DOJ's Federal Prison System awards $4.05M Verizon cell service contract for 303 days
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $4,050 ($4.0K)
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: $13/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: P1 - FY26 VERIZON CELL PHONE
Place of Performance
Location: BASKING RIDGE, SOMERSET County, NEW JERSEY, 07920
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $4,050 to CELLCO PARTNERSHIP for work described as: P1 - FY26 VERIZON CELL PHONE Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Cellco Partnership (Verizon) for wireless telecommunications. 2. The contract value is $4.05 million over 303 days. 3. Awarded via a BPA Call under a non-competed process. 4. The sector is IT, specifically Wireless Telecommunications Carriers. 5. No small business participation noted.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $4.05 million for approximately 10 months of service appears reasonable for a large federal agency. Benchmarking against similar federal wireless contracts would provide a clearer picture of value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was not competed under SAP and was awarded via a BPA Call. This suggests limited competition and potentially less aggressive price discovery compared to a fully competed solicitation.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential communication services. The lack of full competition may result in a higher price than could be achieved through open bidding.
Public Impact
Ensures communication services for the Federal Prison System. Potential for higher costs due to limited competition. Impacts federal inmates' ability to communicate with the outside world.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition
- Lack of small business participation
Positive Signals
- Essential service provision
- Firm fixed price contract
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT sector, specifically wireless telecommunications. Federal spending on wireless services is substantial, and agencies often rely on established providers for critical infrastructure.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates no small business participation in this contract. Agencies are encouraged to promote small business utilization, and this award does not reflect that.
Oversight & Accountability
Awarded via a BPA Call, oversight may be less rigorous than for a fully competed contract. Accountability for pricing and performance rests with the Bureau of Prisons.
Related Government Programs
- Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite)
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition
- Potential for overpayment
- Lack of small business inclusion
- BPA Call award mechanism
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 $4,050 to CELLCO PARTNERSHIP. P1 - FY26 VERIZON CELL PHONE
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 $4,050.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2026-07-31.
What was the justification for not competing this contract under SAP?
The justification for not competing this contract under SAP is not provided in the data. Typically, agencies may use existing contract vehicles like Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) for efficiency or if specific pre-negotiated terms are advantageous. However, the lack of competition raises questions about whether a better price or service could have been obtained through a more open process.
What is the risk associated with limited competition for wireless services?
The primary risk of limited competition for wireless services is the potential for inflated prices and reduced innovation. Without the pressure of multiple bidders, the incumbent provider may not be incentivized to offer the most competitive rates or the latest technology. This can lead to taxpayers overpaying for services and the government not receiving the best possible value.
How effective is this contract in ensuring reliable communication for the Federal Prison System?
Assuming Verizon provides reliable service, the contract is likely effective in ensuring communication. However, effectiveness can be hampered if the pricing is not optimal due to limited competition. The true effectiveness also depends on service level agreements and performance metrics not detailed here, which are crucial for critical infrastructure like prison communications.
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: NOT 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: $4,050
Exercised Options: $4,050
Current Obligation: $4,050
Actual Outlays: $1,107
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: 2026-04-10
More Contracts from Cellco Partnership
- Enterprise BPA Call for Federal Strategic Sourcing Initiative(fssi) Wireless Services&services Enabled Devices (ESD) — $110.8M (Department of Agriculture)
- Wireless Telecommunications Services to Include Data (email), Telephone/Voice (including Voicemail) And/Or Wireless Internet for the VA Enterprise — $88.3M (Department of Veterans Affairs)
- Wireless Call FBI Service Lines Igf::ot::igf — $41.7M (Department of Justice)
- Wireless Cell and Wireless Email Services — $34.6M (General Services Administration)
- Funding for Wireless Services for the Wireless Communication Program Provided by Primary Mobile Carrier Verizon. Impact IF NOT Funded Will Result in NO Voice or Data Services From Verizon or AT&T and WE RUN the — $28.8M (Department of Justice)
Other Department of Justice Contracts
- Contractor Owned and Operated Existing Correctional Facility for Approximately 3,500 LOW Security Male Inmates — $794.5M (Cornell Companies, Inc.)
- Detention Services - SAN Diego — $776.9M (THE GEO Group, Inc.)
- CO: Telly Renfroe Award of NEW Task Order Base Year Initial Funding — $616.4M (AT&T Enterprises, LLC)
- TAS 151060 - Services for the Management and Operation of a Contractor-Owned, Contractor-Operated, Correctional Facility for 2,567 Beds in Adams County, Mississippi — $574.3M (Corecivic, Inc.)
- Provide Services for the Management and Operation of a Correctional Facility in Accordance With Rfp-Pcc-0014 — $568.9M (Cornell Companies, Inc.)