DOJ's $702M District Guard Support Services contract awarded to undisclosed domestic entities

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $70,220 ($70.2K)

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: $193/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: FY2025 DISTRICT GUARD SUPPORT SERVICES - D07

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20024

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $70,220 to DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED) for work described as: FY2025 DISTRICT GUARD SUPPORT SERVICES - D07 Key points: 1. Contract awarded under Special Access Program (SAP), limiting transparency on awardee and specific services. 2. High value contract for security guard services suggests significant operational needs for the U.S. Marshals Service. 3. Limited competition details due to SAP classification obscure potential price discovery and value for money. 4. The contract duration of 364 days aligns with typical annual service agreements. 5. Focus on 'Labor Hours' indicates a service-based contract rather than fixed-price deliverables. 6. Geographic focus on Washington D.C. aligns with the operational area of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to the SAP classification, which restricts access to awardee details and specific service breakdowns. The total value of $702 million over one year is substantial for security guard services, suggesting a large-scale or highly specialized requirement. Without comparable contract data or detailed service scope, assessing whether this represents a fair price or excellent value for money is difficult. The lack of transparency inherent in SAP contracts raises concerns about potential overpricing or inefficiencies.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The contract was competed under a Special Access Program (SAP), which by its nature limits the visibility of the competition process. While 'competed' implies multiple entities were considered, the specific number of bidders and the nature of the competition are not publicly disclosed due to SAP restrictions. This lack of transparency makes it impossible to assess the breadth of the competition or its impact on achieving competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers are unable to verify if the contract was awarded to the most cost-effective provider due to the restricted nature of SAP procurements.

Public Impact

The U.S. Marshals Service benefits from enhanced security and operational support. Services delivered include security guard and patrol functions, crucial for protecting federal facilities and personnel. The geographic impact is concentrated in Washington D.C., supporting federal law enforcement operations in the nation's capital. The contract likely supports a significant number of security personnel, impacting the local workforce in the D.C. area.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of transparency due to SAP classification hinders public oversight and accountability.
Potential for inflated costs given the limited visibility into the competitive bidding process.
Difficulty in assessing contractor performance and value without public benchmarks.

Positive Signals

The contract was formally competed, suggesting an attempt to solicit offers.
Awarded by the Department of Justice, a major federal law enforcement agency, implying a critical need.
The contract is for essential security services, indicating a focus on public safety and asset protection.

Sector Analysis

The security guard and patrol services industry is a significant component of the broader security sector, encompassing a wide range of services from physical guarding to electronic surveillance. Federal spending in this area is substantial, driven by the need to protect government facilities, personnel, and sensitive information. This contract, valued at $702 million, represents a large portion of federal spending within this specific sub-sector, particularly for security services in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Comparable contracts often involve extensive background checks, specialized training, and adherence to strict security protocols, influencing overall cost.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business participation, including set-asides or subcontracting plans, is not available due to the contract's SAP classification. Typically, large contracts like this may include provisions for small business involvement, but the restricted nature of this procurement prevents an analysis of its impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is managed within the Department of Justice, likely under the purview of the U.S. Marshals Service. However, the SAP classification significantly limits external oversight and transparency. Standard accountability measures and public reporting mechanisms may be curtailed or classified, making it difficult to assess the effectiveness of these mechanisms or the overall transparency of the contract's execution.

Related Government Programs

Federal Protective Service Contracts
Department of Homeland Security Security Services
General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule 84 - Integrated Security/Facility Management and Related Services

Risk Flags

Lack of Transparency (SAP Classification)
Undisclosed Awardee
Limited Competition Visibility

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $70,220 to DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED). FY2025 DISTRICT GUARD SUPPORT SERVICES - D07

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 $70,220.

What is the period of performance?

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

What specific security services are covered under this $702 million contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'Security Guards and Patrol Services' (NAICS code 561612). However, the exact scope of services, such as the number of guards, specific posts, hours of coverage, specialized security measures (e.g., K9 units, armed vs. unarmed guards), and any technology integration, is not publicly detailed. This lack of specificity is a common characteristic of contracts awarded under Special Access Programs (SAP), which are designed to protect sensitive information. Therefore, while the broad category is known, the granular details of the services rendered remain classified.

Who is the specific domestic awardee for this contract, and what is their track record?

The data explicitly states 'DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED)' for this contract. Due to its classification under a Special Access Program (SAP), the identity of the contractor is not publicly revealed. Consequently, assessing the awardee's track record, past performance on similar federal contracts, financial stability, or any history of issues or commendations is not possible through public channels. This anonymity is a deliberate security measure within SAP procurements, prioritizing operational security over public transparency.

How does the $702 million value compare to historical spending on similar security guard services by the U.S. Marshals Service?

Direct comparison of this $702 million contract value to historical spending on similar services by the U.S. Marshals Service is challenging without access to classified historical procurement data, which is often associated with SAP contracts. Publicly available data might show trends in security spending, but the specific allocation for guard services under SAP would likely be obscured. Generally, federal spending on security services can fluctuate based on threat assessments, operational requirements, and agency priorities. A single contract of this magnitude suggests a significant, potentially long-term, or highly critical security requirement within the Marshals Service's operations in the National Capital Region.

What are the primary risks associated with a contract awarded under a Special Access Program (SAP)?

The primary risks associated with contracts awarded under SAPs revolve around reduced transparency and accountability. This includes the inability to publicly verify the fairness and competitiveness of the bidding process, making it difficult to ensure the government is receiving optimal value for taxpayer money. There's also a heightened risk of cost overruns or performance issues going unnoticed or unaddressed due to limited oversight from external bodies, watchdog groups, and the public. Furthermore, the lack of information about the awardee and the specific services can obscure potential conflicts of interest or contractor performance problems.

What does the 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation imply about the procurement process?

The designation 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' indicates that the procurement process, while subject to the rules and procedures of a Special Access Program, did involve soliciting offers from multiple potential sources. This suggests that the U.S. Marshals Service did not sole-source the contract but rather engaged in some form of competition among entities cleared for SAP work. However, the specifics of this competition—such as the number of bidders, the evaluation criteria, and the extent to which price was a factor—are not publicly disclosed due to the sensitive nature of SAP. It implies a level of vetting and competition occurred, but its rigor and effectiveness in achieving best value remain opaque.

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: $70,220

Exercised Options: $70,220

Current Obligation: $70,220

Actual Outlays: $75,592

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline