DOJ's $2.7M Guard Services Contract Awarded to Undisclosed Domestic Firm for Florida Support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $27,650 ($27.6K)

Contractor: Domestic Awardees (undisclosed)

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2024-10-01

End Date: 2025-09-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $76/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: FY2025 DISTRICT GUARD SUPPORT SERVICES - D04

Place of Performance

Location: MIAMI, MIAMI-DADE County, FLORIDA, 33128

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $27,650 to DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED) for work described as: FY2025 DISTRICT GUARD SUPPORT SERVICES - D04 Key points: 1. Contract awarded via Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements. 2. The award is a Purchase Order, typically used for straightforward acquisitions of goods or services. 3. The contract duration is one year, aligning with typical operational needs for guard services. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 561612 indicates a focus on security guard and patrol services. 5. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, indicating a potentially broader competition pool. 6. The awardee is listed as 'Domestic Awardees (Undisclosed)', raising questions about transparency in the selection process.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to the undisclosed nature of the awardee and the lack of specific service details. However, the award amount of $2.765 million for a one-year period for security guard services in Florida appears to be within a reasonable range for such services, assuming a standard complement of personnel and hours. Without more information on the specific security requirements, personnel levels, and geographic coverage, a definitive value-for-money assessment is difficult. Comparisons to similar contracts for guard services by the U.S. Marshals Service or other Department of Justice components would be necessary for a more robust analysis.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a less formal solicitation process than full and open competition. While the specific number of bidders is not disclosed, SAP is generally intended for procurements valued below a certain threshold (currently $250,000, though specific agency thresholds may vary). The fact that this contract, with an estimated value of $2.765 million, was competed under SAP suggests it may have been broken down into smaller procurements or that the agency is utilizing specific exceptions within SAP. The limited competition inherent in SAP can sometimes lead to less competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP for a contract of this size may limit the number of potential offerors, potentially impacting the government's ability to secure the most competitive pricing for taxpayers. The undisclosed awardee further obscures the competitive landscape.

Public Impact

The U.S. Marshals Service benefits from the provision of security personnel to support its operations. The services delivered are security guards and patrol services, crucial for maintaining safety and order. The geographic impact is concentrated in Florida, where the services will be rendered. The contract supports the workforce of security guards employed by the awarded contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of transparency regarding the identity of the awardee raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest or favoritism.
Competition under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) may not yield the most cost-effective pricing compared to full and open competition.
The specific details of the security services required are not publicly available, making it difficult to assess the scope and necessity of the contract.

Positive Signals

The contract is awarded by the Department of Justice, a major federal agency with established procurement processes.
The contract duration is clearly defined for one year, providing operational certainty.
The services fall under a standard NAICS code for security guards, indicating a well-understood service category.

Sector Analysis

The security services industry is a significant sector within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services market. Federal spending on security guards and patrol services is substantial, driven by the need to protect government facilities, personnel, and assets. This contract for the U.S. Marshals Service fits within this established market, where numerous private companies offer a range of security solutions. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other federal contracts for similar guard services, considering factors like personnel hours, skill levels, and geographic location.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, as indicated by the 'sb': false field. This means that both large and small businesses were eligible to compete. The implications for the small business ecosystem are that they may not have directly benefited from this specific award. However, if the prime contractor is a large business, there may be opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors, depending on the subcontracting plan requirements, which are not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the U.S. Marshals Service, the contracting activity within the Department of Justice. Standard oversight mechanisms would include contract administration, performance monitoring, and ensuring compliance with the terms and conditions of the purchase order. Transparency is limited by the undisclosed awardee. 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 Protective Service Contracts
Department of Homeland Security Security Services
General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule 738X - Security and Protection Services

Risk Flags

Undisclosed Awardee
Competition Limited by SAP Utilization
Lack of Publicly Available Performance Metrics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $27,650 to DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED). FY2025 DISTRICT GUARD SUPPORT SERVICES - D04

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED).

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (U.S. Marshals Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $27,650.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-10-01. End: 2025-09-30.

What is the track record of the undisclosed awardee for providing security guard services?

The identity of the awardee is undisclosed, making it impossible to assess their track record. This lack of transparency prevents an evaluation of their past performance, experience, and reliability in providing security guard services. Typically, federal agencies conduct thorough past performance reviews as part of the source selection process. The inability to access this information for the awardee raises concerns about the diligence of the procurement process and the potential risks associated with awarding a contract to an entity whose performance history is unknown to the public and potentially to the contracting officer if not properly vetted. Further investigation into the awardee's background and performance would be necessary.

How does the estimated value of this contract compare to similar security guard services procured by the U.S. Marshals Service?

Without specific details on the scope of services, number of personnel, and hours required, a direct comparison of the $2.765 million value is difficult. However, the U.S. Marshals Service, like other law enforcement and federal agencies, relies heavily on security personnel for facility protection and operational support. Annual contracts for security guard services can range significantly based on the size and complexity of the facilities or operations being secured. To provide a meaningful benchmark, one would need to analyze historical contracts awarded by the U.S. Marshals Service for similar geographic regions and service requirements, looking at metrics such as cost per man-hour or cost per square foot protected. The current award, being a one-year purchase order, suggests a defined operational need.

What are the primary risks associated with awarding a contract to an undisclosed entity?

The primary risks associated with awarding a contract to an undisclosed entity are multifaceted. Firstly, there is a significant lack of transparency, which can obscure potential conflicts of interest or favoritism in the selection process. Secondly, it hinders the ability of oversight bodies, including the public and watchdog organizations, to assess the contractor's qualifications, past performance, and financial stability. This makes it challenging to determine if the contractor is capable of meeting the contract requirements effectively and efficiently. Thirdly, it limits the government's ability to ensure fair competition and potentially secure the best value for taxpayer dollars. Without knowing who the contractor is, it's difficult to gauge their adherence to labor laws, security protocols, and other regulatory requirements.

What is the expected effectiveness of the security guard services provided under this contract?

The expected effectiveness of the security guard services hinges on several factors not fully detailed in the provided data. These include the qualifications and training of the guards, the specific security protocols they are expected to follow, the level of supervision they receive, and the technology or equipment they utilize. Given that the contract is for the U.S. Marshals Service, a critical law enforcement agency, the expectation is that the services will contribute to maintaining a secure environment, preventing unauthorized access, and responding to security incidents. The effectiveness will be measured against performance standards outlined in the purchase order, which are not publicly available. A successful outcome would mean a reduction in security breaches and a safe operational environment.

How does the use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) for this contract potentially impact price discovery and taxpayer value?

The use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) for a contract valued at $2.765 million can have a mixed impact on price discovery and taxpayer value. SAP is designed for smaller procurements and often involves less formal solicitation and evaluation processes compared to full and open competition. This can lead to a reduced number of bidders, potentially limiting the competitive pressure to drive down prices. While SAP can expedite the acquisition process, it may not always result in the most economically advantageous offer for the government. The effectiveness of SAP in achieving good value depends heavily on the specific procedures followed by the agency and the level of competition that emerges within the SAP framework. If the agency actively sought multiple quotes and conducted thorough price analysis, good value might still be achieved, but the inherent structure of SAP leans towards less robust price discovery than larger-scale competitive processes.

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: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 15M10222QA4700055

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1800 F ST NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20405

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $27,650

Exercised Options: $27,650

Current Obligation: $27,650

Actual Outlays: $29,765

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline