DOJ's FY26 CSO Program Funding contract awarded to Metropolitan Security Services for $9.9M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,932,130 ($9.9M)

Contractor: Metropolitan Security Services, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-10-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $27.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: CIRCUIT 12 D16 - FY 2026 CSO PROGRAM FUNDING

Place of Performance

Location: CHATTANOOGA, HAMILTON County, TENNESSEE, 37402

State: Tennessee Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $9.9 million to METROPOLITAN SECURITY SERVICES, INC. for work described as: CIRCUIT 12 D16 - FY 2026 CSO PROGRAM FUNDING Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in security services for the U.S. Marshals Service. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Performance period spans one year, indicating a need for ongoing security support. 4. The contract type is a delivery order, suggesting it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. 5. The primary service is security guards and patrol, a critical function for law enforcement agencies. 6. The contract is for labor hours, implying a focus on personnel time rather than fixed deliverables.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $9.9 million for a one-year security services delivery order appears reasonable given the scope of services for the U.S. Marshals Service. Benchmarking against similar contracts for security guard services for federal law enforcement agencies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The absence of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes a detailed assessment of efficiency challenging, but the competitive award process suggests a degree of price discovery.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service quality for the government. The open competition suggests that the U.S. Marshals Service sought the best value through a broad solicitation.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the most cost-effective security solutions, preventing potential overpricing and encouraging efficiency from the awarded contractor.

Public Impact

The U.S. Marshals Service benefits from enhanced security operations through the provision of dedicated security personnel. Services delivered include guarding and patrol, crucial for maintaining safety and order within federal facilities or operations. The contract's geographic impact is focused on Tennessee (ST: TN, SN: TENNESSEE), where the services will be rendered. Workforce implications include the employment of security personnel by Metropolitan Security Services, Inc. to fulfill the contract requirements.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess contractor efficiency and effectiveness.
The contract duration of one year may necessitate frequent re-competition, potentially leading to transition costs and disruptions.
Limited information on the specific security needs and threat landscape for the U.S. Marshals Service in Tennessee.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust and fair bidding process.
The contractor, Metropolitan Security Services, Inc., has secured a significant federal contract, suggesting a level of established capability.
The contract is for a critical service (security) to a vital law enforcement agency (U.S. Marshals Service).

Sector Analysis

The security services industry is a substantial sector within the broader professional services market, encompassing a wide range of protective and investigative activities. Federal agencies are significant consumers of these services, relying on them for facility protection, personnel security, and operational support. This contract for security guards and patrol services fits within the established market for outsourced security solutions, where competition often drives pricing and service innovation. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found by analyzing other federal contracts for similar guard services across different agencies and geographic locations.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside provision. The prime contractor, Metropolitan Security Services, Inc., is responsible for fulfilling the contract requirements, and any subcontracting decisions would be at their discretion, not mandated by a small business set-aside.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the U.S. Marshals Service, the contracting agency. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract terms, including performance standards and payment schedules tied to successful service delivery. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like SAM.gov. Inspector General jurisdiction would likely reside with the Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General, which investigates waste, fraud, and abuse in federal programs.

Related Government Programs

Federal Protective Service Contracts
Law Enforcement Support Services
Department of Justice Security Contracts
U.S. Marshals Service Operations Support

Risk Flags

Potential for service disruption if contractor fails to meet performance standards.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical security functions.
Need for robust oversight to ensure consistent service quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $9.9 million to METROPOLITAN SECURITY SERVICES, INC.. CIRCUIT 12 D16 - FY 2026 CSO PROGRAM FUNDING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is METROPOLITAN SECURITY SERVICES, 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 $9.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the track record of Metropolitan Security Services, Inc. in performing federal security contracts?

A comprehensive review of Metropolitan Security Services, Inc.'s track record would involve examining their past performance on federal contracts, including any awards, terminations, or disputes. Data from sources like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) would be crucial. This analysis would assess their history of meeting performance requirements, adhering to schedules, and managing costs on similar security guard and patrol service contracts. Understanding their experience with law enforcement agencies specifically would also be important for evaluating their suitability for this U.S. Marshals Service contract.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar security guard services?

To benchmark the awarded price of $9.9 million for this one-year contract, one would need to compare it against data for similar security guard and patrol services procured by federal agencies. This involves identifying contracts with comparable scopes of work, geographic locations, and service levels. Analyzing the average hourly rates or total contract values for similar positions (e.g., unarmed guards, armed guards, supervisory roles) would provide a basis for comparison. Without specific details on the number of personnel, hours, and skill levels required, a precise comparison is difficult, but general market data can indicate if the price is within a reasonable range.

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

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, security contracts include metrics related to response times, guard presence, incident reporting accuracy, adherence to post orders, and personnel qualifications. The U.S. Marshals Service would establish these KPIs in the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS). Measurement methods could include regular inspections, review of daily logs and incident reports, and potentially electronic monitoring systems. Contractor performance would be formally assessed, often through CPARS, which influences future contracting decisions.

What is the historical spending pattern for security services by the U.S. Marshals Service in Tennessee?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for security services by the U.S. Marshals Service in Tennessee would require accessing federal procurement databases to identify previous contracts awarded for similar services within that state. This would involve looking at contract values, durations, and awarded contractors over several fiscal years. Such an analysis could reveal trends in spending, identify key service providers, and provide context for the current $9.9 million award. It would also help determine if this contract represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in security services for the region.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single delivery order for a critical security function?

While this is a delivery order under a potentially larger IDIQ, relying on a single contractor for a critical security function carries inherent risks. These include potential service disruptions if the contractor fails to perform, experiences staffing shortages, or faces financial instability. There's also the risk of complacency or reduced vigilance if competition is not actively managed throughout the contract lifecycle. Furthermore, a lack of robust oversight could lead to substandard service delivery. The U.S. Marshals Service would need strong contract management and contingency plans to mitigate these risks.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 15M10523RA4700028

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 100 E 10TH ST STE 400, CHATTANOOGA, TN, 37402

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,932,130

Exercised Options: $9,932,130

Current Obligation: $9,932,130

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15M10523DA4700071

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline