Smithsonian Institution awards $2.15M for WAN fiber construction in New York, completed in 3 months

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,147,406 ($2.1M)

Contractor: Crown Castle Fiber LLC

Awarding Agency: Smithsonian Institution

Start Date: 2017-09-11

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 3,306 days

Daily Burn Rate: $650/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: 3-MONTH FUNDING FOR THE NEW WAN FIBER PROJECT IN NEW YORK 7/1/17 - 9/30/17 SOLICITATION # F16SOL10061. IGF::OT::IGF

Place of Performance

Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK County, NEW YORK, 10128

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Smithsonian Institution obligated $2.1 million to CROWN CASTLE FIBER LLC for work described as: 3-MONTH FUNDING FOR THE NEW WAN FIBER PROJECT IN NEW YORK 7/1/17 - 9/30/17 SOLICITATION # F16SOL10061. IGF::OT::IGF Key points: 1. Contract awarded for critical network infrastructure, supporting future technological advancements. 2. Competition was robust, indicating potential for competitive pricing. 3. Contract duration extends significantly beyond the initial funding period, suggesting phased implementation. 4. Fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 5. Construction focused on power and communication lines, a specialized sector. 6. Geographic focus on New York highlights regional infrastructure investment.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of $2.15 million for a 3-month funding period appears reasonable for WAN fiber construction. Without specific benchmarks for similar projects in New York, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty. The total contract value, if it extends to the full duration, would be significantly higher than the initial funding, necessitating careful monitoring of spending against milestones.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, with four bidders participating. This level of competition is generally positive, suggesting that multiple vendors were interested and capable of performing the work. It implies that the Smithsonian Institution likely received competitive pricing due to the open bidding process.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition ensures that taxpayers benefit from the most competitive pricing available in the market, as multiple companies vie for the contract.

Public Impact

The Smithsonian Institution benefits from upgraded network infrastructure, enhancing its operational capabilities. Services delivered include the construction of WAN fiber optic lines and related structures. The project has a geographic impact specifically within New York. The construction work supports jobs in the telecommunications infrastructure sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the full contract duration leads to significant expansion beyond initial requirements.
Dependency on a single contractor for a critical infrastructure project over an extended period.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a healthy bidding environment.
Fixed-price contract type helps control costs.
Clear definition of work related to power and communication line construction.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Construction sector, specifically related to telecommunications infrastructure. The market for WAN fiber construction is competitive, driven by increasing demand for high-speed data transmission. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other government or private sector projects for similar fiber optic network build-outs in urban or regional areas.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements for this contract. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is not evident from this award alone. Further investigation into the prime contractor's subcontracting plan would be needed to assess any indirect benefits to small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a definitive contract awarded by the Smithsonian Institution, which has its own internal oversight mechanisms. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of contract awards. Inspector General jurisdiction would typically apply to the Smithsonian Institution's operations, including contract management, to ensure accountability and prevent fraud.

Related Government Programs

Federal Telecommunications Infrastructure Projects
Smithsonian Institution IT Modernization Efforts
New York State Infrastructure Development

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may lead to technological obsolescence.
Potential for scope creep over the contract's extended timeline.
Dependency on contractor performance for critical infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Smithsonian Institution awarded $2.1 million to CROWN CASTLE FIBER LLC. 3-MONTH FUNDING FOR THE NEW WAN FIBER PROJECT IN NEW YORK 7/1/17 - 9/30/17 SOLICITATION # F16SOL10061. IGF::OT::IGF

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CROWN CASTLE FIBER LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Smithsonian Institution (Smithsonian Institution).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-09-11. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the total estimated value of the contract, considering its duration until September 2026?

The provided data only specifies the 3-month funding amount of $2,147,406.10. The contract's end date is September 30, 2026, with a duration of 3306 days (approximately 9 years). The total value of the contract is not explicitly stated, but it is likely significantly higher than the initial funding. Without the total contract value, it's difficult to assess the overall investment and compare it to similar long-term infrastructure projects. Further analysis would require accessing the full contract details to determine the ceiling value or estimated total cost.

How does the per-unit cost of this WAN fiber project compare to similar projects in New York or other major metropolitan areas?

A precise per-unit cost comparison is not feasible with the current data. The provided information includes the total funding for a specific 3-month period and the nature of the work (WAN fiber construction). To establish a benchmark, we would need data on the length of fiber installed, the number of connection points, or the bandwidth capacity delivered per dollar spent. Such metrics are often proprietary or vary widely based on terrain, existing infrastructure, and specific technical requirements. Benchmarking would require access to detailed project specifications and cost breakdowns from comparable projects.

What are the specific performance metrics or milestones associated with the $2.15 million funding period?

The provided data does not detail the specific performance metrics or milestones tied to the $2.15 million funding for the 3-month period (July 1, 2017 - September 30, 2017). Typically, such contracts would outline deliverables like 'X miles of fiber conduit installed,' 'Y number of access points established,' or 'completion of specific network segments.' The fixed-price nature suggests that the contractor is obligated to complete the defined scope within this funding, but the exact deliverables are not specified here. Understanding these metrics is crucial for evaluating the contractor's performance and the value received.

What is Crown Castle Fiber LLC's track record with the Smithsonian Institution or similar federal agencies for large-scale infrastructure projects?

Information regarding Crown Castle Fiber LLC's specific track record with the Smithsonian Institution or other federal agencies for large-scale infrastructure projects is not included in the provided data. Crown Castle is a major player in the telecommunications infrastructure industry, known for its extensive fiber networks. However, to assess their suitability and past performance for this specific contract, a review of their contract history, past performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS reports), and any prior engagements with the Smithsonian would be necessary. This would help gauge their reliability, quality of work, and ability to manage complex projects.

What are the potential risks associated with the long contract duration (ending in 2026) for a technology-dependent project like WAN fiber?

The extended contract duration, ending in September 2026, presents several potential risks for a technology-dependent project like WAN fiber. Technological obsolescence is a primary concern; fiber optic technology and networking standards evolve rapidly. The infrastructure built today might be outdated or insufficient within a few years. Furthermore, changes in the Smithsonian's operational needs or strategic direction could render parts of the network redundant or require significant modifications. Managing scope creep over such a long period, ensuring continued contractor performance, and adapting to unforeseen environmental or regulatory changes are also significant risks that require proactive oversight.

How does this contract align with the Smithsonian Institution's broader IT modernization or infrastructure upgrade strategies?

This contract for WAN fiber construction in New York appears to align with a broader strategy of modernizing and upgrading the Smithsonian Institution's IT infrastructure. Reliable and high-capacity network connectivity is fundamental for supporting digital collections, research, public access, and internal operations across its various museums and facilities. Investing in robust fiber optic networks is a common approach to ensure future-proofing and scalability for increasing data demands. The specific geographic focus on New York suggests a targeted upgrade or expansion in that region, likely supporting key institutional functions or facilities located there.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Utility System Construction › Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 80 CENTRAL ST, BOXBOROUGH, MA, 01719

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,147,406

Exercised Options: $2,147,406

Current Obligation: $2,147,406

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: PRODUCTS OR SERVICES PURSUANT TO FAR 12.102(F)

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline