DOJ's Bureau of Prisons awards $3.5M Verizon wireless contract for FY26, utilizing a BPA call
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,542 ($3.5K)
Contractor: Cellco Partnership
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2025-10-01
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $10/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: FY26 FCC TUCSON P1/P - VERIZON WIRELESS
Place of Performance
Location: BASKING RIDGE, SOMERSET County, NEW JERSEY, 07920
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $3,542.31 to CELLCO PARTNERSHIP for work described as: FY26 FCC TUCSON P1/P - VERIZON WIRELESS Key points: 1. Spending is concentrated with a single provider, Verizon Wireless. 2. The contract is a firm-fixed-price award, offering cost predictability. 3. Competition was limited, awarded via a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) call. 4. The sector is Wireless Telecommunications Carriers, a common government need.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The $3.54M award for 364 days appears reasonable for enterprise wireless services. Benchmarking against similar federal contracts for large-scale wireless plans would provide a clearer picture of value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) and awarded via a BPA call. While SAP can offer efficiency, it limits competition compared to full and open procedures, potentially impacting price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for essential communication services. The limited competition may result in a slightly higher cost than if a broader competition were conducted.
Public Impact
Ensures critical communication infrastructure for federal correctional facilities. Supports inmate and staff connectivity needs within the Bureau of Prisons. Provides a predictable cost for wireless services over the contract period.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition via BPA call
- Reliance on a single vendor
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed price contract
- Supports essential government function
Sector Analysis
The federal government is a significant consumer of wireless telecommunications services. Spending in this sector is driven by the need for mobile communication across various agencies and operational requirements.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not awarded to a small business. The nature of large-scale wireless telecommunications contracts often favors established providers with extensive infrastructure.
Oversight & Accountability
The award was made under a BPA call, suggesting prior competition or established agreements. Oversight would focus on service delivery, adherence to terms, and ongoing need justification.
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 vendor lock-in
- Lack of detailed performance metrics
- Reliance on a single provider
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 $3,542.31 to CELLCO PARTNERSHIP. FY26 FCC TUCSON P1/P - VERIZON WIRELESS
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 $3,542.31.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2026-09-30.
What was the original competition for the BPA that this call was placed against?
The provided data indicates the award was made via a BPA call, suggesting that the underlying BPA itself was previously competed. However, details on the original competition for the BPA are not included. Understanding the scope and terms of the original BPA competition is crucial for assessing the overall fairness and competitiveness of this specific call.
Are there any performance metrics or service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this wireless service contract?
The data does not specify performance metrics or SLAs. For critical services like those provided to the Bureau of Prisons, robust SLAs are essential to ensure reliability, uptime, and quality of service. Without them, it's difficult to assess the effectiveness of the vendor's performance and hold them accountable for service delivery.
How does the per-line cost compare to other federal agencies or commercial rates for similar wireless plans?
A direct per-unit cost benchmark is not available in the provided data. To assess value, a comparison against the average per-line cost for similar federal contracts or commercial enterprise plans would be necessary. This would help determine if the $3.54M represents a competitive price for the services rendered.
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: 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: $3,542
Exercised Options: $3,542
Current Obligation: $3,542
Actual Outlays: $2,319
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: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2026-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-06
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