SECTEK, INC. awarded $2.5M for security guard services by NTSB, highlighting a competitive procurement

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,531,766 ($2.5M)

Contractor: Sectek, Inc.

Awarding Agency: National Transportation Safety Board

Start Date: 2021-09-16

End Date: 2026-09-15

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ARMED SECURITY GUARD SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20594

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Transportation Safety Board obligated $2.5 million to SECTEK, INC. for work described as: ARMED SECURITY GUARD SERVICES Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the fixed-price contract and duration. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these services. 3. Contract duration of five years presents potential for long-term cost stability. 4. Performance context is critical for assessing the effectiveness of security services. 5. Sector positioning is within the broader government security services market.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of $2.53 million over five years suggests an average annual cost of approximately $506,000. Benchmarking against similar contracts for security guard services across federal agencies indicates this pricing is within a competitive range. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the NTSB, and the duration allows for potential volume discounts or stable service provision.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors were likely solicited and allowed to bid. The presence of two bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific requirement. While more bidders could potentially drive prices lower, two bids still provide a basis for price discovery and vendor selection.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive procurement process helps ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by encouraging vendors to offer their best pricing and service levels.

Public Impact

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) benefits from enhanced security for its facilities and personnel. Services delivered include armed security guard services, ensuring a secure environment. Geographic impact is concentrated in the District of Columbia, where the NTSB is headquartered. Workforce implications include the direct employment of security personnel by SECTEK, INC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Contract duration of five years may limit opportunities to re-evaluate pricing or service providers.
Limited number of bids (2) could indicate potential barriers to entry or specific requirements that narrowed the field.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical service like security carries inherent risks if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for the agency.
Full and open competition suggests a robust market and potential for competitive pricing.
Award to SECTEK, INC. indicates they met the agency's requirements and offered a competitive solution.

Sector Analysis

The federal government procures a wide range of security guard and patrol services across numerous agencies. This contract falls within the broader professional services sector, specifically focusing on security operations. The market for these services is competitive, with many established providers capable of meeting government requirements. Benchmarks for similar contracts vary significantly based on location, service level, and contract duration.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned in the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless SECTEK, INC. voluntarily engages small businesses in its supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the National Transportation Safety Board's contracting officer and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract, requiring SECTEK, INC. to deliver services as specified. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics and oversight reports may not always be publicly accessible.

Related Government Programs

Federal Protective Service Contracts
Department of Homeland Security Security Services
General Services Administration Schedules for Security Services

Risk Flags

Contract duration may exceed optimal service review cycles.
Limited competition (2 bids) warrants scrutiny of the solicitation process.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical security functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Transportation Safety Board awarded $2.5 million to SECTEK, INC.. ARMED SECURITY GUARD SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SECTEK, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Transportation Safety Board (National Transportation Safety Board).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-16. End: 2026-09-15.

What is SECTEK, INC.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly for security services?

Information on SECTEK, INC.'s specific track record with federal contracts, especially for security services, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive analysis would require reviewing past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), other awarded contracts, and any history of disputes or contract modifications. Agencies typically consider past performance as a significant factor in source selection. Without this detailed history, it's difficult to fully assess their reliability and capability beyond meeting the current solicitation's requirements.

How does the value of this contract compare to similar security guard services contracts awarded by the NTSB or other agencies of similar size?

The total contract value of $2.53 million over five years, averaging approximately $506,000 annually, appears to be a reasonable investment for comprehensive security services for an agency like the NTSB. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to analyze contracts for security guard services awarded to agencies with comparable facility footprints, personnel numbers, and security needs. Factors such as geographic location (e.g., high-cost urban areas like D.C. often have higher labor costs), specific security requirements (e.g., armed vs. unarmed guards, specialized equipment), and the number of personnel required would significantly influence cost. The firm-fixed-price nature suggests that the NTSB has a clear understanding of its needs and has secured predictable costs.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the effectiveness of SECTEK, INC.'s security guard services under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, for security guard services, KPIs would include metrics such as response times to incidents, adherence to post orders, guard presence and punctuality, incident reporting accuracy and timeliness, and the number of security breaches or incidents that occur. The NTSB's contracting officer and program managers would be responsible for monitoring these KPIs and ensuring SECTEK, INC. meets the performance standards outlined in the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS). Regular performance reviews and potentially CPARS reporting would document the contractor's adherence to these standards.

What is the historical spending pattern for security guard services at the NTSB prior to this contract award?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for security guard services at the NTSB. To assess this, one would need to examine previous contract awards for similar services, including their values, durations, and awarded contractors. Analyzing historical spending would reveal trends in the NTSB's investment in security, whether spending has increased or decreased, and if there have been shifts in contracting strategies (e.g., from sole-source to competitive). Understanding past expenditures provides context for the current contract's value and helps identify potential cost efficiencies or areas where spending may have been excessive or insufficient.

What are the potential risks associated with a five-year contract for security guard services, and how are they mitigated?

A significant risk with a five-year contract for security guard services is the potential for service degradation or price increases over time, especially if the initial pricing was highly competitive or if market conditions change unfavorably. Another risk is vendor lock-in, making it difficult to switch providers if performance issues arise or if better options become available. Mitigation strategies typically include robust performance monitoring by the agency, clearly defined service level agreements (SLAs) with penalties for non-performance, and contract clauses that allow for review or termination under specific conditions. The firm-fixed-price nature helps mitigate cost escalation, but careful oversight is still crucial.

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: 9531BM21Q0010

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1650 TYSONS BLVD STE 925, MCLEAN, VA, 22102

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,565,203

Exercised Options: $2,544,411

Current Obligation: $2,531,766

Actual Outlays: $1,641,068

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS07F0279M

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline