DOJ's Bureau of Prisons Spends $201K on Wastewater Services from Herlong Public Utility District

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $201,306 ($201.3K)

Contractor: Herlong Public Utility District

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-05-01

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 60 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.4K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FY 26 - WASTE WATER SERVICE P4 HPUD WW 3RD QTR APRIL-JUNE FY 26 FY26 $67101.93 EACH

Place of Performance

Location: HERLONG, LASSEN County, CALIFORNIA, 96113

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $201,305.79 to HERLONG PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT for work described as: FY 26 - WASTE WATER SERVICE P4 HPUD WW 3RD QTR APRIL-JUNE FY 26 FY26 $67101.93 EACH Key points: 1. The contract is for wastewater services for the Federal Prison System in California. 2. The award is a Delivery Order under an unspecified contract. 3. The total value of the award is $201,305.79. 4. The contract is not available for competition.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The per-unit cost of $67,101.93 for wastewater service is exceptionally high and lacks a clear basis for comparison without further details on service scope and duration.

Cost Per Unit: $67,101.93

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract is listed as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' indicating a limited competition approach. This lack of competition raises concerns about price discovery and potentially inflated costs.

Taxpayer Impact: The high per-unit cost and limited competition suggest potential for inefficient use of taxpayer funds.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be overpaying for essential wastewater services due to a lack of competitive bidding. The high cost could impact the Bureau of Prisons' budget, potentially diverting funds from other critical areas. Lack of transparency in the procurement process hinders public trust and accountability.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 30 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
High per-unit cost
Unclear service scope

Positive Signals

Essential service provision

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under sewage treatment facilities, a critical infrastructure service. Benchmarks for such services vary widely based on location, volume, and specific treatment requirements, but the reported per-unit cost appears significantly elevated.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this procurement, nor is there information suggesting this contract was specifically set aside for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The limited competition and high cost warrant further oversight to ensure the Bureau of Prisons is obtaining services at a fair and reasonable price.

Related Government Programs

Sewage Treatment Facilities
Department of Justice Contracting
Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons Programs

Risk Flags

High per-unit cost
Lack of competitive bidding
Limited transparency
Potential for overpayment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $201,305.79 to HERLONG PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT. FY 26 - WASTE WATER SERVICE P4 HPUD WW 3RD QTR APRIL-JUNE FY 26 FY26 $67101.93 EACH

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HERLONG PUBLIC UTILITY 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 $201,305.79.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-05-01. End: 2026-06-30.

What specific services are included in the $67,101.93 per-unit cost for wastewater treatment?

The provided data does not specify the exact services covered by the per-unit cost. It is crucial to understand the scope, volume, and specific treatment processes included to justify such a high price. Without this detail, a proper value assessment is impossible.

What factors led to the determination that this contract was not available for competition?

The data simply states 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' without elaboration. Typically, this designation requires justification, such as a sole-source provider or unique circumstances. Understanding the rationale is key to assessing if competition was genuinely impossible or if it was an oversight.

How does the $67,101.93 per-unit cost compare to similar wastewater service contracts for federal facilities?

Without access to a broader dataset of comparable federal contracts for wastewater services, a direct benchmark is difficult. However, based on general knowledge of utility costs, this figure appears exceptionally high, suggesting a potential need for a more competitive bidding process or renegotiation.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Utilities › Water, Sewage and Other Systems › Sewage Treatment Facilities

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › UTILITIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 15BFA022Q00000013

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 448805 POLE LINE RD, HERLONG, CA, 96113

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $201,306

Exercised Options: $201,306

Current Obligation: $201,306

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15B61923D00000059

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline