DOJ's FBI Spends $5M on Idaho Power for Electric Distribution Over 3 Years
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $5,020,437 ($5.0M)
Contractor: Idaho Power Company
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2024-01-01
End Date: 2026-12-31
Contract Duration: 1,095 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.6K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Energy
Official Description: MONTHLY ELECTRIC UTILITIES
Place of Performance
Location: BOISE, ADA County, IDAHO, 83707
State: Idaho Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $5.0 million to IDAHO POWER COMPANY for work described as: MONTHLY ELECTRIC UTILITIES Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $5.02 million for essential utility services. 2. Sole-source award indicates potential lack of competitive bidding. 3. Long-term duration (3 years) suggests a need for stable, ongoing service. 4. Focus on electric power distribution highlights critical infrastructure reliance.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $5.02 million over three years for electric utilities appears reasonable given the duration and the nature of the service. However, without specific benchmarks for similar federal contracts in Idaho, a precise comparison is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was not available for competition, indicating a sole-source award. This method limits price discovery and may result in higher costs compared to a competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source nature of this contract means taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price due to the absence of competitive bidding.
Public Impact
Ensures continuous power supply for FBI operations in Idaho. Supports critical law enforcement functions reliant on electricity. Impacts federal agency's operational budget and resource allocation.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and potentially increases cost.
- Lack of detailed pricing information makes cost-effectiveness assessment challenging.
- Long contract duration could lead to price increases if market rates change significantly.
Positive Signals
- Secures essential utility services for a federal agency.
- Provides stable pricing through a firm fixed-price contract.
- Supports critical infrastructure in the designated service area.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Utilities sector, specifically electric power distribution. Federal spending on utilities is generally stable, driven by operational needs, but can vary based on geographic location and agency requirements. Benchmarks are often location-specific.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this contract. As a sole-source award to Idaho Power Company, it is unlikely that small businesses were primary contractors, though they might be subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight of this sole-source contract should focus on ensuring the price remains fair and reasonable throughout its term and that the services provided meet the FBI's operational needs effectively.
Related Government Programs
- Electric Power Distribution
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Federal Bureau of Investigation Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- Potential for above-market pricing
- Long-term commitment
- Limited transparency on cost justification
Tags
electric-power-distribution, department-of-justice, id, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $5.0 million to IDAHO POWER COMPANY. MONTHLY ELECTRIC UTILITIES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is IDAHO POWER COMPANY.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Investigation).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $5.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-01-01. End: 2026-12-31.
What is the justification for the sole-source award, and were alternative competitive options explored?
The justification for the sole-source award is not provided in the data. Typically, sole-source contracts are used when only one responsible source can provide the required supply or service. For federal agencies, exploring competitive options is standard practice, and a sole-source justification would need to be documented and approved, often requiring a waiver of full and open competition.
How does the per-unit cost of electricity compare to market rates or other federal contracts in similar regions?
The provided data does not include per-unit cost details or market rate comparisons. A thorough analysis would require accessing detailed pricing schedules and benchmarking against other utility contracts in Idaho or comparable regions to assess cost-effectiveness and identify potential overspending.
What are the potential risks associated with a long-term, sole-source utility contract for the FBI?
The primary risks include potential price escalation beyond market trends due to lack of competition, reduced incentive for the sole provider to innovate or offer cost savings, and vulnerability if the provider's service quality or reliability declines. The FBI is also locked into a single provider, limiting flexibility if better options emerge.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Utilities › Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution › Electric Power Distribution
Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › UTILITIES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1221 W IDAHO ST, BOISE, ID, 83702
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $5,020,437
Exercised Options: $5,020,437
Current Obligation: $5,020,437
Actual Outlays: $3,024,446
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 47PA0420D0011
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-01-01
Current End Date: 2026-12-31
Potential End Date: 2026-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-06
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