Federal News
DHS Awards Camp East Montana Detention Contract
March 21, 2026
The Department of Homeland Security has awarded a $452.9 million contract to Amentum Services Inc. to serve as the new primary contractor managing the Camp East Montana immigration detention center near El Paso, Texas. This contract replaces Acquisition Logistics LLC amid concerns over substandard detention conditions and oversight issues at the facility. The award aims to improve detention standards, medical care, and operational oversight at the center. Procurement professionals should note the significant contract value and the shift in prime contractor, which may impact subcontracting opportunities and service requirements in detention facility management.
- The contract covers detention, transportation, and medical services at Camp East Montana, a temporary facility with a capacity to house thousands of detainees.
- This transition reflects DHS's response to prior contractor performance concerns, signaling increased scrutiny and potential for enhanced compliance and reporting requirements.
- Vendors specializing in detention operations, medical services, and facility management should evaluate capabilities aligned with DHS standards and oversight expectations.
- The contract award highlights ongoing federal investment in immigration detention infrastructure and services in Texas, a key geographic area for border-related procurements.
While Iβm relieved that Acquisition Logistics has been fired by DHS, they should also be investigated for the fraud theyβve perpetrated on the American taxpayer. Whether the new contractor is an improvement remains to be seen, and I remain deeply concerned about the chronic substandard conditions that exist at Camp East Montana. That tent facility should be shuttered, and ICEβs plan to literally warehouse 8500 human beings in Socorro should be terminated.
— Veronica Escobar, El Paso Congresswoman
Agencies
Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Vendors
Amentum Services Inc., Acquisition Logistics LLC
Contracts
$452.9 million, $1.2 billion