Justice Department awards $133K purchase order for electrical work at FCI Fairton, replacing existing infrastructure

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $133,722 ($133.7K)

Contractor: Scalfo Electric Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-02-12

End Date: 2026-02-12

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: FCI FAIRTON: REPLACE CAMP ELECTRIC AND BREAKERS SMALL BUSINESS NET 30

Place of Performance

Location: VINELAND, CUMBERLAND County, NEW JERSEY, 08360

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $133,722.07 to SCALFO ELECTRIC INC. for work described as: FCI FAIRTON: REPLACE CAMP ELECTRIC AND BREAKERS SMALL BUSINESS NET 30 Key points: 1. The contract aims to replace aging electrical infrastructure at FCI Fairton, addressing critical facility needs. 2. Awarded as a purchase order, this contract type suggests a need for immediate or specific service delivery. 3. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the government. 4. The absence of competition raises questions about potential value for money and market price discovery. 5. The contract duration is short, indicating a focused scope of work. 6. The contractor, Scalfo Electric Inc., is responsible for delivering the electrical upgrades.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $133,722.07 appears to be for a specific scope of electrical upgrades at a federal correctional institution. Without detailed project specifications or comparable bids, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, for a project involving the replacement of electrical systems in a federal facility, the amount is within a plausible range, though it warrants scrutiny due to the lack of competitive bidding. Benchmarking against similar projects for electrical system replacement in correctional facilities would be necessary for a more definitive assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded as a purchase order and was not competed. The data indicates it was a 'NOT COMPETED' award. This means that the Department of Justice did not solicit bids from multiple contractors. The specific justification for this sole-source award is not provided in the data, but it could be due to urgency, a specific requirement only one contractor can meet, or a previous relationship. The lack of competition limits the government's ability to ensure it is receiving the best possible price and service.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition means taxpayers may not have benefited from the cost savings that typically arise from a competitive bidding process. This could result in a higher price than if multiple firms had vied for the contract.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the inmates and staff at FCI Fairton, who will receive improved electrical safety and reliability. The services delivered include the replacement of camp electrical systems and breakers, enhancing the facility's infrastructure. The geographic impact is localized to the Federal Correctional Institution in Fairton, New Jersey. The contract supports the operational continuity and safety of a federal correctional facility.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
Potential for less innovation or tailored solutions due to single-source selection.
Limited transparency in the selection process due to non-competitive award.

Positive Signals

Addresses critical infrastructure needs for a federal facility.
Fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.
Specific scope of work (electrical replacement) is clearly defined.

Sector Analysis

The electrical contracting industry is a significant sector within construction, encompassing a wide range of services from new installations to maintenance and upgrades. Federal spending in this area often focuses on maintaining and modernizing government facilities. This contract for FCI Fairton falls within the broader category of facility maintenance and infrastructure improvement. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other federal contracts for electrical system upgrades in similar institutional settings, considering factors like facility size, age, and complexity of the electrical systems.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false) and the contractor is not identified as a small business (sb: false). Therefore, this specific award does not appear to directly benefit small businesses through a set-aside. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans, so the impact on the small business ecosystem through subcontracting opportunities is unknown.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Justice's Bureau of Prisons. As a purchase order, it is likely subject to internal procurement regulations and financial controls. Transparency is limited due to the non-competitive nature of the award. While specific Inspector General jurisdiction for this particular purchase order isn't detailed, the DOJ's Office of the Inspector General generally oversees federal spending within the department to ensure accountability and prevent waste, fraud, and abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Bureau of Prisons Facility Maintenance
Department of Justice Infrastructure Modernization
Electrical System Upgrades in Federal Buildings
Correctional Facility Operations Support

Risk Flags

Non-competitive award
Lack of detailed justification for sole-source
Limited performance history data available

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $133,722.07 to SCALFO ELECTRIC INC.. FCI FAIRTON: REPLACE CAMP ELECTRIC AND BREAKERS SMALL BUSINESS NET 30

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SCALFO ELECTRIC INC..

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 $133,722.07.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-02-12. End: 2026-02-12.

What is the track record of Scalfo Electric Inc. with federal contracts?

Information regarding Scalfo Electric Inc.'s specific track record with federal contracts is not provided in the given data. To assess their performance, one would need to review their past federal award history, including contract values, types of services rendered, performance reviews, and any instances of disputes or contract terminations. A deeper dive into federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS would be necessary to gather this information. Without this data, it's difficult to gauge their experience and reliability in fulfilling government obligations.

How does the value of this contract compare to similar electrical upgrade projects in federal correctional facilities?

A direct comparison of the $133,722.07 contract value to similar projects is challenging without more specific data on comparable contracts. Factors influencing cost include the size and age of the facility, the scope of the electrical work (e.g., replacing main service, upgrading specific units, installing new systems), and the prevailing labor and material costs in the region. Typically, larger facilities or those with more extensive system overhauls would command higher contract values. Benchmarking would require identifying contracts for electrical system replacements or significant upgrades at Bureau of Prisons facilities of comparable size and condition, and then analyzing their award amounts and scope.

What are the primary risks associated with awarding this contract on a non-competitive basis?

The primary risks associated with awarding this contract on a non-competitive basis include potential overpayment, reduced quality of service, and lack of innovation. Without competition, the government loses the leverage to negotiate the best possible price, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers. A single source may have less incentive to ensure top-tier quality or explore more efficient or advanced solutions, as there is no competitive pressure. Furthermore, the lack of a competitive process reduces transparency and makes it harder to justify the chosen contractor and price to oversight bodies and the public.

How effective is the Bureau of Prisons in managing electrical infrastructure upgrades?

The effectiveness of the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) in managing electrical infrastructure upgrades can be assessed through various indicators, such as the timeliness of project completion, adherence to budget, the long-term reliability of upgraded systems, and the safety record during projects. Data on past projects, including their success rates and any reported issues, would be crucial. The BOP's overall budget allocation for facility maintenance and modernization, and how effectively these funds are utilized, also provides insight. Analyzing the frequency and severity of electrical failures in BOP facilities could indicate the effectiveness of their maintenance and upgrade strategies.

What are the historical spending patterns for electrical contractors by the Federal Prison System?

Historical spending patterns for electrical contractors by the Federal Prison System (FPS), part of the Bureau of Prisons (BOP), would reveal the total amount obligated annually to this industry, the average contract size, and the distribution of awards between competitive and non-competitive sources. Analyzing this data over several fiscal years would show trends, such as increasing or decreasing investment in electrical infrastructure. It would also highlight which specific facilities or regions receive the most funding for such work. Understanding these patterns helps in assessing whether current spending levels are consistent with past investments and needs.

What is the justification for awarding this contract as 'NOT COMPETED'?

The provided data states the contract was 'NOT COMPETED' but does not include the specific justification for this determination. Common reasons for non-competitive awards include urgent and compelling needs where a delay would cause significant damage, situations where only one responsible source can fulfill the requirement due to unique capabilities or proprietary technology, or when the contract value falls below the threshold for full and open competition and is awarded under simplified acquisition procedures to a specific entity for reasons not detailed here. A formal justification document, typically required for sole-source awards above certain dollar thresholds, would contain the detailed rationale.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Building Equipment Contractors › Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors

Product/Service Code: INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT › INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3539 N MILL RD, VINELAND, NJ, 08360

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $133,722

Exercised Options: $133,722

Current Obligation: $133,722

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline