DHS ICE awards $19.9M for Microwave Surveillance Equipment to DTC Communications, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,942,847 ($19.9M)

Contractor: DTC Communications, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2014-08-05

End Date: 2016-05-20

Contract Duration: 654 days

Daily Burn Rate: $30.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: MICROWAVE SURVEILLANCE EQUIPMENT

Place of Performance

Location: PINELLAS PARK, PINELLAS County, FLORIDA, 33782

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $19.9 million to DTC COMMUNICATIONS, INC. for work described as: MICROWAVE SURVEILLANCE EQUIPMENT Key points: 1. The contract value of $19.9M is significant for specialized surveillance equipment. 2. DTC Communications, Inc. is the sole awardee under full and open competition. 3. Potential risks include technology obsolescence and the need for ongoing maintenance. 4. The sector is Radio and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award amount of $19.9M for microwave surveillance equipment appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the technology. Benchmarking against similar, highly technical equipment contracts is challenging due to limited public data, but the price seems within expected ranges for advanced systems.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. However, the specific details of the competition and the number of bidders are not provided, which limits a full assessment of price competitiveness.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for critical national security and law enforcement equipment. The competitive award process aims to ensure value for money, but ongoing monitoring is needed to confirm cost-effectiveness.

Public Impact

Enhances border security and immigration enforcement capabilities. Supports intelligence gathering and surveillance operations for DHS. Potential for use in monitoring critical infrastructure. Ensures advanced communication and monitoring tools for federal agencies.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for technology obsolescence in a rapidly evolving field.
Dependence on a single supplier for specialized equipment.
Ensuring adequate training and maintenance support for the equipment.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Supports critical national security and law enforcement functions.
Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

The Radio and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing sector is characterized by rapid technological advancements and high R&D investment. Spending in this area by government agencies is often driven by evolving threats and the need for cutting-edge surveillance and communication tools.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was awarded to DTC Communications, Inc., a specific company. There is no explicit information provided regarding small business participation or subcontracting opportunities within this award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight of this contract would typically fall under the Department of Homeland Security's procurement and program management offices. Ensuring proper performance, delivery, and adherence to specifications is crucial for the effective use of taxpayer funds.

Related Government Programs

Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing
Department of Homeland Security Contracting
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for technology obsolescence.
Dependence on a single supplier.
Lack of detailed technical specifications.
Limited information on competition specifics.
Unclear long-term sustainment plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $19.9 million to DTC COMMUNICATIONS, INC.. MICROWAVE SURVEILLANCE EQUIPMENT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DTC COMMUNICATIONS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $19.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2014-08-05. End: 2016-05-20.

What is the specific technological capability of this microwave surveillance equipment and how does it compare to commercially available alternatives?

The specific capabilities of the microwave surveillance equipment are not detailed in the provided data. However, such systems are typically used for long-range, high-resolution monitoring and signal interception. A comparison to commercial alternatives would require access to technical specifications and market research, which are not available here. This limits a full assessment of whether the government is procuring a unique capability or a standard product at a potentially inflated price.

What is the long-term sustainment and upgrade strategy for this specialized equipment, given the rapid pace of technological change?

The provided data does not include information on the long-term sustainment or upgrade strategy for the microwave surveillance equipment. Given the fast-evolving nature of surveillance technology, a clear plan for maintenance, repair, and future upgrades is essential to avoid obsolescence and ensure continued operational effectiveness. Without this, there's a risk of the equipment becoming outdated quickly, requiring costly replacements.

How was the 'full and open competition' process managed to ensure genuine market engagement and competitive pricing for this specialized equipment?

While the award states 'full and open competition,' the data lacks details on the solicitation process, the number of bids received, and the evaluation criteria used. Effective competition requires broad outreach and a clear process to encourage multiple vendors to participate. Without these details, it's difficult to ascertain if the competition truly drove the best possible price and technological solution for this specialized equipment, or if it was a formality.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Communications Equipment Manufacturing › Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: COMM/DETECT/COHERENT RADIATION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: DTC Communications Inc. (UEI: 611639688)

Address: 3845 GATEWAY CENTRE BLVD STE 360, PINELLAS PARK, FL, 33782

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $30,499,360

Exercised Options: $19,942,847

Current Obligation: $19,942,847

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSHQDC12D00078

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline