DOJ's $13.6K Contract for Wireless Service to Federal Prison System Awarded to Cellco Partnership
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $13,633 ($13.6K)
Contractor: Cellco Partnership
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2025-10-01
End Date: 2026-07-31
Contract Duration: 303 days
Daily Burn Rate: $45/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: FCC BUTNER ACCRUAL FOR WIRELESS CELL PHONE SERVICE PORTION OF PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: OCT 1, 2025- JULY 31, 2026
Place of Performance
Location: BASKING RIDGE, SOMERSET County, NEW JERSEY, 07920
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $13,632.54 to CELLCO PARTNERSHIP for work described as: FCC BUTNER ACCRUAL FOR WIRELESS CELL PHONE SERVICE PORTION OF PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: OCT 1, 2025- JULY 31, 2026 Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Cellco Partnership for wireless cell phone service. 2. The contract value is $13,632.54 for a 303-day period. 3. Procurement was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures). 4. The service is for the Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons. 5. The sector is Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite).
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $13,632.54 for approximately 10 months of service appears reasonable for a small-scale wireless telecommunications contract. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for wireless services is difficult without more specific usage data, but the price seems within a plausible range for the stated period.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was competed under SAP, indicating a simplified acquisition procedure likely due to the relatively low dollar value. While competed, the limited scope and potential for pre-existing relationships or specific service area needs might have influenced the competitive landscape, potentially limiting broader market participation.
Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is minimal given the small contract value, which is appropriate for the specific needs of the Federal Prison System.
Public Impact
Ensures communication services for correctional facilities, potentially for inmate or staff use. Supports operational needs of the Bureau of Prisons. The contract's small size suggests a localized or specific service requirement.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 45 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition due to SAP.
- Potential for vendor lock-in if service is highly specialized.
Positive Signals
- Cost-effective solution for a specific need.
- Clear period of performance.
- Utilizes existing government procurement vehicles (BPA Call).
Sector Analysis
The Wireless Telecommunications Carriers sector is highly competitive, but government contracts often have specific requirements. This contract falls under a niche within the sector, focusing on carrier services for a federal agency, likely with specific security or service level agreements.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved in this procurement. Given the nature of wireless telecommunications carriers, it's possible larger providers dominate this space, but smaller, specialized providers could also participate.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer at the Department of Justice, ensuring compliance with the BPA call terms and conditions. The Federal Prison System would be responsible for monitoring service delivery and performance.
Related Government Programs
- Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite)
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition under SAP.
- Potential for price not being fully optimized.
- Dependence on a single vendor for a specific period.
- Lack of detailed service scope in the provided data.
Tags
wireless-telecommunications-carriers-exc, department-of-justice, nj, bpa-call, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $13,632.54 to CELLCO PARTNERSHIP. FCC BUTNER ACCRUAL FOR WIRELESS CELL PHONE SERVICE PORTION OF PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: OCT 1, 2025- JULY 31, 2026
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CELLCO PARTNERSHIP.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $13,632.54.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2026-07-31.
What specific services are included in this wireless contract, and how do they align with the operational needs of the Federal Prison System?
The contract specifies 'accrual for wireless cell phone service.' This likely encompasses voice, data, and potentially messaging services for staff or inmates within the Federal Prison System. The alignment with operational needs would depend on whether these services are for essential communication, inmate welfare programs, or administrative functions, ensuring security and reliability are paramount.
What are the potential risks associated with a limited competition procurement under SAP for essential communication services?
Risks include potentially higher prices than a fully open competition, limited innovation from a smaller vendor pool, and a reduced ability to switch providers if performance issues arise. For essential services, reliance on a single or limited set of vendors could also pose a continuity of service risk if the vendor experiences operational difficulties.
How effective is this contract in providing cost-efficient and reliable wireless communication for the Bureau of Prisons?
The effectiveness hinges on the specific service levels agreed upon and the actual usage. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty. However, without performance metrics or user feedback, it's difficult to definitively assess effectiveness. The relatively low cost suggests it might be an efficient solution for a targeted need, but broader effectiveness depends on meeting the agency's communication requirements reliably.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Wired and Wireless Telecommunications Carriers › Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite)
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - NETWORK
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Verizon Maryland LLC
Address: ONE VERIZON WAY, BASKING RIDGE, NJ, 07920
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $13,633
Exercised Options: $13,633
Current Obligation: $13,633
Actual Outlays: $4,552
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 15JPSS21A00000293
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-10-01
Current End Date: 2026-07-31
Potential End Date: 2026-07-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-03
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