DHS awards $19M+ for armed security guard services, with 7 bids received

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,054,928 ($19.1M)

Contractor: Imaq Walden JV LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2022-09-27

End Date: 2026-09-26

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ARMED SECURITY GUARD SERVICES FOR THE CDP ULTIMATE PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE IF ALL OPTIONS ARE EXERCISED: 9/25/2027

Place of Performance

Location: ANNISTON, CALHOUN County, ALABAMA, 36205

State: Alabama Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $19.1 million to IMAQ WALDEN JV LLC for work described as: ARMED SECURITY GUARD SERVICES FOR THE CDP ULTIMATE PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE IF ALL OPTIONS ARE EXERCISED: 9/25/2027 Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the duration and scope of services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these services. 3. Potential risks include contractor performance and adherence to security protocols. 4. Services are critical for protecting federal facilities and personnel. 5. This contract falls within the broader security services sector for federal agencies.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of over $19 million for a period of up to four years (including options) for armed security guard services seems aligned with industry standards for similar federal contracts. Benchmarking against other federal contracts for security services of comparable scope and duration would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that the solicitation was broadly advertised, and multiple responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The presence of seven bidders suggests a competitive environment, which typically leads to better pricing and service quality for the government. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition for this contract is beneficial for taxpayers as it likely drove down prices and encouraged multiple qualified vendors to offer their best services, ensuring the government receives good value for its investment.

Public Impact

Federal facilities and personnel managed by FEMA will benefit from enhanced security. The contract ensures the provision of armed security guard services. Services are geographically focused within Alabama (AL). The contract supports jobs within the private security industry.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Ensuring consistent contractor performance and adherence to strict security protocols.
Monitoring guard qualifications and training to meet federal standards.
Managing potential contractor personnel issues or turnover.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive market.
Firm-fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty.
Multiple bidders (7) suggest a healthy vendor pool.

Sector Analysis

The federal security services market is substantial, encompassing a wide range of protective services for government facilities and operations. This contract for armed security guards fits within the broader 'Security Guards and Patrol Services' industry (NAICS 561612). Federal spending in this sector is driven by the need to protect critical infrastructure, personnel, and sensitive information across various agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other contracts for similar guard services awarded by agencies like DHS, GSA, or DoD.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate a small business set-aside (SS=false, SB=false). While there is no direct set-aside, the prime contractor, IMAQ WALDEN JV LLC, may have small business subcontracting goals. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether the prime contractor utilizes small businesses for any part of the service delivery.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officer and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) contracting office. Performance monitoring, quality assurance, and compliance checks are standard oversight mechanisms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Protective Service Contracts
Department of Homeland Security Security Services
FEMA Facility Support Contracts
Armed Guard Services
Private Security Industry Federal Spending

Risk Flags

Contractor Performance Risk
Personnel Security and Vetting
Service Level Agreement Compliance
Incident Response Effectiveness

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $19.1 million to IMAQ WALDEN JV LLC. ARMED SECURITY GUARD SERVICES FOR THE CDP ULTIMATE PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE IF ALL OPTIONS ARE EXERCISED: 9/25/2027

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is IMAQ WALDEN JV LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Federal Emergency Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $19.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-27. End: 2026-09-26.

What is the track record of IMAQ WALDEN JV LLC in performing federal security contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of IMAQ WALDEN JV LLC in performing federal security contracts would typically be found in past performance evaluations submitted as part of the bidding process or in contract administration records. A review of the System for Award Management (SAM) and contract databases like FPDS could reveal previous awards and performance history. Without direct access to these internal performance metrics, it's difficult to definitively assess their track record. However, the award of this significant contract by FEMA suggests they met the required qualifications and demonstrated capability during the procurement process. Further investigation into past performance reviews, if publicly available, would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment.

How does the per-hour cost of these armed guards compare to similar federal contracts?

To benchmark the per-hour cost, we would need to divide the total contract value by the estimated total hours of service over the contract's period of performance. Given the total award of $19,054,927.85 and a duration of 1460 days (approximately 4 years), we can estimate an average annual value. However, without knowing the specific number of guards, hours per guard per day, and the option periods exercised, calculating a precise per-hour rate is not feasible from the provided data. Federal contracts for armed security guards can vary significantly based on location, security clearance requirements, and specific duties. A typical range might be from $40 to $80+ per hour, depending on these factors. A detailed analysis would require comparing this contract's specific labor rates and overhead to similar solicitations and awards in the same geographic region and for comparable security requirements.

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

Primary risks include contractor performance failures (e.g., insufficient guard presence, inadequate response to incidents), personnel issues (e.g., guard misconduct, high turnover, failure to maintain qualifications), and potential security breaches. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust performance standards outlined in the contract, regular site inspections, performance evaluations, and clear procedures for addressing non-compliance. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. The contracting officer and technical representatives are responsible for ongoing oversight to ensure adherence to security protocols and contract requirements. Background checks and ongoing training requirements for guards also serve as risk mitigation measures.

What is the expected effectiveness of these security services in enhancing facility protection?

The effectiveness of these armed security services is expected to be high in deterring unauthorized access, responding to immediate threats, and providing a visible security presence. Armed guards offer a higher level of deterrence and response capability compared to unarmed personnel, which is crucial for protecting federal facilities that may house sensitive information or critical assets. The specific effectiveness will depend on the deployment strategy, the quality of the guards, their training, and the integration of their services with other security measures (e.g., surveillance systems, access control). Regular performance reviews and post-incident analyses will be key to measuring and ensuring the ongoing effectiveness of the services provided.

How does this contract's spending compare to historical federal spending on security guard services?

This contract represents a portion of the overall federal spending on security guard services, which is a significant category within federal procurement. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and specifically FEMA, are major consumers of such services due to their mission requirements. Historical spending patterns for security guard services across the federal government have generally shown a consistent demand, often increasing during periods of heightened security concerns or expanded facility management needs. To compare this specific contract's value ($19M+) to historical trends, one would analyze aggregate spending data for NAICS code 561612 over several fiscal years, looking at total agency expenditures and average contract values. This contract appears to be a substantial award for a single entity over its performance period.

Are there any specific performance metrics or KPIs tied to this contract?

While the provided data does not explicitly list Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or specific metrics, federal contracts for security guard services typically include detailed performance standards. These often cover aspects such as guard response times to alarms, adherence to post orders, punctuality, professionalism, incident reporting accuracy, and compliance with training requirements. The contracting officer's representative (COR) or technical point of contact is usually responsible for monitoring these metrics and evaluating the contractor's performance against the contract's requirements. Failure to meet these KPIs can result in contract deficiencies, corrective actions, or even termination.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 70FA2022R00000002

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2700 GAMBELL ST STE 401, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99503

Business Categories: Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,248,447

Exercised Options: $19,054,928

Current Obligation: $19,054,928

Actual Outlays: $10,094,434

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline