DHS awards $10.4M for ground transportation in Salt Lake City, serving enforcement operations

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,384,456 ($10.4M)

Contractor: GEO Transport, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2026-01-09

End Date: 2027-01-08

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $28.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS AWARD IS TO PROVIDE GROUND TRANSPORTATION SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL OPERATIONS (ERO) IN THE SALT LAKE CITY (SLC) AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (AOR).

Place of Performance

Location: WEST VALLEY CITY, SALT LAKE County, UTAH, 84119

State: Utah Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $10.4 million to GEO TRANSPORT, INC. for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS AWARD IS TO PROVIDE GROUND TRANSPORTATION SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL OPERATIONS (ERO) IN THE SALT LAKE CITY (SLC) AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (AOR). Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized transportation services supporting federal enforcement. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process, potentially leading to better pricing. 3. The fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor. 4. Contract duration of one year with options provides flexibility for the agency. 5. Geographic focus on Salt Lake City area of responsibility is clearly defined. 6. The service category aligns with essential operational support for immigration enforcement.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $10.4 million for one year of ground transportation services in the Salt Lake City area seems aligned with the specialized nature of supporting enforcement and removal operations. Benchmarking against similar contracts for logistical support in federal law enforcement is challenging without more specific data on service levels and geographic scope. However, the fixed-price contract type suggests that the agency has a clear understanding of the required services and has negotiated a price that transfers risk to the contractor, which is generally a positive indicator of value.

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 offers. The data does not specify the number of bidders, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which is expected to drive down costs and improve service quality. The agency's decision to use full and open competition suggests confidence in the market's ability to provide the required services.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive bids and securing the best possible price for essential services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel requiring transportation for enforcement and removal operations. The services delivered include essential ground transportation within the Salt Lake City area of responsibility. The geographic impact is concentrated within Utah, specifically the Salt Lake City AOR. Workforce implications include the creation or maintenance of jobs for drivers and support staff employed by GEO TRANSPORT, INC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for service disruptions if contractor faces operational challenges.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical transportation needs.
Ensuring consistent service quality across all operations.

Positive Signals

Clear definition of service area and operational support requirements.
Fixed-price contract structure incentivizes contractor efficiency.
Award to an established entity with experience in transportation services.

Sector Analysis

The ground transportation sector is a critical component of logistical support for various government agencies, particularly those involved in law enforcement and national security. This contract falls within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry, specifically supporting government administrative functions. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous providers capable of meeting specialized transportation needs. The value of this contract is modest within the context of overall federal spending on support services, but significant for the specific operational requirements it addresses.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any small business participation is planned or achieved.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) contracting officer and their representatives, who are responsible for monitoring performance and ensuring compliance with contract terms. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases. Accountability measures are embedded in the contract's performance standards and payment terms. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Law Enforcement Support Services
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Operations
Government Transportation Contracts
Logistical Support for Federal Agencies

Risk Flags

Contractor performance history not fully detailed.
Specific service level agreements and performance metrics not provided.
Potential for reliance on a single provider for critical logistics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $10.4 million to GEO TRANSPORT, INC.. THE PURPOSE OF THIS AWARD IS TO PROVIDE GROUND TRANSPORTATION SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL OPERATIONS (ERO) IN THE SALT LAKE CITY (SLC) AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (AOR).

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GEO TRANSPORT, INC..

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 $10.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-01-09. End: 2027-01-08.

What is the track record of GEO TRANSPORT, INC. in providing similar ground transportation services to federal agencies?

Information regarding the specific track record of GEO TRANSPORT, INC. in providing ground transportation services to federal agencies is not detailed in the provided data. However, the award of this contract by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) suggests that the agency has assessed the contractor's capabilities and determined them to be sufficient for the required services. To fully assess their track record, one would typically review past performance evaluations, contract history with federal agencies, and any reported issues or successes in similar procurements. Without access to these specific performance metrics, it is difficult to provide a definitive assessment of their experience and reliability in this domain.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar transportation services in the Salt Lake City area?

The provided data does not include specific pricing details beyond the total contract value, making a direct comparison to market rates for similar services challenging. The contract is a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) award, which means the price was determined during negotiation and is not directly tied to the volume of services rendered. To benchmark this price, one would need to analyze the specific service requirements (e.g., vehicle types, driver qualifications, operational hours, mileage rates) and compare them against publicly available pricing data for commercial transportation providers in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, as well as against historical data for similar government contracts. The fact that it was awarded under full and open competition suggests that the price is likely competitive within the market.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks associated with this contract include potential service disruptions due to contractor performance issues, unforeseen increases in operational costs for the contractor that could impact service quality, and challenges in ensuring consistent adherence to safety and security protocols. Mitigation strategies are likely embedded within the contract terms. The Firm Fixed Price (FFP) structure shifts some cost-related risks to the contractor. Performance standards and reporting requirements will allow the agency to monitor service delivery and address deficiencies promptly. The contract duration of one year with potential for renewal also allows the agency to reassess the contractor's performance before committing to longer terms.

How effective is this contract in supporting the core mission of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) enforcement and removal operations?

This contract is designed to be directly effective in supporting ICE's core mission by providing essential ground transportation for enforcement and removal operations (ERO) within the Salt Lake City Area of Responsibility (AOR). Reliable and timely transportation is critical for the logistical execution of ERO activities, including apprehending individuals, transporting them to detention facilities, and facilitating removals. By outsourcing these services to a specialized provider like GEO TRANSPORT, INC., ICE can ensure operational continuity and focus its personnel on core law enforcement duties. The effectiveness hinges on the contractor's ability to consistently meet service demands, maintain vehicle readiness, and adhere to all operational and security protocols.

What is the historical spending pattern for ground transportation services by ICE in the Salt Lake City region?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for ground transportation services by ICE in the Salt Lake City region. To analyze this, one would need to access historical contract databases and search for previous awards to GEO TRANSPORT, INC. or other contractors performing similar services in that specific geographic area. Understanding historical spending would allow for a comparison of current contract values against past expenditures, helping to identify trends, potential cost increases or decreases, and the consistency of service providers over time. This context is crucial for assessing whether the current $10.4 million award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in these 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: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: THE GEO Group, Inc.

Address: 4955 TECHNOLOGY WAY, BOCA RATON, FL, 33431

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $49,744,440

Exercised Options: $10,384,456

Current Obligation: $10,384,456

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70CDCR25D00000002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline