DoD Awards $28.3M Contract to R F PRODUCTS, INC for Wireless Communications Equipment

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,300,411 ($28.3M)

Contractor: R F Products, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2023-09-28

End Date: 2027-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,463 days

Daily Burn Rate: $19.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: T-AO 212

Place of Performance

Location: PORTSMOUTH, PORTSMOUTH CITY County, VIRGINIA, 23702

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $28.3 million to R F PRODUCTS, INC for work described as: T-AO 212 Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single vendor, raising questions about competition. 2. The firm fixed price contract type aims to control costs. 3. Potential risk associated with limited competition and lack of price discovery. 4. Spending falls within the Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $28.3 million for wireless communications equipment needs further benchmarking against similar DoD procurements. Without competitive bids, it's difficult to assess if this price represents fair market value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source or limited competition award. This significantly impacts price discovery, as there was no opportunity for multiple vendors to bid and drive down costs through competitive pressure.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in taxpayers paying a premium for the required equipment, as the government did not benefit from a competitive bidding process.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be overpaying due to the absence of competitive bidding. The Department of the Navy is acquiring essential wireless communications equipment. The contract duration extends over several years, indicating a long-term need.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for overpayment
Sole-source award

Positive Signals

Firm fixed price contract type

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing sector. Spending in this area is critical for maintaining modern communication capabilities within the Department of Defense.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were considered or had the opportunity to participate in the procurement process.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is crucial for sole-source contracts to ensure fair pricing and prevent waste. The Department of the Navy must demonstrate that this award represents good value for taxpayer dollars.

Related Government Programs

Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Navy Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competitive bidding
Potential for inflated pricing
No small business participation indicated

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $28.3 million to R F PRODUCTS, INC. T-AO 212

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is R F PRODUCTS, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $28.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-28. End: 2027-09-30.

What specific justification was provided for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The provided data does not include the justification for the sole-source award. Typically, sole-source procurements require a detailed justification, such as a lack of available sources, urgent need, or specific proprietary technology. Understanding this justification is key to assessing the necessity and fairness of the award.

How does the $28.3 million price compare to industry benchmarks for similar wireless communication equipment?

Without access to detailed specifications of the equipment and current market pricing, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the absence of competition inherently raises concerns about whether this price is optimal. Benchmarking against similar government or commercial contracts, adjusted for quantity and specifications, would be necessary for a thorough assessment.

What measures are in place to ensure the quality and timely delivery of the wireless communications equipment under this contract?

The contract is a firm fixed price delivery order, which typically includes clauses for quality assurance and delivery schedules. The Department of the Navy would have oversight mechanisms to monitor performance, inspect deliverables, and ensure compliance with the contract terms. However, the effectiveness of these measures depends on diligent execution and oversight.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC EQPT COMPNTS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: N6523620R0009

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1500 DAVIS ST, CAMDEN, NJ, 08103

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $28,300,411

Exercised Options: $28,300,411

Current Obligation: $28,300,411

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N6523621D4805

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline