DHS awards $17.4M for armed protective security services in WV Panhandle, with a 303-day duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,381,881 ($17.4M)

Contractor: Universal Protection Service, Limited Partnership

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2025-10-01

End Date: 2026-07-31

Contract Duration: 303 days

Daily Burn Rate: $57.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ARMED PROTECTIVE SECURITY OFFICERS (PSO) SERVICES - WV PANHANDLE

Place of Performance

Location: WINCHESTER, FREDERICK County, VIRGINIA, 22603

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $17.4 million to UNIVERSAL PROTECTION SERVICE, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP for work described as: ARMED PROTECTIVE SECURITY OFFICERS (PSO) SERVICES - WV PANHANDLE Key points: 1. The contract value of $17.4 million for approximately 10 months of service suggests a significant investment in security infrastructure. 2. Competition dynamics for this contract are crucial to understanding price efficiency and service quality. 3. Risk indicators include the potential for service disruptions or performance issues if contractor capabilities are misaligned with requirements. 4. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs, but requires careful monitoring of scope creep. 5. This contract positions the Department of Homeland Security to enhance protective services in a specific geographic region.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $17.4 million for a 303-day period averages approximately $57,366 per day. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for armed protective security services would reveal if this daily rate is competitive. Without specific per-day cost data for comparable services, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the fixed-price nature suggests an attempt to cap expenditures.

Cost Per Unit: $57,366 per day (estimated average)

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. This approach generally fosters a competitive environment, encouraging multiple bidders to vie for the contract. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition suggests a reasonable likelihood of price discovery and potential for cost savings for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and encourages a wider pool of qualified contractors, potentially leading to better service quality at a more efficient cost.

Public Impact

Federal facilities and personnel within the WV Panhandle region will benefit from enhanced security measures. The contract delivers essential protective security officer services, contributing to the safety and security of government operations. The geographic impact is concentrated in the WV Panhandle, addressing specific security needs in that area. The contract supports employment for armed protective security officers, contributing to the local workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for contractor performance issues if staffing levels or training are inadequate.
Ensuring consistent service quality across all shifts and locations within the WV Panhandle.
Monitoring adherence to strict security protocols and operational procedures.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process.
Fixed-price contract type helps to control costs and provides budget certainty.
Clear performance period with defined start and end dates.

Sector Analysis

The security services sector is a significant component of the federal contracting landscape, encompassing a wide range of protective and investigative services. This contract for armed protective security officers falls within the broader Security Guards and Patrol Services industry (NAICS 561612). Federal spending in this area is driven by the need to protect government assets, personnel, and sensitive information across various agencies and locations. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing the average cost per officer, per hour, or per day for similar services across different federal agencies and geographic regions.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract, nor does it mention subcontracting goals. As it was awarded under full and open competition, it is possible that small businesses could have participated as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was encouraged or achieved through this procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program office within the Department of Homeland Security. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract terms, including performance standards, reporting requirements, and potential penalties for non-compliance. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics may not always be publicly available. 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
Armed Guard Services
Security Operations Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues if contractor capabilities are not fully aligned with security needs.
Ensuring consistent service quality across all shifts and locations.
Monitoring adherence to strict security protocols and operational procedures.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $17.4 million to UNIVERSAL PROTECTION SERVICE, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP. ARMED PROTECTIVE SECURITY OFFICERS (PSO) SERVICES - WV PANHANDLE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSAL PROTECTION SERVICE, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP.

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 $17.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2026-07-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for armed protective security services by the Department of Homeland Security in the WV Panhandle region?

Historical spending data for armed protective security services specifically within the WV Panhandle by the Department of Homeland Security is not directly available in the provided data. However, the current award of $17.4 million for a 303-day period indicates a substantial and ongoing need for such services in the region. To understand historical patterns, one would need to analyze past contracts awarded by DHS or its component agencies for similar services in that geographic area, looking at contract values, durations, and the number of awards over several fiscal years. This would help determine if this current award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of spending for these critical security functions.

How does the per-day cost of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for armed protective security officers?

The estimated average per-day cost for this contract is approximately $57,366. To compare this to industry benchmarks, we would need to access data on average daily rates for armed protective security officers, factoring in variables such as the number of officers required, their experience levels, geographic location, and the specific security requirements (e.g., armed vs. unarmed, level of threat). Industry reports or government-wide contract vehicles might provide such benchmarks. If this daily rate is significantly higher or lower than typical market rates, it could indicate either exceptional value or potential overpricing/underbidding, respectively. Without specific benchmark data, a definitive comparison cannot be made.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) that will be used to evaluate the contractor's performance?

The provided contract data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that will be used to evaluate the contractor's performance. However, typical KPIs for armed protective security services often include metrics related to response times to incidents, adherence to post orders, officer punctuality and attendance, successful completion of required training and certifications, incident reporting accuracy and timeliness, and overall effectiveness in deterring unauthorized access or activity. The contract's performance work statement (PWS) would detail these specific KPIs and the methods for measuring them, which are crucial for ensuring the government receives the intended level of security.

What is the track record of Universal Protection Service, Limited Partnership in providing similar security services to federal agencies?

The provided data identifies Universal Protection Service, Limited Partnership as the contractor. To assess their track record, one would need to examine their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving armed protective security services. This would involve reviewing contract databases for previous awards to this company, looking for performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and identifying any past issues or commendations. A strong track record with federal agencies, especially DHS, would suggest a lower performance risk for this new contract, while a history of issues might raise concerns about their capability to meet the requirements.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the local small business ecosystem in the WV Panhandle?

As this contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not explicitly mention small business set-asides or subcontracting goals, its direct impact on the local small business ecosystem is uncertain without further information. If Universal Protection Service, Limited Partnership engages local small businesses for support services (e.g., administrative, logistical, or even supplemental security personnel if permitted), it could provide economic benefits. Conversely, if the prime contractor utilizes its own resources or sources primarily from larger, non-local entities, the direct economic stimulus to the WV Panhandle small business community might be limited. The absence of specific small business provisions warrants further investigation into subcontracting plans.

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

Address: 1551 N TUSTIN AVE STE 650, SANTA ANA, CA, 92705

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,381,881

Exercised Options: $17,381,881

Current Obligation: $17,381,881

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70RFP318DE3000003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline