National Conservation Training Center security services awarded to The Whitestone Group for over $2.1 million

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,121,718 ($2.1M)

Contractor: THE Whitestone Group, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-03-12

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,114 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SECURITY GUARD SERVICES FOR THE NATIONAL CONSERVATION TRAINING CENTER

Place of Performance

Location: SHEPHERDSTOWN, JEFFERSON County, WEST VIRGINIA, 25443

State: West Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $2.1 million to THE WHITESTONE GROUP, INC. for work described as: SECURITY GUARD SERVICES FOR THE NATIONAL CONSERVATION TRAINING CENTER Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the duration and scope of services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Contract duration of nearly three years indicates a need for sustained security. 4. Fixed-price contract type helps control costs for the government. 5. The contract is positioned within the security services sector, supporting federal facilities. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized, potentially limiting opportunities for smaller firms.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2,121,718.17 over approximately 3 years for security guard services at a federal training center appears to be within a reasonable range for this type of service. Benchmarking against similar contracts for facility security at federal installations of comparable size and scope would provide a more precise value assessment. The firm fixed-price structure is generally favorable for cost control.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of 4 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this requirement. This competitive environment is expected to drive more favorable pricing and service offerings for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive bidding process likely resulted in a more cost-effective outcome for taxpayers compared to a sole-source or limited competition award.

Public Impact

Provides essential security services for the National Conservation Training Center. Ensures the safety and security of personnel, visitors, and government property. Supports the operational continuity of the training center, which serves a national audience. The contract is geographically focused on West Virginia, impacting the local workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for contractor performance issues given the duration of the contract.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical security functions.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty.
Contract duration aligns with the need for consistent security operations.

Sector Analysis

The security services sector is a significant market supporting federal agencies. This contract falls under the broader category of security guards and patrol services (NAICS 561612). Federal spending in this area is consistent, with agencies requiring robust security for facilities, personnel, and assets. This specific contract supports a specialized training facility, highlighting the diverse needs within the federal security landscape.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, and there is no indication of specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. This means that opportunities for small businesses to directly participate in this contract are limited unless they are subcontractors to the prime awardee. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting plans were part of the award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service contracting officer and program officials. Performance monitoring, invoice review, and adherence to contract terms are standard oversight mechanisms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports may not always be publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers Security Contracts
Department of the Interior Facility Security Contracts
National Park Service Security Services
General Services Administration (GSA) Schedules for Security Services

Risk Flags

Contract Duration
Performance Monitoring
Security Service Reliability

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $2.1 million to THE WHITESTONE GROUP, INC.. SECURITY GUARD SERVICES FOR THE NATIONAL CONSERVATION TRAINING CENTER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE WHITESTONE GROUP, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-03-12. End: 2027-03-31.

What is the track record of The Whitestone Group, Inc. with federal contracts, particularly in security services?

The Whitestone Group, Inc. has a history of performing federal contracts, primarily in the security services domain. Analyzing their past performance on similar contracts, including any reported issues, contract modifications, or terminations, would provide insight into their reliability and capability. Federal procurement data often shows award history, contract values, and agencies served. A review of their performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS) would be crucial to assess their past success in meeting government requirements, managing costs, and adhering to schedules. Understanding their experience with firm fixed-price contracts and the specific security needs of training facilities would further inform this assessment.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar security guard services in West Virginia?

To benchmark the awarded price of $2,121,718.17 against market rates for similar security guard services in West Virginia, one would typically compare it to data from industry surveys, commercial security provider quotes for comparable services, and potentially other federal or state contracts for similar requirements in the region. Factors such as the number of guards, hours of coverage, required skill sets (e.g., armed vs. unarmed, specialized training), and the specific security needs of the National Conservation Training Center would need to be considered. Without specific details on these service parameters, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the firm fixed-price nature of the contract suggests that the contractor has factored these costs into their bid, and the competitive award process implies the price is likely aligned with what the market would bear under such conditions.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Primary risks for this contract include potential contractor performance issues (failure to provide adequate staffing, training, or responsiveness), security breaches due to inadequate service, and potential cost overruns if the fixed-price contract contains poorly defined scope or escalation clauses. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust performance monitoring by the government, clear performance standards and metrics within the contract, regular communication channels, and defined remedies for non-performance. The firm fixed-price structure itself mitigates cost overrun risk for the government, provided the scope is well-defined. The competitive award process also reduces the risk of selecting an underqualified contractor.

How effective is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in managing security contracts of this nature?

The effectiveness of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) in managing security contracts can be assessed by examining their historical contract performance data, the frequency of contract disputes or modifications, and the overall security posture of the facilities they manage. FWS, as part of the Department of the Interior, has experience managing a wide range of service contracts. Their ability to effectively manage this contract would depend on the expertise of their contracting officers, the clarity of their performance work statements, and the diligence of their contract administration and oversight teams. Reviewing past performance reports for similar FWS security contracts could offer insights into their management capabilities and identify any recurring challenges or best practices.

What has been the historical spending pattern for security services at the National Conservation Training Center?

To determine historical spending patterns for security services at the National Conservation Training Center, one would need to access historical contract data for this specific facility. This would involve searching federal procurement databases for previous awards related to security services at the center, noting the award dates, contract values, durations, and contractors. Analyzing this data would reveal trends in spending levels, identify incumbent contractors, and show whether security needs have remained consistent or evolved over time. Understanding past spending provides a baseline for evaluating the current contract's value and identifying any significant deviations or increases in cost.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: GSARFQ1672654

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6422 E MAIN ST STE 101, REYNOLDSBURG, OH, 43068

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,743,231

Exercised Options: $2,121,718

Current Obligation: $2,121,718

Actual Outlays: $1,113,197

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS07F9142S

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline