Justice Department awards $748K for camera system maintenance, highlighting need for reliable surveillance

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $748,399 ($748.4K)

Contractor: Signet Technologies, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-10-01

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 181 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NATIONAL SECURITY CAMERA DVR/NVR MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT SERVICES 10/01/2025-3/31/2026

Place of Performance

Location: COLUMBIA, HOWARD County, MARYLAND, 21046

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $748,398.72 to SIGNET TECHNOLOGIES, INC. for work described as: NATIONAL SECURITY CAMERA DVR/NVR MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT SERVICES 10/01/2025-3/31/2026 Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential maintenance for critical security infrastructure. 2. Limited duration suggests a specific, short-term operational need. 3. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide predictability. 4. Sole contractor indicates potential for specialized services or limited market availability. 5. Geographic focus on Maryland points to specific facility requirements. 6. Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing NAICS code seems misaligned with contract description.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $748,398.72 for an 18-month period for camera system maintenance appears reasonable given the specialized nature of security equipment. Benchmarking against similar maintenance contracts for federal facilities is challenging without more detailed service scope. However, the fixed-price nature provides cost certainty for the Bureau of Prisons. The value is moderate for a federal contract of this type.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The competition level is listed as 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION', but the data indicates only one awardee, 'SIGNET TECHNOLOGIES, INC.'. This suggests that while the opportunity was open, only one offer was received or deemed acceptable. Further investigation into the solicitation details would clarify if this was due to a lack of qualified bidders, a highly specialized requirement, or other factors that limited participation.

Taxpayer Impact: When a contract is open to full competition but results in a single award, taxpayers may not benefit from the full range of price reductions typically seen with multiple competitive bids. This could lead to a higher price than if more vendors had participated.

Public Impact

Federal Prison System facilities benefit from maintained security camera systems, enhancing safety and operational efficiency. The services ensure the continued functionality of surveillance equipment, crucial for monitoring inmate activity and facility security. The contract's geographic impact is concentrated in Maryland, where the specific facilities requiring maintenance are located. The contract supports specialized technical roles related to the maintenance and support of security technology.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential misalignment between the stated NAICS code (334512 - Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing) and the contract's purpose (camera system maintenance).
Limited contract duration (18 months) may indicate a temporary solution or a need for re-competition soon.
Lack of clarity on the number of bids received despite 'full and open competition' status raises questions about market engagement.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract type helps control costs and provides budget predictability for the agency.
The contract addresses a critical need for maintaining national security and correctional facility surveillance systems.
Award to a single vendor may indicate specialized expertise required for the specific camera systems.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader Information Technology and Security Services sector, specifically focusing on the maintenance and support of surveillance equipment. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous providers offering solutions for government and commercial clients. Federal spending in this area is substantial, driven by the need for robust security infrastructure across various agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing contracts for similar maintenance and support services for electronic security systems within federal correctional facilities or other law enforcement agencies.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a specific set-aside requirement for this particular award. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications mandated by small business set-aside provisions. The prime contractor, Signet Technologies, Inc., is not explicitly identified as a small business. Analysis of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses would require further examination of the contract's terms and the prime contractor's subcontracting plan, if any.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Justice, specifically the Federal Prison System/Bureau of Prisons. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract type, which obligates the contractor to deliver specified services within a set budget. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases where such awards are reported. The Inspector General for the Department of Justice would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Security Equipment Maintenance
Department of Justice Surveillance Technology Contracts
National Security Camera System Support
Bureau of Prisons IT Infrastructure Services

Risk Flags

NAICS Code Misalignment
Potential Lack of Robust Competition
Limited Contract Duration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $748,398.72 to SIGNET TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. NATIONAL SECURITY CAMERA DVR/NVR MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT SERVICES 10/01/2025-3/31/2026

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SIGNET TECHNOLOGIES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $748,398.72.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2026-03-31.

What is the specific nature of the 'NATIONAL SECURITY CAMERA DVR/NVR MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT SERVICES' being provided under this contract?

The contract specifies maintenance and support services for National Security Camera Digital Video Recorder (DVR) and Network Video Recorder (NVR) systems. This typically includes routine preventative maintenance, diagnostic services, troubleshooting, repair of malfunctioning components, software updates, and potentially on-site technical support to ensure the continuous operation of the surveillance systems. The goal is to maintain the integrity and functionality of the recording and monitoring infrastructure critical for security operations within federal correctional facilities.

How does the awarded value of $748,398.72 compare to similar federal contracts for camera system maintenance?

Benchmarking this contract's value requires comparing it to similar firm-fixed-price contracts for DVR/NVR maintenance and support services awarded by agencies like the Bureau of Prisons or other law enforcement entities. Factors such as the number of cameras, types of systems (DVR vs. NVR), geographic scope, and service level agreements (e.g., response times, uptime guarantees) significantly influence pricing. Without specific details on these parameters for comparable contracts, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. However, the value appears moderate for a specialized federal maintenance contract over an 18-month period.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding this contract to a single vendor, even under 'full and open competition'?

Awarding to a single vendor, even after a 'full and open competition' process, can present risks such as reduced price competition, potential for vendor lock-in, and limited flexibility if the vendor's performance declines or their business circumstances change. It may also indicate a highly specialized market where few vendors possess the required expertise, potentially leading to higher costs or reliance on a single source for critical services. If the competition was indeed open, but only one bid was received, it warrants investigation into the solicitation's attractiveness and market conditions.

What is the historical spending pattern for camera system maintenance and support services by the Federal Prison System?

Analyzing historical spending requires accessing federal procurement data over several fiscal years. The Federal Prison System (FPS) likely has ongoing requirements for maintaining its extensive surveillance infrastructure across numerous facilities. Spending patterns would reveal trends in contract values, types of services procured (e.g., hardware maintenance, software support, system upgrades), and the primary contractors utilized. Consistent or increasing spending in this category would underscore the critical and enduring nature of these services for correctional facility operations and security.

How does the stated NAICS code (334512) align with the contract's description of camera system maintenance?

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 334512 pertains to 'Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing for Residential, Commercial, and Appliance Use.' This code is significantly misaligned with the contract's description, which clearly focuses on 'NATIONAL SECURITY CAMERA DVR/NVR MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT SERVICES.' Maintenance and support services for electronic security systems typically fall under different NAICS codes, such as those related to computer and electronic product manufacturing, repair and maintenance, or specialized trade contractors. This discrepancy suggests a potential data entry error or misclassification in the contract's record.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing for Residential, Commercial, and Appliance Use

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 15BNAS21QRCA00059

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 12300 KILN CT STE E, BELTSVILLE, MD, 20705

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $748,399

Exercised Options: $748,399

Current Obligation: $748,399

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15BNAS21ARCA00059

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline