VA Awards $3.28M for Unarmed Security Guard and Alarm Monitoring Services to COGAR GROUP, LTD
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,284,702 ($3.3M)
Contractor: Cogar Group, Ltd., the
Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs
Start Date: 2025-04-26
End Date: 2027-04-25
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 19
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: UNARMED SECURITY GUARD AND ALARM MONITORING SERVICES FOR MARTINSBURG VAMC
Place of Performance
Location: MARTINSBURG, BERKELEY County, WEST VIRGINIA, 25405
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $3.3 million to COGAR GROUP, LTD., THE for work described as: UNARMED SECURITY GUARD AND ALARM MONITORING SERVICES FOR MARTINSBURG VAMC Key points: 1. Contract awarded to COGAR GROUP, LTD. for $3.28M. 2. Services include unarmed security guards and alarm monitoring for Martinsburg VAMC. 3. Competition method was 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES'. 4. Contract duration is 729 days, ending April 25, 2027. 5. The NAICS code is 561612 (Security Guards and Patrol Services).
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $3.28M for 729 days suggests a daily rate of approximately $4,500. This needs to be benchmarked against similar security contracts for VAMC facilities to assess value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The competition method 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' indicates that while the competition was intended to be open, specific sources were excluded, potentially limiting price discovery and competition.
Taxpayer Impact: The final price paid by taxpayers will depend on whether the limited competition resulted in a fair market price for the security services.
Public Impact
Ensures security and safety at the Martinsburg VA Medical Center. Provides critical alarm monitoring services for the facility. Supports veteran healthcare services by maintaining a secure environment. Potential impact on local employment through the contractor's operations.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 45 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition may lead to higher costs.
- Lack of detailed cost breakdown makes value assessment difficult.
- Contract duration is significant, requiring ongoing monitoring.
Positive Signals
- Clear service description and location.
- Definitive contract type allows for defined scope.
- Fixed price contract provides cost certainty.
Sector Analysis
The security services sector, particularly for government facilities, often involves competitive bidding. This contract's value is moderate for specialized security services, and benchmarks against similar VAMC contracts are needed for a full assessment.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this award, as the 'sb' field is false. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were excluded or did not bid.
Oversight & Accountability
The VA is responsible for overseeing this contract to ensure COGAR GROUP, LTD. provides the agreed-upon security and alarm monitoring services effectively and within budget. Performance metrics and regular reviews are crucial.
Related Government Programs
- Security Guards and Patrol Services
- Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
- Department of Veterans Affairs Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition raises concerns about price fairness.
- High daily rate requires further justification and benchmarking.
- Exclusion of sources needs clear rationale.
- Potential for reduced value due to limited vendor pool.
Tags
security-guards-and-patrol-services, department-of-veterans-affairs, wv, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $3.3 million to COGAR GROUP, LTD., THE. UNARMED SECURITY GUARD AND ALARM MONITORING SERVICES FOR MARTINSBURG VAMC
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is COGAR GROUP, LTD., THE.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (Department of Veterans Affairs).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $3.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-04-26. End: 2027-04-25.
What is the benchmark cost for similar unarmed security guard and alarm monitoring services at other VA facilities of comparable size and complexity?
Benchmarking against similar VA facilities is crucial. Without specific data, a rough estimate suggests daily rates for unarmed guards can range from $300-$600, and alarm monitoring can add $50-$200 per day per site. The $4,500 daily rate for this contract appears high and warrants further investigation into the specific services included and the exclusion of other sources.
What were the specific reasons for excluding other sources in the competition, and did this exclusion significantly impact the final contract price?
The exclusion of other sources suggests potential reasons such as prior performance issues, specific technical requirements, or a belief that only certain vendors could meet the need. If the excluded sources could have offered competitive pricing or superior service, their exclusion likely inflated the final price and reduced overall value for the taxpayer. A detailed justification for the exclusion is necessary.
How effectively will the fixed-price contract structure incentivize COGAR GROUP, LTD. to maintain high service quality and cost control over the 729-day period?
A firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government but places the risk of cost overruns on the contractor. This can incentivize efficiency. However, for service contracts, it's crucial to have strong performance standards and monitoring to ensure quality is not sacrificed for cost savings. Regular performance reviews are essential to ensure the contractor meets all requirements.
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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 36C24525Q0082
Offers Received: 19
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 12814 ARNOT LANE, BRISTOW, VA, 20136
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $4,922,704
Exercised Options: $3,284,702
Current Obligation: $3,284,702
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-04-26
Current End Date: 2027-04-25
Potential End Date: 2028-04-25 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-17
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