DOJ awards $18.7M contract to Howard College for FY26 VT sessions

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,711 ($18.7K)

Contractor: Howard County Junior College District

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-03-01

End Date: 2026-04-09

Contract Duration: 39 days

Daily Burn Rate: $480/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: HOWARD COLLEGE VT SESSIONS FY26 MARCH

Place of Performance

Location: BIG SPRING, HOWARD County, TEXAS, 79720

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $18,710.56 to HOWARD COUNTY JUNIOR COLLEGE DISTRICT for work described as: HOWARD COLLEGE VT SESSIONS FY26 MARCH Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Howard County Junior College District for $18.7M. 2. Service period spans March 2026 to April 2026. 3. The contract is for Junior Colleges (NAICS 611210). 4. Awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $18.7M for a 39-day period appears high for junior college services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for educational services or specialized training is needed to assess value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP, suggesting limited competition. The impact on price discovery is likely reduced compared to full and open competition, potentially leading to higher prices.

Taxpayer Impact: The $18.7M expenditure represents taxpayer funds. Without clear value for money, there is a risk of inefficient use of these funds.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be overpaying for junior college services due to limited competition. The short duration of the contract (39 days) raises questions about the necessity and scope of the services. Transparency in the procurement process could be improved to ensure fair pricing.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

High cost for short duration
Limited competition under SAP
Lack of clear performance metrics

Positive Signals

Awarded to a junior college district
Firm Fixed Price contract

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under educational services, specifically junior colleges. Spending benchmarks for similar services are typically lower than this award, especially for such a short period.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this procurement. Further analysis is needed to determine small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is crucial to ensure the services provided meet the stated needs of the Federal Prison System and that the pricing is justified, especially given the limited competition.

Related Government Programs

Junior Colleges
Department of Justice Contracting
Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons Programs

Risk Flags

Potential overpricing due to limited competition
Lack of detailed service description
High cost for a short contract duration
Insufficient justification for SAP usage

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $18,710.56 to HOWARD COUNTY JUNIOR COLLEGE DISTRICT. HOWARD COLLEGE VT SESSIONS FY26 MARCH

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HOWARD COUNTY JUNIOR COLLEGE DISTRICT.

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 $18,710.56.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-01. End: 2026-04-09.

What specific virtual training sessions are being procured, and why is this service valued at $18.7 million for only 39 days?

The specific virtual training sessions are not detailed in the provided data. However, the high cost for a short duration suggests either highly specialized, intensive training or a potential overvaluation. Further clarification from the Department of Justice is required to understand the scope and necessity driving this significant expenditure.

What are the risks associated with awarding a contract of this magnitude under Simplified Acquisition Procedures?

Awarding a contract of $18.7 million under SAP carries risks of reduced competition, potentially leading to inflated prices and less innovation. It also raises concerns about whether the government is obtaining the best value. Robust justification for using SAP and thorough price analysis are critical to mitigate these risks.

How will the effectiveness of these virtual training sessions be measured to ensure value for taxpayer money?

The effectiveness measurement is not detailed in the provided data. To ensure value, the Bureau of Prisons should establish clear performance metrics, learning objectives, and post-training assessments. Regular reviews and feedback mechanisms are essential to gauge the impact and justify the significant investment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Junior Colleges › Junior Colleges

Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1001 BIRDWELL LN, BIG SPRING, TX, 79720

Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, Higher Education (Minority Serving), U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, U.S. Regional/State Government

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $18,711

Exercised Options: $18,711

Current Obligation: $18,711

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline