DOJ's $784M Guard Services Contract Awarded to Undisclosed Domestic Firms

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,840 ($7.8K)

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: $22/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: FY2025 DISTRICT GUARD SUPPORT SERVICES - D17

Place of Performance

Location: TALLAHASSEE, LEON County, FLORIDA, 32301

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $7,840 to DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED) for work described as: FY2025 DISTRICT GUARD SUPPORT SERVICES - D17 Key points: 1. Contract aims to secure federal facilities and personnel, a critical function for law enforcement agencies. 2. Competition was conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on efficiency for smaller procurements. 3. The award to undisclosed domestic entities raises questions about transparency and the breadth of potential bidders. 4. A 364-day duration indicates a need for ongoing, consistent security support. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 561612 points to a specialized security services market. 6. The contract's value of $784 million over one year suggests a significant investment in physical security.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to the undisclosed nature of the awardees and the specific services rendered. However, the substantial dollar amount for a single year of security guard services indicates a high demand and potentially complex operational requirements. Without more information on the scope of work, personnel hours, and specific security measures, a definitive value-for-money assessment is difficult. Comparisons to similar large-scale security contracts 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 limited number of bidders and is designed for procurements below a certain threshold. While SAP can promote efficiency, it may not always yield the most competitive pricing compared to full and open competition. The undisclosed nature of the awardees further limits insight into the actual level of competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP and limited disclosed competition may mean taxpayers are not benefiting from the lowest possible prices achievable through broader market engagement.

Public Impact

Federal law enforcement agencies, such as the U.S. Marshals Service, will benefit from enhanced security for facilities and personnel. The contract ensures the provision of essential security guard and patrol services across various federal locations. The geographic impact is primarily within Florida (ST='FL', SN='FLORIDA'), where the services are contracted. The contract supports a workforce of security professionals, contributing to employment in the private security sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of transparency regarding awardees hinders assessment of contractor qualifications and past performance.
The use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures may limit the pool of potential bidders, potentially impacting price competition.
The significant contract value raises concerns about potential cost overruns if not closely managed.

Positive Signals

The contract addresses a critical need for security services for federal law enforcement.
Awarding to domestic entities supports the U.S. economy and workforce.
The defined contract period (364 days) provides a clear scope for service delivery.

Sector Analysis

The security guard and patrol services sector is a substantial part of the private security industry, driven by demand from government agencies, businesses, and institutions. This contract falls within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services category. Spending benchmarks for similar federal security contracts vary widely based on location, scope, and security clearance requirements, but a $784 million award for a single year indicates a large-scale, high-priority requirement.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (SB=false). The use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) can sometimes favor small businesses, but without specific set-aside designations, larger contractors are likely to be among the bidders. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses within this large award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Justice and the U.S. Marshals Service. The effectiveness of oversight depends on the agency's internal controls, performance monitoring, and contract management practices. Transparency is limited by the undisclosed nature of the awardees, making independent assessment of accountability challenging. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Protective Service Contracts
Department of Homeland Security Security Services
General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule 00CORP
Department of Defense Security Contracts

Risk Flags

Lack of Transparency in Awardee Identification
Potential for Limited Competition due to SAP
Significant Annual Contract Value Requires Robust Oversight

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $7,840 to DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED). FY2025 DISTRICT GUARD SUPPORT SERVICES - D17

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 $7,840.

What is the period of performance?

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

What specific security services are included under this $784 million contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'Security Guards and Patrol Services' (NAICS 561612) awarded by the Department of Justice to the U.S. Marshals Service. However, the exact scope of services, such as the number of personnel, hours of operation, specific security protocols (e.g., access control, surveillance, response), and the types of facilities to be secured, are not detailed in the provided information. The significant value suggests a comprehensive security solution is required, likely encompassing a substantial number of guards operating 24/7 at multiple locations within Florida.

How does the $784 million value compare to historical spending on similar security guard services by the U.S. Marshals Service?

Without access to historical spending data specifically for U.S. Marshals Service security guard contracts, a direct comparison is not possible. However, $784 million for a single year of security guard services is a substantial amount, suggesting either a significant expansion of security needs, a large number of personnel and facilities requiring protection, or potentially higher unit costs than in previous years. To provide a meaningful comparison, one would need to analyze multi-year spending trends for the U.S. Marshals Service and comparable agencies like the FBI or Department of State for similar security guard services.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a contract of this magnitude to undisclosed domestic awardees?

The primary risk associated with undisclosed awardees is a lack of transparency, which can obscure potential conflicts of interest, inadequate vetting of contractors, or the absence of a robust track record in providing similar services. This opacity makes it difficult for oversight bodies and the public to assess the contractor's reliability, financial stability, and past performance. Furthermore, if the competition was limited, there's a risk that taxpayers are not receiving the best value for their money. The undisclosed nature also complicates efforts to identify potential subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.

What does the use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) imply for the competition and pricing of this contract?

Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are generally used for procurements below a certain dollar threshold (currently $250,000, though specific agency thresholds can vary and larger amounts can be authorized for certain types of contracts). The fact that a $784 million contract was competed under SAP suggests that it might be structured as a series of smaller awards or task orders under a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract, or that the agency has specific authorization to use SAP for this amount. SAP typically involves less formal solicitation and evaluation processes, aiming for efficiency. This can lead to quicker awards but may limit the number of bidders and potentially result in less competitive pricing compared to full and open competition, where a wider range of vendors can participate.

What are the implications of this contract for the private security industry, particularly in Florida?

This contract represents a significant opportunity for private security firms operating within Florida and potentially nationwide, given the substantial value. It signals a strong demand for security guard and patrol services from a major federal agency. The award could lead to job creation within the security sector and stimulate business for the winning contractor(s) and their potential subcontractors. For the broader industry, it highlights the continued importance of government contracts as a revenue stream and may influence market dynamics, potentially leading other firms to enhance their capabilities to compete for similar future opportunities.

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: $7,840

Exercised Options: $7,840

Current Obligation: $7,840

Actual Outlays: $8,440

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline