DHS awards $31.5M contract for guard and transportation services to Akima Global Services, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $31,458,038 ($31.5M)

Contractor: Akima Global Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2021-09-23

End Date: 2022-09-29

Contract Duration: 371 days

Daily Burn Rate: $84.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: GUARD, FOOD, AND TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR FLORENCE SERVICE PROCESSING CENTER IAW PBNDS CONTRACT: 70CDCR20D00000004

Place of Performance

Location: FLORENCE, PINAL County, ARIZONA, 85132

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $31.5 million to AKIMA GLOBAL SERVICES, LLC for work described as: GUARD, FOOD, AND TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR FLORENCE SERVICE PROCESSING CENTER IAW PBNDS CONTRACT: 70CDCR20D00000004 Key points: 1. Contract provides essential security and transportation for a federal processing center. 2. Akima Global Services, LLC, a large business, secured this contract. 3. The contract was awarded under a full and open competition. 4. Pricing appears to be a key factor in this firm-fixed-price award. 5. The duration of the contract is approximately one year. 6. Services are concentrated in Arizona, impacting local workforce and security.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $31.5 million for approximately one year of service appears reasonable given the critical nature of security and transportation for a federal processing center. Benchmarking against similar contracts for guard and transportation services at federal facilities would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests that the government has negotiated a set price, transferring some cost risk to the contractor.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value offer. The open competition suggests a healthy market for these specialized services.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the competitive process, which is designed to drive down costs and ensure the government receives high-quality services at a fair price.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ensuring secure operations at the Florence Service Processing Center. Services include providing security guards and transportation, crucial for maintaining order and facilitating movement within the facility. The geographic impact is concentrated in Arizona, specifically supporting operations in the state. This contract likely supports a workforce of security personnel and drivers in Arizona.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for over-reliance on a single large contractor for critical security functions.
Limited insight into the specific performance metrics and quality control measures employed by the contractor.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive marketplace.
Firm-fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for the government.
Contract supports essential government functions for immigration and customs enforcement.

Sector Analysis

The security services industry is a significant sector within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services market. This contract falls under the Security Guards and Patrol Services category (NAICS 561612). The market for federal security services is substantial, driven by the need to protect government assets and personnel across various agencies. This specific award represents a portion of the overall federal spending on security and transportation logistics.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded to a large business (Akima Global Services, LLC) and there is no indication of small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. Therefore, this specific award does not directly benefit small businesses through set-asides. However, the prime contractor may engage small businesses for subcontracting opportunities, though this is not explicitly detailed in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) contracting officer and their representatives. Performance monitoring, quality assurance, and invoice review are standard oversight mechanisms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports are often internal. The Inspector General for the Department of Homeland Security would have jurisdiction for audits and investigations if any issues arise.

Related Government Programs

Federal Protective Service Contracts
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Detention Services
Transportation Services for Federal Agencies
Government Security Guard Services

Risk Flags

Contract Performance Risk
Potential for Service Disruption
Limited Competition Visibility

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $31.5 million to AKIMA GLOBAL SERVICES, LLC. GUARD, FOOD, AND TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR FLORENCE SERVICE PROCESSING CENTER IAW PBNDS CONTRACT: 70CDCR20D00000004

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AKIMA GLOBAL SERVICES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $31.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-23. End: 2022-09-29.

What is the historical spending pattern for guard and transportation services at the Florence Service Processing Center?

Historical spending data for guard and transportation services specifically at the Florence Service Processing Center prior to this contract (70CDCR20D00000004) is not directly available in the provided data. However, the award of a $31.5 million, approximately one-year contract suggests a significant and ongoing need for these services. To understand historical patterns, one would need to examine previous contracts awarded to other entities or the same contractor for similar services at this facility or comparable ICE facilities. Analyzing trends in contract values, durations, and service scopes over several fiscal years would reveal whether spending has been consistent, increasing, or decreasing, and identify any shifts in service providers or contract types.

How does the per-unit cost of security personnel under this contract compare to industry benchmarks?

Determining the precise per-unit cost of security personnel under this contract is challenging without a breakdown of the total award value allocated to guard services versus transportation services, and the number of personnel or hours billed. The contract is a firm-fixed-price award for a bundle of services. To compare with industry benchmarks, we would need to know the average hourly wage or fully burdened cost (including benefits, overhead, and profit) for security guards with similar qualifications and in the same geographic region (Arizona). Industry reports from organizations like the Bureau of Labor Statistics or private security industry associations could provide benchmarks. If, for example, the contract implies a cost of $X per guard hour, comparing this to a benchmark of $Y per guard hour would indicate whether the government is receiving competitive pricing.

What is Akima Global Services, LLC's track record with similar federal contracts?

Akima Global Services, LLC has a substantial track record of performing federal contracts, particularly within the Department of Defense and other civilian agencies. They are known to provide a range of services including logistics, facilities maintenance, IT, and security. For contracts similar to this one, involving guard and transportation services for federal facilities, Akima has experience. A thorough review would involve examining their past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), any past disputes or contract terminations, and the scale and complexity of previously managed security operations. Their ability to successfully manage large, complex service contracts is a key indicator of their capability.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single contractor for these critical services?

Relying on a single contractor, even one with a good track record like Akima Global Services, LLC, for critical security and transportation services presents several potential risks. Firstly, there's the risk of service disruption due to unforeseen contractor issues such as labor disputes, financial instability, or management failures. Secondly, a lack of ongoing competition could potentially lead to complacency and reduced incentive for the contractor to innovate or maintain the highest service standards over time. Thirdly, if the contractor fails to perform adequately, the government's options for immediate remediation might be limited, potentially requiring a costly and time-consuming re-competition or transition to a new provider, which could compromise operational continuity.

How does the duration of this contract (approx. 1 year) align with typical federal service contract lengths?

The contract duration of approximately one year (371 days) is relatively standard for many federal service contracts, especially those that are awarded through full and open competition and may be subject to annual appropriations. While longer-term contracts (e.g., 3-5 years) are common for services requiring significant contractor investment or stability, shorter durations like this allow the government more flexibility to adjust services, re-evaluate performance, and re-compete the contract to ensure continued best value. For security services, a one-year term can be sufficient, particularly if it includes options for renewal, though the provided data does not specify options. This duration suggests a focus on immediate operational needs and potentially allows for market adjustments.

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

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Nana Regional Corporation Inc

Address: 2553 DULLES VIEW DR STE 700, HERNDON, VA, 20171

Business Categories: Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $31,458,038

Exercised Options: $31,458,038

Current Obligation: $31,458,038

Actual Outlays: $4,566,201

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70CDCR20D00000004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline