U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to keep Camp East Montana open for at least another year with Amentum Services, according to documents published last Wednesday. The contract extension is valued at $776 million.

Contract Details

Amentum was initially awarded the contract in March, which was valued at $452 million. The company took over Camp East Montana after the previous contractor, Acquisition Logistics, had its contract reviewed. The total contract value will be more than $1.2 billion if Amentum operates the detention facility through September 2027.

ICE argued that full and open competition can’t be used, and no other contractor can meet the agency’s needs in the documents. The agency stated that the acquisition is critical to maintaining uninterrupted detention operations following contract termination, ensuring ICE’s statutory mandate for the custody and removal of illegal immigrants subject to immigration proceedings.

Facility Operations

ICE also mentioned a lack of alternative bedspace available nationwide, and said no other contractor can provide services without significant risk to detainee welfare. The agency said it tried looking into a different provider or moving detainees, but determined those choices impracticable.

A DHS spokesperson stated that Camp East Montana is not closing and that ICE has contracted with a new provider following the termination of the old contract. The new contractor will allow Camp East Montana to continue abiding by the highest detention standards with the ability to provide more medical care on-site.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.