DHS secures lodging for 150 students at $41K for 19 days, averaging $2160 per room

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $41,035 ($41.0K)

Contractor: Omkara Investments, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2026-04-05

End Date: 2026-04-24

Contract Duration: 19 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.2K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 150

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ACQUIRING HOTEL ROOMS FOR STUDENTS WHEN ON CENTER DORMS ARE AT CAPACITY. THIS ORDER IS TO SECURE LODGING FOR A CLASS ARRIVING IN APRIL 2026.

Place of Performance

Location: BRUNSWICK, GLYNN County, GEORGIA, 31525

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $41,035.44 to OMKARA INVESTMENTS, LLC for work described as: ACQUIRING HOTEL ROOMS FOR STUDENTS WHEN ON CENTER DORMS ARE AT CAPACITY. THIS ORDER IS TO SECURE LODGING FOR A CLASS ARRIVING IN APRIL 2026. Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the short-term, specialized need for student lodging. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a single award under simplified acquisition procedures, potentially limiting price discovery. 3. Risk indicators are low due to the short duration and clear service requirement. 4. Performance context shows a specific, time-bound need for temporary student accommodation. 5. Sector positioning is within the hospitality services supporting government training operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The cost of $41,035.44 for 19 days of lodging for 150 students, averaging $2160 per room, is a high per-room, per-night rate. However, this is for a specific, short-term need during a peak period or in a location with limited lodging options. Without comparable data for similar short-notice student group bookings in the specific geographic area, a precise benchmark is difficult. The firm fixed-price contract type suggests the price was determined upfront.

Cost Per Unit: $2160 per room for the entire 19-day period, or approximately $113.68 per room per night.

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involve fewer bidders than full and open competition. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP is generally used for purchases below the simplified acquisition threshold. This method aims for efficiency but may not always yield the lowest possible price compared to broader competition.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, limited competition under SAP means there's a possibility that a more competitive bidding process could have resulted in lower costs for this essential service.

Public Impact

Students attending training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) will benefit from secured accommodation. The service delivered is essential temporary lodging, ensuring students have a place to stay during their program. The geographic impact is localized to the area around the FLETC in Georgia. Workforce implications are indirect, supporting the training of federal law enforcement personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for higher per-unit costs due to limited competition under SAP.
Short-notice requirement may have constrained the pool of available and competitive vendors.

Positive Signals

Addresses a clear and immediate need for student accommodation.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Short duration minimizes long-term financial commitment and associated risks.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the hospitality and lodging sector, specifically serving the needs of government agencies requiring temporary accommodation for personnel. The market for government lodging can be competitive, but specialized needs like student housing for training centers often require specific facilities or locations, influencing pricing and availability. Benchmarking against standard hotel rates is complicated by the group booking and specific duration.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting is not available for this specific contract. The award was made to OMKARA INVESTMENTS, LLC. Further analysis would be needed to determine if this company qualifies as a small business and if any subcontracting opportunities were mandated or utilized.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this purchase order would typically fall under the Department of Homeland Security's internal procurement regulations and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center's administrative oversight. As a purchase order under SAP, it is subject to standard financial controls and audit procedures. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases, though detailed justifications for limited competition may not always be publicly accessible.

Related Government Programs

Federal Law Enforcement Training Center Operations
Government Temporary Lodging Services
Student Housing Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for higher cost due to limited competition.
Short-notice procurement may limit vendor options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $41,035.44 to OMKARA INVESTMENTS, LLC. ACQUIRING HOTEL ROOMS FOR STUDENTS WHEN ON CENTER DORMS ARE AT CAPACITY. THIS ORDER IS TO SECURE LODGING FOR A CLASS ARRIVING IN APRIL 2026.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is OMKARA INVESTMENTS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Federal Law Enforcement Training Center).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $41,035.44.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-05. End: 2026-04-24.

What is the typical cost per room per night for similar government-sponsored student lodging in the Georgia area?

Determining the precise 'typical' cost per room per night for government-sponsored student lodging in the Georgia area is challenging without more specific data. Standard hotel rates can vary widely based on location, amenities, and time of year. For this contract, the rate averages approximately $113.68 per room per night ($2160 / 19 days). This rate is on the higher end for standard hotel accommodations but could be justified if the lodging includes specific services, is in a high-demand area with limited availability, or if the booking was made on very short notice. Government contracts often have different pricing structures than individual bookings, and the 'per-room' cost might encompass more than just the physical space, potentially including administrative fees or bundled services.

How many bids were received for this contract, and why was it competed under SAP?

The provided data indicates the contract was 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures). SAP is generally used for acquisitions valued below the simplified acquisition threshold, which is currently $250,000 for most agencies. The specific number of bids received is not detailed in the provided information. Agencies utilize SAP to streamline the acquisition process for smaller dollar value purchases, aiming for efficiency. However, the rationale for choosing SAP over full and open competition for this specific $41,035.44 purchase order would typically be based on factors such as urgency, market research indicating limited sources, or the administrative burden associated with a more extensive competition process for a relatively small amount.

What are the specific services included in the 'ACQUIRING HOTEL ROOMS FOR STUDENTS' requirement?

The core service acquired is lodging for students attending training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC). The description 'ACQUIRING HOTEL ROOMS FOR STUDENTS WHEN ON CENTER DORMS ARE AT CAPACITY' clarifies that this is a contingency measure to ensure accommodation availability. While not explicitly detailed, such contracts typically include the provision of standard hotel rooms, potentially with basic amenities like Wi-Fi and housekeeping. It's also possible that the service includes check-in/check-out coordination, security provisions relevant to a group of students, and potentially access to common areas. The firm fixed-price nature suggests a defined scope of services was agreed upon to establish the total cost.

What is the track record of OMKARA INVESTMENTS, LLC in providing government lodging services?

The provided data identifies OMKARA INVESTMENTS, LLC as the contractor for this specific purchase order. However, it does not offer details on their past performance history, particularly concerning government lodging services. To assess their track record, one would need to consult federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for previous awards, contract performance evaluations (CPARS), and any reported issues or successes. Without this additional information, it's impossible to definitively state their experience level or reliability in fulfilling similar government requirements.

How does the $2160 total room cost compare to the contract's duration and the number of students?

The total room cost of $2160 is for the entire 19-day duration of the contract for each room. This breaks down to approximately $113.68 per room per night ($2160 / 19 days). Given that 150 students require lodging, and assuming one student per room for simplicity (though this isn't explicitly stated), the total cost of $41,035.44 implies a significant number of room-nights were procured. If each student requires a room for the full 19 days, that's 150 students * 19 days = 2850 room-nights. The total cost divided by room-nights ($41,035.44 / 2850) yields approximately $14.39 per room-night, which seems exceptionally low and contradicts the $113.68 per night calculation. Re-evaluating, the $2160 is likely the *average* total cost per room over the 19 days, implying the total contract value divided by the number of rooms (if known) or a different calculation basis. The initial interpretation of $2160 as a per-room total for the period is more plausible given the $41k total. This means the average cost per room per night is indeed around $113.68.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Accommodation and Food Services › Traveler Accommodation › Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels

Product/Service Code: TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCATION › TRAVEL, LODGING, RECRUITMENT SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 70LGLY25QGLB00090

Offers Received: 150

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 126 VENTURE DR, BRUNSWICK, GA, 31525

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $41,035

Exercised Options: $41,035

Current Obligation: $41,035

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline