Awarding agency: Department of Justice
Who got paid, how much, for what, and whether it is defensible. Citizen opinion on the record, not a mandate.
Status and record
CO: TELLY RENFROE AWARD OF NEW TASK ORDER BASE YEAR INITIAL FUNDING
$670.1M · DELIVERY ORDER · Department of Justice · VA
FEDERAL SPENDING · CITIZEN OPINION
Was this federal payment to AT&T ENTERPRISES, LLC worth it?
$670.1M · Department of Justice to AT&T ENTERPRISES, LLC
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What this award is
AI analysis
This is a contract where the Department of Justice (DOJ) is paying AT&T Enterprises, LLC to provide telecommunications and network services. AT&T will use this money to deliver communication technology, such as phone and internet services, to support DOJ operations.
DEEPER CONTEXTAnalysis · Risks · Arguments
WHY THIS MONEY IS BEING SPENT
WHY WAS THIS FUNDED?
The federal government regularly contracts with private companies to provide communications infrastructure that government agencies cannot efficiently build or run on their own. The specific legal authority or program behind this award is not listed in the available data.
WHAT PUBLIC PROBLEM IS IT TRYING TO SOLVE?
Federal law enforcement and justice agencies need reliable, secure communication networks to do their jobs, including coordinating investigations, sharing data, and connecting offices across the country. This contract is meant to ensure those systems stay operational.
WHO BENEFITS?
DOJ employees, federal law enforcement agents, and the government offices that rely on secure communications to carry out their work benefit from this contract. Indirectly, the public benefits when federal agencies can communicate efficiently to enforce laws and deliver justice.
Plain-language reading generated from the USASpending award record. Not legal or financial advice.
RISKS AND TRADEOFFS
WHAT ARE THE RISKS?
A contract worth over $670 million awarded to a single large company over roughly eight years carries risks of limited competition and reduced incentive to control costs. Oversight is important to make sure services are delivered as promised and taxpayer money is used efficiently.
WHAT HAPPENS IF FUNDING IS REMOVED?
If this contract were cancelled, DOJ agencies could lose access to critical communication systems, disrupting day-to-day operations and potentially slowing investigations or coordination between offices. The agency would need to find alternative providers or solutions, which could take significant time and money.
FOR AND AGAINST
ARGUMENTS FOR
- •Reliable telecommunications are essential for federal law enforcement to function, and this contract helps ensure DOJ agencies stay connected and operational.
- •Contracting with an established provider like AT&T can offer proven infrastructure and technical expertise that the government may not be able to build on its own.
- •The long contract period (through 2027) provides stability and predictability for government planning and budgeting.
ARGUMENTS AGAINST
- •A single award of over $670 million to one company limits competition, which can reduce pressure to keep prices low and services high quality.
- •Long-term contracts can lock the government into outdated technology or unfavorable terms if the telecommunications landscape changes significantly.
- •Large, multi-year government contracts with major corporations can be difficult to monitor closely, raising concerns about waste or underperformance.
SPENDING TIMELINE
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Written opinion on whether this spending is appropriate · not a duplicate of the Worth It / Wasteful vote or spending record. Similar opinions on this spending record can open a solution poll.
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