Interior's $379K contract for Statue of Liberty screening system maintenance awarded to Smiths Detection Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $379,592 ($379.6K)

Contractor: Smiths Detection Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-04-01

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,094 days

Daily Burn Rate: $347/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SERVICES FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF SMITH'S DETECTION SCREENING SYSTEM EQUIPMENT AT THE STATUE OF LIBERTY NATIONAL MONUMENT AND ELLIS ISLAND,

Place of Performance

Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK County, NEW YORK, 10006

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $379,592.04 to SMITHS DETECTION INC. for work described as: SERVICES FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF SMITH'S DETECTION SCREENING SYSTEM EQUIPMENT AT THE STATUE OF LIBERTY NATIONAL MONUMENT AND ELLIS ISLAND, Key points: 1. Value for money is difficult to assess due to lack of competition and limited public data. 2. The contract is sole-sourced, raising concerns about potential overpricing and lack of market pressure. 3. Risk indicators include the sole-source nature and reliance on a single vendor for critical equipment. 4. Performance context is limited to maintenance of screening systems at a high-profile national monument. 5. Sector positioning is within the specialized field of security screening technology manufacturing and support.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to its sole-source nature and the specialized equipment involved. Without competitive bids or comparable contracts for similar systems at other national parks, it's difficult to definitively assess if the $379,592 price represents a fair market value. The firm-fixed-price structure provides some cost certainty, but the lack of competition limits the ability to ensure optimal pricing for taxpayers.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This means only one vendor, Smiths Detection Inc., was considered for the work. The lack of competition limits the government's ability to explore alternative solutions or leverage market forces to achieve better pricing. It suggests that Smiths Detection Inc. may be the only qualified provider or that the circumstances of the award did not allow for a competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can lead to higher costs for taxpayers as there is no competitive pressure to drive down prices. This contract's lack of competition means the government may be paying a premium for the maintenance services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the National Park Service and visitors to the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island, ensuring the continued operation of security screening equipment. The services delivered include maintenance and repair of Smiths Detection screening system equipment, crucial for security operations. The geographic impact is localized to the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island in New York. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving specialized technicians from the contractor, with no direct impact on park staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits price discovery and potentially increases costs.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical security equipment maintenance poses a risk if the vendor experiences issues.
Lack of transparency in the procurement process due to sole-sourcing.

Positive Signals

Contract ensures continued operation of essential security screening systems.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the duration of the agreement.
Smiths Detection is a known entity in the screening technology market.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the security and defense technology sector, specifically focusing on the maintenance of specialized screening systems. The market for such equipment is often characterized by high barriers to entry due to proprietary technology and stringent certification requirements. While the overall market size for security screening technology is substantial, individual maintenance contracts for specific systems are niche. This contract represents a small but critical component of maintaining national security infrastructure at a prominent landmark.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to involve any small business set-asides or subcontracting opportunities. The award was made directly to Smiths Detection Inc., a large corporation, and there is no indication of efforts to engage small businesses in the performance of this maintenance work.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the National Park Service's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the contract terms, requiring the contractor to perform services to a specified standard. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, with fewer public details available compared to competed contracts. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

National Park Service Maintenance Contracts
Security Screening Equipment Maintenance
Department of the Interior IT and Equipment Contracts
Sole-Source Procurements

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
Limited performance data available

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $379,592.04 to SMITHS DETECTION INC.. SERVICES FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF SMITH'S DETECTION SCREENING SYSTEM EQUIPMENT AT THE STATUE OF LIBERTY NATIONAL MONUMENT AND ELLIS ISLAND,

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SMITHS DETECTION INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (National Park Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $379,592.04.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-04-01. End: 2027-03-31.

What is the track record of Smiths Detection Inc. with federal contracts, particularly for maintenance of screening systems?

Smiths Detection Inc. has a significant history of federal contracts, primarily related to security screening equipment. They are a major provider of advanced threat detection solutions for aviation, ports, borders, and critical infrastructure. Their federal contract portfolio includes numerous awards for the sale, installation, and maintenance of various screening systems, such as X-ray scanners and explosive detection systems. While specific details on past performance for similar systems at national monuments are not readily available in the public domain, their extensive experience suggests a strong capability in this area. However, the value and terms of past contracts would need to be analyzed to benchmark this specific award effectively.

How does the cost of this contract compare to similar maintenance contracts for security screening systems at other federal facilities?

Direct comparison of this contract's cost to similar maintenance contracts is difficult due to the sole-source nature of the award and the specialized equipment involved. Publicly available data often lacks the granularity to match specific system types, maintenance scopes, and contract durations across different agencies. Typically, competitive bidding processes for such services would yield a range of prices, allowing for a clear benchmark. In the absence of competition, it is challenging to ascertain if the $379,592 for approximately three years of service represents a competitive market rate or if it is inflated due to the lack of alternative providers being considered.

What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source contract for critical security equipment maintenance?

The primary risks associated with a sole-source contract for critical security equipment maintenance include potential overpricing, reduced incentive for the contractor to innovate or provide superior service, and a lack of flexibility if the contractor fails to perform or goes out of business. Taxpayers may bear a higher cost without the benefit of competitive pricing. Furthermore, reliance on a single vendor for essential security functions can create vulnerabilities if that vendor experiences supply chain disruptions, financial instability, or decides to discontinue the product line. The government also loses the opportunity to explore potentially more cost-effective or technologically advanced solutions that might be offered by other vendors.

What is the historical spending pattern for maintenance of screening systems at the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island?

Historical spending data for screening system maintenance specifically at the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island is not readily available in the provided data or easily accessible through public contract databases. This contract, awarded in April 2024, is the first indication of such spending for this specific equipment. Without prior contract awards for the maintenance of these particular Smiths Detection systems at this location, it is impossible to establish a historical spending pattern. Future contracts or amendments would be needed to build a trend.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the broader market for security screening system maintenance?

This specific contract is unlikely to have a significant impact on the broader market for security screening system maintenance. It is a relatively small, niche contract focused on a specific piece of equipment at a single, high-profile location. The market for security screening technology is dominated by a few large manufacturers, and maintenance contracts are typically tied to the specific systems they produce. The sole-source nature of this award further limits its market impact, as it does not foster competition or encourage new entrants. Its primary significance is ensuring the operational readiness of security equipment at a critical national site.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: QUALITY CONTROL, TEST, INSPECTION › OTHER QUALITY, TEST, INSPECT SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140P4524Q0015

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2202 LAKESIDE BLVD, EDGEWOOD, MD, 21040

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $379,592

Exercised Options: $379,592

Current Obligation: $379,592

Actual Outlays: $228,221

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline