DoD's $15.18M Cable Distribution Contract Awarded to Taft Broadcasting Company
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $15,178,610 ($15.2M)
Contractor: Taft Broadcasting Company, L.L.C.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2005-05-26
End Date: 2010-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,953 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Place of Performance
Location: HOUSTON, HARRIS County, TEXAS, 77008
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $15.2 million to TAFT BROADCASTING COMPANY, L.L.C. for work described as: Key points: 1. The contract value is $15.18 million over approximately 5 years. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. The fixed-price contract type suggests cost certainty for the government. 4. The sector is IT, specifically cable and program distribution.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $15.18 million over 5 years averages to about $3 million annually. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for cable and program distribution services is difficult without more specific data on the scope and scale of services provided.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is intended to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for the required cable and program distribution services.
Public Impact
Ensures access to cable and programming for military personnel and their families. Supports morale and quality of life initiatives within the Department of Defense. Provides a critical communication and entertainment service to remote or deployed locations.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 77 / 10
Warning Flags
- Contract duration is long (1953 days).
- Potential for price increases over the contract term.
- Dependence on a single vendor for essential services.
Positive Signals
- Awarded via full and open competition.
- Firm fixed price contract type.
- Clear end date for the contract.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically focusing on cable and other program distribution. Spending in this area supports communication and entertainment infrastructure for government entities, particularly in defense contexts.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Defense Media Activity, suggesting internal oversight mechanisms are in place. However, the long duration and fixed-price nature warrant ongoing monitoring for performance and value.
Related Government Programs
- Cable and Other Program Distribution
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Media Activity Programs
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration.
- Potential for cost escalation not captured in fixed price.
- Lack of detail on service scope.
- No clear indication of small business participation.
Tags
cable-and-other-program-distribution, department-of-defense, tx, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $15.2 million to TAFT BROADCASTING COMPANY, L.L.C.. See the official description on USAspending.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TAFT BROADCASTING COMPANY, L.L.C..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Media Activity).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $15.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2005-05-26. End: 2010-09-30.
What was the specific scope of services included in the 'Cable and Other Program Distribution' for the $15.18 million contract?
The specific scope of services is not detailed in the provided data. It likely includes the provision, installation, maintenance, and potentially content licensing for cable television and other programming services across various Department of Defense facilities. This could range from barracks and common areas to administrative buildings, ensuring access for service members and their families.
How did the 'full and open competition' process ensure the best value was achieved for this $15.18 million contract?
Full and open competition allows any interested and qualified vendor to submit a bid, fostering a competitive environment. This process typically leads to lower prices and higher quality services as vendors strive to win the contract. The government can then evaluate proposals based on price, technical merit, and other factors to select the most advantageous offer.
What are the potential risks associated with a 5-year firm fixed-price contract for program distribution, and how were they mitigated?
Risks include potential price increases for the government if market costs rise significantly over the 5 years, and the vendor potentially cutting corners on service quality to maintain profitability. Mitigation might involve performance metrics, clear service level agreements, and contract clauses allowing for adjustments or termination if performance is unsatisfactory.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Cable and Other Program Distribution › Cable and Other Program Distribution
Product/Service Code: PHOTO, MAP, PRINT, PUBLICATION › PHOTOGR, MAPPING, PRINTING, PUBLISH
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 511 GARDEN OAKS BLVD, HOUSTON, TX, 90
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2005-05-26
Current End Date: 2010-09-30
Potential End Date: 2010-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2012-08-15
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