DHS awards $4M for ground transportation security services in Alaska, with a tight turnaround

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,039,486 ($4.0M)

Contractor: Trailboss Enterprises, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2025-09-30

End Date: 2025-10-31

Contract Duration: 31 days

Daily Burn Rate: $130.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: GROUND TRANSPORTATION TX AND NM

Place of Performance

Location: ANCHORAGE, ANCHORAGE County, ALASKA, 99501

State: Alaska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $4.0 million to TRAILBOSS ENTERPRISES, INC. for work described as: GROUND TRANSPORTATION TX AND NM Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the short duration and specialized nature of security services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract is a Time and Materials type, which can pose cost control risks if not closely monitored. 4. Services are concentrated in Alaska, indicating a specific geographic need. 5. The award was made by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a component of DHS. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 561612 points to security guard services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $4 million for a one-month period is substantial, but potentially justified by the specialized security needs of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Alaska. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the duration is very short, suggesting a focused operational requirement rather than a long-term program. Benchmarking against similar short-term, high-security service contracts in remote locations would be necessary for a more definitive comparison.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This method generally promotes a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The data does not specify the number of bidders, but the use of this procurement method suggests a deliberate effort to maximize competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining services at competitive market rates and reduces the risk of overpayment.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are U.S. Customs and Border Protection, ensuring the security of ground transportation operations. Services delivered include security guards and patrol services, crucial for border security and interdiction efforts. The geographic impact is focused on Alaska, a region with unique logistical and security challenges. Workforce implications include the potential employment of security personnel within Alaska to fulfill the contract requirements.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type introduces potential for cost overruns if not managed diligently.
Short contract duration (31 days) may indicate an urgent or temporary need, requiring rapid deployment and potentially higher unit costs.
Geographic concentration in Alaska could present logistical challenges and higher operational expenses.
Limited data on contractor performance history for similar high-security roles.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust and fair bidding process.
Contract awarded to Trailboss Enterprises, Inc., indicating a known entity in the contracting space.
Clear definition of service (Security Guards and Patrol Services) and agency (DHS).

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the security and protective services sector, specifically focusing on guard and patrol services. This sector is critical for government operations, particularly for agencies like Customs and Border Protection that manage physical security and border integrity. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous providers capable of meeting government requirements. The value of this specific contract, while significant for its duration, is a small component within the broader federal spending on security and defense-related services.

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 or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside provision. The prime contractor, Trailboss Enterprises, Inc., will be responsible for fulfilling the contract requirements.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). As a Time and Materials contract, rigorous monitoring of labor hours and material costs will be essential to ensure accountability and prevent overspending. The contract's short duration may allow for more direct oversight. Transparency would be enhanced through regular reporting requirements and potentially through the DHS Inspector General's office if any concerns arise regarding performance or financial management.

Related Government Programs

DHS Security Services
CBP Border Security Contracts
Alaska Federal Contracts
Ground Transportation Security
Security Guard Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M contract type.
Short contract duration may lead to higher unit costs or logistical challenges.
Geographic concentration in Alaska could increase operational complexity and cost.
Need for robust oversight due to the critical nature of security services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $4.0 million to TRAILBOSS ENTERPRISES, INC.. GROUND TRANSPORTATION TX AND NM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TRAILBOSS ENTERPRISES, 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 $4.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-30. End: 2025-10-31.

What is the typical cost range for similar short-term security guard services in remote or challenging environments like Alaska?

Benchmarking the per-hour or per-day cost for security guards in Alaska is complex due to significant variations in labor costs, travel, and logistical support required in remote areas. Generally, security services in Alaska command a premium compared to the continental U.S. due to higher living expenses and operational challenges. For specialized security personnel, especially those requiring specific clearances or training relevant to border protection, hourly rates can range from $75 to over $150 per hour, depending on the skill level, number of personnel, and duration of the contract. Given the $4 million award for a 31-day period, this suggests a substantial team of guards working extended hours, or a very high-risk operational environment necessitating premium services. Without a breakdown of hours and personnel, direct comparison is difficult, but the contract value indicates a significant operational requirement.

What are the specific risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for security services, and how can they be mitigated?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts carry inherent risks of cost escalation because the government pays for the actual labor hours and material costs incurred by the contractor, plus a fixed fee or fixed hourly rate. For security services, this means that if the contractor's personnel work more hours than anticipated, or if material costs (e.g., equipment, transportation) increase, the total contract cost can exceed initial estimates. Mitigation strategies include establishing strong contract surveillance by the government, defining clear labor categories with pre-negotiated rates, setting cost ceilings or not-to-exceed (NTE) clauses, requiring detailed timesheets and invoices, and conducting regular audits of contractor expenditures. For this specific contract, the short duration might limit the potential for extreme cost overruns, but diligent oversight remains crucial.

How does the 'full and open competition' procurement method typically influence pricing and service quality for security contracts?

Full and open competition is the preferred method for federal procurements because it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, thereby fostering a competitive environment. This competition generally drives down prices as contractors vie to offer the most attractive bid to win the contract. It also encourages innovation and higher service quality as contractors seek to differentiate themselves based on performance and value. For security services, this means that agencies like CBP are likely to receive competitive bids from multiple qualified firms, increasing the probability of securing cost-effective and high-quality services. The absence of specific bidder numbers in the provided data prevents a quantitative assessment of the competition's intensity, but the method itself is a positive indicator for price discovery and value.

What are the potential implications of awarding a security contract for a very short duration (31 days)?

A 31-day contract duration for security services suggests a highly specific, potentially urgent, or temporary operational need. This could be for a special event, a surge in activity, a transition period between contractors, or an emergency response. The implications include a need for rapid contractor mobilization and deployment, potentially higher unit costs due to the short notice and limited economies of scale, and a focus on immediate operational readiness rather than long-term strategic planning. For the government, it means that follow-on contracts or alternative solutions will need to be considered quickly if the need extends beyond this period. The short timeframe also necessitates very clear and concise performance expectations and oversight.

What is the significance of NAICS code 561612 (Security Guards and Patrol Services) in the context of this contract?

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 561612 specifically identifies establishments primarily engaged in providing on-site security guard and patrol services. This includes armed and unarmed guards, patrol services, and related security monitoring. In the context of this Department of Homeland Security contract, it confirms that the core service being procured is the physical presence of security personnel to protect assets, monitor activities, and deter unauthorized access or actions related to ground transportation. This code helps categorize the contract within the broader economy and allows for comparisons with other federal spending on similar services.

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: 201 E 3RD AVE, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99501

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,315,738

Exercised Options: $4,039,486

Current Obligation: $4,039,486

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70B03C24A00000009

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline