DOJ awards $8.5M for Catholic Services to Corporation of Catholic Archbishop of Seattle for FY26

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,500 ($8.5K)

Contractor: Corporation of the Catholic Archbishop of Seattle

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-11-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 333 days

Daily Burn Rate: $26/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FY26 CATHOLIC SERVICES - DEACON ON SITE TO BE SUPPLIED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT 15B61125D00000004.

Place of Performance

Location: SEATTLE, KING County, WASHINGTON, 98104

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $8,500 to CORPORATION OF THE CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOP OF SEATTLE for work described as: FY26 CATHOLIC SERVICES - DEACON ON SITE TO BE SUPPLIED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT 15B61125D00000004. Key points: 1. Contract awarded for religious services to inmates. 2. Sole-source award to a specific religious organization. 3. Potential for limited competition due to specialized nature. 4. Spending aligns with correctional facility operational needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The $8.5 million price for religious services appears to be a reasonable estimate for a full fiscal year. However, without specific service details or benchmarks for similar contracts, a precise value assessment is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and may not ensure the best value for taxpayers if alternative providers exist.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are allocated to a specific religious organization without competitive bidding, potentially missing cost savings.

Public Impact

Provides essential spiritual and pastoral care to inmates. Supports rehabilitation and reintegration efforts within the prison system. Ensures religious freedom and accommodation for Catholic inmates.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Sole-source award

Positive Signals

Addresses inmate religious needs
Supports correctional facility operations

Sector Analysis

This spending falls under the 'Religious Organizations' sector, specifically supporting correctional facilities. Benchmarks for such services are often tied to inmate population and the scope of religious programming offered.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to involve small businesses, as it is a sole-source award to a large religious corporation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be crucial to ensure the services delivered meet the contract's terms and conditions and provide genuine value to the inmate population.

Related Government Programs

Religious Organizations
Department of Justice Contracting
Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competitive bidding
Potential for inflated costs due to sole-source nature
Limited transparency on service delivery metrics
Dependence on a single provider

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $8,500 to CORPORATION OF THE CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOP OF SEATTLE. FY26 CATHOLIC SERVICES - DEACON ON SITE TO BE SUPPLIED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT 15B61125D00000004.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CORPORATION OF THE CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOP OF SEATTLE.

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 $8,500.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-11-01. End: 2026-09-30.

What specific services are included in 'Catholic Services - Deacon On Site' and how do they contribute to inmate well-being?

The contract likely includes pastoral counseling, religious education, sacramental services, and general spiritual support provided by a deacon. These services are intended to contribute to inmate well-being by fostering moral development, providing emotional support, and facilitating spiritual growth, which can aid in rehabilitation and reduce recidivism.

What is the justification for a sole-source award for these religious services?

Sole-source awards are typically justified when only one responsible source is available or capable of meeting the agency's needs. For religious services, this might be due to specific denominational requirements, the unique qualifications of a particular religious organization, or established relationships within correctional facilities that are difficult to replicate.

How will the effectiveness of these services be measured to ensure taxpayer value?

Effectiveness can be measured through inmate surveys on satisfaction with religious services, feedback from correctional staff on the impact of these services on inmate behavior and morale, and potentially tracking recidivism rates among inmates who actively participate in religious programs. Regular performance reviews by the Bureau of Prisons will also be key.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Other Services (except Public Administration) › Religious Organizations › Religious Organizations

Product/Service Code: SOCIAL SERVICES › SOCIAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 710 9TH AVE, SEATTLE, WA, 98104

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,500

Exercised Options: $8,500

Current Obligation: $8,500

Actual Outlays: $750

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15B61125D00000004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline