World-Wide Satellite Systems Program

Abstract

Civilian and military personnel involved in developing indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts and personnel who order off of IDIQ contracts should read this report. The report discusses compliance with Federal and DoD acquisition and contracting policy related to IDIQ contracts, participation of small businesses, information assurance requirements, effectiveness of internal controls, and the use of brand names. The World-Wide Satellite Systems (WWSS) program is procured through six IDIQ contracts that have a ceiling value of $5 billion and are available for up to 5 years. The WWSS contracts were awarded to six prime contractors, including four small businesses. The WWSS program encompasses six satellite terminals and associated support services for those terminals. The Inspector General (IG), DoD performed this audit to determine whether the award and administration of the WWSS contracts were consistent with Federal and DoD acquisition and contracting policy, including information assurance requirements and small business participation. The IG determined that the WWSS contracts were consistent with Federal and DoD acquisition and contracting policies for acquisition planning, commercial acquisition, contract clauses, ordering, performance-based contracting, solicitation, and source selection. However, the IG also determined that program officials did not adequately justify the specification of brand names for delivery orders awarded off of the WWSS contracts, as required by the Federal Acquisition Regulation. Using brand name requirements without justification potentially precludes consideration of similar or better products manufactured by another company at a lower cost. Therefore, the IG recommended that the contracting officer for the WWSS program comply with the Federal Acquisition Regulation policy regarding brand names and ensure future contract files contain written justification for every order using brand names.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 23, 2007
Accession Number
ADA472194

Entities

People

  • Charles S. Dekle
  • David A. Fahey
  • Eric M. Bisignano
  • Ernest G. Fine
  • Jacqueline L. Wicecarver
  • Jillisa H. Milner
  • Joseph S. Dobish
  • Richard B. Jolliffe
  • Sean A. Davis

Organizations

  • Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Defense

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Cyber
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Business Administration
  • Commerce
  • Communication Systems
  • Contractors
  • Contracts
  • Department Of Defense
  • Governments
  • Information Assurance
  • Information Systems
  • Life Cycle Management
  • Life Cycles
  • Military Personnel
  • Small Business
  • Standards
  • Voice Communications

Readers

  • Defense Financial Management and Audit.
  • Government Contracting/Procurement.

Technology Areas

  • Space