DOJ's $10.9M Detention Services Contract with Catholic Charities in San Diego Extended for a Decade

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,927,028 ($10.9M)

Contractor: Catholic Charities, Diocese of SAN Diego

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2007-12-01

End Date: 2017-11-30

Contract Duration: 3,652 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.0K/day

Competition Type: FOLLOW ON TO COMPETED ACTION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: DETENTION SERVICES - SAN DIEGO, CA

Place of Performance

Location: LOS ANGELES, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 90001

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $10.9 million to CATHOLIC CHARITIES, DIOCESE OF SAN DIEGO for work described as: DETENTION SERVICES - SAN DIEGO, CA Key points: 1. The contract represents a significant, long-term commitment to a single provider for essential detention services. 2. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests predictable costs, but requires careful monitoring for scope creep or inefficiencies. 3. A decade-long duration raises questions about adaptability to changing needs and potential for vendor lock-in. 4. The absence of small business set-asides or subcontracting plans warrants scrutiny regarding broader economic impact. 5. Performance context is limited without specific metrics on service quality, capacity, or recidivism rates. 6. This contract falls within the broader 'Other Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities' category, indicating a specialized service area.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value is difficult to assess without comparable benchmarks for detention services in the San Diego region. A decade-long firm-fixed-price contract for over $10 million suggests a substantial investment. However, the lack of detailed performance data or comparison to similar contracts makes it challenging to definitively determine if this represents excellent value for money. The pricing appears stable due to the fixed-price nature, but the long duration could mask potential inefficiencies or opportunities for cost savings that were not realized.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The contract type is listed as 'FOLLOW ON TO COMPETED ACTION,' which implies that the initial award was competed. However, the details of that original competition, including the number of bidders and the specific circumstances leading to this follow-on action, are not provided. Without this information, it's impossible to assess the level of competition for this specific contract and its impact on price discovery. The 'follow-on' nature could indicate a streamlined process, but it also raises questions about whether the market was fully explored for subsequent needs.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of transparency regarding the competition level for this follow-on contract makes it difficult to ascertain the direct impact on taxpayers. A robust competition typically drives down prices, benefiting taxpayers. If the follow-on was not competitively re-evaluated, there's a risk that taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible pricing.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are individuals requiring detention services managed by the U.S. Marshals Service in the San Diego area. The contract ensures the provision of essential detention facilities and related services, maintaining public safety and order. Geographic impact is concentrated within San Diego, California, serving the needs of the federal justice system in that region. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for staff directly involved in operating and managing the detention facilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long-term commitment (10 years) may limit flexibility to adapt to changing detention needs or explore more cost-effective solutions.
Lack of transparency on competition for the follow-on action raises concerns about potential price overruns for taxpayers.
Absence of explicit small business participation or subcontracting goals could limit economic opportunities for smaller entities.
Performance metrics are not detailed, making it difficult to assess the quality and effectiveness of the services provided.
Firm-fixed-price contracts can sometimes disincentivize innovation or efficiency improvements by the contractor if not carefully managed.

Positive Signals

Catholic Charities has a long-standing relationship with the government, suggesting a level of established trust and operational capability.
The firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government over the contract duration.
The contract ensures continuity of essential detention services for the U.S. Marshals Service in a specific geographic area.
A decade-long contract can foster stability and predictability for both the government and the contractor.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the 'Other Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities' sector, which encompasses a range of government functions related to law enforcement, judicial processes, and correctional services. The market for detention services is specialized, often involving government facilities or contracts with non-profit organizations and private companies. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without specific details on the scale and scope of services provided, but federal spending on correctional and detention services is a significant component of the justice budget.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside (ss: false, sb: false). There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans. This suggests that the primary award went to a larger organization, and there may be limited direct opportunities for small businesses to participate in fulfilling this contract's requirements. Further investigation would be needed to determine if any subcontracting opportunities exist or if small businesses are involved in any capacity.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Marshals Service, the contracting agency. Accountability measures would be embedded within the contract terms, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is often limited for specific detention contracts due to security and operational sensitivities. The Inspector General for the Department of Justice would likely have jurisdiction to investigate any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Federal Bureau of Prisons Contracts
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Detention Contracts
State and Local Law Enforcement Support Programs
Department of Justice Grants for Public Safety

Risk Flags

Long-term contract duration may reduce flexibility.
Lack of competition details for follow-on action.
No explicit small business participation noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $10.9 million to CATHOLIC CHARITIES, DIOCESE OF SAN DIEGO. DETENTION SERVICES - SAN DIEGO, CA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CATHOLIC CHARITIES, DIOCESE OF SAN DIEGO.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (U.S. Marshals Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-12-01. End: 2017-11-30.

What were the specific services provided under this detention services contract?

The contract, identified by NAICS code 922190 ('Other Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities'), was for detention services in San Diego, CA. While specific details are not provided in the abbreviated data, such contracts typically encompass the housing, care, and security of individuals detained by federal authorities, such as those awaiting trial or sentencing under the U.S. Marshals Service. This can include providing meals, medical services, transportation, and maintaining a secure environment. The exact scope would be detailed in the contract's statement of work, outlining capacity requirements, staffing levels, and operational procedures.

How does the $10.9 million contract value compare to similar detention services contracts in other regions?

Direct comparison of the $10.9 million contract value to similar detention services contracts in other regions is challenging without more specific data points. Factors influencing contract value include the number of individuals detained, the duration of detention, the level of services required (e.g., medical care, programming), and regional cost variations for labor and facilities. A decade-long contract of this magnitude suggests a significant, ongoing need for federal detention capacity in the San Diego area. To provide a meaningful comparison, one would need to analyze contracts with similar service scopes, bed counts, and contract lengths across different geographic locations, adjusting for local economic conditions.

What are the potential risks associated with a 10-year firm-fixed-price contract for detention services?

A 10-year firm-fixed-price contract for detention services presents several potential risks. Firstly, the long duration may lead to vendor lock-in, making it difficult to switch providers or renegotiate terms even if market conditions change or better alternatives emerge. Secondly, while fixed-price offers cost certainty, it can disincentivize the contractor from seeking operational efficiencies or innovations, as they are guaranteed their price regardless of cost savings. This could lead to complacency or a focus on meeting minimum standards rather than optimizing service delivery. Thirdly, unforeseen changes in detention needs, regulations, or security requirements over a decade might not be adequately addressed within the fixed-price structure, potentially leading to costly change orders or disputes.

What is the track record of Catholic Charities, Diocese of San Diego, in providing government detention services?

Catholic Charities, Diocese of San Diego, has a history of providing social services and community support. Their involvement in government detention services, as indicated by this contract, suggests they have met the necessary qualifications and performance standards required by the U.S. Marshals Service. While the abbreviated data doesn't detail their specific performance history on this contract, their ability to secure a 10-year follow-on contract implies a degree of reliability and competence in managing such operations. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, any documented issues, and their overall experience in the correctional services sector.

How has federal spending on detention services in San Diego evolved over time, and does this contract represent a significant shift?

Analyzing the evolution of federal spending on detention services specifically in San Diego requires access to historical spending data beyond this single contract. This $10.9 million contract, spanning from 2007 to 2017, represents a substantial, long-term commitment. Without data on previous contracts or alternative detention methods utilized by the U.S. Marshals Service in the region, it's difficult to determine if this represents a significant shift. However, a decade-long contract for a single provider suggests a stable, established approach to meeting detention needs in the area during that period. Trends in federal immigration policy and judicial caseloads would likely influence overall spending patterns in this sector.

What are the implications of this contract not being a small business set-aside for the local economy?

The fact that this $10.9 million contract was not a small business set-aside has implications for the local economy. It means that the primary contract was awarded to an organization that is likely not classified as a small business. Consequently, direct opportunities for small businesses to secure a large portion of this federal funding are limited. While the prime contractor, Catholic Charities, may engage subcontractors, there's no explicit indication of small business subcontracting goals within the provided data. This could mean that a smaller share of the federal dollars flows directly into the small business ecosystem in San Diego compared to if the contract had been set aside or included robust subcontracting requirements.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Public Administration › Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities › Other Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FOLLOW ON TO COMPETED ACTION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 349 CEDAR ST, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92101

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,930,028

Exercised Options: $10,930,028

Current Obligation: $10,927,028

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline