Department of Energy awards $10,695.9 contract for CISCO VOIP PHONES to V3GATE, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,696 ($10.7K)

Contractor: V3gate, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Energy

Start Date: 2023-01-04

End Date: 2023-04-04

Contract Duration: 90 days

Daily Burn Rate: $119/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 16

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: CISCO VOIP PHONES

Place of Performance

Location: SAN JOSE, SANTA CLARA County, CALIFORNIA, 95134

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Energy obligated $10,695.9 to V3GATE, LLC for work described as: CISCO VOIP PHONES Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. 2. The contract duration of 90 days is relatively short, potentially indicating a need for immediate or short-term services. 3. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541519 suggests services related to computer systems design and related services. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which transfers risk to the contractor and provides cost certainty. 5. The award was made by the Department of Energy, indicating a focus on supporting federal agency operations. 6. The small business set-aside flag is false, meaning the contract was not specifically reserved for small businesses.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount of $10,695.9 for CISCO VOIP PHONES appears to be a modest sum for federal IT procurements. Without specific details on the quantity of phones or associated services, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the firm fixed-price contract type suggests a defined cost for the deliverables. Benchmarking against similar procurements for VoIP hardware and installation would be necessary for a more precise valuation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' which implies that while the initial intent might have been to exclude certain sources, the final award was made through a process open to all qualified bidders. The presence of 16 bids indicates a healthy level of competition for this requirement. This broad competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition suggests that taxpayer dollars were likely used efficiently, as multiple vendors vied to provide the best price and value.

Public Impact

Federal employees within the Department of Energy are the primary beneficiaries, receiving updated or new VoIP phone systems. The services delivered include the provision of CISCO VoIP phones, likely encompassing hardware, configuration, and potentially installation. The geographic impact is centered in California, where the contract is being performed. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving a small technical team for delivery and installation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Positive Signals

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader Information Technology sector, specifically focusing on telecommunications hardware and services. The market for enterprise VoIP solutions is mature and competitive, with numerous vendors offering a range of products and services. Federal spending in this area supports agency communication infrastructure, ensuring reliable and modern telephony. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing the cost per user or per device for similar VoIP deployments across federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it indicate any specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This means the opportunity was open to all business sizes, and the prime contractor, V3GATE, LLC, has the discretion regarding subcontracting. The absence of set-aside provisions suggests that small businesses may not have been the primary focus for this particular procurement, though they could potentially participate as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer and the relevant program managers within the Department of Energy. As a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle (implied by 'AW' for Delivery Order), oversight might also be influenced by the terms of the base contract. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, but specific performance monitoring details are usually internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Risk Flags

Tags

it, telecommunications, voip, cisco, department-of-energy, california, firm-fixed-price, delivery-order, full-and-open-competition, it-services, hardware-procurement

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Energy awarded $10,695.9 to V3GATE, LLC. CISCO VOIP PHONES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is V3GATE, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10,695.9.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-01-04. End: 2023-04-04.

What is the track record of V3GATE, LLC in performing similar IT hardware and telecommunications contracts for the federal government?

V3gate, LLC has a history of performing IT services for the federal government. Analyzing their past performance on similar contracts, particularly those involving telecommunications equipment like VoIP phones, is crucial. This includes examining contract values, performance reviews, and any reported issues or successes. A review of federal procurement databases would reveal the extent and nature of their prior engagements, helping to assess their capability and reliability in delivering such solutions. Their experience with the Department of Energy specifically would also be a key indicator of their suitability for this task.

How does the pricing of this CISCO VOIP PHONES contract compare to market rates for similar equipment and services?

To benchmark the pricing, one would need to compare the per-unit cost of the CISCO VoIP phones and any associated services against prevailing market rates. This involves researching current prices from major IT resellers, distributors, and other government contractors for the specific models procured. Factors such as volume discounts, warranty periods, and included support services must be considered. Given the firm fixed-price nature, the government has a defined cost, but understanding if this cost is competitive requires external market analysis. The presence of 16 bids suggests competitive pricing was likely achieved, but a detailed unit-cost comparison is essential for a definitive assessment.

What are the potential risks associated with a short-duration contract for IT hardware like VoIP phones?

Short-duration contracts, like this 90-day delivery order, can present several risks. There's a risk of rushed deployment, potentially leading to installation errors or inadequate user training. If the hardware is critical, a short timeline might limit the vendor's ability to source specific models or configurations, potentially leading to substitutions or delays. Furthermore, a short duration might not allow for thorough testing and validation of the equipment's performance in the operational environment. This could necessitate follow-on actions or corrective measures, increasing overall program costs and complexity.

What is the strategic importance of this VoIP phone procurement for the Department of Energy's operations?

VoIP phone systems are fundamental to modern communication infrastructure within federal agencies. This procurement likely supports the Department of Energy's need for reliable, efficient, and potentially cost-effective internal and external communication. Upgrading or replacing aging phone systems can enhance collaboration, improve call quality, and integrate with other digital communication tools. The strategic importance lies in ensuring that DOE personnel have the necessary tools to perform their duties effectively, support mission-critical operations, and maintain secure communication channels. The specific number of users or departments impacted would further define its strategic relevance.

How does the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' clause impact the fairness and efficiency of this procurement?

The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' clause indicates a nuanced procurement approach. Initially, there might have been a justification to limit the pool of potential offerors. However, the final award was made under conditions that allowed for broad participation. This suggests that after an initial consideration of exclusions, the agency determined that full and open competition was feasible and ultimately pursued. This approach aims to balance specific needs with the benefits of wide competition, potentially leading to better pricing and a wider range of solutions while still addressing any initial source-related concerns. The presence of 16 bids confirms that the market responded positively to this competitive approach.

What is the typical spending pattern for IT hardware, specifically telecommunications equipment, within the Department of Energy?

The Department of Energy, like other large federal agencies, consistently invests in IT infrastructure, including telecommunications equipment. Spending patterns for VoIP phones and related services can fluctuate based on modernization initiatives, budget allocations, and the lifecycle of existing equipment. Historical data would show whether this $10,695.9 award is part of a larger, ongoing refresh cycle or a standalone purchase. Analyzing past spending on similar items can reveal trends in contract values, types of competition utilized, and preferred vendors, providing context for this specific award.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesComputer Systems Design and Related ServicesOther Computer Related Services

Product/Service Code: COMM/DETECT/COHERENT RADIATION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 16

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 555 MIDDLE CREEK PKWY STE 120, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, 80921

Business Categories: Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,696

Exercised Options: $10,696

Current Obligation: $10,696

Actual Outlays: $10,696

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD27B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline

Start Date: 2023-01-04

Current End Date: 2023-04-04

Potential End Date: 2023-04-04 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2026-04-06

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