Smithsonian Institution Awards $181.5M Contract for Unarmed Guard Services to Universal Protection Service

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $181,480,228 ($181.5M)

Contractor: Universal Protection Service, Limited Partnership

Awarding Agency: Smithsonian Institution

Start Date: 2018-08-20

End Date: 2026-01-31

Contract Duration: 2,721 days

Daily Burn Rate: $66.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ''IGF::OT::IGF'' PROVIDE UNARMED GUARDS FOR SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION'S MUSEUMS AND FACILITIES LOCATED IN MULTIPLE JURISDICTIONS.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20560

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Smithsonian Institution obligated $181.5 million to UNIVERSAL PROTECTION SERVICE, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP for work described as: ''IGF::OT::IGF'' PROVIDE UNARMED GUARDS FOR SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION'S MUSEUMS AND FACILITIES LOCATED IN MULTIPLE JURISDICTIONS. Key points: 1. The contract, valued at $181.5 million, covers unarmed guard services for the Smithsonian Institution's museums and facilities. 2. Universal Protection Service, LP, is the awardee for this definitive contract. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The primary service category is Security Guards and Patrol Services (NAICS 561612).

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $181.5 million over its potential duration appears reasonable for comprehensive security guard services across multiple facilities. Benchmarking against similar large-scale security contracts would provide further validation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is expected to yield a fair price, maximizing taxpayer value for essential security services.

Public Impact

Ensures security and safety for visitors and staff at Smithsonian museums and facilities. Supports the preservation of valuable artifacts and exhibits. Provides employment opportunities within the security services sector. Maintains public access to cultural and educational institutions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Contract duration extends to January 2026, requiring ongoing monitoring.
Potential for scope creep or changes in security needs over the contract term.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Clear definition of services (unarmed guards).
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

The security services sector is characterized by a mix of large established providers and smaller specialized firms. Spending in this area is often driven by government needs for physical security at federal facilities and public institutions.

Small Business Impact

While the awardee is a large entity (Universal Protection Service, LP), the contract's full and open competition structure allows for small businesses to potentially participate as subcontractors, though this is not explicitly detailed in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

The Smithsonian Institution is responsible for oversight. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of cost control, but performance monitoring will be crucial to ensure service quality and adherence to requirements.

Related Government Programs

Security Guards and Patrol Services
Smithsonian Institution Contracting
Smithsonian Institution Programs

Risk Flags

Long contract duration requires sustained oversight.
Potential for service quality degradation over time.
Dependence on a single large contractor for critical security functions.
Risk of unforeseen security threats requiring service adjustments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Smithsonian Institution awarded $181.5 million to UNIVERSAL PROTECTION SERVICE, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP. ''IGF::OT::IGF'' PROVIDE UNARMED GUARDS FOR SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION'S MUSEUMS AND FACILITIES LOCATED IN MULTIPLE JURISDICTIONS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSAL PROTECTION SERVICE, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Smithsonian Institution (Smithsonian Institution).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $181.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-08-20. End: 2026-01-31.

What is the average hourly rate for guards under this contract, and how does it compare to industry benchmarks?

Calculating the average hourly rate requires dividing the total contract value by the estimated total hours. Without specific hour breakdowns or guard levels, a precise calculation is difficult. However, a rough estimate can be made. If we assume the $181.5M is spread over the full 2721 days (approx. 65,304 hours), and assuming a constant workforce, the hourly rate would need to be competitive within the DC metro area security market, which typically ranges from $20-$40/hour depending on experience and duties.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for the security guard services, and how is performance measured?

Key performance indicators for security guard services typically include response times to incidents, adherence to post orders, incident reporting accuracy, and overall site security. The Smithsonian Institution would likely have a performance work statement (PWS) outlining specific metrics and evaluation methods, potentially including regular site inspections, review of incident logs, and feedback from facility managers.

Are there provisions for escalation or de-escalation of services based on changing threat levels or institutional needs?

Given the contract's duration and the nature of security services, it is highly probable that the contract includes mechanisms for adjusting service levels. This could involve options for increasing or decreasing guard hours, modifying post orders, or adding specialized security measures in response to evolving threat assessments or specific institutional events. The firm fixed-price nature might require contract modifications for significant changes.

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: SEALED BID

Solicitation ID: F17SOL10033

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1551 N TUSTIN AVE STE 650, SANTA ANA, CA, 92705

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $181,480,228

Exercised Options: $181,480,228

Current Obligation: $181,480,228

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline