State Department awards $15.5M for domestic security installation, with Acqcentric Inc. securing the deal

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,481,684 ($15.5M)

Contractor: Acqcentric, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2025-09-08

End Date: 2026-09-07

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $42.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: DOMESTIC SECURITY INSTALLATION SERVICES (DSIS) III

Place of Performance

Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35806

State: Alabama Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $15.5 million to ACQCENTRIC, INC. for work described as: DOMESTIC SECURITY INSTALLATION SERVICES (DSIS) III Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in secure facility infrastructure. 2. The award was made under a full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide budget certainty. 4. The duration of one year allows for focused execution of installation services. 5. The contract is geographically focused within Alabama. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code points to shipbuilding and repair, though the service description suggests broader installation.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $15.5 million for a one-year period for domestic security installation services appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar large-scale installation contracts is challenging without more specific details on the nature of the security installations. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which can be a positive indicator of value if the price is competitive.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating that while the competition was open, certain sources may have been excluded prior to the final award. The presence of two bidders suggests a moderate level of competition. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more aggressive pricing and better value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition, even with exclusions, is generally favorable for taxpayers as it allows multiple qualified vendors to bid, driving down costs through competitive pressure.

Public Impact

The Department of State benefits from enhanced domestic security infrastructure. Services delivered include installation of security systems and related components. The geographic impact is concentrated in Alabama. The contract supports jobs within the security installation and potentially related trades sectors in Alabama.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if the scope of 'domestic security installation' is broader than anticipated.
The exclusion of sources in the competition process warrants further investigation to ensure fairness and optimal pricing.
The NAICS code mismatch (336611 - Shipbuilding and Repairing vs. installation services) raises questions about the precise nature of the work and potential misclassification.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract was awarded through a competitive process, indicating some level of market vetting.
The one-year duration allows for focused project management and timely completion.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader security services sector, which includes physical security, electronic security systems, and installation services. The market for such services is substantial, driven by government and private sector needs for protection. The Department of State's requirement for domestic security installations is a niche within this larger market, likely involving specialized equipment and expertise. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific security technologies and scale of the installations.

Small Business Impact

There is no explicit indication of small business set-asides for this contract, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. Given the contract value and the nature of security installations, it is possible that larger firms with specialized capabilities are the primary awardees. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses have opportunities to participate as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of State's contracting officers and program managers. The firm fixed-price nature of the award places the onus on the contractor to manage costs. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of contract awards, but detailed performance metrics and oversight reports are not publicly available through this data. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of State Security Contracts
Federal Security Installation Services
Domestic Infrastructure Security

Risk Flags

NAICS Code Mismatch
Limited Competition (2 Bidders)
Exclusion of Sources in Competition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $15.5 million to ACQCENTRIC, INC.. DOMESTIC SECURITY INSTALLATION SERVICES (DSIS) III

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ACQCENTRIC, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $15.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-08. End: 2026-09-07.

What specific types of security installations are covered under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact types of security installations. However, given the contracting agency (Department of State) and the general term 'domestic security installation,' it could encompass a range of services such as access control systems, surveillance equipment (CCTV), intrusion detection systems, physical barriers, and potentially secure communication infrastructure. The NAICS code 336611 (Ship Building and Repairing) is unusual for installation services and might indicate a specialized application or a data entry error, warranting further clarification from the contracting agency regarding the precise scope of work and the rationale behind the NAICS code selection.

How does the awarded price of $15.5 million compare to similar security installation contracts?

Direct comparison of the $15.5 million award to similar contracts is difficult without more granular data on the specific security technologies, scale of deployment, and geographic scope of other contracts. However, for a one-year duration, this represents a substantial investment. The firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type suggests that the contractor, ACQCENTRIC, INC., is responsible for managing costs to remain profitable. If the competition yielded only two bidders, it might suggest a specialized market where pricing could be less sensitive to competitive pressures compared to markets with numerous vendors. A benchmark analysis would require identifying contracts with comparable security features and installation complexity.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract for the Department of State?

The primary risks for the Department of State include potential performance issues if ACQCENTRIC, INC. lacks the necessary expertise or resources for the specific security installations, despite being awarded the contract. Cost risk is mitigated by the FFP structure, but scope creep could lead to change orders and increased costs if not managed tightly. There's also a risk related to the unusual NAICS code classification, which might indicate a misunderstanding of the required services or the contractor's capabilities. Ensuring the installations meet stringent security standards and are effectively integrated is paramount.

What is the track record of ACQCENTRIC, INC. in performing similar security installation services?

The provided data does not include specific details on ACQCENTRIC, INC.'s past performance or track record. To assess their suitability for this contract, a review of their contract history, past performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS reports), and experience with similar security installation projects would be necessary. Given this is a significant award, it is expected that the Department of State conducted due diligence on the contractor's capabilities and past performance during the source selection process.

How does the competition level (2 bidders) impact the value for taxpayers?

A competition with only two bidders generally suggests a less robust market for the specific services required, which can potentially lead to higher prices for taxpayers compared to a scenario with multiple, highly competitive bids. While 'full and open competition' was utilized, the exclusion of sources and the limited number of actual bidders indicate that the government may not have achieved the full benefit of price discovery that a larger pool of competitors could provide. This could mean that the awarded price is not the absolute lowest possible, although it was deemed acceptable by the contracting agency.

What is the significance of the contract being a 'Delivery Order' under a larger IDIQ or similar vehicle?

The designation 'DELIVERY ORDER' implies that this contract is a task order issued under a pre-existing indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar multiple-award contract vehicle. This means that the foundational contract terms, including eligibility of the contractor and general scope, were likely established previously. Delivery orders allow agencies to procure specific goods or services as needed, up to certain limits. For taxpayers, this structure can offer efficiency by streamlining the procurement process for recurring needs, but the value and competition are determined at the IDIQ level and then refined through the issuance of individual delivery orders.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Ship and Boat Building › Ship Building and Repairing

Product/Service Code: ALARM, SIGNAL, SECURITY DETECTION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 19AQMM25Q0121

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6767 OLD MADISON PIKE NW STE 95, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35806

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $71,121,719

Exercised Options: $59,382,546

Current Obligation: $15,481,684

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRCA25DA024

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline