DOJ's $4.5M EZ-PASS Services contract awarded to TTEC Government Solutions via sole-source purchase order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $45,000 ($45.0K)

Contractor: Ttec Government Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-03-11

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 203 days

Daily Burn Rate: $222/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: EZ-PASS SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: GREENWOOD VILLAGE, ARAPAHOE County, COLORADO, 80111

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $45,000 to TTEC GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: EZ-PASS SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded without competition, raising questions about potential cost savings and market competitiveness. 2. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty but may limit flexibility for evolving needs. 3. Awarded to a single vendor, TTEC Government Solutions, suggesting a potential lack of broader market engagement. 4. The contract duration of approximately six months may indicate a short-term need or a pilot program. 5. The specific services under 'EZ-PASS SERVICES' require further clarification to assess their criticality and scope. 6. The absence of small business participation raises concerns about equitable distribution of federal contracting opportunities.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this $4.5 million contract is challenging without detailed service descriptions and comparison to similar sole-source awards. The firm fixed-price structure offers predictability, but the lack of competition means there's no direct market comparison to assess if TTEC Government Solutions' pricing is optimal. Without competitive bids, it's difficult to ascertain if taxpayers are receiving the best possible value for these EZ-PASS services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded as a sole-source purchase order, indicating that it was not competed. The Department of Justice, specifically the Drug Enforcement Administration, opted to contract directly with TTEC Government Solutions LLC. This approach bypasses the standard competitive bidding process, which typically involves multiple vendors submitting proposals. The lack of competition limits the government's ability to leverage market forces to secure the most advantageous terms and pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards mean taxpayers do not benefit from the price reductions and innovation that can arise from a competitive bidding environment. This can potentially lead to higher costs for the government compared to what might be achieved through open competition.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely internal DOJ/DEA operations that rely on EZ-PASS services for their transportation-related activities. The services delivered are related to 'Other Support Activities for Road Transportation,' suggesting support for vehicle fleets or toll management. The geographic impact is likely concentrated within the operational areas of the Drug Enforcement Administration. Workforce implications are minimal as this appears to be a service contract rather than a large-scale project requiring significant new hires.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
Sole-source award limits transparency in vendor selection.
Potential for vendor lock-in if services are highly specialized.
Absence of small business participation.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Award to an established entity (TTEC Government Solutions) may imply reliability.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under 'Other Support Activities for Road Transportation,' a niche within the broader transportation and logistics sector. This sector is characterized by a mix of large, established players and specialized service providers. Federal spending in transportation support often includes fleet management, toll processing, and related infrastructure services. Benchmarking this specific award is difficult without more granular data on comparable sole-source contracts for similar support activities.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to include a small business set-aside, nor is there information suggesting subcontracting opportunities for small businesses. The sole-source nature of the award further limits the potential for small business involvement. This raises concerns about the equitable distribution of federal contracting dollars and the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Justice's internal procurement and contract management divisions, with potential oversight from the DEA's program managers. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature. There is no specific mention of an Inspector General's active involvement at this stage, but the DOJ IG could investigate if specific concerns arise.

Related Government Programs

Federal Fleet Management Services
Transportation Infrastructure Support
Government Travel and Transportation Services
Toll Payment Systems

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
No small business participation identified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $45,000 to TTEC GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS LLC. EZ-PASS SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TTEC GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Drug Enforcement Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $45,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-11. End: 2026-09-30.

What specific services does 'EZ-PASS SERVICES' entail for the DEA?

The provided data classifies the contract under NAICS code 488490, 'Other Support Activities for Road Transportation.' This typically includes services such as operating toll roads, bridges, and tunnels; providing dispatch services for trucks and buses; and managing vehicle fleets. For the DEA, 'EZ-PASS SERVICES' likely pertains to managing toll payments for its law enforcement vehicles, potentially including fleet card management, toll auditing, and dispute resolution. The exact scope and technical requirements are not detailed in the summary data, making it difficult to fully assess the necessity and appropriateness of the sole-source award without further documentation from the agency.

Why was this contract awarded on a sole-source basis instead of through full and open competition?

The data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' and awarded as a 'PURCHASE ORDER,' suggesting it was likely procured under simplified acquisition procedures or specific sole-source justifications. Agencies typically sole-source contracts when only one vendor can meet the requirement, such as in cases of unique capabilities, urgent needs where competition is impractical, or when a specific vendor is mandated by statute or regulation. Without the agency's justification, it's presumed that TTEC Government Solutions LLC was identified as the only capable provider or that competition was deemed not to be in the government's best interest for reasons not publicly disclosed in this summary.

How does the firm fixed-price contract type impact the value and risk for the government?

A Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract establishes a price that is not subject to adjustment based on the contractor's cost experience in performing the work. This provides the government with cost certainty, meaning the total cost of the contract is known upfront. For the government, this reduces financial risk related to cost overruns. However, it places the cost risk on the contractor; if TTEC Government Solutions incurs higher costs than anticipated, their profit margin will decrease. From a value perspective, FFP is generally preferred when the scope of work is well-defined. The risk for the government is that if the price was not competitively determined, it might be higher than necessary, even though the total cost is fixed.

What is TTEC Government Solutions LLC's track record with federal contracts, particularly for similar services?

TTEC Government Solutions LLC is a known entity in the federal contracting space, often providing customer support, IT services, and contact center solutions. While their broader federal portfolio is extensive, specific details on their past performance related to 'EZ-PASS SERVICES' or 'Other Support Activities for Road Transportation' are not immediately apparent from the summary data. A deeper dive into their contract history, past performance reviews, and any relevant certifications would be necessary to fully assess their suitability and track record for this specific requirement. Their experience in government IT and support services suggests a foundational capability, but the direct relevance to toll management or specialized transportation support needs further investigation.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award of this magnitude ($4.5M)?

The primary risk of a sole-source award, especially for a contract valued at $4.5 million, is the potential for paying a non-competitive price. Without the pressure of multiple bidders vying for the contract, the selected vendor may not offer the most cost-effective solution. Another risk is the lack of innovation that competition often spurs; TTEC Government Solutions may not be incentivized to explore more efficient or advanced methods if they are the only option. Furthermore, sole-sourcing can limit opportunities for small businesses and create a perception of favoritism or a lack of due diligence in seeking the best value for taxpayer dollars. It also reduces transparency in the procurement process.

How does this contract fit into the broader spending patterns of the Department of Justice or the DEA?

This $4.5 million contract for EZ-PASS services represents a relatively small portion of the overall budget for the Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration, which typically manage multi-billion dollar annual expenditures. Such contracts are usually operational or administrative in nature, supporting the day-to-day functions of law enforcement agencies. Spending on transportation support, including fleet management and toll processing, is a necessary but not primary cost driver compared to investigative operations, personnel, or equipment. Its significance lies in ensuring the smooth functioning of DEA's vehicle operations, rather than reflecting a major strategic investment or a substantial shift in agency priorities.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Support Activities for Road Transportation › Other Support Activities for Road Transportation

Product/Service Code: TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCATION › OTHER TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCAT SV

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

Address: 6312 S FIDDLERS GREEN CIR STE 100N, GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO, 80111

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $85,000

Exercised Options: $85,000

Current Obligation: $45,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline