DOE awards $3.46M for site security services, with a 5-bidder competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,456,576 ($3.5M)
Contractor: Vision Quest Solutions Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2025-05-29
End Date: 2027-07-31
Contract Duration: 793 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: SITE SECURITY SERVICES FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE) / NATIONAL ENERGY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY (NETL) AT THE MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA; PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA; AND ALBANY, OREGON FACILITIES.
Place of Performance
Location: MORGANTOWN, MONONGALIA County, WEST VIRGINIA, 26505
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $3.5 million to VISION QUEST SOLUTIONS INC for work described as: SITE SECURITY SERVICES FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE) / NATIONAL ENERGY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY (NETL) AT THE MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA; PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA; AND ALBANY, OREGON FACILITIES. Key points: 1. The contract value of $3.46 million over approximately 2 years represents a moderate investment in essential facility protection. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a healthy market for security services, with 5 bids received for this requirement. 3. The firm-fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. 4. Performance is benchmarked against similar security contracts for federal facilities. 5. This contract positions Vision Quest Solutions Inc. as a key provider for DOE's site security needs. 6. The duration of the contract (793 days) allows for consistent service delivery and potential for performance evaluation.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $3.46 million for approximately two years of site security services appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar contracts for federal facilities of comparable size and security requirements suggests this pricing is within an expected range. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty. Further analysis would involve comparing the specific service levels and guard-to-facility ratios to industry standards and other government contracts.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The receipt of 5 bids suggests a competitive marketplace for these security services. A higher number of bidders generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government. The level of competition here is adequate for a service of this nature.
Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition with multiple bidders likely resulted in a more competitive price for taxpayers, ensuring the government received value for its investment in security.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Energy and the National Energy Technology Laboratory, ensuring the security of their Morgantown, WV; Pittsburgh, PA; and Albany, OR facilities. The services delivered include essential site security, such as guarding and patrol, to protect government assets and personnel. The geographic impact covers three key locations: Morgantown, West Virginia; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Albany, Oregon. Workforce implications include the potential for job creation for security personnel employed by Vision Quest Solutions Inc.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for over-reliance on a single contractor if performance is consistently excellent, potentially limiting future competition.
- Ensuring consistent service quality across all three geographically dispersed facilities requires robust oversight.
- The firm-fixed-price contract, while good for cost control, may limit flexibility if unforeseen security needs arise.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a healthy market and potential for competitive pricing.
- The firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty and reduces the risk of budget overruns.
- The contract duration allows for sustained security operations and performance evaluation.
- The contractor, Vision Quest Solutions Inc., will be providing essential services to critical government facilities.
Sector Analysis
The site security services market is a significant segment within the broader security and protective services industry. Federal agencies, including the Department of Energy, represent a substantial customer base for these services due to the critical nature of their facilities. This contract fits within the government's ongoing need to secure its installations against various threats. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal contracts for guard and patrol services at similar types of facilities.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not appear to have a specific small business set-aside. While the prime contractor is Vision Quest Solutions Inc., there is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Further review of the contract details would be needed to assess potential subcontracting opportunities and their impact on the small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of Energy contracting officers and program managers responsible for the National Energy Technology Laboratory. Accountability measures will be tied to the performance standards outlined in the contract. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics may not be publicly disclosed. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Energy Facility Security Contracts
- National Energy Technology Laboratory Operations
- Federal Security Guard Services
- Site Protection Contracts
Risk Flags
- Potential for performance issues across multiple sites.
- Ensuring consistent quality of service delivery.
- Contractor's ability to scale services if needs change.
Tags
energy, department-of-energy, national-energy-technology-laboratory, site-security, security-guards-and-patrol-services, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, west-virginia, pennsylvania, oregon, mid-size-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $3.5 million to VISION QUEST SOLUTIONS INC. SITE SECURITY SERVICES FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE) / NATIONAL ENERGY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY (NETL) AT THE MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA; PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA; AND ALBANY, OREGON FACILITIES.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is VISION QUEST SOLUTIONS INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $3.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-05-29. End: 2027-07-31.
What is the track record of Vision Quest Solutions Inc. in performing similar federal security contracts?
A review of Vision Quest Solutions Inc.'s past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving site security for government facilities, is crucial. Data from contract databases and performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS) would reveal their history of meeting deadlines, quality standards, and budget constraints. Understanding their experience with similar security requirements, such as access control, surveillance, and physical patrols, at facilities comparable to NETL's would provide insight into their capability to successfully execute this award. Any past issues or commendations would inform the assessment of risk and reliability.
How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar security services?
To benchmark the value, the awarded price of approximately $3.46 million over roughly two years needs to be compared against prevailing market rates for security guard and patrol services. This involves analyzing the per-hour or per-guard cost against industry averages, considering factors like geographic location (Morgantown, Pittsburgh, Albany), the level of security clearance required, and the specific services provided (e.g., armed vs. unarmed guards, specialized surveillance). Comparing this contract's unit costs to other federal contracts for similar services, especially those awarded through competitive processes, would offer a strong indication of whether the government secured a fair and reasonable price.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?
Key risks include potential lapses in security coverage due to contractor performance issues, cost overruns (though mitigated by the firm-fixed-price structure), and challenges in maintaining consistent service quality across multiple sites. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust performance monitoring by the contracting officer's representative (COR), clear performance standards in the contract, and the contractor's own quality control plan. The competitive nature of the award also incentivizes good performance. Risks related to unforeseen security threats are inherent but managed through the contract's scope and the agency's overall security posture.
How effective is the competition level in ensuring value for taxpayers?
The receipt of 5 bids under full and open competition suggests a healthy level of market interest and a reasonable degree of competition. This typically leads to more competitive pricing as contractors vie for the award. The presence of multiple bidders allows the government to select the offer that provides the best combination of price and technical capability. While 5 bidders is a solid number, a higher number could potentially drive prices even lower. However, this level of competition is generally considered sufficient to ensure that taxpayers are receiving good value for the security services procured.
What is the historical spending pattern for site security services at these specific DOE facilities?
Analyzing historical spending data for site security at the Morgantown, Pittsburgh, and Albany NETL facilities would provide crucial context. This includes examining the value and duration of previous contracts, the incumbent contractors, and whether those contracts were also competitively awarded. Significant year-over-year increases or decreases in spending, or a pattern of sole-source awards, could indicate potential issues with cost management or competition. Understanding this history helps determine if the current $3.46 million award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment compared to past security needs.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Investigation and Security Services › Security Guards and Patrol 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
Solicitation ID: 89243325RFE000091
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 13212 COMMODORE RD, HOT SPRINGS, SD, 57747
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Government, HUBZone Firm, Native American Tribal Government, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $7,438,199
Exercised Options: $7,438,199
Current Obligation: $3,456,576
Actual Outlays: $1,905,487
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 47QSWA23D005Q
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-05-29
Current End Date: 2027-07-31
Potential End Date: 2027-07-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-16
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