DOJ's $1.83M Sun City Cabling contract for IT infrastructure awarded without competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,300 ($18.3K)

Contractor: SUN City Cabling, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-02-11

End Date: 2027-02-10

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $50/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: TITLE: 26-S-067/SUN CITY CABLING/DATA CONNECT/FS FACE DXD REQUESTOR: GEORGE GODINEZ ITJA#: ITJA0017045 POP DATES: 02/11/2026 TO 02/10/2027

Place of Performance

Location: EL PASO, EL PASO County, TEXAS, 79912

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $18,300 to SUN CITY CABLING, LLC for work described as: TITLE: 26-S-067/SUN CITY CABLING/DATA CONNECT/FS FACE DXD REQUESTOR: GEORGE GODINEZ ITJA#: ITJA0017045 POP DATES: 02/11/2026 TO 02/10/2027 Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a firm-fixed-price basis, indicating defined scope and cost. 2. The contract duration is one year, with a potential for renewal. 3. Awarded to Sun City Cabling, LLC, a single vendor. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 238210, related to electrical contractors. 5. The contract is for IT infrastructure services, specifically cabling. 6. The contract is not a small business set-aside. 7. The contract is a purchase order, a common method for smaller procurements.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $1.83 million for a one-year period for IT cabling services appears to be on the higher end for a sole-source award. Without competitive bids, it is difficult to benchmark the pricing against market rates or similar government contracts. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty but does not inherently guarantee value for money in the absence of competition. Further analysis would require understanding the specific scope of work and comparing it to industry standards for similar IT infrastructure projects.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and was awarded as a sole-source purchase order. This means that only one vendor, Sun City Cabling, LLC, was solicited for this requirement. The lack of competition raises concerns about whether the government obtained the best possible price and terms. Without a competitive process, it is challenging to assess the market's response and the potential for price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may have paid a premium for these services due to the absence of competitive bidding. The government did not leverage market forces to drive down costs, potentially leading to less efficient use of federal funds.

Public Impact

The Department of Justice, specifically the Drug Enforcement Administration, will benefit from enhanced IT infrastructure. Services include electrical contracting and other wiring installation, crucial for IT operations. The contract is geographically focused on Texas (TX). The contract supports the operational needs of federal law enforcement agencies.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to inflated pricing.
Sole-source award limits opportunities for other qualified vendors.
Absence of competitive benchmarking makes value assessment difficult.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Awarded to a specific LLC, indicating a direct vendor relationship.
Contract duration is clearly defined, allowing for planning.

Sector Analysis

The IT infrastructure and cabling sector is a critical component of modern government operations, supporting everything from basic communication to advanced data processing. This contract falls under the 'Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors' NAICS code, which is a subset of the broader construction and IT services industries. The market for such services is competitive, but sole-source awards can bypass these dynamics. Comparable spending benchmarks for IT cabling projects vary widely based on scope, complexity, and location, but a $1.83 million one-year contract suggests a significant project.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor does it indicate any specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award to Sun City Cabling, LLC, suggests it is either a small business itself or a larger entity that was the sole source identified. Without set-aside provisions, the direct impact on the broader small business IT contracting ecosystem is limited for this specific procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

As a purchase order, oversight mechanisms would typically be managed through the contracting officer's representative (COR) and the agency's procurement oversight functions within the Department of Justice. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

IT Infrastructure Services
Electrical Contractors
Wiring Installation
Department of Justice IT Procurement
Drug Enforcement Administration Operations

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
Potential for overpayment due to absence of competition.
Limited transparency regarding the procurement process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $18,300 to SUN CITY CABLING, LLC. TITLE: 26-S-067/SUN CITY CABLING/DATA CONNECT/FS FACE DXD REQUESTOR: GEORGE GODINEZ ITJA#: ITJA0017045 POP DATES: 02/11/2026 TO 02/10/2027

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SUN CITY CABLING, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Drug Enforcement Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $18,300.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-02-11. End: 2027-02-10.

What is the specific scope of work for Sun City Cabling, LLC under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'ITJA#: ITJA0017045' and falls under NAICS code 238210 (Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors). This suggests the scope of work likely involves the installation, maintenance, or upgrade of IT-related cabling infrastructure, such as network cabling (Ethernet), fiber optic cabling, and associated hardware. The specific details of the project, including the type of cabling, the extent of the installation (e.g., new builds, upgrades, repairs), and the locations within the Drug Enforcement Administration facilities in Texas, would be further elaborated in the detailed contract statement of work (SOW), which is not provided in the summary data.

Why was this contract awarded on a sole-source basis instead of being competed?

The data states the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), implying it was handled outside the standard competitive bidding process for smaller procurements. Sole-source awards are typically justified under specific circumstances outlined in federal acquisition regulations, such as when only one responsible source can provide the required supply or service, or in cases of urgent and compelling need. Without further details on the justification provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the specific reason for the sole-source award remains unknown. Common justifications include proprietary technology, unique capabilities, or emergency situations where competition is not feasible.

How does the $1.83 million contract value compare to similar IT cabling contracts awarded by the government?

Benchmarking the $1.83 million contract value for a one-year IT cabling project requires detailed comparison with similar contracts. Factors such as the scope of work (e.g., fiber optic vs. copper, number of drops, complexity of installation), geographic location, and the specific agency's requirements significantly influence pricing. Given this was a sole-source award, it is difficult to ascertain if this represents a competitive market price. Generally, IT infrastructure projects of this magnitude, especially those involving specialized cabling and installation services, can range significantly. A firm-fixed-price contract for a year suggests a substantial, ongoing need. Without access to a database of comparable sole-source or competed contracts for similar IT cabling services, a precise comparison is challenging.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for IT infrastructure services?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award for IT infrastructure services is the potential for paying a higher price than would be achieved through competition. Without multiple bids, the government loses the opportunity to leverage market forces to secure the best value. Other risks include a lack of innovation, as the sole provider may have less incentive to offer cutting-edge solutions. Furthermore, it can limit the government's flexibility if the contractor's performance is unsatisfactory, as switching providers may be difficult and costly. There's also a risk of vendor lock-in, where the agency becomes dependent on a single supplier.

What is the track record of Sun City Cabling, LLC with federal contracts?

The provided data identifies Sun City Cabling, LLC as the contractor for this Department of Justice purchase order. However, it does not offer any information regarding their past performance on federal contracts, including the number of previous awards, their value, or client satisfaction. To assess their track record, one would need to consult federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS-NG to review their contract history, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any reported issues or commendations.

What is the historical spending pattern for IT cabling services by the Drug Enforcement Administration?

The provided data focuses on a single contract award and does not offer historical spending patterns for IT cabling services by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). To analyze historical spending, one would need to query federal procurement databases for all contracts awarded by the DEA (and potentially the broader Department of Justice) under relevant NAICS codes (like 238210) over several fiscal years. This analysis would reveal trends in contract values, types of services procured, competition levels, and the primary contractors utilized, providing context for the current $1.83 million sole-source award.

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 UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7433 PLAZA TAURINA DR, EL PASO, TX, 79912

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $18,300

Exercised Options: $18,300

Current Obligation: $18,300

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline