DHS awards $1,152,000 for student lodging, securing 23 rooms for a 12-day period

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,520 ($11.5K)

Contractor: Hall Brian

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2025-09-07

End Date: 2025-09-19

Contract Duration: 12 days

Daily Burn Rate: $960/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 23

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ACQUIRING HOTEL ROOMS FOR STUDENTS WHEN ON CENTER DORMS ARE AT CAPACITY. THIS ORDER IS TO SECURE LODGING FOR A CLASS ARRIVING IN SEPTEMBER. EXCEPTION 2D

Place of Performance

Location: BRUNSWICK, GLYNN County, GEORGIA, 31525

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $11,520 to HALL BRIAN for work described as: ACQUIRING HOTEL ROOMS FOR STUDENTS WHEN ON CENTER DORMS ARE AT CAPACITY. THIS ORDER IS TO SECURE LODGING FOR A CLASS ARRIVING IN SEPTEMBER. EXCEPTION 2D Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the short-term, specialized need for student accommodation. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a potentially efficient procurement process under SAP. 3. Risk indicators are low due to the short duration and clear service requirement. 4. Performance context is a temporary solution for capacity overflow at training facilities. 5. Sector positioning is within the hospitality services supporting federal training operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $1,152,000 for 12 days of lodging for 23 rooms averages to approximately $4,174 per room per day. This rate is high when compared to typical hotel room rates, but may be justified by the specific requirements of federal training, including security, location proximity to the training center, and potential for bulk booking discounts or specific amenities. Without more detailed service requirements, a precise benchmark is difficult, but the short-term nature suggests a premium for immediate availability.

Cost Per Unit: Approximately $4,174 per room per day, which is significantly above standard market rates for hotel rooms, but may reflect specialized federal training needs and short-term booking premiums.

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a competitive process was utilized for this purchase order. While the specific number of bidders is not detailed, SAP is designed to encourage competition for purchases below certain thresholds. The firm fixed price indicates that the price was agreed upon before performance, which is typical for competitive bids.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP suggests that taxpayers benefited from a competitive process, likely leading to a more favorable price than a sole-source award, even if the per-unit cost appears high due to specific circumstances.

Public Impact

Students attending training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) will benefit from secured lodging. The service delivered is temporary accommodation, ensuring students have a place to stay when dormitories are full. The geographic impact is localized to the area around the FLETC in Georgia. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily supporting the hospitality sector through the contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for inflated per-diem rates due to the short-term, urgent nature of the requirement.
Lack of detailed service requirements in the provided data makes precise value assessment challenging.
Reliance on commercial lodging may not always align with the security or logistical needs of federal training.

Positive Signals

Procurement under SAP suggests an effort to achieve competitive pricing.
Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Short duration minimizes long-term financial exposure and allows for flexibility in future lodging arrangements.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the broader hospitality and lodging sector, specifically catering to government needs. The market for government lodging can be distinct from the general public market, often involving specific security, location, and service requirements. While the overall market for hotels and motels is vast, contracts for specialized federal training accommodation represent a niche segment. Benchmarking against similar short-term government lodging contracts would be most relevant.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. Given the nature of the service (hotel accommodation) and the likely use of commercial facilities, it's possible that larger hotel chains or management companies were involved, potentially limiting direct small business participation unless specific subcontracting goals were mandated.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) at the Department of Homeland Security. Accountability is ensured through the firm fixed price agreement and the defined performance period. Transparency is facilitated by federal procurement data systems, though detailed operational oversight is internal to the agency.

Related Government Programs

Federal Law Enforcement Training Center Operations
Government Temporary Lodging Services
Department of Homeland Security Student Support Services

Risk Flags

High per-room, per-day cost warrants scrutiny.
Lack of detailed service requirements complicates value assessment.
Potential for premium pricing due to short-term, urgent need.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $11,520 to HALL BRIAN. ACQUIRING HOTEL ROOMS FOR STUDENTS WHEN ON CENTER DORMS ARE AT CAPACITY. THIS ORDER IS TO SECURE LODGING FOR A CLASS ARRIVING IN SEPTEMBER. EXCEPTION 2D

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HALL BRIAN.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Federal Law Enforcement Training Center).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $11,520.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-07. End: 2025-09-19.

What is the typical cost per room per night for federal training accommodations in Georgia?

Determining a precise 'typical' cost per room per night for federal training accommodations in Georgia is complex, as rates vary significantly based on location, duration, specific amenities required, and the level of competition. For short-term bookings like this 12-day requirement, rates can be higher than standard long-term contracts due to the need for immediate availability and potentially less negotiation power. The provided data suggests a daily rate of approximately $4,174 per room, which is exceptionally high for standard lodging. This figure likely represents the total contract value divided by the number of rooms and days, and may not reflect the actual per-room, per-night cost if occupancy varied or if other services were bundled. A more accurate benchmark would require comparing this to other FLETC-related lodging contracts or similar short-term, high-demand government bookings in the specific geographic area.

How does the 'Exception 2D' designation impact the procurement process?

The 'Exception 2D' designation, as indicated in the data, likely refers to a specific exception to standard procurement regulations or policies that allows for this particular contract to be awarded. Without the full context of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) or agency-specific supplements, the exact nature of 'Exception 2D' is unclear. However, such exceptions are typically used in situations where standard procedures might be impractical, too time-consuming, or not in the government's best interest. This could relate to urgent needs, unique circumstances, or specific types of services. It's important to note that while exceptions can streamline procurement, they also warrant careful justification and oversight to ensure they are applied appropriately and do not circumvent competitive principles unnecessarily.

What are the specific security and amenity requirements for FLETC student lodging?

The provided data does not detail the specific security and amenity requirements for the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) student lodging. However, given that FLETC trains federal law enforcement officers, it is reasonable to infer that security would be a paramount concern. This could include requirements for controlled access, potentially on-site security personnel, secure parking, and adherence to specific background check protocols for staff interacting with trainees. Amenities might include reliable internet access, study areas, meal provisions or proximity to dining facilities, and potentially fitness or recreational facilities, depending on the duration and nature of the training. These specific requirements would influence the type of lodging facility selected and contribute to the overall cost.

What is the historical spending pattern for student lodging at FLETC?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for student lodging at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC). To assess historical spending, one would need to analyze past contracts for similar lodging services, noting the frequency, duration, number of rooms, and total costs. This would help identify trends, seasonality, and average costs over time. Understanding historical spending is crucial for benchmarking the current contract's value and identifying any significant deviations that might warrant further investigation. Without this historical context, it is difficult to determine if the current award represents an increase, decrease, or stable spending level for this service.

What is the track record of the contractor, HALL BRIAN, for similar federal contracts?

The provided data identifies 'HALL BRIAN' as the contractor but does not offer information regarding their track record for similar federal contracts. To assess their performance history, one would need to consult federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) to review past awards, contract performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS), and any history of disputes or terminations. A contractor's past performance is a critical factor in evaluating the risk associated with a new award. A strong track record with successful completion of similar lodging or service contracts would indicate a lower risk, while a history of issues might raise concerns about the reliability and quality of service delivery for this current contract.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Accommodation and Food Services › Traveler Accommodation › Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels

Product/Service Code: TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCATION › TRAVEL, LODGING, RECRUITMENT SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 70LGLY25QGLB00005

Offers Received: 23

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 101 N ACACIA AVE, SOLANA BEACH, CA, 92075

Business Categories: Category Business, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,520

Exercised Options: $11,520

Current Obligation: $11,520

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline