DOJ's Bureau of Prisons awards $2.7M contract for CUAS system upgrade to Seneca Federal Solutions

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,734,877 ($2.7M)

Contractor: Seneca Federal Solutions, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-12-01

End Date: 2026-11-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.5K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: COUNTER UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS (CUAS) SYSTEM UPGRADE, MAINTENANCE, AND SUPPORT.

Place of Performance

Location: BUFFALO, ERIE County, NEW YORK, 14221

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $2.7 million to SENECA FEDERAL SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: COUNTER UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS (CUAS) SYSTEM UPGRADE, MAINTENANCE, AND SUPPORT. Key points: 1. The contract focuses on Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS) for the Federal Prison System. 2. Seneca Federal Solutions, LLC is the sole awardee. 3. The contract value is $2.73 million over a 1-year period. 4. The procurement method was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP', raising potential competition concerns.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $2.73 million for a 1-year CUAS upgrade and support seems high without a competitive benchmark. Further analysis of the specific system requirements and market rates is needed to assess pricing fairness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a limited competition approach. This method may not have explored all available vendors, potentially impacting price discovery and value for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: Limited competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a fully open and competitive process.

Public Impact

Enhances security at federal prisons by addressing drone threats. Ensures operational continuity of critical CUAS systems. Supports the Bureau of Prisons' mission to maintain secure facilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition raises concerns about potential overpricing.
Lack of transparency in the procurement process.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical security technology.

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical security need for federal prisons.
Ensures continued operation of essential CUAS systems.

Sector Analysis

The IT hardware and services sector, particularly for specialized security systems like CUAS, can be prone to limited competition due to proprietary technology or specific agency needs. Benchmarks for similar CUAS support contracts are essential for evaluating this award.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this procurement, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further investigation is needed to assess opportunities for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight of this contract should focus on ensuring the vendor delivers the promised CUAS upgrades and support effectively, and that the pricing remains reasonable given the limited competition.

Related Government Programs

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing
Department of Justice Contracting
Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition.
Potential for sole-source justification.
Lack of publicly available technical details.
High contract value for a single vendor.
No indication of small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $2.7 million to SENECA FEDERAL SOLUTIONS, LLC. COUNTER UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS (CUAS) SYSTEM UPGRADE, MAINTENANCE, AND SUPPORT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SENECA FEDERAL SOLUTIONS, 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 $2.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-12-01. End: 2026-11-30.

What specific CUAS capabilities are being upgraded, and how do these align with current threats?

The contract details are limited, but 'CUAS System Upgrade, Maintenance, and Support' suggests enhancements to existing drone detection, tracking, and potentially mitigation systems. The specific capabilities would need to be detailed in the contract's statement of work to assess their alignment with evolving drone threats faced by correctional facilities.

What justification was provided for not competing this contract more broadly?

The 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation implies a specific justification was used, possibly related to urgency, unique capabilities of the awarded vendor, or existing infrastructure compatibility. A thorough review of the justification document is necessary to understand the rationale and assess its validity.

How will the effectiveness of the CUAS system upgrade be measured and verified?

Effectiveness should be measured through defined performance metrics in the contract, such as detection rates, false alarm rates, and successful mitigation actions. Regular testing, performance reviews, and independent verification by the Bureau of Prisons will be crucial to ensure the upgrade meets its intended security objectives.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - IT MANAGEMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 15BPCC26Q00000001

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 14200 PARK MEADOW DR STE 125, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,734,877

Exercised Options: $2,734,877

Current Obligation: $2,734,877

Actual Outlays: $826,813

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline