DOJ's U.S. Marshals Service awards $9.08M for security services, highlighting a competitive procurement

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,080,130 ($9.1M)

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: $24.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: CIRCUIT 3 D66 - 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 $9.1 million to METROPOLITAN SECURITY SERVICES, INC. for work described as: CIRCUIT 3 D66 - FY 2026 CSO PROGRAM FUNDING Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the competitive nature of the award. 2. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a healthy market. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a clear scope of work and defined period of performance. 4. Performance context is for essential security guard services for the U.S. Marshals Service. 5. Sector positioning is within the security and protective services industry.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $9.08 million over one year for security guard services is within a reasonable range for this type of federal procurement. Benchmarking against similar contracts for security personnel in the same geographic region (Tennessee) would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The award amount of $2,494,500 is significantly lower than the estimated value, indicating strong price competition.

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 offers. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the competitive nature suggests a robust market for security guard services. This level of competition generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that drives down prices and ensures the government receives the best value for its investment in security services.

Public Impact

The U.S. Marshals Service benefits from enhanced security and protection of its facilities and personnel. Services delivered include security guard and patrol functions. Geographic impact is concentrated in Tennessee (ST: TN, SN: TENNESSEE). Workforce implications include the creation of jobs for security personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for contractor performance issues if staffing levels are not maintained.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical security functions.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive market.
Contract value is significantly below the estimated value, suggesting cost savings.
Clear period of performance and defined scope of work.

Sector Analysis

The security and protective services sector is a significant part of the federal contracting landscape, encompassing a wide range of services from physical security to cybersecurity. This contract falls under the NAICS code 561612 (Security Guards and Patrol Services). Federal spending in this sector is consistently high due to the government's need to protect its assets, personnel, and facilities across various agencies.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded through full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. While the prime contractor is not identified as a small business, there is potential for subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within the security services industry, though this is not explicitly detailed in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be provided by the U.S. Marshals Service, the contracting agency. Accountability measures are inherent in the contract terms, including performance standards and delivery schedules. Transparency is facilitated by the federal procurement data system, which publishes contract awards. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Protective Service Contracts
Department of Homeland Security Security Services
General Services Administration Schedules for Security Services

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues if staffing is inadequate.
Dependence on contractor for critical security functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $9.1 million to METROPOLITAN SECURITY SERVICES, INC.. CIRCUIT 3 D66 - 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 $9.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

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

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

Analyzing historical spending for security guard services by the U.S. Marshals Service would provide context for the current $9.08 million award. This would involve examining past contract awards for similar services, including their values, durations, and the contractors involved. Understanding trends in spending, such as increases or decreases over fiscal years, and identifying any recurring contractors can reveal patterns of reliance, potential cost efficiencies achieved over time, or shifts in service requirements. For instance, if spending has been steadily increasing, it might indicate growing security needs or rising market prices. Conversely, a stable or decreasing trend could suggest effective cost management or a reduction in service scope. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to definitively assess if this award represents a significant deviation or aligns with established spending patterns.

How does the awarded amount compare to the estimated value for this contract?

The awarded amount for this contract is $2,494,500, which is substantially lower than the estimated value of $9,080,129.67. This significant difference suggests that the competitive bidding process was highly effective in driving down prices. The government secured the services for approximately 27.5% of the initial estimate. This outcome is a positive indicator for value for money, as it implies that the government did not overpay for the required security guard services. Such a large variance could be due to aggressive bidding from multiple capable contractors, a favorable market condition at the time of bidding, or potentially an initial overestimation of the required resources or costs by the procuring agency.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this security guard contract?

While the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are not detailed in the provided data, typical KPIs for security guard contracts include metrics related to response times to incidents, adherence to post orders, incident reporting accuracy and timeliness, personnel punctuality and attendance, and the number of security breaches or violations. The U.S. Marshals Service would likely establish specific performance standards that Metropolitan Security Services, Inc. must meet. These could involve maintaining a certain level of vigilance, preventing unauthorized access, responding effectively to alarms or emergencies, and providing detailed reports. Performance would likely be monitored through regular reviews, site inspections, and feedback from facility managers. Failure to meet these KPIs could result in contractual remedies, including financial penalties or termination.

What is the track record of Metropolitan Security Services, Inc. with federal contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of Metropolitan Security Services, Inc. with federal contracts is not provided in the data snippet. To assess their reliability and past performance, one would typically examine their contract history within the federal procurement system (e.g., SAM.gov or FPDS). This would include looking at the types of contracts they have held, their performance ratings on past awards, any past performance issues or disputes, and their experience with similar services and contract values. A strong track record with positive past performance reviews would indicate a lower risk for this current contract. Conversely, a history of performance issues or contract terminations could raise concerns about their ability to successfully execute this award.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the local Tennessee economy?

This contract is expected to have a positive impact on the local economy in Tennessee by creating jobs for security guards and potentially other support staff. Metropolitan Security Services, Inc., as the prime contractor, will likely hire personnel residing in the region to fulfill the service requirements. The wages paid to these employees will contribute to local spending and economic activity. Additionally, the company may engage local vendors for supplies, equipment, or services, further stimulating the local economy. The duration of the contract (one year) suggests a sustained, albeit temporary, boost to employment and economic output within the specific areas of Tennessee where the U.S. Marshals Service facilities are located.

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: 15M20021RA32CSO21

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: $9,080,130

Exercised Options: $9,080,130

Current Obligation: $9,080,130

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15M10522DA4700004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline