DOJ awards $2.8M for environmental controls, highlighting BPA call efficiency

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,831,502 ($2.8M)

Contractor: Signet Technologies, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2022-09-06

End Date: 2026-11-13

Contract Duration: 1,529 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NEW INSTALL PROJECT

Place of Performance

Location: COLUMBIA, HOWARD County, MARYLAND, 21046

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $2.8 million to SIGNET TECHNOLOGIES, INC. for work described as: NEW INSTALL PROJECT Key points: 1. Contract leverages a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) call, suggesting pre-negotiated terms and potentially faster execution. 2. The firm-fixed-price structure shifts cost risk to the contractor, Signet Technologies, Inc. 3. Competition was full and open, indicating a broad market search for the best value. 4. The project focuses on automatic environmental control manufacturing, a niche within building systems. 5. Performance is expected over approximately four years, allowing for phased implementation and monitoring. 6. The contract value is moderate, suggesting it's not a flagship project but a necessary operational upgrade.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.8M for an automatic environmental control manufacturing project appears reasonable given the 4-year duration. Without specific benchmarks for this exact type of manufacturing, a direct per-unit cost comparison is difficult. However, the use of a BPA call implies that pricing was likely vetted during the establishment of the parent BPA, suggesting a degree of pre-negotiated value. The firm-fixed-price nature also provides cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit an offer. The presence of 4 bidders indicates a healthy level of interest and competition for this specific requirement within the BPA call. This suggests that the government effectively reached a broad segment of the market capable of fulfilling the need.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for taxpayers, as multiple companies vie for the contract.

Public Impact

The U.S. Marshals Service benefits from upgraded environmental control systems, potentially improving operational efficiency and living conditions in facilities. Services delivered include the manufacturing and likely installation of automatic environmental control systems. The geographic impact is centered in Maryland, where the contract is being performed. Workforce implications may include manufacturing jobs related to environmental control systems and installation/maintenance roles.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen manufacturing complexities arise, though mitigated by fixed-price.
Dependence on contractor performance for timely delivery and quality of environmental control systems.
Risk of obsolescence if technology advances rapidly during the contract period.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive pricing environment.
BPA call mechanism may indicate streamlined acquisition and potentially favorable pricing.
Long performance period allows for phased implementation and potential learning curve benefits.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader industrial equipment and manufacturing sector, specifically focusing on environmental controls. The market for such systems is driven by building efficiency standards, regulatory compliance, and the need for reliable climate management in various settings, including government facilities. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within construction and facilities maintenance categories, where automated systems are increasingly integrated.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting goals for small businesses. The fact that 4 bidders participated suggests that both large and small businesses had the opportunity to compete. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors or if the prime contractor has a history of engaging small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the U.S. Marshals Service contracting officer and their representatives. As a BPA call, the underlying BPA likely has its own oversight mechanisms. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Buildings Fund
General Services Administration (GSA) Schedules
Department of Justice Facilities Management
Environmental Control Systems Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for manufacturing defects.
Risk of technological obsolescence.
Supply chain vulnerability for components.
Integration challenges with existing infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $2.8 million to SIGNET TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. NEW INSTALL PROJECT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SIGNET TECHNOLOGIES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-06. End: 2026-11-13.

What is the historical spending pattern for automatic environmental control systems by the Department of Justice?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for automatic environmental control systems by the Department of Justice (DOJ) requires access to comprehensive federal procurement data. While this specific contract is for $2.8 million over approximately four years, understanding the DOJ's broader investment in similar technologies is crucial for context. Typically, agencies like the DOJ procure such systems as part of larger facilities modernization, construction, or maintenance projects. Spending can fluctuate based on budget allocations, infrastructure needs, and the lifecycle of existing systems. Without specific historical data for this niche, it's difficult to ascertain if this $2.8 million represents a significant increase or decrease in spending. However, the trend across federal agencies has been towards more energy-efficient and automated environmental controls to reduce operational costs and meet sustainability goals. This contract aligns with that broader trend.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar environmental control projects awarded by other federal agencies?

Benchmarking the pricing of this $2.8 million contract for automatic environmental control manufacturing against similar federal projects requires detailed comparison of scope, scale, duration, and specific system requirements. Since this is a BPA call, the pricing is likely influenced by pre-negotiated rates established during the parent BPA's competition. Generally, firm-fixed-price contracts aim for competitive pricing through open competition. To perform a robust comparison, one would need to identify contracts with similar product descriptions (e.g., HVAC controls, building automation systems), contract values, performance periods, and geographic locations. Factors like the number of units, complexity of integration, and specific technological features would significantly impact cost. Without access to a detailed breakdown of Signet Technologies, Inc.'s costs and a matched set of comparable contracts, a precise value-for-money assessment relative to the market is challenging, but the full and open competition suggests an effort to achieve competitive pricing.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will they be measured?

The specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract are not detailed in the provided summary data. However, for a contract involving the manufacturing and implementation of automatic environmental control systems, typical KPIs would likely include: timely delivery of manufactured components, successful installation and integration of the systems, system performance meeting specified environmental parameters (e.g., temperature, humidity control within defined tolerances), energy efficiency targets, system reliability (measured by uptime or mean time between failures), and user satisfaction or reduction in reported issues post-installation. Measurement methods would involve site inspections, performance testing, data logging from the control systems, and potentially user feedback mechanisms. The contracting officer's representative (COR) would be responsible for monitoring these KPIs against the contract's statement of work and performance standards.

What is Signet Technologies, Inc.'s track record with the U.S. Marshals Service and other federal agencies?

Assessing Signet Technologies, Inc.'s track record requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts, particularly with the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ). Publicly available data, such as the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or other contract databases, can reveal contract history, including awards, performance ratings (if available), and any past disputes or terminations. A positive performance history with the USMS or similar agencies on comparable projects would indicate reliability and capability. Conversely, a history of performance issues, contract disputes, or terminations could raise concerns. Without specific details on Signet's past performance on federal contracts, it's difficult to definitively assess their track record for this particular project, though their selection as a BPA call awardee suggests they met initial vetting criteria.

What are the potential risks associated with the 'Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing' aspect of this contract?

The 'Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing' aspect of this contract presents several potential risks. Firstly, there's the risk of manufacturing defects or quality control issues, which could lead to systems that do not perform as intended, impacting facility operations and potentially requiring costly rework. Secondly, technological obsolescence is a concern; the technology for environmental controls evolves rapidly, and systems manufactured today might be outdated before the contract's end date or shortly thereafter. Thirdly, supply chain disruptions for specialized components could delay manufacturing and delivery, impacting the project timeline. Finally, ensuring seamless integration of the manufactured controls with existing building infrastructure poses a technical risk, potentially requiring significant customization or troubleshooting. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract shifts some financial risk to the contractor, but delays and performance failures can still impact the government's operational needs.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: ALARM, SIGNAL, SECURITY DETECTION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 4

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: $2,831,502

Exercised Options: $2,831,502

Current Obligation: $2,831,502

Actual Outlays: $827,257

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15M20019AA32NP01E

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline