DHS Spends $28.9M on Transportation Security Guard Services with ISS Action Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,886,408 ($28.9M)

Contractor: ISS Action Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2019-09-30

End Date: 2020-08-08

Contract Duration: 313 days

Daily Burn Rate: $92.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: TRANSPORTATION SECURITY GUARD SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: JAMAICA, QUEENS County, NEW YORK, 11434

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $28.9 million to ISS ACTION INC for work described as: TRANSPORTATION SECURITY GUARD SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract for security guard services was awarded to ISS Action Inc. for approximately $28.9 million. 2. The award was made under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, indicating a pre-negotiated framework. 3. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The services were procured by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a component of the Department of Homeland Security. 5. The contract duration was 313 days, ending in August 2020.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of $28.9 million for security guard services over approximately one year appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar large-scale security contracts would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: $92,289 (total contract value / duration in days)

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, which typically fosters competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value. The use of a BPA Call suggests that the initial competition for the BPA itself was robust.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process likely resulted in a fair market price, minimizing potential overspending and maximizing taxpayer value for essential security services.

Public Impact

Ensures security at transportation hubs, contributing to national safety. Supports border protection operations by providing essential personnel. Creates jobs within the security services sector. The services are critical for maintaining operational integrity and preventing unauthorized access.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Contract duration is relatively short (313 days).
Awarded under a BPA Call, which might have limitations compared to a direct solicitation.
No specific small business set-aside mentioned.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Services provided by a component of the Department of Homeland Security.
Clear contract end date and value.

Sector Analysis

The transportation security sector is critical for national infrastructure and involves significant government spending. Benchmarks for security guard services can vary widely based on location, required skill sets, and contract duration.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this specific BPA Call or the underlying BPA. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Homeland Security, through U.S. Customs and Border Protection, is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard procurement oversight processes would apply to ensure performance and compliance.

Related Government Programs

Security Guards and Patrol Services
Department of Homeland Security Contracting
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Programs

Risk Flags

Contract duration is less than one year.
Awarded via BPA Call, not a direct solicitation.
No explicit mention of small business participation.
High total contract value requires careful performance monitoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $28.9 million to ISS ACTION INC. TRANSPORTATION SECURITY GUARD SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ISS ACTION INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Customs and Border Protection).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $28.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-09-30. End: 2020-08-08.

What was the specific scope of services provided by ISS Action Inc. under this contract?

The data indicates 'Transportation Security Guard Services' and the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 561612 for 'Security Guards and Patrol Services'. This suggests personnel were deployed to monitor, protect, and patrol transportation facilities or assets, likely involving access control, surveillance, and response to security incidents.

How does the per-unit cost of $92,289 per day compare to industry standards for similar security guard services?

A daily cost of $92,289 for security guard services is exceptionally high and likely represents the total contract value divided by the number of days, not a daily operational cost. The actual per-guard, per-hour, or per-shift cost would be the relevant metric for comparison, which is not provided in the data.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a BPA Call for critical security services?

While BPAs streamline procurement, relying solely on a BPA Call might limit the scope of competition for specific task orders if not managed carefully. Risks include potentially less competitive pricing than a direct solicitation and ensuring the BPA's terms remain optimal for evolving security needs.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCATION › OTHER TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCAT SV

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 204 E MCKENZIE ST, PUNTA GORDA, FL, 33950

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Not Designated a Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $28,957,038

Exercised Options: $28,886,408

Current Obligation: $28,886,408

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70B03C19A00000040

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline