DHS awards $21.5M for Maryland security services, with CDA Inc. as prime contractor

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,501,584 ($21.5M)

Contractor: CDA Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2024-10-01

End Date: 2025-07-31

Contract Duration: 303 days

Daily Burn Rate: $71.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROTECTIVE SECURITY OFFICER SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF MARYLAND

Place of Performance

Location: BALTIMORE, BALTIMORE CITY County, MARYLAND, 21201

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $21.5 million to CDA INC for work described as: PROTECTIVE SECURITY OFFICER SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF MARYLAND Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in state-wide protective services. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs for the government. 4. Performance period spans nearly one year, indicating ongoing operational needs. 5. The service category is essential for maintaining security across various government facilities. 6. This award is a key component of DHS's broader security infrastructure.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $21.5 million for approximately 303 days of service appears reasonable given the scope of providing protective security officers throughout Maryland. Benchmarking against similar contracts for large-scale security services across multiple locations suggests that the pricing is competitive. The firm-fixed-price (FFP) award type indicates that the government has a clear understanding of the costs involved and is seeking to manage budget predictability. Without specific per-unit cost data, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the overall award size aligns with the extensive geographical coverage required.

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 bids. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which is beneficial for price discovery and ensuring the government receives the best value. The open nature of the competition suggests that multiple companies vied for this significant contract, likely driving down costs and improving service quality.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure security services at the most advantageous price. Full and open competition increases the likelihood of cost savings compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.

Public Impact

Federal facilities and personnel throughout Maryland will receive enhanced security coverage. The services delivered include the deployment of protective security officers. The geographic impact is statewide, covering all areas within Maryland where DHS requires security. This contract supports jobs within the security services industry, particularly for guards and patrol personnel. Citizens and government employees will benefit from a more secure working and visiting environment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for contractor performance variability across different Maryland locations.
Ensuring consistent quality of security personnel training and adherence to protocols.
Managing potential disruptions or changes in security needs during the contract period.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Clear performance period allows for focused execution and evaluation.
CDA Inc. has experience in providing security services, implying a level of operational capability.

Sector Analysis

The security services sector is a critical component of the federal procurement landscape, encompassing a wide range of protective and support functions. This contract falls within the Security Guards and Patrol Services industry, a segment characterized by its labor-intensive nature and the need for reliable, trained personnel. The market size for federal security contracts is substantial, driven by the government's continuous need to protect its assets, facilities, and personnel. This award to CDA Inc. represents a significant portion of spending within this specific sub-sector for the state of Maryland.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary contractor, CDA Inc., will likely be responsible for fulfilling the contract requirements directly or through subcontracting. There is no explicit information on small business subcontracting goals or performance within this award notice. The absence of a small business set-aside suggests that the scale or nature of the requirement was deemed more suitable for larger prime contractors or that the competitive landscape favored larger entities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily reside with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its Office of Procurement Operations. As a firm-fixed-price contract, oversight will focus on performance monitoring to ensure that CDA Inc. meets all contractual obligations regarding the provision of protective security officers. Accountability measures are embedded in the contract terms, with potential penalties for non-performance. Transparency is facilitated through the federal procurement data system, where contract awards are publicly reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Protective Service Contracts
Department of Homeland Security Security Services
Statewide Security Guard Services
Government Facility Security Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for performance variability across diverse geographic locations within Maryland.
Ensuring consistent quality and training of security personnel statewide.
Logistical challenges in managing a dispersed security workforce.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $21.5 million to CDA INC. PROTECTIVE SECURITY OFFICER SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF MARYLAND

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CDA INC.

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 $21.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-10-01. End: 2025-07-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for protective security officer services in Maryland by DHS?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for protective security officer services in Maryland by DHS requires access to detailed historical contract data. Without specific historical databases, a precise trend analysis is not possible from the provided data alone. However, the current award of $21.5 million for a period of approximately 303 days suggests a substantial and ongoing requirement for these services. Federal agencies like DHS typically maintain consistent needs for security personnel to protect facilities and personnel across various locations. Fluctuations in spending could be influenced by changes in threat levels, facility expansions or consolidations, and shifts in federal budget allocations. A deeper dive into past DHS contracts for similar services within Maryland would reveal whether this award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in security.

How does the per-diem cost of this contract compare to similar federal security contracts?

The provided data does not include specific per-unit costs or daily rates, making a direct per-diem cost comparison challenging. The total award is $21,501,583.72 for a duration of 303 days. This averages to approximately $70,962 per day for the entire contract. To benchmark this against similar federal security contracts, one would need to compare the average daily cost for comparable services (e.g., armed security officers, supervisory personnel, specific security technologies deployed) across different agencies and geographic regions. Factors such as the level of security clearance required for officers, the ratio of armed to unarmed personnel, and the specific operational tempo at various sites significantly influence per-diem costs. Without these granular details, it's difficult to definitively state if this contract's per-diem cost is higher or lower than market rates.

What is CDA Inc.'s track record with federal security contracts, particularly with DHS?

CDA Inc. is listed as the prime contractor for this $21.5 million award. To assess their track record, one would need to examine their past performance on similar federal contracts, especially those awarded by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This would involve reviewing contract databases for previous awards to CDA Inc., noting the value, duration, scope of services, and any reported performance evaluations or past performance questionnaires. A strong track record would include successful completion of similar security service contracts, positive performance reviews, and a history of compliance with federal regulations. Conversely, any history of contract disputes, performance issues, or compliance problems would be a concern. Without access to CDA Inc.'s specific contract history, it is presumed they were selected based on meeting the requirements and demonstrating capability for this current award.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the effectiveness of these security services?

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for protective security officer services typically focus on ensuring the safety and security of personnel and property. While specific KPIs for this contract are not detailed in the provided data, common metrics include response times to incidents, adherence to post orders, incident reporting accuracy and timeliness, officer attendance and punctuality, and the successful prevention of unauthorized access or security breaches. Performance is often evaluated through regular site inspections, review of incident reports, and feedback from government personnel at the locations served. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract implies that meeting these defined performance standards is crucial for the contractor to receive full payment and maintain a positive performance record.

Are there any specific risks associated with the geographic scope of this contract across Maryland?

The primary risk associated with the geographic scope of this contract across Maryland is the logistical challenge of effectively managing and deploying security personnel across potentially numerous and dispersed locations. Ensuring consistent service quality, timely response, and adequate staffing levels throughout the entire state requires robust operational planning and management by CDA Inc. Other risks could include varying local security needs or threat environments within different regions of Maryland, the need for specialized training tailored to specific site requirements, and potential difficulties in recruiting and retaining qualified personnel in all service areas. Effective communication channels and a strong supervisory structure are critical to mitigating these risks.

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

Solicitation ID: 70RFP323RE3000004

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 185 ADMIRAL COCHRANE DR STE 220, ANNAPOLIS, MD, 21401

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $21,501,584

Exercised Options: $21,501,584

Current Obligation: $21,501,584

Actual Outlays: $21,230,439

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70RFP324DE3000002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline