DHS awards $13.7M for Enhanced Metal Detector Adaptor Deployment, impacting airport security nationwide

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,701,199 ($13.7M)

Contractor: Global Systems Technologies, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2025-09-24

End Date: 2026-09-23

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $37.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TASK ORDER UNDER PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING & LOGISTICS SUPPORT SERVICES BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT 70T05021A7672N001 TO PROVIDE ENHANCED METAL DETECTOR (EMD) ADAPTOR DEPLOYMENT TEAMS.

Place of Performance

Location: SPRINGFIELD, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22150

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $13.7 million to GLOBAL SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC for work described as: TASK ORDER UNDER PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING & LOGISTICS SUPPORT SERVICES BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT 70T05021A7672N001 TO PROVIDE ENHANCED METAL DETECTOR (EMD) ADAPTOR DEPLOYMENT TEAMS. Key points: 1. Contract value of $13.7M for deployment teams suggests significant operational needs for security equipment. 2. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). 3. Full and open competition indicates a broad market approach, potentially yielding competitive pricing. 4. The contract duration of one year with options suggests a focused, short-term operational requirement. 5. The award to Global Systems Technologies, LLC, warrants examination of their past performance in similar deployments. 6. Geographic impact is likely nationwide, given the TSA's role in airport security.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $13.7 million for a one-year period for deployment teams is within a reasonable range for specialized technical support services. Benchmarking against similar task orders for security equipment deployment or technical field services would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The firm-fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overruns for the government, assuming the scope of work is well-defined.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this approach generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The TSA's decision to use full and open competition indicates confidence in the availability of qualified contractors in the market for these specialized services.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining services at competitive market rates, preventing potential overspending and ensuring efficient use of public funds.

Public Impact

Airport security operations nationwide will benefit from the deployment of enhanced metal detector adaptors. Travelers will experience potentially improved security screening processes. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will receive technical support for critical security equipment. A specialized workforce will be engaged for the deployment and technical support teams.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if deployment requirements are not precisely defined.
Dependence on contractor's ability to mobilize and deploy teams effectively within the timeline.
Ensuring consistent quality of deployment across various airport locations.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract helps control costs.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive market for these services.
Award to a single contractor for a specific task order streamlines execution.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically related to the deployment and technical support of security equipment. The market for such services is driven by government needs for national security and infrastructure protection. Spending in this area is often influenced by evolving threat landscapes and technological advancements in security screening. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found in contracts for technical field services, equipment installation, and specialized project management within the defense and homeland security sectors.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary contractor, Global Systems Technologies, LLC, is likely a large business. There is no explicit information on subcontracting requirements for small businesses within this task order. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether the prime contractor actively seeks small business participation for specialized support roles, which is not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract type, which ties payment to successful completion of defined deliverables. Transparency is generally maintained through federal contract databases, though specific performance metrics and oversight reports may not be publicly accessible. The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General may conduct audits or investigations if concerns arise regarding contract performance or financial integrity.

Related Government Programs

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Equipment Procurement
Homeland Security Technology Deployment
Airport Security Infrastructure Upgrades
Engineering and Technical Support Services

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues if contractor lacks experience with TSA systems.
Risk of schedule delays impacting operational readiness.
Possibility of cost overruns if scope is not tightly managed, despite FFP.
Ensuring consistent quality of deployment across diverse airport environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $13.7 million to GLOBAL SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. TASK ORDER UNDER PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING & LOGISTICS SUPPORT SERVICES BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT 70T05021A7672N001 TO PROVIDE ENHANCED METAL DETECTOR (EMD) ADAPTOR DEPLOYMENT TEAMS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GLOBAL SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $13.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-24. End: 2026-09-23.

What is the track record of Global Systems Technologies, LLC in performing similar security equipment deployment contracts for federal agencies?

Assessing the track record of Global Systems Technologies, LLC is crucial for understanding their capability to successfully execute this task order. A review of their past performance on similar contracts, particularly those involving the deployment of sensitive security equipment or technical field services for agencies like the TSA or other components of the Department of Homeland Security, would be informative. Key indicators to examine include on-time delivery, adherence to budget, quality of work, and any past performance evaluations or awards. If the company has a history of successful, complex deployments, it suggests a lower risk for this contract. Conversely, any documented issues or failures in previous similar engagements would raise concerns about their capacity to meet the requirements of this $13.7 million task order.

How does the cost per deployed team or adaptor compare to industry benchmarks or similar government contracts?

To evaluate the value for money, a detailed cost analysis comparing the per-unit cost (e.g., per team deployed, per adaptor installed) against industry benchmarks and similar government contracts is necessary. Without specific details on the number of teams or adaptors to be deployed, a precise per-unit cost is difficult to calculate. However, if data were available, it could be benchmarked against average rates for specialized technical field services or project management for security equipment. A higher-than-average cost per unit, without justification (e.g., unique complexity, remote locations), could indicate potential overpricing. Conversely, costs aligning with or below market rates would suggest good value.

What are the primary risks associated with the deployment of Enhanced Metal Detector (EMD) Adaptor teams, and how are they being mitigated?

Primary risks associated with deploying EMD adaptor teams include logistical challenges in coordinating team movements across potentially numerous airport locations, technical integration issues with existing security infrastructure, and potential delays in deployment schedules due to unforeseen site-specific conditions or security clearances. Furthermore, ensuring consistent quality and adherence to TSA standards across all deployed teams presents a significant risk. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust project management by Global Systems Technologies, LLC, clear communication protocols with TSA, pre-deployment site assessments, comprehensive training for deployment teams, and contingency planning for technical or logistical disruptions. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract also incentivizes the contractor to manage these risks effectively to avoid cost overruns.

What is the expected impact of these EMD adaptor deployments on overall airport security effectiveness and passenger throughput?

The deployment of Enhanced Metal Detector (EMD) adaptors is intended to improve the effectiveness of security screening by potentially increasing the sensitivity or accuracy of metal detection, thereby enhancing the ability to identify prohibited items. This could lead to a more robust security posture at airports. The impact on passenger throughput is a critical consideration; while improved detection is desirable, the deployment process and the operational integration of the adaptors must be managed to avoid significant increases in screening wait times. Ideally, the adaptors, once deployed and operational, would contribute to a more efficient and effective screening process without negatively impacting passenger flow, though initial deployment phases might require careful scheduling to minimize disruption.

How has TSA's spending on similar technical support and equipment deployment services trended over the past five years?

Analyzing TSA's historical spending on similar technical support and equipment deployment services over the past five years would provide context for the $13.7 million award. Trends could indicate whether TSA is increasing, decreasing, or maintaining its investment in such services. Significant increases might signal a strategic shift towards enhancing security technology or expanding deployment capabilities, while decreases could suggest budget constraints or a shift in priorities. Understanding these patterns helps in assessing whether this current contract represents a typical investment or an anomaly, and whether the current spending level is sustainable or indicative of future budget needs for similar initiatives.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4 E JIMMIE LEEDS RD STE 3, GALLOWAY, NJ, 08205

Business Categories: Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,701,199

Exercised Options: $13,701,199

Current Obligation: $13,701,199

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70T05021A7672N001

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline