GSA awards $18M BPA order for prisoner guard and transportation services to Starside Security

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,004,952 ($18.0M)

Contractor: Starside Security & Investigation Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2020-09-01

End Date: 2025-02-28

Contract Duration: 1,641 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: USMS PRISONER GUARD AND TRANSPORTATION BPA ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22202

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $18.0 million to STARSIDE SECURITY & INVESTIGATION INC for work described as: USMS PRISONER GUARD AND TRANSPORTATION BPA ORDER Key points: 1. Contract value of $18M over 5 years suggests a significant need for these services. 2. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control risks if not managed closely. 3. The award was made under a BPA, indicating a pre-competed framework for efficiency. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 561612 points to a specialized security services market. 5. The contract duration of 1641 days (approx. 4.5 years) provides a stable service period. 6. The small business flags are false, suggesting this contract did not prioritize small business set-asides.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount of $18,004,952.11 for prisoner guard and transportation services over approximately 4.5 years needs further benchmarking against similar contracts. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while flexible, can lead to cost overruns if not meticulously monitored. Without specific details on labor rates and material markups, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the existence of a BPA suggests some level of pre-negotiated pricing, which could offer efficiencies.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a BPA (Blanket Purchase Agreement) using full and open competition. While the specific number of bids for this particular order isn't detailed, the BPA itself implies a competitive process was used to establish the overarching agreement. Full and open competition generally leads to a wider range of potential offerors and can foster better price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the potential for competitive pricing established through the full and open competition process used for the BPA.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the US Marshals Service (USMS), receiving essential guard and transportation services for prisoners. Services delivered include security and transportation, critical for the judicial and law enforcement functions. The contract is geographically focused on Virginia (VA), indicating a regional operational scope. The contract supports the workforce within the private security sector, providing employment opportunities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type increases risk of cost overruns if not closely managed.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess service quality.
Limited information on the competitive landscape for this specific BPA order hinders a full value assessment.

Positive Signals

Awarded under a BPA, suggesting a streamlined procurement process.
Full and open competition for the BPA framework promotes market access and potential cost efficiencies.
Contract duration provides stability for service delivery and planning for the USMS.

Sector Analysis

The security services industry, particularly for government contracts, is highly specialized. NAICS code 561612 covers security guards and patrol services. This contract falls within the broader government contracting sector, where demand for specialized services like prisoner transport and security is consistent due to federal law enforcement and judicial operations. Benchmarking would require comparison to other federal contracts for similar services, potentially across different agencies like the Bureau of Prisons or ICE.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business set-aside flags are false (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the competition for this BPA order was not specifically targeted towards small businesses, nor were there explicit subcontracting requirements for small businesses mandated within this particular award. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal for this specific order, as it was competed broadly.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA) and the specific contracting activity within the Federal Acquisition Service. The US Marshals Service, as the end-user agency, would also have oversight responsibilities for service delivery. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on the specific nature of any potential fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

USMS Prisoner Transportation Services
Federal Law Enforcement Support Services
Private Security Services Contracts
GSA Federal Supply Schedule Contracts
Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)

Risk Flags

Time and Materials pricing model requires diligent oversight to control costs.
Contract duration may limit flexibility to adopt future service innovations.
Limited public data on contractor past performance requires further investigation.
Geographic concentration (Virginia) may not reflect national service needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $18.0 million to STARSIDE SECURITY & INVESTIGATION INC. USMS PRISONER GUARD AND TRANSPORTATION BPA ORDER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is STARSIDE SECURITY & INVESTIGATION INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $18.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-09-01. End: 2025-02-28.

What is the historical spending pattern for prisoner guard and transportation services by the USMS?

Analyzing historical spending for USMS prisoner guard and transportation services requires access to detailed federal procurement data over multiple fiscal years. While this specific BPA order totals $18M, understanding the broader trend involves examining previous contracts, including their values, durations, and awardees. Factors such as changes in incarceration rates, policy shifts, and the utilization of different contracting vehicles (e.g., IDIQs, BPAs, direct awards) would influence spending. Without a comprehensive historical dataset, it's difficult to ascertain if this $18M award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of spending compared to prior periods. However, the consistent need for these services suggests a sustained budgetary allocation.

How does the pricing structure of this Time and Materials contract compare to fixed-price contracts for similar services?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts, like this one, offer flexibility by reimbursing the contractor for direct labor hours at specified rates and for the cost of materials. This can be advantageous when the scope of work is uncertain or likely to change. However, T&M contracts carry a higher risk of cost overruns for the government if not managed diligently, as the final cost is not predetermined. Fixed-price contracts, conversely, establish a set price for a defined scope, shifting cost risk to the contractor. For services like prisoner transport, where the duration and specific needs might fluctuate, T&M can be appropriate. However, comparing pricing requires detailed rate schedules and material costs, which are not provided here. Generally, T&M can be more expensive than fixed-price if efficiencies are not realized or if scope creep occurs.

What is the track record of Starside Security & Investigation Inc. in performing government contracts, particularly for the USMS?

Evaluating the track record of Starside Security & Investigation Inc. requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts. This includes examining contract histories for on-time delivery, quality of service, compliance with terms, and any past performance issues or disputes. Specific to the US Marshals Service, understanding their experience with similar security and transportation tasks is crucial. A review of contract databases and performance evaluation reports (if available) would reveal their reliability and capability. Without this specific performance data, it's challenging to definitively assess their track record for this particular $18M BPA order.

What are the potential risks associated with the duration and value of this contract?

The duration of this contract (approximately 4.5 years) and its value ($18M) present several potential risks. A longer duration increases the risk of contractor performance degradation over time, potential for price increases if not adequately capped, and the possibility of the contract becoming misaligned with evolving agency needs. The substantial value necessitates robust oversight to ensure funds are used efficiently and effectively. Risks associated with the Time and Materials pricing model, as mentioned, include potential cost overruns if labor hours or material costs escalate unexpectedly. Furthermore, reliance on a single BPA order for such a significant period could limit the agency's flexibility to adopt newer, potentially more cost-effective solutions that may emerge during the contract term.

How does the use of a BPA for these services impact overall procurement efficiency and cost for the USMS?

The use of a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for prisoner guard and transportation services is intended to enhance procurement efficiency and potentially reduce costs for the US Marshals Service. BPAs are established under existing indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts or other contract vehicles, allowing agencies to place orders rapidly against pre-negotiated terms and conditions. This streamlines the ordering process compared to initiating a new procurement for each requirement. By consolidating needs under a single BPA, the USMS can leverage potential volume discounts and ensure consistent service providers. The full and open competition used to establish the BPA itself aims to secure competitive pricing from the outset, contributing to cost savings over the life of the agreement.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Investigation and Security Services › Security Guards and Patrol Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Starside Security & Investigation, Inc.

Address: 1370 VALLEY VISTA DR STE 200, DIAMOND BAR, CA, 91765

Business Categories: Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $32,292,026

Exercised Options: $25,668,621

Current Obligation: $18,004,952

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS07F9400S

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline