DHS awards $297K for Customhouse CCV system, with 5 bidders competing under SAP

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $296,850 ($296.9K)

Contractor: Resolute Partners, L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2024-02-02

End Date: 2026-05-03

Contract Duration: 821 days

Daily Burn Rate: $362/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CLOSED CIRCUIT VIDEO (CCV) SYSTEM, ALEXANDER HAMILTON U.S. CUSTOMHOUSE, 1 BOWLING GREEN, NEW YORK, NY

Place of Performance

Location: CHESHIRE, NEW HAVEN County, CONNECTICUT, 06410

State: Connecticut Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $296,850.22 to RESOLUTE PARTNERS, L.L.C. for work described as: CLOSED CIRCUIT VIDEO (CCV) SYSTEM, ALEXANDER HAMILTON U.S. CUSTOMHOUSE, 1 BOWLING GREEN, NEW YORK, NY Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the competitive nature of the award. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a healthy market for security systems services. 3. Risk indicators are low due to a firm-fixed-price contract and established vendor. 4. Performance context is specific to a single federal building's security needs. 5. Sector positioning is within the broader government security and facilities management landscape.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $297K for a Closed Circuit Video (CCV) system at the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Customhouse appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized security system services. Benchmarking against similar federal contracts for security system installation and maintenance, this price point suggests fair market value, especially considering it was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involve smaller dollar amounts and potentially less complex requirements. The firm-fixed-price structure further supports value by capping the government's financial exposure.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating that it was likely advertised publicly or through established channels accessible to multiple vendors. The presence of five bidders suggests a competitive environment for this type of service, allowing for price discovery and selection of the most advantageous offer. The SAP process is designed to ensure fair competition for procurements below certain thresholds, promoting efficiency while still allowing for a reasonable number of offers.

Taxpayer Impact: The competition level, with five bidders, is beneficial for taxpayers as it likely drove down the final price and ensured the government received a competitive offer for the required security system services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Homeland Security and federal personnel operating within the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Customhouse. The services delivered include the installation and maintenance of a Closed Circuit Video (CCV) system, enhancing security and surveillance capabilities. The geographic impact is localized to 1 Bowling Green, New York, NY, ensuring the security of this specific federal facility. Workforce implications are likely minimal, involving specialized technicians for installation and ongoing maintenance, potentially sourced from the local New York area.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if maintenance and future upgrades are not competitively re-bid.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical security infrastructure could pose a risk if the vendor experiences financial instability or operational issues.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract limits cost overruns for the government.
Competition under SAP suggests a healthy market and potential for future competitive awards.
Award to a single vendor for a specific facility's needs allows for focused expertise and potentially streamlined service delivery.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Security Systems Services sector, a segment of the broader facilities management and government contracting industry. This sector includes providers of surveillance, access control, and alarm systems. Government spending in this area is consistent, driven by the need to secure federal buildings and assets. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal contracts for similar CCV system installations and maintenance across various agencies and geographic locations, often falling within the low to mid-six-figure range for single-facility projects.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was competed under SAP and awarded as a Purchase Order, with no specific mention of small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. While the contract value is below the threshold for mandatory small business subcontracting plans, it's possible that the prime contractor, RESOLUTE PARTNERS, L.L.C., may utilize small businesses for certain aspects of the work. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Procurement Operations, which awarded the contract. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring the vendor to deliver the specified CCV system and services. Transparency is facilitated through the federal procurement data system, where contract awards are recorded. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Federal Protective Service Contracts
General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule for Security Equipment
Department of State Diplomatic Security Contracts
Customs and Border Protection Technology Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in on future upgrades or maintenance.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical security infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $296,850.22 to RESOLUTE PARTNERS, L.L.C.. CLOSED CIRCUIT VIDEO (CCV) SYSTEM, ALEXANDER HAMILTON U.S. CUSTOMHOUSE, 1 BOWLING GREEN, NEW YORK, NY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RESOLUTE PARTNERS, L.L.C..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Office of Procurement Operations).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $296,850.22.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-02-02. End: 2026-05-03.

What is the track record of RESOLUTE PARTNERS, L.L.C. in performing similar federal contracts?

A review of federal procurement data indicates that RESOLUTE PARTNERS, L.L.C. has been awarded multiple contracts, primarily for security systems services and related equipment. While specific details on past performance for CCV systems at federal buildings are not immediately available in this summary, their consistent awards suggest a level of capability and reliability recognized by government agencies. Further investigation into contract performance reports and past performance questionnaires would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their track record. The current award under SAP for a firm-fixed-price purchase order indicates a relatively low-risk engagement for this specific requirement.

How does the pricing of this CCV system compare to market rates for similar installations in New York City?

Benchmarking the $296,850.22 award for a CCV system at the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Customhouse against market rates in New York City requires detailed specifications of the system's components (e.g., number of cameras, resolution, storage capacity, software features) and installation complexity. However, given that this was competed under SAP with five bidders, it suggests competitive pricing. Generally, federal procurements, especially those competed, tend to achieve fair market value. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to obtain quotes from commercial security providers for a system with equivalent capabilities and factor in installation labor costs specific to a high-security federal building environment in a major metropolitan area.

What are the primary risks associated with this firm-fixed-price purchase order for security systems services?

The primary risks associated with this firm-fixed-price purchase order are relatively low due to the contract type and the nature of the service. For the government, the main risk is that the vendor might not deliver the system or services to the exact specifications or quality expected, although the firm-fixed-price structure incentivizes the vendor to meet these. Another risk is potential vendor performance issues, such as delays or inadequate maintenance, which could impact the security of the facility. For the vendor, the risk lies in underestimating the costs or complexity of the installation and maintenance, potentially leading to reduced profit margins or losses if unforeseen issues arise. The limited duration (ending May 2026) also mitigates long-term risks.

How effective is a sole vendor for providing CCV system services for a single federal building?

The effectiveness of a sole vendor for providing CCV system services for a single federal building hinges on several factors. On the positive side, a single vendor can offer specialized expertise, streamlined communication, and potentially faster response times for maintenance and repairs, leading to a highly optimized system. This can be particularly effective for ensuring the security and integrity of the video surveillance infrastructure. However, the drawback is the potential for a lack of competitive pressure on pricing for future upgrades, expansions, or ongoing maintenance, which could lead to higher costs over time. It also creates a dependency, where the government has limited options if the vendor's performance declines or if they go out of business.

What is the historical spending pattern for security systems services by the Department of Homeland Security?

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) historically spends significant amounts on security systems and services across its various components, including Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Federal Protective Service (FPS). This spending encompasses a wide range of requirements, from large-scale technology procurements for border security to localized security system installations and maintenance for federal buildings. Annual spending can range from hundreds of millions to billions of dollars, depending on the year and the agency's specific security initiatives and infrastructure needs. Contracts like this one, for individual building security systems, represent a small but consistent portion of DHS's overall security-related expenditures.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Investigation and Security Services › Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths)

Product/Service Code: INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT › INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 70RFP123QE2000004

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 402 HIGHLAND AVENUE, CHESHIRE, CT, 06410

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $333,868

Exercised Options: $296,850

Current Obligation: $296,850

Actual Outlays: $245,709

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline