Interior's National Park Service awards $5.5M contract for alarm monitoring services to Security Alarms of Tupelo Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $5,500 ($5.5K)
Contractor: Security Alarms of Tupelo Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2026-04-10
End Date: 2026-08-31
Contract Duration: 143 days
Daily Burn Rate: $38/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: 2026(FY) NATR ALARM MONITORING SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: TUPELO, LEE County, MISSISSIPPI, 38804
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $5,500 to SECURITY ALARMS OF TUPELO INC for work described as: 2026(FY) NATR ALARM MONITORING SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract is for alarm monitoring services, a critical component for facility security. 2. Competition was limited, raising questions about potential price discovery. 3. The award is a firm-fixed-price purchase order, providing cost certainty. 4. The small business status of the awardee is not specified, impacting potential set-aside analysis.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $5.5M for a 143-day period appears high for alarm monitoring services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for similar scope and duration is needed to assess value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was not competed, indicating a limited competition approach. This limits the opportunity for price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for these essential security services.
Public Impact
Ensures security for National Park Service facilities. Supports the operational readiness of critical infrastructure. Potential for increased costs due to limited competition.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 38 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition
- Potential overpricing due to lack of competition
- Short contract duration may indicate a need for future competition
Positive Signals
- Essential service for national parks
- Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty
Sector Analysis
Alarm monitoring services fall under the broader security systems services sector. Spending in this sector can vary significantly based on the size and complexity of the facilities being protected.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether Security Alarms of Tupelo Inc. is a small business. Further analysis is needed to determine if small business goals were considered or met.
Oversight & Accountability
The award was made via a purchase order, which typically has less stringent oversight than larger contract vehicles. The lack of competition warrants closer review.
Related Government Programs
- Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths)
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- National Park Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potentially high cost
- Short contract duration
- Unclear small business participation
Tags
security-systems-services-except-locksmi, department-of-the-interior, ms, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $5,500 to SECURITY ALARMS OF TUPELO INC. 2026(FY) NATR ALARM MONITORING SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SECURITY ALARMS OF TUPELO 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 $5,500.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2026-08-31.
What is the typical cost for alarm monitoring services for a similar scope and duration in the federal government?
Typical costs for alarm monitoring services can vary widely based on the number of sensors, response times, and geographic location. However, for a 143-day period, a $5.5M contract value seems exceptionally high. Benchmarking against similar contracts, especially those awarded competitively, would be crucial to determine a fair market price and identify potential overspending.
What are the risks associated with awarding alarm monitoring services through a non-competed process?
The primary risk of a non-competed award is the lack of price competition, which can lead to inflated prices and reduced value for taxpayer dollars. It also limits the government's ability to leverage innovation and best practices from a wider pool of vendors, potentially impacting service quality and reliability.
How effective is the National Park Service in securing competitive bids for essential security services?
The effectiveness of the National Park Service in securing competitive bids for essential security services is not fully discernible from this single data point. While this award was not competed, it's possible that other similar service procurements are handled competitively. A broader review of NPS contracting practices would be needed to assess their overall effectiveness in this area.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Investigation and Security Services › Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths)
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2125 HIGHWAY 145, SALTILLO, MS, 38866
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $5,500
Exercised Options: $5,500
Current Obligation: $5,500
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-10
Current End Date: 2026-08-31
Potential End Date: 2026-08-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-10
Other Department of the Interior Contracts
- Department of Health and Human Services, Administration of Children and Families, Office of Refugee Resettlement's Legal Services for Unaccompanied Children — $832.4M (Acacia Center for Justice)
- Military Family Life Counseling Program Igf::ot::igf — $638.8M (MHN Government Services LLC)
- Military Family Life Counseling Program — $637.0M (Magellan Healthcare Inc)
- Grants Program Solutions and Information Technology Support Services — $446.3M (Guidehouse Digital LLC)
- THE Purpose of This Requirement for Grants Program Solutions and IT Support Services IS to Provide Efficient and Effective Grant, Financial, and Contract Management Services, IT Solutions, and Support to the Grantsolutions and ITS Partners — $403.1M (Guidehouse Inc.)