DHS awards $27K for student lodging, a short-term need for FLETC in Georgia

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $27,306 ($27.3K)

Contractor: Hall Brian

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2026-03-21

End Date: 2026-04-03

Contract Duration: 13 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.1K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 150

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 MARCH.

Place of Performance

Location: BRUNSWICK, GLYNN County, GEORGIA, 31525

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $27,306 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 MARCH. Key points: 1. This contract addresses a specific, short-term need for student accommodation. 2. The value appears reasonable for the duration and service provided. 3. Competition dynamics are not fully detailed but the award was made under SAP. 4. Risk indicators are low due to the limited scope and duration. 5. Performance context is a temporary capacity issue at student dorms. 6. Sector positioning is within government services for lodging. 7. The contract is a purchase order, indicating a straightforward transaction. 8. The fixed-price nature of the contract limits cost overrun risk.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award of $27,306 for 13 days of lodging for students appears to be a fair price for the service. Given the short-term nature and the specific requirement for hotel rooms, it is difficult to benchmark against larger, long-term contracts. However, the per-diem rate implied by the total award and the number of students (assuming a reasonable student count for 150 rooms over 13 days) would need to be assessed against local hotel rates in Georgia to confirm value. Without more specific details on the number of students or room types, a precise comparison is challenging, but the overall value seems appropriate for the stated need.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves less formal competition than full and open competition. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP is generally used for purchases below a certain dollar threshold, allowing for more streamlined acquisition processes. This can sometimes lead to less aggressive pricing compared to full and open competition, but it is often justified for smaller, urgent needs.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, competition under SAP may mean slightly higher prices than could be achieved through a broader solicitation, but the administrative savings from a simpler process can offset some of this. The limited competition is appropriate for the relatively small dollar amount of this contract.

Public Impact

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

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed competition information for SAP awards can obscure true market price.
Potential for price gouging if local hotel market is tight and competition is minimal.
Short-term nature may not reflect long-term lodging needs or pricing strategies.

Positive Signals

Addresses an immediate and critical need for student housing.
Utilizes a standard government acquisition procedure (SAP) for efficiency.
Fixed-price contract limits financial risk for the government.
Clear end date and defined service reduce performance ambiguity.

Sector Analysis

The lodging industry, specifically hotels and motels, is a common service procured by government agencies to support training and temporary duty assignments. This contract falls under the broader category of government services and facilities support. While the NAICS code 721110 (Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels) indicates the specific industry, the contract's value is relatively small compared to larger government lodging agreements or facility management contracts. Benchmarking would typically involve comparing per-diem rates against GSA per-diem schedules for the specific location.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting requirements. Given the nature of the service (hotel rooms) and the relatively small dollar amount, it is likely that the prime contractor is a hotel or motel, which could be a small business. However, without explicit set-aside information, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this purchase order would typically fall under the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center's contracting office within the Department of Homeland Security. Accountability measures are inherent in the purchase order system, requiring delivery of services as specified. Transparency is limited by the nature of SAP procurements, which are not always publicly detailed beyond basic award information. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

GSA Per Diem Rates
Government Lodging Services
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center Operations
Department of Homeland Security Acquisitions

Risk Flags

Limited competition under SAP
Lack of detailed performance history for contractor
Potential for above-market rates without robust benchmarking

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $27,306 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 MARCH.

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 $27,306.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-21. End: 2026-04-03.

What is the typical per-diem rate for lodging in the FLETC area in Georgia?

The General Services Administration (GSA) sets per diem rates for lodging that federal employees and contractors can claim. For Georgia, the specific rate varies by location and time of year. For example, in March, the per diem rate for lodging in many areas of Georgia might range from $100 to $150 per night, depending on the specific city or county. The total award of $27,306 over 13 days, assuming it covers a significant number of students, suggests an average nightly cost per room that should be compared against these GSA rates to assess value for money. If the contracted rate significantly exceeds the GSA per diem, it could indicate a potential overpayment or a need for a more competitive bidding process for future similar needs.

How many students are expected to utilize this lodging arrangement?

The provided data does not explicitly state the number of students expected to utilize this lodging arrangement. The award amount is $27,306 for a duration of 13 days, with 150 rooms noted. If all 150 rooms were occupied for the entire 13 days, this would represent a significant number of students or personnel requiring accommodation. However, it's more likely that the '150' refers to the maximum number of rooms available or reserved, and the actual utilization might be lower or fluctuate. Without a clear student count, it's difficult to precisely calculate the per-student cost or assess the efficiency of the arrangement relative to the number of individuals being supported.

What is the track record of HALL BRIAN in providing lodging services to the government?

Information regarding the specific track record of 'HALL BRIAN' in providing lodging services to the government is not detailed in the provided data. As the award is a purchase order, it suggests a potentially simpler transaction, possibly with a vendor already known or easily accessible through simplified acquisition procedures. To assess their track record, one would need to review past performance evaluations, other contract awards, and any reported issues or successes in fulfilling similar lodging requirements for federal agencies. Without this historical data, it's challenging to gauge their reliability, quality of service, and past performance in meeting government needs.

Are there any alternative lodging solutions the FLETC considered?

The data indicates this order is to secure lodging for a class arriving in March because the center dorms are at capacity. This implies that the primary lodging solution is the on-campus dormitories. When these are at capacity, the FLETC likely considers available hotel rooms in the vicinity as the most practical alternative, especially for short-term needs. The decision to procure external hotel rooms suggests that other on-campus solutions were exhausted or unavailable. The specific process of evaluating alternative lodging options, such as different hotel chains or negotiated rates, is not detailed but is typically part of the procurement process under SAP.

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). This specific award of $27,306 is for a short-term need in March 2026. To understand historical spending, one would need to analyze past purchase orders, contracts, and task orders issued by FLETC for similar lodging requirements over several fiscal years. This analysis would reveal the frequency of such procurements, the average cost per event, the typical duration, and whether spending has increased or decreased over time, potentially indicating changes in student enrollment, facility capacity, or procurement strategies.

What are the specific terms and conditions of this purchase order regarding cancellation or service changes?

The provided data summary does not detail the specific terms and conditions of this purchase order, including clauses related to cancellation or service changes. Typically, government purchase orders, especially those issued under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, will contain standard terms and conditions that address delivery schedules, payment terms, inspection, acceptance, and remedies for non-performance or breach. Specific clauses regarding cancellation policies, penalties, or procedures for modifying the order would be outlined in the full purchase order document. Without access to the complete contract, these details remain unknown.

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: 70LGLY25QGLB00090

Offers Received: 150

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: $27,306

Exercised Options: $27,306

Current Obligation: $27,306

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline