DISA awards $11.5M for conference room support to Alpha Communications Services LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $11,493,684 ($11.5M)
Contractor: Alpha Communications Services LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2021-11-15
End Date: 2026-11-21
Contract Duration: 1,832 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: DEFENSE INFORMATION SYSTEMS AGENCY (DISA) CONFERENCE ROOM SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: FORT GEORGE G MEADE, ANNE ARUNDEL County, MARYLAND, 20755
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $11.5 million to ALPHA COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES LLC for work described as: DEFENSE INFORMATION SYSTEMS AGENCY (DISA) CONFERENCE ROOM SUPPORT Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the duration and scope of support. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a firm fixed-price contract and a single awardee. 4. Performance context is for essential conference room support services. 5. This contract falls within the IT and professional services sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $11.5 million over approximately five years for conference room support is within a reasonable range for similar government IT support services. Benchmarking against other DISA or DoD contracts for audio-visual and conference room technology maintenance and support indicates that the pricing structure is competitive. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract helps manage cost predictability for the government.
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, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, this procurement method generally fosters price discovery and allows the government to select the best value offer. The exclusion of sources clause might suggest specific technical requirements or a desire to ensure a particular type of solution was considered.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically drives down prices through market forces and ensures that the government receives competitive offers, maximizing the use of public funds.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense and its agencies, specifically the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). The services delivered include essential support for conference room technology, ensuring reliable communication and collaboration capabilities. The geographic impact is concentrated in Maryland, where DISA's operations are significantly based. Workforce implications include the potential for skilled IT and AV technicians to be employed by the contractor.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in if specialized equipment or services are deeply integrated.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical conference room infrastructure.
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
- Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
- Long-term contract duration allows for stable service provision.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the broader Information Technology and Professional Services sector, specifically focusing on audio-visual and conference room support. This market segment is characterized by a mix of large integrators and specialized service providers. Spending in this area is crucial for government agencies to maintain effective communication and collaboration infrastructure, with comparable contracts often involving installation, maintenance, and support of complex AV systems.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Alpha Communications Services LLC and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions. The value of the contract suggests it is likely managed by a prime contractor, and any subcontracting opportunities for small businesses would depend on the prime's subcontracting plan. Without explicit set-aside goals, the direct impact on small businesses is not guaranteed, but the prime contractor may engage them for specialized services.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by contracting officers and program managers within DISA. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- DoD IT Services
- Audio-Visual Equipment and Services
- Conference Room Technology Support
- IT Infrastructure Support
Risk Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in
- Dependence on single awardee
Tags
defense, it-services, conference-room-support, alpha-communications-services-llc, department-of-defense, defense-information-systems-agency, maryland, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, it-infrastructure, audio-visual
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $11.5 million to ALPHA COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES LLC. DEFENSE INFORMATION SYSTEMS AGENCY (DISA) CONFERENCE ROOM SUPPORT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ALPHA COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES 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 $11.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-11-15. End: 2026-11-21.
What is the track record of Alpha Communications Services LLC with the federal government, particularly with DISA?
Alpha Communications Services LLC has a history of federal contracting, primarily with agencies like the Department of Defense. While specific details on past performance with DISA for conference room support are not immediately available from the provided data, their ability to secure this contract suggests they have met the necessary qualifications and demonstrated capability. A deeper dive into contract databases like SAM.gov or FPDS would reveal the extent and nature of their previous federal awards, including performance reviews and any past issues. Understanding their historical performance on similar contracts is crucial for assessing future reliability and service quality.
How does the $11.5 million contract value compare to similar conference room support contracts awarded by DISA or other DoD components?
The $11.5 million contract value for approximately five years of conference room support is generally in line with market rates for comprehensive IT and audio-visual services within the federal government. Similar contracts for large agencies often range from a few million to tens of millions of dollars, depending on the scope, number of facilities, and technological sophistication. For instance, contracts covering maintenance, upgrades, and support for hundreds or thousands of conference rooms across multiple sites would naturally command higher values. This specific award appears to be a moderate-sized contract, suggesting it covers a significant but not exhaustive set of conference facilities or services for DISA.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?
The primary risks associated with this contract include potential service disruptions if the contractor fails to maintain equipment or provide timely support, and the risk of cost overruns if the firm fixed-price structure is not managed effectively by the contractor. Mitigation strategies include the firm fixed-price nature of the contract, which shifts cost risk to the contractor, and performance standards that DISA will monitor. The contract's duration also allows for a stable service environment. However, reliance on a single awardee could pose a risk if performance degrades significantly, necessitating robust oversight and clear performance metrics.
What is the expected effectiveness of the services provided under this contract for DISA's mission?
The services provided under this contract are expected to be highly effective in supporting DISA's mission by ensuring that its conference rooms are equipped with reliable and functional audio-visual and communication technology. Effective conference room support is critical for seamless internal and external communications, facilitating meetings, briefings, and collaborative work sessions essential for defense information systems operations. Reliable technology minimizes downtime and enhances productivity, directly contributing to DISA's ability to execute its strategic objectives and operational requirements.
What are the historical spending patterns for conference room support services by DISA or the Department of Defense?
Historical spending patterns for conference room support services by DISA and the broader Department of Defense have generally shown a consistent need for such services, often bundled within larger IT support or facilities management contracts. Spending in this area typically fluctuates based on technology refresh cycles, infrastructure upgrades, and the number of facilities requiring support. Over the past decade, there has been a trend towards more integrated and sophisticated audio-visual solutions, potentially increasing the value of individual contracts. DISA, as a major IT provider for the DoD, would logically have significant and ongoing investments in maintaining its communication infrastructure, including conference facilities.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - END USER
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: HC104721R0014
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 6320 KARMICH ST, FAIRFAX STATION, VA, 22039
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, 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: $14,435,734
Exercised Options: $14,435,734
Current Obligation: $11,493,684
Actual Outlays: $2,008,400
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HC104722D0001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-11-15
Current End Date: 2026-11-21
Potential End Date: 2026-11-21 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-11-20
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