DHS awards $9.3M for security services in Washington state, highlighting a competitive procurement

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,298,563 ($9.3M)

Contractor: Kerberos International, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2026-03-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 213 days

Daily Burn Rate: $43.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THIS TASK ORDER IS BEING ISSUED FOR PROTECTIVE SECURITY OFFICER SERVICES IN WASHINGTON STATE (SEATTLE AND TACOMA VICINITY)

Place of Performance

Location: SEATTLE, KING County, WASHINGTON, 98101

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $9.3 million to KERBEROS INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: THIS TASK ORDER IS BEING ISSUED FOR PROTECTIVE SECURITY OFFICER SERVICES IN WASHINGTON STATE (SEATTLE AND TACOMA VICINITY) Key points: 1. The contract value of $9.3 million for security services represents a significant investment in protecting federal facilities. 2. The procurement method, 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' suggests a deliberate effort to ensure broad market participation. 3. The fixed-price contract type aims to provide cost certainty for the government. 4. The duration of 213 days indicates a focused, short-term need for these services. 5. The specific services required are protective security officer functions, crucial for maintaining safety and order. 6. The geographic focus on the Seattle and Tacoma vicinity points to a concentrated operational requirement.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $9.3 million for approximately seven months of security services appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar contracts for protective security officers in major metropolitan areas suggests this pricing is within expected ranges. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs, but detailed cost breakdowns are not available to fully assess profit margins or efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This specific designation implies that while the competition was intended to be open, certain sources were excluded for reasons not detailed in the provided data. The number of bidders is not specified, making it difficult to fully assess the level of competition. However, the 'full and open' aspect suggests an attempt to solicit from a broad range of qualified vendors.

Taxpayer Impact: While the exclusion of sources limits the potential for the lowest possible price, the 'full and open' nature likely still provided some competitive pressure, benefiting taxpayers by avoiding a sole-source situation.

Public Impact

Federal facilities in the Seattle and Tacoma vicinity will receive enhanced security coverage. The public benefits from increased safety and security at government installations. The contract supports jobs within the private security sector in Washington state. The services ensure the continuity of government operations by protecting personnel and assets.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detail on excluded sources could mask potential anti-competitive practices.
The short contract duration might lead to frequent re-competitions, increasing administrative burden.
Limited information on performance metrics makes it hard to gauge effectiveness.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
The contract is for essential security services, indicating a clear government need.
The geographic focus allows for concentrated resource allocation.

Sector Analysis

The security services sector is a significant component of the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. This contract falls under the Security Guards and Patrol Services (NAICS 561612) category. The market for federal security services is substantial, with numerous private companies competing for government contracts. Spending in this area is driven by the need to protect federal assets, personnel, and sensitive information across various agencies.

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 primary focus was on securing the necessary security services through the most competitive means available, potentially favoring larger, established firms. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Procurement Operations, which awarded the task order. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, which obligates the contractor to deliver specified services at an agreed-upon price. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though specific performance details and oversight reports may not always be readily accessible.

Related Government Programs

Federal Protective Service Contracts
Department of Homeland Security Security Operations
Washington State Government Contracts
Private Security Services Procurement

Risk Flags

Limited Competition Concerns
Short Contract Duration
Lack of Performance Data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $9.3 million to KERBEROS INTERNATIONAL, INC.. THIS TASK ORDER IS BEING ISSUED FOR PROTECTIVE SECURITY OFFICER SERVICES IN WASHINGTON STATE (SEATTLE AND TACOMA VICINITY)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KERBEROS INTERNATIONAL, 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 $9.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-01. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the historical spending pattern for protective security services by the Department of Homeland Security in Washington state?

Analyzing historical spending for protective security services by DHS in Washington state requires access to comprehensive federal procurement databases. While this specific task order is for approximately $9.3 million over seven months, broader trends are needed for context. Typically, DHS, through its various components like the Federal Protective Service, contracts for security services across numerous facilities nationwide. Spending in specific regions like Seattle and Tacoma can fluctuate based on facility needs, security threat levels, and contract renewals. Without access to historical data for this specific geographic area and service type, it's difficult to establish a precise pattern. However, it's reasonable to assume consistent, albeit variable, spending on security services to protect federal interests in major metropolitan areas like Seattle.

How does the per-unit cost of security personnel under this contract compare to national averages for similar services?

Determining the precise per-unit cost requires knowing the number of security personnel assigned and their hours, which are not detailed in the provided data. The contract value is $9,298,562.96 for a duration of 213 days. If we assume a standard 24/7 operation with a certain number of posts, we could estimate a daily or hourly rate. For example, if 50 guards worked 12-hour shifts daily, that's 600 guard-shifts per day. Over 213 days, that's 127,800 guard-shifts. Dividing the total contract value by this number yields approximately $72.76 per guard-shift. National averages for security personnel can vary widely based on location, skill level, and security clearance requirements, but rates often range from $30 to $70+ per hour. A 'per-unit' cost in terms of an hourly rate for a guard might be in the range of $50-$80, depending on the specifics. This contract's implied cost per guard-hour appears to be within a plausible, though potentially on the higher end, range for specialized federal security services in a high-cost-of-living area like Seattle.

What are the specific risks associated with relying on 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' for security services?

The primary risk associated with 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' is the potential for reduced competition, which could lead to higher prices or less optimal service providers being selected. While the intent is to be 'full and open,' the exclusion of specific sources, even if justified, inherently limits the pool of potential bidders. This could mean that highly qualified or cost-effective vendors are prevented from participating. If the exclusion criteria are not robustly justified or are perceived as arbitrary, it could also raise concerns about fairness and transparency in the procurement process. The government might miss out on innovative solutions or better pricing that a broader competition could have yielded. Furthermore, if the excluded sources are significant players in the market, the remaining competition might not be as vigorous, potentially impacting price discovery and value for money.

What is the track record of Kerberos International, Inc. in performing similar federal security contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of Kerberos International, Inc. in performing similar federal security contracts is not provided in the data snippet. To assess their performance, one would typically need to consult federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for past performance ratings, contract history, and any reported issues or awards. A thorough review would examine the size and scope of previous contracts, the agencies they served, the duration of those contracts, and any documented successes or failures. Without this external data, it is impossible to evaluate Kerberos International's suitability and past performance reliability for this DHS task order.

How does the contract duration of 213 days impact the overall value and efficiency of the security services provided?

A contract duration of 213 days (approximately seven months) suggests a short-term or interim need for protective security services. This duration can have mixed impacts on value and efficiency. On the one hand, it allows the agency to address an immediate requirement without a long-term commitment, providing flexibility. It also means the contractor must mobilize quickly and deliver services effectively within a defined period. However, such short durations can sometimes lead to higher per-diem costs as contractors may factor in mobilization and demobilization expenses, and may not achieve the economies of scale possible with longer contracts. Frequent short-term contract awards can also increase administrative burden for the procuring agency. For the government, it might be less efficient than a longer-term contract if the need is expected to be ongoing, as it necessitates repeated procurement cycles.

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

Parent Company: Kerberos International Inc.

Address: 2109 BIRDCREEK TER, TEMPLE, TX, 76502

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,544,343

Exercised Options: $9,544,343

Current Obligation: $9,298,563

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70RFPW23DWA000001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline