# GAO Flags DoD Detention Contract Waste

A Government Accountability Office review found that DoD obligated approximately $68 million for immigration-detention support, including $2.85 million for tents at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay that DHS did not use after determining they did not meet detention standards. The review also found Army meal-service spending at Camp East Montana did not adjust to lower-than-maximum occupancy. Separately, GSA’s protested USAccess credentialing award to XTec became final with a $237.6 million ceiling, and the Army announced plans to centralize acquisition authority for priority autonomous capabilities.

- Agencies planning rapid mobilization should validate operational requirements and applicable standards before committing funds; the unused Guantanamo tents illustrate the cost of proceeding before requirements are confirmed.
- For variable-demand services such as meal provision, procurement teams should consider occupancy-based or variable-quantity terms that allow costs to adjust when actual demand is below the maximum.
- The Army’s planned centralized authority for priority autonomous capabilities may change acquisition decision paths for companies pursuing those requirements; the signal does not specify a solicitation or contract opportunity.
- XTec’s USAccess award is final at a **$237.6 million ceiling** over 10 years, following protests. The signals provide no new solicitation or action deadline.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military, Information Technology, Public Safety
**Topics:** Digital Infrastructure, Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** October 07, 2026

### Government Entities
- Department of Defense (DoD)
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- Government Accountability Office (GAO)
- General Services Administration (GSA)
- U.S. Army (Army)

### Vendors
- XTec (awardee)

### Sources
- [
        DoD wasted millions helping DHS increase immigration detection capacity - Federal News Network](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/federal-newscast/2026/10/dod-wasted-millions-helping-dhs-increase-immigration-detection-capacity) - Federal News Network
- [
        DoD wasted millions helping DHS increase immigration detection capacity - Federal News Network](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/podcast/federal-newscast-podcast/dod-wasted-millions-helping-dhs-increase-immigration-detection-capacity) - Federal News Network