Commerce Department awards $6.6M security guard contract to Centerra Group, LLC for USPTO services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,588,167 ($6.6M)

Contractor: Centerra Group, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2025-08-15

End Date: 2026-02-14

Contract Duration: 183 days

Daily Burn Rate: $36.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: SECURITY GUARD SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22314

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $6.6 million to CENTERRA GROUP, LLC for work described as: SECURITY GUARD SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for the scope of security guard services over an 183-day period. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. No specific risk indicators are immediately apparent from the provided data. 4. Performance context is limited to the specified delivery order period. 5. This contract falls within the broader security services sector. 6. The contract is a delivery order against a larger contract vehicle, indicating potential for future taskings.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $6.6 million for 183 days of security guard services suggests a daily rate of roughly $36,000. This rate needs to be benchmarked against similar contracts for security guard services, considering factors like the number of guards, hours, and specific security requirements. Without more detailed information on the service level, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money, but the overall award amount seems within a plausible range for comprehensive security operations.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The number of bidders is not specified, but the use of full and open competition is a positive sign for price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the potential for competitive pricing and a wider selection of qualified vendors, ensuring that the government secures services at a fair market value.

Public Impact

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will benefit from enhanced security services. Services delivered include security guard and patrol functions. The geographic impact is concentrated in Virginia, where the USPTO facilities are located. The contract supports jobs within the security services industry.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process.
Contract duration is clearly defined, providing a specific period of service.
The contract is a delivery order, which is a standard method for procuring services under an existing contract vehicle.

Sector Analysis

The security guard and patrol services industry is a significant component of the broader security services sector. This contract, valued at $6.6 million over approximately six months, represents a mid-sized award within this domain. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal contracts for similar security services, considering the size and complexity of the facilities being protected. The market is characterized by numerous providers, ranging from large corporations to smaller specialized firms.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary impact on small businesses would be through potential subcontracting opportunities, which are not detailed here. Without specific subcontracting plans or goals, it's difficult to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this particular award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the contract terms and conditions, including performance standards and payment schedules. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like SAM.gov, where contract awards are published. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Protective Service Contracts
Department of Homeland Security Security Services
General Services Administration Schedules for Security Services

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $6.6 million to CENTERRA GROUP, LLC. SECURITY GUARD SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CENTERRA GROUP, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-08-15. End: 2026-02-14.

What is the historical spending pattern for security guard services at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office?

Analyzing historical spending for security guard services at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) would involve reviewing past contract awards for similar services. This would include identifying the incumbent contractors, the duration and value of previous contracts, and the procurement methods used (e.g., full and open competition, sole source). Understanding historical spending helps establish a baseline for current contract values, identify trends in service requirements, and assess whether spending has increased or decreased over time. For instance, if previous contracts were significantly lower in value or duration, it might warrant further investigation into the reasons for the current award's scale. Conversely, consistent spending patterns could indicate stable security needs.

How does the awarded price per day compare to industry benchmarks for similar security guard services?

To compare the awarded price per day to industry benchmarks, we first calculate the daily rate. With a contract value of $6,588,166.67 over 183 days, the approximate daily cost is $36,000. This figure needs to be contextualized by the number of personnel, hours worked, and the specific security services provided (e.g., armed vs. unarmed guards, specialized surveillance). Industry benchmarks for security guard services can vary widely based on location, labor costs, and the level of expertise required. Resources like industry reports from security associations or government cost analysis data could provide comparative figures. If this daily rate is significantly higher than benchmarks for comparable services, it could indicate potential overpricing or a need for more specialized, higher-cost security measures.

What is Centerra Group, LLC's track record with federal contracts, particularly in security services?

Centerra Group, LLC has a significant track record with federal contracts, often involving security, logistics, and facility management services, particularly for agencies like the Department of Defense and Department of Justice. Their experience often includes providing security for high-risk environments and critical infrastructure. When evaluating their performance on this specific contract, it would be prudent to review their past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS) for similar security contracts. A history of successful contract completion, positive performance reviews, and adherence to federal regulations would indicate a lower risk. Conversely, any past performance issues, such as contract disputes, quality control problems, or compliance failures, would raise concerns about their ability to meet the requirements of this new award.

What are the specific security requirements and service levels mandated by this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'Security Guards and Patrol Services' (NAICS 561612) and is a 'Delivery Order' with a 'Labor Hours' (PT) type. However, the specific security requirements and detailed service levels are not included in this summary. These would typically be outlined in the Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS) associated with the contract. Key details would include the number of guards required per shift, their qualifications (e.g., certifications, background checks, training), specific patrol routes and frequencies, emergency response protocols, access control procedures, and reporting requirements. Understanding these specifics is crucial for assessing the contract's value, the contractor's capabilities, and the overall effectiveness of the security measures being implemented.

Are there any indications of potential cost overruns or budget risks associated with this contract?

Based solely on the provided data, there are no explicit indications of potential cost overruns or budget risks. The contract value is fixed for the delivery order period. However, risks can emerge if the labor hours are underestimated, if unforeseen security incidents require additional resources beyond the scope, or if the contractor's pricing was based on optimistic assumptions. The 'Labor Hours' contract type means that the government pays for the actual hours worked, which can lead to cost fluctuations. Robust oversight, clear performance metrics, and a well-defined scope of work are essential to mitigate these risks. Monitoring the contractor's billing and performance against the SOW will be key to identifying any emerging budget concerns.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Investigation and Security Services › Security Guards and Patrol Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 13530 DULLES TECHNOLOGY DR, HERNDON, VA, 20171

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,588,167

Exercised Options: $6,588,167

Current Obligation: $6,588,167

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSWA23D008F

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline