Washington (AP) – When President Donald Trump’s administration Last month, they awarded contracts worth up to $1.2 billion, building and operating what they say The largest immigration detention facility in the countrydid not even rely on large government contractors or companies specializing in private prisons.
Instead, he handed over a project at a military base at Acquisition Logistics LLC, a small business with no experience running correctional facilities and never won a federal contract of more than $16 million. The company also lacks a functional website and lists it as the address of a modest home outside of Virginia, owned by a 77-year-old retired Navy Airman.
The award-based mystery only deepened last week as new facilities began accepting first detainees. The Pentagon refused to explain why it chose Acquisition Logistics over the other 12 bidders to build a massive tent camp in Fort Bliss, Western Texas. At least one competitor filed a complaint.
The secret and active contract process is symbolic, experts said to meet the wider rush of government. Republican President’s pledge Arrested and deported An estimated 10 million immigrants I live in the United States without permanent legal status. As part of that push, governments are increasingly directed towards the military and dealing with tasks traditionally entrusted to civilian agencies.
Members of the council, who recently toured the camp, said they were concerned that such a small, inexperienced company has been delegated to construct and operate facilities expected to accommodate up to 5,000 migrants.
“It’s too easy for standards to slip,” said Rep. Veronica Escobar, a Democrat, including districts that include Fort Visto. “Private facilities are often run with profit margins in mind, as opposed to government facilities.”
Attorney Joshua Schnell, who specializes in federal contract law, said he is troubled by the Trump administration providing little information about the facility.
“This lack of transparency regarding the contract leads to legitimate questions as to why the Army awards such a large contract to the company without any other public information indicating the Army’s ability to carry out such complex projects,” he said.
Ken A. Wagner, president and CEO of Acquisition Logistics, did not respond to phone messages or emails. No one answered the door of his three bedroom home, listed as the headquarters of his company. Virginia records list Wagner as the owner of the business, but it is unclear whether he has a partner.
The Army refuses to release the contract
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegses It was approved using Fort Bliss for the new detention center, and the administration hopes to build more on other bases. An Army spokesperson either refused to discuss the deal with acquisition logistics or revealed details regarding the construction of the camp, citing a lawsuit relating to the company’s qualifications.
The Department of Homeland Security, which includes US immigration and customs enforcement, declined to answer questions about the detention camps they oversee.
The facility, named Camp East Montana on the nearest road, is being built in the Sand and Scrub Chihuahua desert. Summer temperatures exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit, with heat-related deaths common. The 60 acre (24 hectares) site is located near the US-Mexico border and El Paso International Airport. Deportation.
There are comparisons at camp “Wannial Catraz” A $245 million tent complex built to house ice detainees in the Everglades, Florida. The facility is subject to complaints about unsanitary conditions and litigation. Recent federal judges He ordered the facility to be closed..
The majority of the approximately 57,000 immigrants detained on the ice are housed in Private prison It is run by companies such as the Florida GEO Group and Tennessee-based Corecivic. Once these facilities are full, ICE is also exploring temporary options at military bases in California, New York and Utah.
At Fort Bliss, construction began within days of the Army’s issuance of the contract on July 18th. Site work began months ago before Congress passed Trump’s major tax and spending reduction bill. The Department of Defense announcement only specified that the Army is funding the first $232 million of the first 1,000 beds of the complex.
Three white tents have been built, each about 810 feet (250 meters) long, according to satellite images examined by the Associated Press. A half dozen small buildings surround them.
Setareh Ghandehari, a spokesman for the advocacy group detention clock, said the use of the military base would return to World War II when Japanese Americans were imprisoned in army camps, including Fort Bliss. She said military facilities are particularly prone to abuse and neglect, as it is difficult for family and loved ones to access them.
“The conditions at all detention facilities are inherently awful,” Gundehari said. “But when there is less access and surveillance, it creates more potential for abuse.”
The company is responsible for security
The June 9 solicitation notice for the Fort Bliss Project designated the contractor to be responsible for the construction and operation of the detention center, including security and medical provision. This document also requires strict confidentiality and orders the contractor to answer calls from ICE or news media.
Bids were only open to small businesses such as acquisition logistics. This will receive priority status as it is classified as a small underprivileged business owned by veterans and Hispanics.
Trump’s administration fought Prohibit diversity, equity and comprehensive programsfederal contract rules include set-asides of small businesses owned by women or minorities. For a company to compete for such contracts, at least 51% must be owned by people belonging to a disadvantaged race or ethnic group designated by the federal government.
One of the losers, Texas-based Gemini Technology University, has filed a protest challenge to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the independent surveillance unit of Congress to resolve such disputes, challenges the award and the Army’s rushed construction timeline.
Gemini claims that acquisition logistics lacks experience, staffing and resources, according to people familiar with complaints they spoke to in anonymous state. Past jobs in acquired logistics include repairing small boats for the Air Force, providing information technology support to the Department of Defense, and building temporary offices to help enforce immigration, federal records say.
Gemini and his attorneys did not respond to messages seeking comment.
There is no anticipation of a GAO ruling on whether to maintain, dismiss or request corrective action by November. The legal appeal is also pending in the US federal court in Washington.
Contracting attorney Schnell said acquisition logistics could be working with large companies. Geo Group Inc. and Corecivic Corp. are the nation’s largest for-profit prison operators and are interested in contracting with the Pentagon to house immigrants.
In this month’s revenue call, George Zoley, CEO of GEO Group, said his company worked with established Pentagon contractors. Zoley did not name the company, and Geo Group did not respond to repeated requests asking who they partnered with.
A spokesperson for Corecivic said it has not partnered with acquisition logistics or Gemini.
___
Goodman reported from Miami. AP reporter Alan Suderman from Richmond, Virginia contributed to this report.
___
(Email Protection) or contact the AP’s Global Research Team https://www.ap.org/tips/.
