DoD's $20.8M Satellite Services Contract with Viasat Inc. Awarded Under Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $20,826,877 ($20.8M)
Contractor: Viasat Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2012-09-20
End Date: 2017-08-08
Contract Duration: 1,783 days
Daily Burn Rate: $11.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: SATELLITE SERVICES FOR 623 AOC
Place of Performance
Location: HURLBURT FIELD, OKALOOSA County, FLORIDA, 32544
State: Florida Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $20.8 million to VIASAT INC for work described as: SATELLITE SERVICES FOR 623 AOC Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Viasat Inc. for satellite telecommunications. 2. Significant spending of $20.8 million over 1783 days. 3. Procured under full and open competition, suggesting market availability. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type aims to control costs. 5. Department of the Air Force is the contracting agency.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's firm fixed price structure suggests an effort to control costs. Benchmarking against similar satellite telecommunications contracts would provide a clearer picture of value, but the competitive award method is a positive indicator.
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 were likely able to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives fair market value.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award suggests that taxpayers likely benefited from a fair price, as multiple companies vied for the contract.
Public Impact
Ensures critical satellite communication capabilities for the Department of Defense. Supports military operations and intelligence gathering through reliable connectivity. Viasat Inc., a major player in satellite communications, is the sole awardee. The contract duration of nearly 5 years highlights the long-term need for these services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
- Potential for vendor lock-in if alternatives are not explored post-contract.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Firm Fixed Price contract type.
- Long contract duration indicates sustained need and potential for economies of scale.
Sector Analysis
Satellite telecommunications are crucial for defense operations, providing secure and reliable data transmission. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on technological advancements and geopolitical needs. This contract represents a moderate investment within the broader defense IT and communications budget.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was awarded to Viasat Inc., a large corporation. There is no explicit information suggesting opportunities for small businesses within this specific award, which is common for large-scale, specialized service contracts.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Department of the Air Force, part of the Department of Defense, which has established oversight mechanisms. However, the provided data does not detail specific oversight activities or accountability measures for this particular contract.
Related Government Programs
- Satellite Telecommunications
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns if contract scope changes.
- Dependence on a single vendor for critical services.
- Risk of technological obsolescence during the contract term.
- Limited transparency on specific performance metrics.
- No explicit mention of small business participation.
Tags
satellite-telecommunications, department-of-defense, fl, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $20.8 million to VIASAT INC. SATELLITE SERVICES FOR 623 AOC
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is VIASAT INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $20.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2012-09-20. End: 2017-08-08.
What specific satellite services were procured under this contract, and how do they align with the 623 AOC's mission requirements?
The contract specifies 'Satellite Telecommunications' for the 623 AOC. This likely encompasses a range of services such as broadband internet, secure voice communication, and data relay essential for command and control, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations. The alignment would depend on the specific bandwidth, latency, and security requirements of the AOC's mission.
Given the firm fixed price, what mechanisms were in place to ensure the quality and reliability of Viasat's satellite services throughout the contract period?
While a firm fixed price contract aims to fix costs, quality assurance typically relies on performance standards, service level agreements (SLAs), and inspection clauses within the contract. The Air Force would likely have technical representatives monitoring service delivery, conducting periodic reviews, and potentially imposing penalties for non-compliance with agreed-upon performance metrics.
How did the full and open competition process ensure that Viasat's bid represented the best value, considering potential technological advancements in satellite communications during the contract's du
Full and open competition allows multiple vendors to propose solutions, driving down prices and encouraging innovation. The best value determination would have involved evaluating not just price but also technical merit, past performance, and delivery timelines. However, the fixed nature of the contract might limit the government's ability to immediately leverage newer technologies if they emerge mid-contract without a modification.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Satellite Telecommunications › Satellite Telecommunications
Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › UTILITIES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: FA002112R0010
Offers Received: 1
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: $59,396,539
Exercised Options: $20,826,877
Current Obligation: $20,826,877
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2012-09-20
Current End Date: 2017-08-08
Potential End Date: 2017-08-08 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2016-07-28
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