Homeland Security awards $3.45M contract for Indiana security services to Simmons & Golden Security LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,451,477 ($3.5M)

Contractor: Simmons & Golden Security LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2024-10-01

End Date: 2025-09-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ARMED PROTECTIVE SECURITY OFFICER (PSO) BASIC SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF INDIANA (SSA/OHO)

Place of Performance

Location: INDIANAPOLIS, MARION County, INDIANA, 46204

State: Indiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $3.5 million to SIMMONS & GOLDEN SECURITY LLC for work described as: ARMED PROTECTIVE SECURITY OFFICER (PSO) BASIC SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF INDIANA (SSA/OHO) Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract value appears moderate for security services, requiring benchmarking against similar contracts. 3. Fixed-price contract type may limit cost overruns but could impact flexibility. 4. The duration of one year (with potential for extensions) is standard for service contracts. 5. Geographic focus on Indiana indicates a localized service requirement. 6. The award to a single contractor suggests a clear winner from the competitive process.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $3.45 million for one year of security services in Indiana is a moderate amount. Without specific details on the number of posts, hours, or required security levels, a direct comparison to similar contracts is challenging. However, the benchmark for security guard services can vary significantly based on location, threat level, and required qualifications. Further analysis would involve comparing the per-hour rate or the total cost per post against regional averages for similar government contracts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' which indicates that the agency sought proposals from all responsible sources but may have excluded certain sources for specific reasons prior to the main competition. The number of bidders is not specified, but the designation suggests a robust competitive environment was intended. This approach aims to ensure fair pricing and access to a wide range of qualified vendors.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering price discovery and encouraging vendors to offer competitive pricing to win the contract.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are federal facilities and personnel within the state of Indiana requiring security protection. The contract delivers essential security guard services, contributing to the safety and security of government operations. The geographic impact is confined to the state of Indiana. The contract supports jobs within the private security sector in Indiana.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the contractor's past performance.
The 'after exclusion of sources' clause warrants further investigation to understand the rationale and potential impact on competition.
No information is available on the contractor's experience with similar large-scale federal contracts.

Positive Signals

The contract was awarded through a full and open competition, indicating a structured and potentially fair process.
The firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract is for a defined period, allowing for reassessment and potential re-competition.

Sector Analysis

The security services industry is a significant sector within the broader professional services market. This contract falls under the 'Security Guards and Patrol Services' category (NAICS 561612). The federal government is a major consumer of these services, often requiring specialized security personnel for its facilities. Market size for federal security contracts is substantial, with numerous companies, ranging from large corporations to smaller specialized firms, competing for these awards. This contract represents a portion of the government's overall spending on physical security infrastructure and personnel.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside consideration for this specific contract. This suggests that the contract was not specifically targeted towards small businesses, nor does it appear to have a formal subcontracting plan requirement for small businesses based on the limited data. The award to Simmons & Golden Security LLC, whose size is not specified, means the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear without further information on the contractor's size and subcontracting practices.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of Homeland Security's contracting officer and potentially through program managers responsible for the facilities being secured. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract structure, which obligates the contractor to deliver services as specified. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though specific performance monitoring details are often internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Protective Service Contracts
Department of Homeland Security Security Services
State-Specific Security Guard Contracts
Physical Security Services

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues if contractor is inexperienced with federal contracts.
Risk of inadequate competition if 'exclusion of sources' significantly limited bidders.
Need for clear performance metrics to ensure value for money.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $3.5 million to SIMMONS & GOLDEN SECURITY LLC. ARMED PROTECTIVE SECURITY OFFICER (PSO) BASIC SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF INDIANA (SSA/OHO)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SIMMONS & GOLDEN SECURITY LLC.

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 $3.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-10-01. End: 2025-09-30.

What is the track record of Simmons & Golden Security LLC in performing federal contracts, particularly for the Department of Homeland Security?

Information regarding the specific track record of Simmons & Golden Security LLC in performing federal contracts, especially for the Department of Homeland Security, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing the contractor's past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), any history of contract modifications, disputes, or terminations, and their experience with similar scope and scale of security services. Without this data, it is difficult to ascertain their reliability and capability to fulfill the requirements of this new contract effectively. Further research into federal procurement databases and past performance repositories would be necessary.

How does the awarded price compare to the market rate for similar security services in Indiana?

The provided data does not include specific pricing details beyond the total contract value of $3.45 million. To compare this to market rates, one would need to know the number of security posts, the hours of coverage, the required skill levels and certifications of the officers, and the specific geographic areas within Indiana. Benchmarking would involve analyzing the average hourly rates or cost-per-post for similar government contracts in the region. Factors such as the level of security clearance required, the presence of specialized equipment, and the threat environment significantly influence pricing. A preliminary assessment suggests the value is moderate, but a definitive comparison requires more granular data on service delivery.

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

Potential risks for this contract include service quality issues, contractor performance failures, potential cost increases if the fixed-price structure is not well-defined, and security breaches. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust performance standards outlined in the contract, regular oversight by the contracting officer's representative (COR), clear communication channels, and performance-based payment schedules. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract aims to mitigate cost overrun risks for the government, provided the scope is well-defined. The 'after exclusion of sources' clause might introduce a risk if it inadvertently limited the pool of highly qualified bidders, potentially impacting long-term value or innovation.

What is the expected effectiveness of the security services provided under this contract in meeting the Department of Homeland Security's security objectives in Indiana?

The effectiveness of the security services will depend on the specific requirements detailed in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) and the contractor's ability to meet those requirements consistently. Assuming the SOW adequately defines necessary security protocols, post orders, and performance standards, and that the contractor, Simmons & Golden Security LLC, is capable and diligent, the services should contribute to the Department of Homeland Security's objectives of protecting federal assets and personnel in Indiana. Key indicators of effectiveness would include incident response times, adherence to post orders, and the absence of security breaches attributable to contractor failure. Regular performance evaluations are crucial for monitoring and ensuring effectiveness.

How does this contract's value and scope compare to historical federal spending on security services in Indiana or similar states?

The contract value of $3.45 million for one year of security services is a moderate sum. Historical federal spending on security services in Indiana or comparable states can vary widely based on the number and type of federal facilities, the prevailing threat levels, and the specific services procured. Without a detailed breakdown of the services required (e.g., number of posts, hours, security levels), direct historical comparison is difficult. However, federal agencies frequently award multi-million dollar contracts for security services across various states. This contract appears to be a standard procurement for localized security needs rather than a large-scale, multi-state initiative.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1230 ELSBORN RIDGE RD, MARYVILLE, TN, 37801

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,451,477

Exercised Options: $3,451,477

Current Obligation: $3,451,477

Actual Outlays: $2,865,609

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70RFP424DE5000001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline