DOJ's $121K contract for inmate transportation services awarded to Bellator Services, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $121,684 ($121.7K)

Contractor: Bellator Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-10-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $334/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: FCC HAZELTON, FY26 GROUND TRANSPORTATION TICKETING FEE SERVICES FOR RELEASED INMATES - GREYHOUND

Place of Performance

Location: THORNTON, PRESTON County, WEST VIRGINIA, 26440

State: West Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $121,683.8 to BELLATOR SERVICES, LLC for work described as: FCC HAZELTON, FY26 GROUND TRANSPORTATION TICKETING FEE SERVICES FOR RELEASED INMATES - GREYHOUND Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the firm-fixed-price structure and duration. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a potentially competitive award process under SAP. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a clear service delivery period and defined scope. 4. Performance context suggests a routine service supporting inmate release operations. 5. Sector positioning places this within the broader transportation and logistics services for government.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $121,683 for a 12-month period appears reasonable for ground transportation ticketing services. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for inmate transport or specialized travel services would provide a more precise value assessment. However, the firm-fixed-price nature suggests that the government has secured a defined cost for the services, mitigating cost overrun risks.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a competitive process for awards under the simplified acquisition threshold. With 7 bidders, the level of competition appears healthy, which typically leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government. The specific details of the solicitation and evaluation criteria would further clarify the extent of competition.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process, even under SAP, is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages multiple vendors to offer their best pricing and service, leading to cost savings and improved service quality.

Public Impact

Inmates being released from federal correctional facilities will benefit from facilitated transportation. Services include providing ticketing for ground transportation, likely for Greyhound or similar carriers. The geographic impact is primarily within West Virginia, where the contract is managed, but services will extend to the destinations of released inmates. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily involving administrative and logistical support for the contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for service disruptions if the contractor experiences operational issues.
Ensuring timely and reliable transportation for all eligible inmates requires robust contractor performance monitoring.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Multiple bidders indicate a competitive market for these services.
Clear service period (FY26) allows for focused performance management.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the government's broader spending on transportation and logistics services. The charter bus and passenger transportation industry is a significant sector, with government agencies being key clients for specialized services like inmate transport. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other contracts for inmate movement, prisoner escorts, or large-scale passenger movement contracts across federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans was not explicitly provided in the data. However, the presence of 7 bidders suggests that various types of businesses, potentially including small businesses, may have participated in the competition. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were significantly involved or if subcontracting opportunities were leveraged.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer and the relevant program managers within the Federal Prison System. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract structure, requiring the contractor to deliver services as specified. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics and oversight reports may not be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Federal Inmate Transportation Services
Bureau of Prisons Support Contracts
Government Travel Services
Charter Bus Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for service disruption if contractor fails to perform.
Ensuring adequate coverage and timely service across all release locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $121,683.8 to BELLATOR SERVICES, LLC. FCC HAZELTON, FY26 GROUND TRANSPORTATION TICKETING FEE SERVICES FOR RELEASED INMATES - GREYHOUND

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BELLATOR SERVICES, LLC.

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 $121,683.8.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the historical spending pattern for inmate transportation services by the Federal Prison System?

Historical spending on inmate transportation services by the Federal Prison System (FPS) can vary significantly year over year, influenced by inmate population levels, release rates, and the specific modes of transportation utilized. While this specific contract is for FY26, analyzing past fiscal years would reveal trends in contract values, types of services procured (e.g., bus, air, individual transport), and the primary contractors. For instance, a review of prior years might show an increasing reliance on commercial bus services like Greyhound due to cost-effectiveness compared to other methods, or shifts in geographic focus based on correctional facility locations and inmate destinations. Understanding these patterns helps in assessing whether the current $121,683 award for FY26 is consistent with historical investment or represents a notable increase or decrease, potentially signaling changes in program needs or procurement strategies.

How does the per-unit cost of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for inmate transportation?

Determining a precise per-unit cost for this contract requires more granular data on the number of inmates to be transported and the average distance or ticket price. However, we can infer potential benchmarks. If this contract primarily covers Greyhound ticketing, the cost per ticket would be a key metric. Industry benchmarks for long-distance bus travel can range from $50 to $200+ per ticket, depending on the route and booking time. For inmate transportation, additional security and logistical costs might apply. Given the total award of $121,683 for a year, if it supports an average of, say, 100 inmate transports per month at an average ticket cost of $100, the total would be $120,000, aligning closely with the contract value. This suggests the pricing is likely competitive within the commercial bus ticketing market, assuming the volume is accurate.

What are the specific risks associated with relying on a single contractor for inmate transportation ticketing?

Relying on a single contractor, even if competitively selected, introduces several risks. Foremost is the potential for service disruption; if Bellator Services, LLC faces financial difficulties, operational failures, or labor disputes, the continuity of inmate transportation could be jeopardized. This could lead to delays in inmate releases, potentially impacting facility management and public safety. Another risk is a lack of flexibility; if the needs change significantly (e.g., a sudden increase in releases requiring more complex routing or different carriers), the current contract might not easily accommodate these shifts without costly modifications or re-competition. Furthermore, while competition was healthy at the award stage, a sole contractor may have less incentive to innovate or offer superior service over time compared to a market with ongoing competitive pressure.

What is the track record of Bellator Services, LLC in providing government transportation services?

Assessing the track record of Bellator Services, LLC is crucial for understanding their capability to fulfill this contract. Publicly available data indicates Bellator Services has received federal contracts, including those related to transportation and logistics. A deeper dive into their past performance reviews, contract completion history, and any past performance issues or awards would provide a clearer picture. For instance, have they successfully managed similar-sized contracts for inmate transport or other government agencies? Have there been any documented instances of contract failures, late deliveries, or quality issues? Understanding their history with the government, particularly with agencies like the Department of Justice or Bureau of Prisons, would offer strong indicators of their reliability and competence in executing the FY26 Ground Transportation Ticketing Fee Services.

How does the use of commercial carriers like Greyhound align with the Bureau of Prisons' overall inmate release strategy?

The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) utilizes commercial carriers like Greyhound as part of a multi-faceted strategy for inmate release transportation, primarily focusing on cost-effectiveness and broad geographic reach. For inmates being released to locations not easily served by other means or when cost is a primary driver, bus services offer a viable solution. This approach aligns with the BOP's objective to facilitate successful reintegration by ensuring inmates can reach their intended destinations post-release. However, the BOP also employs other methods, such as escort services, air travel, or van transport, depending on the inmate's security classification, destination, distance, and specific needs. The use of ticketing services for commercial carriers suggests a focus on managing the logistics and financial aspects of these common release pathways efficiently.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Charter Bus Industry › Charter Bus Industry

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 15B12125Q00000029

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2751 S MOUNTAINEER HWY, THORNTON, WV, 26440

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $129,684

Exercised Options: $129,684

Current Obligation: $121,684

Actual Outlays: $55,231

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline