MC LEAN, VA, 22102
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $499,727
Exercised Options: $499,727
Current Obligation: $408,803
Actual Outlays: $362,086
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS35F0308U
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2018-08-24
Current End Date: 2023-11-23
Potential End Date: 2023-11-23 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-01
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