Dona Ana County awarded $622K contract for juvenile detention services to support Bureau of Indian Affairs and Education

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $62,200 ($62.2K)

Contractor: County of Dona ANA

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2023-09-14

End Date: 2027-04-03

Contract Duration: 1,297 days

Daily Burn Rate: $48/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: JUVENILE DETENTION SERVICES FOR OJS (DONA ANA COUNTY)

Place of Performance

Location: LAS CRUCES, DONA ANA County, NEW MEXICO, 88007

State: New Mexico Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $62,200 to COUNTY OF DONA ANA for work described as: JUVENILE DETENTION SERVICES FOR OJS (DONA ANA COUNTY) Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a firm-fixed-price basis, indicating predictable costs for the government. 2. The contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures, suggesting potential for higher costs due to lack of competition. 3. The duration of the contract is over three years, providing long-term service stability. 4. The service is categorized under Correctional Institutions, highlighting its role in the justice system. 5. The contract is a definitive contract, typically used for substantial procurements. 6. The geographic location is New Mexico, indicating regional service delivery.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $622,000 over approximately 3.5 years for juvenile detention services is difficult to benchmark without specific per-diem rates or service level agreements. However, the lack of competition raises concerns about whether the County of Dona Ana secured the best possible value. Without comparative bids or market analysis, it's challenging to assess if the pricing is competitive or if taxpayers are receiving optimal value for the funds expended.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), and the specific competition details are not provided. This suggests it may have been awarded through a sole-source or limited competition process, or potentially under a different procurement pathway not detailed in the provided data. The absence of a competitive bidding process raises questions about the extent of market engagement and the potential for price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A lack of robust competition can lead to higher prices for taxpayers, as the government may not benefit from the cost-saving pressures that arise from multiple bidders vying for the contract.

Public Impact

Juvenile offenders in Dona Ana County, New Mexico, will receive detention services. The Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education will be supported in their mission to provide services to Native American youth. The contract ensures the availability of correctional facilities for a specific demographic in New Mexico. The local workforce in Dona Ana County may benefit from employment opportunities related to the operation of these detention services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competitive bidding may result in suboptimal pricing.
Limited transparency on the specific services and performance metrics.
Potential for cost overruns if not managed effectively due to fixed-price nature without competitive baseline.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Long-term contract duration ensures service continuity.
Services directly address a critical need for juvenile justice and support for Native American youth.

Sector Analysis

The juvenile detention services sector involves the provision of secure facilities and programs for minors involved in the justice system. This contract falls within the broader government services and correctional facilities market. Benchmarking is challenging without specific per-diem rates or service scope, but government contracts for correctional services can range significantly in cost depending on the level of security, programming, and geographic location.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a small business set-aside provision for this particular award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education, as the contracting agencies. Accountability measures would be defined within the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is limited by the available data, but the contract type (definitive) and fixed-price nature suggest a structured agreement. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Juvenile Justice Programs
Bureau of Indian Affairs Services
Bureau of Indian Education Programs
Correctional Facility Management
County Government Contracts

Risk Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for higher costs
Limited transparency on performance metrics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $62,200 to COUNTY OF DONA ANA. JUVENILE DETENTION SERVICES FOR OJS (DONA ANA COUNTY)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is COUNTY OF DONA ANA.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $62,200.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-14. End: 2027-04-03.

What is the historical spending pattern for juvenile detention services by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education in New Mexico?

Historical spending data for juvenile detention services specifically by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) in New Mexico is not readily available in public databases. The BIA and BIE often contract with tribal governments or local service providers to meet these needs. Without access to detailed procurement histories for these specific agencies and services, it is difficult to establish a precise spending pattern. However, federal spending on juvenile justice and correctional services is generally substantial, with costs influenced by the number of individuals served, the duration of detention, and the level of rehabilitative programming offered. The current contract's value of $622,000 over approximately 3.5 years suggests a moderate level of investment for the region.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar juvenile detention contracts in other regions or for other federal agencies?

Comparing this $622,000 contract for juvenile detention services to similar contracts is challenging without more specific details on the scope of services, per diem rates, and the number of juveniles served. However, federal contracts for correctional facilities and detention services can vary widely. For instance, per diem rates can range from $150 to over $500 per day per juvenile, depending on the facility's security level, location, and services provided (e.g., educational, mental health). A contract of this value over 3.5 years might support a small to medium-sized facility or a specific program. Without a clear per-diem rate or daily census, a direct comparison to other federal contracts is speculative, but the lack of competition suggests potential for higher costs than might be achieved in a more competitive market.

What are the specific performance metrics and service level agreements associated with this contract?

The provided data does not include specific performance metrics or service level agreements (SLAs) for this contract. Typically, such agreements would detail expectations regarding the safety and security of the facility, the well-being of the juveniles, adherence to legal and regulatory standards, staffing ratios, and the provision of educational or rehabilitative programs. The Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education would be responsible for monitoring the contractor's performance against these metrics. The absence of this information in the public record limits the ability to assess the quality and effectiveness of the services being procured.

What is the track record of the County of Dona Ana as a contractor for federal agencies, particularly in correctional services?

Information regarding the County of Dona Ana's specific track record as a federal contractor, particularly in correctional services, is not detailed in the provided data. As a county government, Dona Ana likely has experience managing local detention facilities and providing related services. However, its history with federal agencies, especially the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education, and its performance on similar federal contracts would need to be assessed through a review of federal procurement databases and performance evaluations. Without this specific historical data, it's difficult to evaluate their established performance or reliability in fulfilling federal requirements.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a contract for correctional services without a competitive bidding process?

Awarding a contract for correctional services without a competitive bidding process carries several potential risks. Primarily, it can lead to higher costs for taxpayers, as the government may not benefit from the price reductions that competition typically drives. There's also a risk of reduced service quality if the selected contractor is not adequately incentivized to perform at a high level due to the lack of market pressure. Furthermore, a non-competitive award might limit the government's access to innovative solutions or best practices that could be brought forward by a wider range of potential providers. Ensuring accountability and oversight becomes even more critical in such scenarios.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Public Administration › Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities › Correctional Institutions

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

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: 845 N MOTEL BLVD, LAS CRUCES, NM, 88007

Business Categories: Category Business, Government, U.S. Local Government, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $107,200

Exercised Options: $82,200

Current Obligation: $62,200

Actual Outlays: $41,200

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline