DOJ awards $477K for Morgantown electric utility services to Monongahela Power Company
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $477,604 ($477.6K)
Contractor: Monongahela Power Company
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2025-10-01
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.3K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: FCI MORGANTOWN ELECTRIC UTILITY SERVICE FY26 CONTRACT #47PA0418D0034
Place of Performance
Location: FAIRMONT, MARION County, WEST VIRGINIA, 26554
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $477,604.44 to MONONGAHELA POWER COMPANY for work described as: FCI MORGANTOWN ELECTRIC UTILITY SERVICE FY26 CONTRACT #47PA0418D0034 Key points: 1. The contract is for electric utility services in Morgantown, WV. 2. Monongahela Power Company is the sole awardee. 3. The contract value is $477,604.44 for a 1-year period. 4. The PSC code is not specified, but the NAICS code is 221118 (Other Electric Power Generation).
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $477,604.44 for a one-year period appears reasonable for utility services. However, without specific usage data or benchmarks for federal prison system facilities, a precise pricing assessment is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded sole-source, indicating a lack of competition. This method may limit price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs than if multiple vendors had competed.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential utility services. The sole-source nature of the award warrants scrutiny to ensure the price is fair and reasonable.
Public Impact
Ensures continuous power supply to the Federal Correctional Institution in Morgantown. Supports the operational needs of the Bureau of Prisons. Impacts residents and staff at the correctional facility. Potential for higher costs due to lack of competition.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
- Lack of detailed usage data for precise cost benchmarking.
- Potential for overpayment without competitive bidding.
Positive Signals
- Ensures essential utility service continuity.
- Awarded to an established utility provider.
- Clear contract period and fixed price.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the utility services sector, specifically electric power generation. Federal spending on utilities is a significant but often routine expenditure, with costs varying widely based on location, facility size, and energy consumption.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this sole-source award. The contract was awarded directly to Monongahela Power Company, a large utility provider.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Justice, specifically the Bureau of Prisons, is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard procurement regulations should apply, but the sole-source nature requires careful justification and monitoring to ensure fair pricing.
Related Government Programs
- Other Electric Power Generation
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- Potential for inflated pricing
- Limited transparency on justification for sole-source
- No small business participation indicated
Tags
other-electric-power-generation, department-of-justice, wv, delivery-order, 100k-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $477,604.44 to MONONGAHELA POWER COMPANY. FCI MORGANTOWN ELECTRIC UTILITY SERVICE FY26 CONTRACT #47PA0418D0034
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is MONONGAHELA POWER COMPANY.
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 $477,604.44.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2026-09-30.
What is the historical energy consumption for FCI Morgantown to justify this contract value?
Historical energy consumption data for FCI Morgantown is crucial for validating the $477,604.44 contract value. Without this baseline, it's difficult to ascertain if the awarded amount is appropriate or if it represents an overpayment. Understanding past usage patterns allows for a more accurate assessment of current needs and potential for cost savings.
What efforts were made to explore competitive alternatives before awarding this sole-source contract?
Given the sole-source designation, it's important to understand the justification for not pursuing a competitive bidding process. Agencies must demonstrate that only one responsible source can provide the required services. This typically involves documenting market research and the unique capabilities or circumstances that preclude competition, ensuring taxpayer funds are used efficiently.
Are there opportunities to transition to a competitive contract in future fiscal years for this utility service?
Exploring future competitive contracting for utility services could lead to significant cost savings for taxpayers. Even in areas with limited providers, a competitive process can drive down prices. Agencies should periodically reassess the market to identify potential for competition, even for essential services like electricity, to ensure best value.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Utilities › Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution › Other Electric Power Generation
Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › UTILITIES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1310 FAIRMONT AVE, FAIRMONT, WV, 26554
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $477,604
Exercised Options: $477,604
Current Obligation: $477,604
Actual Outlays: $220,174
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 47PA0418D0034
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-10-01
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2026-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-02
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