DOJ's Bureau of Prisons awards $16.7K for telecom services at Devens, MA, with full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,662 ($16.7K)

Contractor: Verizon Business Network Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-10-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $46/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: LOCAL & LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE SERVICES, T1 LINES, SERVICE AND SUPPLIES FOR FMC/FPC DEVENS. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: FY26

Place of Performance

Location: ASHBURN, LOUDOUN County, VIRGINIA, 20147

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $16,661.77 to VERIZON BUSINESS NETWORK SERVICES LLC for work described as: LOCAL & LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE SERVICES, T1 LINES, SERVICE AND SUPPLIES FOR FMC/FPC DEVENS. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: FY26 Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. 2. The contract value is relatively small, indicating a niche or localized service requirement. 3. Fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. 4. Performance period aligns with FY26, ensuring continuity of essential communication services. 5. The award to Verizon indicates reliance on established telecommunications providers. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized, potentially limiting opportunities for smaller firms.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $16.7K for a full year of telecommunications services appears reasonable for a specific facility's needs. Benchmarking against larger, multi-year federal telecom contracts reveals this is a very small award. However, without specific details on the service level agreements (e.g., bandwidth, number of lines), a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The fixed-price nature provides cost certainty.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters price discovery and encourages competitive pricing. The government likely received multiple proposals, allowing for selection of the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically drives down prices through market forces, ensuring the government does not overpay for necessary services.

Public Impact

Federal Prison System (FMC/FPC Devens) benefits from reliable local and long-distance telephone services. Ensures essential communication infrastructure for the operation and security of the correctional facility. Geographic impact is localized to Devens, Massachusetts. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily impacting telecommunications technicians and support staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if services are highly specialized and difficult to switch.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical infrastructure could pose a risk if the vendor experiences service disruptions.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive process.
Fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability.
Experienced incumbent vendor (Verizon) likely ensures reliable service delivery.

Sector Analysis

The telecommunications services sector is mature and highly competitive, with numerous providers offering a range of wired and wireless solutions. Federal spending in this area supports essential government operations across various agencies. This contract falls under the Wired Telecommunications Carriers industry, supporting specific facility needs rather than broad network infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The relatively small value of the contract might also make it less attractive for large prime contractors to subcontract specific components to small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is subject to standard federal procurement oversight. The Bureau of Prisons, as part of the Department of Justice, has internal oversight mechanisms. Transparency is maintained through contract award databases. The Inspector General for the Department of Justice may have jurisdiction for audits or investigations if issues arise.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Communications Contracts
Department of Justice Telecommunications Services
Wired Telecommunications Services

Risk Flags

Small Contract Value
Reliance on Older Technology (T1 Lines)
No Small Business Set-Aside

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $16,661.77 to VERIZON BUSINESS NETWORK SERVICES LLC. LOCAL & LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE SERVICES, T1 LINES, SERVICE AND SUPPLIES FOR FMC/FPC DEVENS. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: FY26

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VERIZON BUSINESS NETWORK SERVICES LLC.

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 $16,661.77.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2026-09-30.

What specific telecommunications services are included in this contract, and what are the expected service levels?

The contract specifies 'LOCAL & LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE SERVICES, T1 LINES, SERVICE AND SUPPLIES'. However, the exact details regarding the number of T1 lines, bandwidth requirements, service level agreements (SLAs) for uptime, latency, and support response times are not publicly detailed in the provided data. These specifics would be crucial for a thorough value assessment. Typically, T1 lines offer a dedicated 1.544 Mbps bandwidth, suitable for voice and moderate data traffic. The 'service and supplies' component could encompass installation, maintenance, and potentially equipment.

How does the $16.7K contract value compare to historical spending for similar services at FMC/FPC Devens?

Without historical spending data specifically for FMC/FPC Devens' telecommunications services, a direct comparison is not possible. However, the current award value of $16.7K for a 364-day period suggests a modest expenditure. If previous contracts were significantly higher or lower, it could indicate changes in service needs, pricing, or competition. Given the fixed-price nature and full and open competition, this value likely reflects current market rates for the specified services at that location.

What is Verizon Business Network Services LLC's track record with the Federal Prison System or Department of Justice?

Verizon Business Network Services LLC is a major telecommunications provider with extensive experience serving government agencies. While specific contract history with the Federal Prison System (FPS) or the broader Department of Justice (DOJ) isn't detailed here, Verizon is a common awardee for federal telecom contracts. Their established presence suggests a history of performance, though individual contract performance can vary. Reviewing past performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS) for Verizon on similar DOJ or FPS contracts would provide deeper insight into their reliability and quality of service.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Potential risks include service disruptions, price increases upon renewal, or inadequate service levels not meeting facility needs. Mitigation strategies are partially addressed by the fixed-price contract type, which caps costs for the government. The full and open competition process aims to ensure competitive pricing and selection of a capable vendor. However, the government should maintain robust contract management, monitor service performance against SLAs, and have contingency plans for critical communication failures. The relatively small value may limit the complexity of risks.

How does the use of T1 lines align with modern telecommunications needs for a federal facility?

T1 lines, while reliable and offering dedicated bandwidth, are an older technology compared to fiber optics or broadband internet services. For basic voice services and potentially some data, they can still be adequate, especially if the facility's needs are not data-intensive. However, if the facility requires high-speed internet, video conferencing, or extensive data transfer, T1 lines might be insufficient or less cost-effective than newer technologies. The choice of T1 lines could indicate either specific legacy system requirements or a cost-saving measure for basic communication needs.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite) › Wired Telecommunications Carriers

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Verizon Maryland LLC

Address: 22001 LOUDOUN COUNTY PKWY, ASHBURN, VA, 20147

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,662

Exercised Options: $16,662

Current Obligation: $16,662

Actual Outlays: $8,330

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q17NSD3009

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline