Maritime Administration awards $5.1M for FY26 security services to Patriot Contract Services, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $51,224 ($51.2K)

Contractor: Patriot Contract Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2026-01-15

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 350 days

Daily Burn Rate: $146/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: CAPE HENRY FISCAL YEAR (FY) 26 SECURITY A THE PURPOSE OF THIS LINE ITEM IS TO PROVIDE LAYBERTH SECURITY SERVICES.

Place of Performance

Location: SAN FRANCISCO, SAN FRANCISCO County, CALIFORNIA, 94105

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $51,224 to PATRIOT CONTRACT SERVICES, LLC for work described as: CAPE HENRY FISCAL YEAR (FY) 26 SECURITY A THE PURPOSE OF THIS LINE ITEM IS TO PROVIDE LAYBERTH SECURITY SERVICES. Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is a delivery order, indicating it's part of a larger contract vehicle. 3. The service period spans the entirety of FY26, ensuring continuous security coverage. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 483111 points to deep sea freight transportation services. 5. The contract is a cost-no-fee type, which may require close monitoring of costs. 6. The contractor, Patriot Contract Services, LLC, is the sole awardee for this specific delivery order.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $5.1 million for a full year of security services needs to be benchmarked against similar contracts for port or facility security. Without comparative data on the scope and specific services provided, assessing value for money is challenging. The cost-no-fee structure implies that the government will reimburse allowable costs up to a ceiling, necessitating robust cost accounting and oversight to ensure reasonableness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The number of bidders is not specified, but the competitive nature suggests that the Maritime Administration sought to obtain the best value through a transparent process. This approach generally leads to more competitive pricing and a wider selection of qualified contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it promotes a level playing field, encourages multiple bids, and helps drive down prices through market forces.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration, which will receive essential security services. The services delivered will ensure the security of maritime facilities or operations managed by the agency. The contract is geographically focused on California, indicating a specific operational area. The contract supports the workforce of Patriot Contract Services, LLC, providing employment opportunities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost-no-fee contract type requires diligent oversight to ensure cost reasonableness and prevent overruns.
Limited information on the specific security services required makes it difficult to assess the scope and potential risks.
The contractor is the sole awardee for this delivery order, meaning competition was limited to this specific task order.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust and fair bidding process.
The contract duration covers the entire fiscal year, ensuring continuity of essential security services.
The contractor, Patriot Contract Services, LLC, has been selected to provide these critical services.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the broader transportation and logistics sector, specifically related to maritime security. The NAICS code 483111 points to deep sea freight transportation, suggesting the security services are tied to port operations or related infrastructure. Benchmarking would involve comparing costs for similar security contracts at other federal ports or maritime facilities, considering factors like facility size, threat level, and service requirements.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses arising from a small business set-aside. The primary contractor, Patriot Contract Services, LLC, is likely a larger entity if it was not subject to small business size standards for this award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Transportation's Office of Inspector General (OIG) and the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Maritime Administration. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Accountability measures would include performance reviews, adherence to contract terms, and proper cost reporting, especially given the cost-no-fee structure.

Related Government Programs

Department of Transportation Security Contracts
Maritime Security Operations
Port Facility Security Services
Federal Law Enforcement Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Cost-no-fee contract requires diligent cost oversight.
Potential for undefined scope if PWS is not detailed.
Reliance on a single contractor for this delivery order.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $51,224 to PATRIOT CONTRACT SERVICES, LLC. CAPE HENRY FISCAL YEAR (FY) 26 SECURITY A THE PURPOSE OF THIS LINE ITEM IS TO PROVIDE LAYBERTH SECURITY SERVICES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PATRIOT CONTRACT SERVICES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Maritime Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $51,224.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-01-15. End: 2026-12-31.

What is the track record of Patriot Contract Services, LLC in providing security services to federal agencies, particularly the Department of Transportation?

Assessing the track record of Patriot Contract Services, LLC requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts. This would involve examining contract databases for previous awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any documented issues or successes. Specifically for the Department of Transportation, understanding their experience with similar security requirements, contract types (like cost-no-fee), and geographic locations would be crucial. A positive track record with timely delivery, quality service, and adherence to budget would indicate lower risk for this new award. Conversely, past performance issues could signal potential challenges in execution or cost management.

How does the awarded amount of $5.1 million compare to similar security service contracts awarded by the Maritime Administration or other transportation agencies?

To benchmark the $5.1 million award, we would need to identify comparable contracts for security services. This involves looking at contracts with similar scopes of work (e.g., facility security, personnel security, access control), duration (one year), and geographic focus (California). Factors such as the size and type of facilities secured, the level of threat, and the specific services rendered (e.g., armed guards, surveillance, K9 units) would need to be considered for a fair comparison. If this contract value is significantly higher or lower than comparable contracts, it could indicate either exceptional value or potential overpricing/underbidding, warranting further investigation into the specifics of the services required and the contractor's proposed costs.

What are the primary risks associated with a cost-no-fee contract for security services, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risk with a cost-no-fee (CNF) contract is that the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs incurred, up to a negotiated ceiling, but does not receive a fee. This can incentivize contractors to incur costs efficiently to maximize their profit margin (which is zero in this case, but it relates to the efficiency of their operations). However, it can also lead to potential issues if cost accounting systems are weak or if there's a lack of incentive for the contractor to control costs beyond what is necessary to stay within the ceiling. Mitigation strategies include robust government oversight of the contractor's accounting systems, detailed review of incurred costs, clear definitions of allowable expenses, and strong performance management to ensure the services meet requirements regardless of cost structure. The contracting officer's representative (COR) plays a critical role in monitoring performance and costs.

What is the expected effectiveness of the security services provided under this contract in enhancing the safety and security of maritime operations in California?

The effectiveness of the security services hinges on several factors: the clarity and comprehensiveness of the PWS (Performance Work Statement), the qualifications and training of the security personnel provided by Patriot Contract Services, LLC, and the adequacy of the oversight by the Maritime Administration. If the PWS accurately reflects the security needs and threat environment at the specific California maritime locations, and if the contractor deploys well-trained and vigilant personnel, the services should significantly enhance safety and security. Regular performance evaluations, incident reporting analysis, and feedback from operational staff will be crucial to gauge and ensure the ongoing effectiveness of the security measures implemented under this contract.

How has the Maritime Administration's spending on security services in California trended over the past five fiscal years?

To analyze spending trends, we would need to examine historical contract data for the Maritime Administration specifically for security services in California over the last five fiscal years. This would involve querying contract databases for relevant NAICS codes and keywords related to security services, filtered by agency and geographic location. The analysis would reveal the total amount spent annually, the number of contracts awarded, the types of services procured, and the primary contractors. Understanding these historical patterns can help contextualize the current $5.1 million award, identifying whether spending has been consistent, increasing, or decreasing, and whether this award represents a significant shift in investment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Deep Sea, Coastal, and Great Lakes Water Transportation › Deep Sea Freight Transportation

Product/Service Code: OPERATION OF GOVT OWNED FACILITY › OPERATE GOVT OWNED BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1320 WILLOW PASS RD, CONCORD, CA, 94520

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $51,224

Exercised Options: $51,224

Current Obligation: $51,224

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 693JF725D000011

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline