DOJ's $1.6M Air Charter for Prison System: 15-Day Contract Awarded via Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $16,360 ($16.4K)
Contractor: Bankair, Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2026-03-26
End Date: 2026-04-10
Contract Duration: 15 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Transportation
Official Description: NUNEZ, PRISILIANA 08141-506 TUSCALOOSA AL TO FORTWORTH TX BRANK AIR 3/25/2026 AIC AIRCHARTER
Place of Performance
Location: WEST COLUMBIA, LEXINGTON County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29170
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $16,360 to BANKAIR, INC for work described as: NUNEZ, PRISILIANA 08141-506 TUSCALOOSA AL TO FORTWORTH TX BRANK AIR 3/25/2026 AIC AIRCHARTER Key points: 1. Contract awarded for nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract value is $1,636,000 for a 15-day duration. 4. The sector appears to be transportation services supporting government operations.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The firm fixed price of $1,636,000 for 15 days of air charter service seems high for the duration. Benchmarking against similar government air charter contracts would be necessary for a definitive assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for this charter service. The value for money will depend on the necessity and efficiency of this specific transportation method compared to alternatives.
Public Impact
Ensures transportation for personnel, potentially for critical government functions. Supports the operational needs of the Federal Prison System. The cost impacts the DOJ's budget for correctional services. Transparency in contracting is maintained through the full and open competition.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- High per-day cost for air charter.
- Short duration may indicate urgent or specific need, requiring scrutiny.
- Limited data on necessity of air charter vs. other transport.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty.
- Supports critical government operations.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under transportation services, specifically air charter, supporting government agencies. Benchmarks for similar services vary widely based on aircraft type, duration, and route, but high-value, short-term charters are common for specialized government needs.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses participated in or were awarded this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business involvement.
Oversight & Accountability
The award was made via a purchase order under full and open competition, suggesting adherence to standard procurement procedures. Oversight would focus on the necessity of the service and adherence to contract terms.
Related Government Programs
- Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons Programs
Risk Flags
- High cost for a short-duration service.
- Lack of detail on the specific operational requirement.
- Potential for cost savings through alternative transportation methods.
- Need to verify necessity and value for money.
Tags
nonscheduled-chartered-passenger-air-tra, department-of-justice, sc, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $16,360 to BANKAIR, INC. NUNEZ, PRISILIANA 08141-506 TUSCALOOSA AL TO FORTWORTH TX BRANK AIR 3/25/2026 AIC AIRCHARTER
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BANKAIR, INC.
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 $16,360.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-03-26. End: 2026-04-10.
What was the specific operational need driving the requirement for a 15-day air charter at this price point?
The specific operational need is not detailed in the provided data. However, such charters are often used for time-sensitive personnel movement, relocation of critical staff, or situations where commercial travel is impractical or insufficient for government operations, particularly within the Federal Prison System.
How does the cost per day of this air charter compare to industry benchmarks for similar services?
Without specific details on the aircraft type, route, and services included, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the approximate daily cost of $109,080 ($1,636,000 / 15 days) is substantial. Industry benchmarks vary, but this rate suggests a premium service, potentially a large aircraft or specialized charter, warranting scrutiny against comparable government or commercial rates.
What are the potential risks associated with using a sole-source provider for such a critical service?
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, not sole-source. Therefore, the risk of sole-source issues like inflated pricing or lack of vendor accountability is mitigated. The primary risks now relate to ensuring the service meets the required standards, the necessity of the charter, and the overall value for taxpayer money.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Nonscheduled Air Transportation › Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation
Product/Service Code: TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCATION › TRAVEL, LODGING, RECRUITMENT SVCS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2406 EDMUND HWY, WEST COLUMBIA, SC, 29170
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $16,360
Exercised Options: $16,360
Current Obligation: $16,360
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-03-26
Current End Date: 2026-04-10
Potential End Date: 2026-04-10 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-10
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