DOJ's $96.5M contract for correctional services in Mississippi awarded under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $96,548,537 ($96.5M)

Contractor: NO Data From D and B

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2001-01-15

End Date: 2008-10-17

Contract Duration: 2,832 days

Daily Burn Rate: $34.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Place of Performance

Location: YAZOO CITY, YAZOO County, MISSISSIPPI, 39194

State: Mississippi Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $96.5 million to NO DATA FROM D AND B for work described as: Key points: 1. Contract awarded for correctional services, indicating a need for inmate management and support. 2. The contract was competed broadly, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. A firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs for the government. 4. The contract duration of 2832 days (approx. 7.7 years) represents a significant long-term commitment. 5. The award was made by the Department of Justice, Federal Prison System. 6. The contract was awarded in 2001, with an end date in 2008, indicating it is a historical contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests an attempt to lock in costs, but the total value of over $96 million over nearly eight years requires scrutiny. Without comparable contracts for similar services in the same region and time period, assessing whether this represented good value for money is difficult. The absence of data from D&B further limits a comprehensive financial health assessment of the contractor.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. This approach generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The fact that there were 2 bids received suggests a moderate level of competition for this requirement.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining services at a competitive price due to multiple bidders vying for the contract.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the inmates within the Federal Prison System housed in Mississippi, who receive essential services. Services delivered likely include housing, food, medical care, security, and rehabilitation programs for federal prisoners. The geographic impact is concentrated in Mississippi, where the correctional facilities are located. This contract supports jobs within the correctional services industry in Mississippi, including security personnel, medical staff, and administrative roles.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration (nearly 8 years) can sometimes lead to complacency or reduced incentive for innovation if not managed closely.
Firm-fixed-price contracts can shift risk to the contractor, but if the scope is not perfectly defined, change orders can increase costs.
Limited competition (2 bids) might indicate potential barriers to entry or a niche market, which could impact long-term pricing.
The contract was awarded in 2001; its relevance to current market conditions and pricing is limited.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a fair process and potential for competitive pricing.
Firm-fixed-price contract type helps in budget predictability and cost control for the government.
The contract served a critical government function: the management of federal inmates.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the government services sector, specifically focusing on correctional facility management and inmate support. The market for correctional services is substantial, driven by federal, state, and local government needs. This contract represents a significant portion of spending for the Federal Prison System in its specific geographic area during its term. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other contracts for similar inmate populations and service scopes across different regions.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans is not provided in the data. Without this information, it's impossible to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem or whether small businesses were specifically targeted for participation in this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for this contract would typically involve the Bureau of Prisons (part of the Department of Justice), including contract officers' representatives (CORs) responsible for monitoring performance and ensuring compliance. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price structure, where deviations from the agreed-upon services or quality could lead to penalties or contract termination. Transparency would be facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports are often not publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Federal Bureau of Prisons Operations
Inmate Services Contracts
Correctional Facility Management
Department of Justice Contracts
Secure Facility Operations

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed performance data
Limited competition information (only 2 bids)
Absence of contractor-specific performance history
Historical contract data may not reflect current market conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $96.5 million to NO DATA FROM D AND B. See the official description on USAspending.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NO DATA FROM D AND B.

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 $96.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2001-01-15. End: 2008-10-17.

What was the contractor's track record prior to and during this contract?

The provided data does not include information on the specific contractor awarded this $96.5 million contract, nor does it offer details about their track record. To assess the contractor's performance, one would need to identify the awardee and then research their history with government contracts, including any past performance evaluations, awards, or disputes. Without this information, it's impossible to evaluate their reliability, experience, and history of delivering services effectively and compliantly.

How does the per-unit cost of services under this contract compare to similar contracts awarded around the same time?

The provided data lacks the necessary granularity to calculate a meaningful per-unit cost (e.g., cost per inmate per day). While the total contract value is $96,548,537.40 over 2832 days, without knowing the average daily inmate population or the specific services included in the 'correctional services' scope, direct comparison is not feasible. To perform this analysis, one would need access to detailed contract line item data and inmate population figures, as well as data from comparable contracts for correctional services in other federal facilities during the 2001-2008 period.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) and how did the contractor perform against them?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) established for this contract. Typically, correctional service contracts include metrics related to inmate safety, health services, facility maintenance, security protocols, and program participation. Assessing contractor performance would require access to the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) and any associated performance management plans or reports. Without these details, it is impossible to determine if the contractor met or exceeded expectations, or if there were any deficiencies in service delivery.

What is the historical spending trend for correctional services by the Federal Prison System in Mississippi?

The provided data only pertains to a single contract awarded in 2001. To analyze historical spending trends for correctional services by the Federal Prison System in Mississippi, a broader dataset encompassing multiple contracts over several years would be necessary. This would involve identifying all relevant contracts, their award dates, values, durations, and the specific services rendered. Without this longitudinal data, it's impossible to discern any trends, such as increasing or decreasing spending, shifts in service providers, or changes in contract types.

Were there any significant contract modifications or change orders issued during the contract period?

The provided data does not contain information regarding contract modifications or change orders for this specific contract. While the contract was awarded with a firm-fixed price, it is common for contracts, especially those with long durations, to undergo modifications due to unforeseen circumstances, changes in requirements, or scope adjustments. To determine if significant modifications occurred, one would need to consult the contract's official amendment history or contract modification logs maintained by the awarding agency (Department of Justice/Federal Prison System).

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Contractor Details

Address: NO DATA FROM D AND B, NO DATA FROM D AND B

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Timeline