DoD's $14.5M FFP Contract for Wired Telecom Services with Peraton Faces Scrutiny Over Value and Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,492,551 ($14.5M)

Contractor: Peraton Enterprise Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2007-10-01

End Date: 2008-09-30

Contract Duration: 365 days

Daily Burn Rate: $39.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: FFP MONTHLY RECURRING SERVICES. O&M

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20522

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $14.5 million to PERATON ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: FFP MONTHLY RECURRING SERVICES. O&M Key points: 1. The contract's value of $14.5M for recurring services warrants a closer look at its ongoing cost-effectiveness. 2. While awarded under full and open competition, the specific pricing and vendor performance need detailed assessment. 3. Potential risks include vendor lock-in and the long-term sustainability of recurring service costs. 4. The IT sector, particularly telecommunications infrastructure, is critical but prone to rapid technological shifts.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's $14.5M total value for a one-year period suggests a significant recurring cost. Benchmarking against similar wired telecommunications carrier contracts is essential to determine if the pricing is competitive and reflects fair market value for the services provided.

Cost Per Unit: $39,706 per day

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

Awarded under full and open competition, this method theoretically allows for the best price discovery. However, the effectiveness of this competition in securing optimal pricing for recurring services over its duration needs to be verified through post-award analysis.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers are impacted by the total $14.5M expenditure. Ensuring this contract represents a cost-effective use of funds is crucial for fiscal responsibility.

Public Impact

Ensures critical wired telecommunications infrastructure for the Air Force remains operational. Supports national defense by providing essential communication services. The recurring nature of the contract means ongoing budget allocation is required. Potential for service disruptions if vendor performance falters.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Recurring cost model may not be the most economical long-term.
  • Lack of detailed performance metrics provided.
  • Potential for price creep over contract duration.

Positive Signals

  • Awarded through full and open competition.
  • Provides essential communication services.
  • Fixed-price contract limits cost overrun risk for the government.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT sector, specifically wired telecommunications carriers, a vital component of government operations. Spending benchmarks in this area vary widely based on service scope, but recurring operational and maintenance costs for large-scale networks can be substantial.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific provisions or set-asides for small businesses in this contract. The focus appears to be on a large, established provider capable of handling enterprise-level telecommunications services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically involve monitoring vendor performance against contract requirements and ensuring timely delivery of services. The fixed-price nature might reduce direct financial oversight needs, but service quality and adherence to terms remain critical.

Related Government Programs

  • Wired Telecommunications Carriers
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Department of the Air Force Programs

Risk Flags

  • Potential for cost escalation in future contract renewals.
  • Dependence on a single vendor for critical infrastructure.
  • Lack of transparency on specific service components.
  • Long-term contract duration may not adapt to technological advancements.

Tags

wired-telecommunications-carriers, department-of-defense, dc, do, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $14.5 million to PERATON ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS LLC. FFP MONTHLY RECURRING SERVICES. O&M

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PERATON ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS LLC.

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 $14.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-10-01. End: 2008-09-30.

What specific wired telecommunications services are included in this $14.5M contract, and how do they align with current Air Force operational needs?

The contract covers recurring services for wired telecommunications carriers, essential for maintaining the Air Force's communication infrastructure. Detailed service descriptions are needed to assess their relevance to current operational requirements and ensure no redundant or outdated services are being funded. This clarity is vital for justifying the significant recurring expenditure.

How was the $39,706 daily rate benchmarked against industry standards during the full and open competition?

During the full and open competition, the government should have benchmarked the proposed daily rate against industry standards for similar wired telecommunications services. This involves comparing the rate to market data, historical contract prices, and potentially soliciting competitive bids to ensure the selected price reflects fair market value and offers good value for taxpayer money.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how is vendor performance being measured to ensure effectiveness?

Key performance indicators for this contract should focus on service availability, uptime, response times for outages, and adherence to service level agreements. Effective oversight requires regular monitoring of these KPIs to ensure Peraton Enterprise Solutions LLC is meeting its contractual obligations and providing reliable telecommunications services critical to the Department of Defense's mission.

Industry Classification

NAICS: InformationWired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite)Wired Telecommunications Carriers

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Contractor Details

Parent Company: HP, Inc. (UEI: 009122532)

Address: 13600 EDS DR, HERNDON, VA, 11

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,492,551

Exercised Options: $14,492,551

Current Obligation: $14,492,551

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00T03AHD0008

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2007-10-01

Current End Date: 2008-09-30

Potential End Date: 2008-09-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2011-09-07

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