DoD awards $26M for 144 MHZ KU-BAND services to ARTEL LLC under full and open competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $25,978,157 ($26.0M)
Contractor: Artel LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2011-02-15
End Date: 2013-02-15
Contract Duration: 731 days
Daily Burn Rate: $35.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: 144 MHZ KU-BAND
Place of Performance
Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20191
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $26.0 million to ARTEL LLC for work described as: 144 MHZ KU-BAND Key points: 1. ARTEL LLC secured a significant contract for specialized KU-BAND services. 2. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The firm fixed price contract type aims to control costs for the Department of Defense. 4. This spending falls under the Custom Computer Programming Services NAICS code.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $25.98 million over two years appears reasonable given the specialized nature of KU-BAND services. Benchmarking against similar custom programming contracts would provide further clarity on value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The award was made under full and open competition, indicating multiple bidders likely participated. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award suggests taxpayers benefited from a fair price for these critical defense communication services.
Public Impact
Ensures critical communication capabilities for the Department of Defense. Supports advanced technology deployment for military operations. Potential for follow-on contracts based on performance.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Contract duration of 2 years may require future re-competition.
- Dependence on a single vendor for critical services.
- Potential for scope creep in custom programming.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Firm fixed price contract type.
- Specialized service offering.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT and telecommunications sector, specifically focusing on custom computer programming for advanced communication systems. Spending benchmarks for similar defense IT contracts vary widely based on complexity and technology.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved in this specific award, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The award was made by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), a key component of the DoD's oversight for information technology. The firm fixed price contract provides a degree of cost control.
Related Government Programs
- Custom Computer Programming Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Information Systems Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in.
- Dependence on specialized technology.
- Contract duration may necessitate future re-competition.
- Limited visibility into small business participation.
Tags
custom-computer-programming-services, department-of-defense, va, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $26.0 million to ARTEL LLC. 144 MHZ KU-BAND
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ARTEL LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Information Systems Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $26.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2011-02-15. End: 2013-02-15.
What is the specific technical capability provided by the 144 MHZ KU-BAND service, and how critical is it to current defense operations?
The 144 MHZ KU-BAND service likely refers to a specific frequency range within the Ku band spectrum used for satellite communications. This is critical for secure, high-bandwidth data transmission, command and control, and intelligence gathering for military operations, especially in remote or contested environments where terrestrial infrastructure may be unavailable or compromised.
What are the potential risks associated with relying on ARTEL LLC for this specialized service over the contract period?
Risks include vendor lock-in, potential price increases upon contract renewal if competition is limited, and the possibility of service disruptions if ARTEL faces financial or operational challenges. The specialized nature of the service could also make it difficult to transition to another vendor quickly if needed.
How effectively does this contract leverage competition to ensure optimal value and innovation for the government?
The contract's award under 'full and open competition' is a positive indicator for value and innovation, as it theoretically allows any qualified vendor to bid. However, the long-term effectiveness depends on maintaining a competitive landscape for future procurements and ensuring the contract terms incentivize ARTEL to deliver high-quality, cost-effective services.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1893 PRESTON WHITE DR # 2, RESTON, VA, 20191
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $65,711,292
Exercised Options: $25,978,157
Current Obligation: $25,978,157
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS35F5151H
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2011-02-15
Current End Date: 2013-02-15
Potential End Date: 2013-02-15 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-12-07
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