DOJ's Bureau of Prisons awards $132.9M for electric power distribution in PA for FY26

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $132,912 ($132.9K)

Contractor: Firstenergy Pennsylvania Electric Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-10-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $365/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Energy

Official Description: ELECTRIC TRANSPORTATION FY 2026

Place of Performance

Location: LEWIS RUN, MCKEAN County, PENNSYLVANIA, 16738

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $132,911.69 to FIRSTENERGY PENNSYLVANIA ELECTRIC COMPANY for work described as: ELECTRIC TRANSPORTATION FY 2026 Key points: 1. Significant contract value for electric power distribution services. 2. Sole-source award limits competitive pricing opportunities. 3. Potential risk associated with reliance on a single provider. 4. Sector focus on essential utility services for federal facilities.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract is a sole-source award, making a direct pricing comparison difficult. Without competitive bidding, it's challenging to ascertain if the $132.9 million price represents the best value for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, indicating a lack of competition. This method bypasses the typical price discovery mechanisms inherent in competitive procurement, potentially leading to higher costs.

Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source nature of this award raises concerns about whether taxpayers are receiving the most cost-effective solution for electric power distribution.

Public Impact

Ensures continuous power supply to federal correctional facilities in Pennsylvania. Supports the operational needs of the Bureau of Prisons. Impacts the energy infrastructure within the designated service area.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
Potential for price escalation

Positive Signals

Ensures critical utility service
Long-term contract stability

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the utility services sector, specifically electric power distribution. Spending benchmarks for such services can vary widely based on geographic location, facility size, and specific service requirements.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific provisions or considerations for small businesses in this sole-source award. The focus appears to be on securing essential services from a known provider.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be crucial to ensure the Bureau of Prisons is receiving adequate service and fair pricing, despite the sole-source nature of the contract. Performance monitoring against contract terms is essential.

Related Government Programs

Electric Power Distribution
Department of Justice Contracting
Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits price competition.
Potential for service disruption from a single provider.
Lack of transparency in pricing justification.
Dependency on contractor's infrastructure and reliability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $132,911.69 to FIRSTENERGY PENNSYLVANIA ELECTRIC COMPANY. ELECTRIC TRANSPORTATION FY 2026

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FIRSTENERGY PENNSYLVANIA ELECTRIC 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 $132,911.69.

What is the period of performance?

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

What justification was provided for the sole-source award, and were alternative competitive strategies considered?

The provided data states the contract is 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' implying a justification exists, likely related to unique capabilities or existing infrastructure. However, without further details, it's impossible to assess if alternative competitive strategies were explored or if this was the only viable option to meet the agency's needs.

What are the specific risks associated with relying on a single provider for critical electric power distribution for federal prisons?

Key risks include potential service disruptions if the sole provider faces operational issues, lack of leverage for price negotiation, and limited options for service improvement or innovation. This dependency could also pose a security risk if the provider's infrastructure is compromised.

How will the effectiveness of this electric power distribution service be measured and ensured over the contract period?

Effectiveness will likely be measured through adherence to service level agreements (SLAs) outlined in the purchase order, reliability metrics (e.g., uptime, outage frequency/duration), and response times to issues. The Bureau of Prisons' contract management team will be responsible for monitoring performance and ensuring compliance.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Utilities › Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution › Electric Power Distribution

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › UTILITIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 76 S MAIN ST, AKRON, OH, 44308

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $132,912

Exercised Options: $132,912

Current Obligation: $132,912

Actual Outlays: $34,312

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline