GEO TRANSPORT, INC. awarded $19M for prisoner transportation, highlighting security guard services for USMS

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,013,612 ($19.0M)

Contractor: GEO Transport, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-06-04

End Date: 2026-10-31

Contract Duration: 514 days

Daily Burn Rate: $37.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE PRISONER TRANSPORTATION SERVICES TO INCLUDE QUALIFIED CONTRACT DETENTION OFFICERS (CDOS) IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED STATES MARSHALS SERVICE (USMS) FOR REGIONS 4 , 7 AND 12 .

Place of Performance

Location: BOCA RATON, PALM BEACH County, FLORIDA, 33431

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $19.0 million to GEO TRANSPORT, INC. for work described as: CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE PRISONER TRANSPORTATION SERVICES TO INCLUDE QUALIFIED CONTRACT DETENTION OFFICERS (CDOS) IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED STATES MARSHALS SERVICE (USMS) FOR REGIONS 4 , 7 AND 12 . Key points: 1. Contract value of $19.01 million for prisoner transportation services. 2. Services include qualified contract detention officers (CDOs) for secure transport. 3. Contract supports U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) operations in specific regions. 4. Duration of the contract is 514 days, ending October 31, 2026. 5. This award falls under the Security Guards and Patrol Services NAICS code. 6. The contract type is Time and Materials, indicating payment based on labor and material costs.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $19.01 million for prisoner transportation services over approximately 1.4 years appears to be within a reasonable range for the scope of work, which includes specialized personnel (CDOs). Benchmarking against similar large-scale prisoner transportation contracts managed by the USMS or other federal agencies would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The Time and Materials pricing structure necessitates careful monitoring to ensure costs remain aligned with the anticipated effort and prevent potential overruns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This competitive process is intended to foster price discovery and ensure the government receives competitive pricing. The number of bidders and the specific evaluation criteria would further illuminate the strength of the competition and its impact on the final award price.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down costs through market forces, leading to a more efficient use of public funds.

Public Impact

Benefits the U.S. Marshals Service by providing essential support for prisoner movement and custody. Ensures the safe and secure transportation of individuals in federal custody. Services are geographically focused on Regions 4, 7, and 12, indicating a specific operational need. Requires qualified contract detention officers, implying a need for specialized security personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing structure if not closely managed.
Reliance on external contractors for critical security functions requires robust oversight.
Geographic limitations of the contract may not cover all USMS transportation needs.
Ensuring consistent quality and adherence to security protocols across all CDOs.
Potential for contract scope creep if additional services are implicitly required.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment.
Clear definition of services including specialized personnel (CDOs) for secure transport.
Contract duration provides a defined period for service delivery.
Supports a critical function of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Sector Analysis

The prisoner transportation services sector is a niche but critical component of the federal justice system, primarily serving agencies like the U.S. Marshals Service. This market involves specialized logistics, security protocols, and personnel training. Spending in this area is driven by the need for secure and efficient movement of detainees, often across significant distances. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within federal law enforcement and correctional support services, where reliability and security are paramount.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the data indicates no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses. This suggests that the primary award went to a larger entity capable of fulfilling the extensive requirements of prisoner transportation, potentially limiting direct opportunities for smaller firms in this specific contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the U.S. Marshals Service, which is responsible for ensuring the contractor meets all performance and security requirements. Accountability measures would be tied to the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards and reporting. Transparency is facilitated through contract awards databases, though detailed operational oversight specifics are typically internal.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prisoner Transportation Services
U.S. Marshals Service Detention Operations
Contract Security Services
Law Enforcement Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Time and Materials pricing structure requires diligent oversight to control costs.
Reliance on contractor for security functions necessitates robust performance monitoring.
Potential for logistical challenges in coordinating transport across multiple regions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $19.0 million to GEO TRANSPORT, INC.. CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE PRISONER TRANSPORTATION SERVICES TO INCLUDE QUALIFIED CONTRACT DETENTION OFFICERS (CDOS) IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED STATES MARSHALS SERVICE (USMS) FOR REGIONS 4 , 7 AND 12 .

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GEO TRANSPORT, 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 $19.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-06-04. End: 2026-10-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for prisoner transportation services by the U.S. Marshals Service?

Historical spending on prisoner transportation by the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) has been substantial, reflecting the agency's critical role in managing federal detainees. While specific figures fluctuate annually based on operational needs, the USMS consistently allocates significant resources to ensure the safe and secure movement of individuals in their custody. This includes contracts for air, ground, and escort services, often utilizing both government personnel and contracted services. Analyzing past contract awards, including the number of solicitations, awarded values, and duration of previous agreements, can reveal trends in pricing, contractor performance, and the overall demand for these services. Such analysis is crucial for understanding the context of the current $19 million award and assessing its alignment with historical expenditure levels and service requirements.

How does the per-unit cost of transporting a prisoner under this contract compare to industry benchmarks?

Determining the precise per-unit cost for prisoner transportation under this specific contract is challenging without detailed breakdowns of service delivery (e.g., cost per mile, cost per detainee per day, cost per escort hour). The contract is awarded on a Time and Materials basis, which means the final cost is dependent on the actual hours worked and materials used, rather than a fixed per-unit price. However, to benchmark, one would need to estimate the total number of prisoners transported, the total miles traveled, and the total escort hours provided over the contract's duration. Comparing these estimated per-unit costs (e.g., cost per prisoner per mile) against publicly available data for similar services provided by other federal agencies or private sector logistics firms specializing in secure transport would be necessary. Given the specialized nature of requiring Contract Detention Officers (CDOs), the per-unit cost is likely to be higher than standard transportation services due to the security and personnel requirements involved.

What is the track record of GEO TRANSPORT, INC. in providing similar federal contract services?

GEO TRANSPORT, INC. has a history of providing transportation and related services, often within the correctional and detention sector. A thorough review of their federal contract history, accessible through databases like SAM.gov or FPDS, would reveal their performance on previous contracts. This includes examining past awards, contract values, performance evaluations (if publicly available), and any instances of contract disputes or terminations. Understanding their experience with government contracts, particularly those involving secure transportation or detention support, is crucial for assessing their capability to fulfill the requirements of this U.S. Marshals Service contract. Their track record provides insights into their reliability, efficiency, and adherence to federal regulations and security protocols.

What are the primary risks associated with this prisoner transportation contract?

The primary risks associated with this prisoner transportation contract include security breaches during transit, potential for detainee escape, and ensuring the consistent availability and quality of qualified Contract Detention Officers (CDOs). The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure introduces a risk of cost overruns if not meticulously managed and monitored by the U.S. Marshals Service. There's also a risk related to contractor performance, including delays, non-compliance with protocols, or inadequate reporting. Furthermore, managing the logistical complexities of transporting prisoners across different regions, potentially involving various modes of transport and varying security levels, presents inherent operational risks. Ensuring adherence to all relevant federal regulations, safety standards, and ethical treatment of detainees is paramount to mitigating these risks.

How does the geographic scope (Regions 4, 7, and 12) impact the contract's overall effectiveness and cost?

The specified geographic scope covering Regions 4, 7, and 12 for prisoner transportation services by GEO TRANSPORT, INC. indicates a targeted operational requirement for the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS). This focused approach can enhance effectiveness by allowing the contractor to optimize routes, logistics, and personnel deployment within these defined areas, potentially leading to more efficient operations and reduced transit times. From a cost perspective, a defined geographic scope can help in cost control by limiting the contractor's travel expenses and operational overhead compared to a nationwide contract. However, it also means that the USMS may rely on separate contracts or internal resources for prisoner transportation needs outside these specified regions. The effectiveness hinges on the contractor's ability to manage the complexities within these regions, including varying state and local regulations, and ensuring seamless coordination with USMS field offices.

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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: THE GEO Group, Inc.

Address: 4955 TECHNOLOGY WAY, BOCA RATON, FL, 33431

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $19,013,612

Exercised Options: $19,013,612

Current Obligation: $19,013,612

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15M40025AA3500024

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline