DoD awards $8.7M delivery order to Evergreen Fire Alarms for ICIDS-VI support, extending funding to 2035

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,334,611 ($7.3M)

Contractor: Evergreen Fire Alarms LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-07-16

End Date: 2026-07-17

Contract Duration: 731 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NEW DELIVERY ORDER FOR USAG BAVARIA WITH 2035 FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,666,698.51 IN SUPPORT OF THE ICIDS-VI CONTRACT W909MY-23-D-0004.

Place of Performance

Location: TACOMA, PIERCE County, WASHINGTON, 98444

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $7.3 million to EVERGREEN FIRE ALARMS LLC for work described as: NEW DELIVERY ORDER FOR USAG BAVARIA WITH 2035 FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,666,698.51 IN SUPPORT OF THE ICIDS-VI CONTRACT W909MY-23-D-0004. Key points: 1. Value-for-money assessment pending detailed cost breakdown and comparison to similar systems. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a potential for price discovery, though the specific exclusion of sources warrants review. 3. Risk indicators include the long funding horizon and reliance on a single vendor for critical communications equipment. 4. Performance context is tied to the broader ICIDS-VI contract, suggesting integration with existing systems. 5. Sector positioning places this within the 'Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing' category, a niche but vital area for defense infrastructure.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The awarded amount of $8,666,698.51 for a delivery order under the ICIDS-VI contract appears substantial. Benchmarking this against similar communications equipment contracts is challenging without more specific details on the equipment's capabilities and quantity. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests cost certainty, but the overall value proposition depends on the necessity and effectiveness of the delivered items in supporting USAG Bavaria's operations. Further analysis of the unit costs and comparison to market rates for comparable systems would be beneficial.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This suggests that while the initial contract may have been competed broadly, this specific delivery order involved excluding certain potential sources. The rationale for this exclusion is critical to understanding the competitive landscape and its impact on pricing. Without knowing who was excluded and why, it's difficult to assess if this limited competition optimized price discovery or potentially led to higher costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The exclusion of sources, even if justified, can limit competitive pressure, potentially resulting in less favorable pricing for taxpayers compared to a fully open competition scenario.

Public Impact

USAG Bavaria personnel and operations benefit from enhanced or maintained communications infrastructure. The delivery order supports the broader ICIDS-VI contract, contributing to the overall defense communications network. Geographic impact is concentrated at USAG Bavaria installations. Workforce implications are likely minimal, primarily involving installation and maintenance personnel, rather than significant new hiring.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition for this specific delivery order raises concerns about optimal price discovery.
Long funding horizon to 2035 could expose the contract to future market shifts or technological obsolescence.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical communications equipment may pose supply chain risks.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the awarded amount.
Delivery order is part of an existing, presumably vetted, larger contract (ICIDS-VI).
Funding to 2035 indicates a long-term strategic need for the supported systems.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing' sector, which is a specialized segment of the broader defense industrial base. This sector is crucial for providing advanced communication systems necessary for military operations, command and control, and intelligence gathering. Spending in this area is often characterized by high R&D costs, long product development cycles, and stringent performance requirements. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without knowing the specific technology, but defense spending on communications equipment is a significant portion of the overall defense budget, often involving complex, integrated systems.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this delivery order was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. Evergreen Fire Alarms LLC's size is not specified, but given the nature of defense contracts, it is plausible they are a mid-to-large-sized enterprise. Further investigation into subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this delivery order would be necessary to assess its impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would fall under the Department of the Army's contracting and program management offices, as well as potentially the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA). Transparency is facilitated by contract databases like FPDS, but detailed justifications for source exclusions and specific performance metrics are often not publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

ICIDS-VI Contract
Defense Communications Systems
USAG Bavaria Support Contracts
Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing

Risk Flags

Limited competition justification requires review.
Long-term funding horizon (to 2035) poses obsolescence risk.
Contractor's primary known expertise (fire alarms) differs from communications equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $7.3 million to EVERGREEN FIRE ALARMS LLC. NEW DELIVERY ORDER FOR USAG BAVARIA WITH 2035 FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,666,698.51 IN SUPPORT OF THE ICIDS-VI CONTRACT W909MY-23-D-0004.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EVERGREEN FIRE ALARMS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $7.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-07-16. End: 2026-07-17.

What is the specific nature of the 'Other Communications Equipment' being procured under this delivery order, and how does it relate to the broader ICIDS-VI contract?

The data indicates this is a delivery order for 'Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing' in support of the ICIDS-VI contract (W909MY-23-D-0004). While the exact nature of the equipment isn't detailed, ICIDS typically refers to the Integrated Command and Control Information System. Therefore, this delivery order likely pertains to specialized communication hardware, components, or related services essential for the functioning and integration of the ICIDS network at USAG Bavaria. This could include items like specialized radios, network interface devices, secure communication modules, or related ancillary equipment that are not standard off-the-shelf items but are critical for the military's command and control infrastructure. The funding to 2035 suggests a long-term requirement for this specific equipment or its sustainment within the ICIDS framework.

What was the justification for excluding other sources in this 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' award?

The designation 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' implies that the initial contract vehicle (ICIDS-VI) was likely competed broadly. However, for this specific delivery order, certain potential offerors were excluded. The justification for such exclusions typically falls under specific exceptions to full and open competition, such as the need for compatibility with existing systems, unique capabilities possessed by only one or a limited number of sources, or urgent and compelling needs where only one source can reasonably fulfill the requirement. Without the specific justification document, it's impossible to definitively state the reason. However, in defense contracting, such exclusions often relate to proprietary technology, specialized integration requirements, or ensuring seamless interoperability with existing, complex systems like ICIDS, where introducing a new vendor could be technically prohibitive or excessively costly.

How does the $8.7 million funding amount compare to historical spending on similar communications equipment for USAG Bavaria or other Army installations?

Directly comparing the $8.7 million delivery order to historical spending requires access to detailed historical contract data for USAG Bavaria and similar Army installations, specifically for 'Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing' or ICIDS-related procurements. General benchmarks for defense communications equipment can vary widely based on the technology's sophistication, quantity, and whether it's for new systems or sustainment. A $8.7 million award for a two-year period (ending 2026, with funding extending to 2035) suggests a significant, but not necessarily outlier, investment in specialized communication capabilities. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to analyze past awards for similar equipment categories, contract types (firm-fixed-price), and the scope of work (e.g., new equipment vs. sustainment) across comparable Army installations over the last 5-10 years.

What are the potential risks associated with funding this delivery order through 2035, given the rapid pace of technological change in communications?

Funding a delivery order through 2035, which extends well beyond the current delivery period ending in 2026, introduces several risks related to technological obsolescence and evolving requirements. The primary risk is that the 'Other Communications Equipment' procured may become outdated or less effective as newer, more advanced technologies emerge in the communications sector. This could lead to a situation where the government is locked into using or maintaining equipment that no longer meets operational needs or is significantly inferior to commercially available alternatives. Furthermore, market dynamics and vendor capabilities can shift over such a long period. Evergreen Fire Alarms LLC might face challenges in sustaining the equipment, or alternative solutions might become significantly more cost-effective, creating a risk of suboptimal value for money over the extended period. Mitigation strategies could involve incorporating technology refresh clauses or periodic reviews of the equipment's relevance.

What is Evergreen Fire Alarms LLC's track record with the Department of Defense, particularly concerning communications equipment contracts?

Publicly available data indicates Evergreen Fire Alarms LLC has received this delivery order under the ICIDS-VI contract. To assess their track record, a deeper dive into their contract history with the DoD is necessary. This would involve searching databases like FPDS or SAM.gov for previous awards, contract performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS), and any history of contract modifications, disputes, or terminations. Without this specific historical data, it's difficult to ascertain their experience level, past performance quality, and reliability in delivering communications equipment or related services. Their company name suggests a primary focus on fire alarm systems, making their involvement in broader communications equipment potentially a niche or diversified area of their business, which warrants further investigation into their specific capabilities in this domain.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Communications Equipment Manufacturing › Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: ALARM, SIGNAL, SECURITY DETECTION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Evergreen Fire Alarms, LLC

Address: 2111 S 90TH ST, TACOMA, WA, 98444

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $7,334,611

Exercised Options: $7,334,611

Current Obligation: $7,334,611

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W909MY23D0004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline