District of Columbia Courts' $328,000 armored car services contract awarded to Brinks, Inc. for 2026

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $32,800 ($32.8K)

Contractor: Brink's, Incorporated

Awarding Agency: District of Columbia Courts

Start Date: 2026-01-01

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $90/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CONTRACT NO. DCSC-22-RFP-32 (ARMORED CAR SERVICES). OPTION YEAR 4: 1/1/2026 TO 12/31/2026.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20001

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

District of Columbia Courts obligated $32,800 to BRINK'S, INCORPORATED for work described as: CONTRACT NO. DCSC-22-RFP-32 (ARMORED CAR SERVICES). OPTION YEAR 4: 1/1/2026 TO 12/31/2026. Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. 2. The contract is a firm-fixed-price purchase order, providing cost certainty for the agency. 3. Armored car services are essential for secure transportation of court assets and funds. 4. The contract duration aligns with the option year, indicating satisfactory performance. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 561613 points to specialized security services. 6. The contract is for services within the District of Columbia, impacting local operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $328,000 for a full year of armored car services appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the work and the need for high security. Benchmarking against similar contracts for government agencies of comparable size and location would provide a more precise assessment, but the firm-fixed-price structure offers predictability. The award to Brinks, a known entity in the security transport sector, suggests a level of established service quality.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters price discovery and encourages multiple vendors to compete, potentially leading to more favorable pricing for the government. The agency sought proposals from the broader market.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for competitive pricing and ensures that the government is not limited to a single provider, thereby reducing the risk of inflated costs.

Public Impact

The District of Columbia Courts benefit from secure and reliable transportation of sensitive materials, including cash, checks, and other valuables. This service ensures the continuity of court operations by safeguarding financial assets and legal documents. The geographic impact is localized to the District of Columbia, supporting the judicial system within the city. The contract supports jobs within the security and transportation sector, specifically for armored car personnel and related support staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on the number of bidders limits a full assessment of competitive intensity.
Potential for price increases in future option years if not re-competed effectively.
Reliance on a single contractor for a critical security function carries inherent risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty and budget predictability.
Contract awarded to an established provider in the security transport industry.
Option year award implies satisfactory performance during the preceding period.

Sector Analysis

The armored car services sector is a niche but critical component of the broader security and logistics industry. It involves the secure transportation of high-value assets, requiring specialized vehicles, trained personnel, and stringent security protocols. Government agencies, financial institutions, and retail businesses are major clients. Spending in this sector is driven by the need for physical security and risk mitigation. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within government procurement data for similar security services.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract included a small business set-aside. As a full and open competition, it is possible that small businesses could have bid, but the nature of armored car services often favors larger, established companies with significant infrastructure and bonding capabilities. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not explicitly detailed but could potentially exist in areas like vehicle maintenance or administrative support.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officers and program managers within the District of Columbia Courts. As a purchase order, it falls under the agency's internal procurement and financial controls. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of contract awards, though specific performance metrics and detailed oversight reports may not be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on the specific IG's mandate for the District of Columbia Courts.

Related Government Programs

Federal Protective Service Contracts
Secure Transportation Services
Court Security Operations
Law Enforcement Support Services

Risk Flags

Potential for service disruption if contractor fails to perform.
Risk of financial loss due to security breach.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical security function.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

District of Columbia Courts awarded $32,800 to BRINK'S, INCORPORATED. CONTRACT NO. DCSC-22-RFP-32 (ARMORED CAR SERVICES). OPTION YEAR 4: 1/1/2026 TO 12/31/2026.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BRINK'S, INCORPORATED.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: District of Columbia Courts (District of Columbia Courts).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $32,800.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-01-01. End: 2026-12-31.

What is the track record of Brinks, Incorporated with the District of Columbia Courts or similar government entities?

Brinks, Incorporated is a well-established global provider of security and logistics services, including armored transportation. Their track record with government entities typically involves providing secure cash handling, transportation, and related services. While specific performance data for this particular contract with the District of Columbia Courts is not detailed in the provided data, the award of an option year suggests satisfactory performance in the preceding period. Government contractors are generally assessed on factors such as past performance, technical capability, and price. Agencies often maintain internal records or utilize past performance databases to evaluate contractors. For a comprehensive understanding of Brinks' track record with this specific agency or similar government contracts, one would need to consult official contract performance reports, agency procurement histories, or databases like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) if applicable to federal contracts, or local government procurement portals.

How does the $328,000 contract value compare to market rates for armored car services in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area?

The contract value of $328,000 for one year of armored car services for the District of Columbia Courts needs to be contextualized by the scope and frequency of services. Armored car services involve significant operational costs, including specialized vehicles, security personnel, insurance, fuel, and compliance with strict regulations. Given these factors, $328,000 for a full year of service appears to be within a reasonable range for a government entity in a major metropolitan area. However, a precise market rate comparison would require detailed information on the number of armored transports, the volume of assets transported, the geographic coverage area within D.C., and the specific security protocols required. Without these specifics, it's challenging to benchmark definitively. Generally, full and open competition, as indicated for this contract, aims to achieve competitive pricing reflective of market conditions.

What are the primary risks associated with this armored car services contract, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risks associated with an armored car services contract include potential security breaches during transit (theft, hijacking), vehicle accidents, equipment malfunction, and personnel misconduct. For the District of Columbia Courts, a failure in these services could lead to financial losses, disruption of judicial operations, and damage to public trust. Mitigation strategies typically involve rigorous vetting and training of armored car personnel, use of advanced security features in vehicles (e.g., GPS tracking, reinforced compartments), adherence to strict operational protocols, comprehensive insurance coverage, and robust background checks for all employees handling sensitive materials. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract also shifts some financial risk to the contractor. Furthermore, the full and open competition process allows the agency to select a contractor with a proven track record in risk management and security.

What is the historical spending pattern for armored car services by the District of Columbia Courts?

The provided data indicates this is an option year for a contract that began prior to 2026, suggesting a history of utilizing armored car services. The specific dollar amounts for previous years are not detailed, but the renewal as an option year implies that the services were deemed necessary and likely performed satisfactorily. To understand the historical spending pattern, one would need to examine procurement records for the District of Columbia Courts for previous fiscal years. This would reveal the total expenditure on armored car services, whether the same contractor was used, and if the services were procured through competitive bidding or other methods. Analyzing trends in spending over time could indicate changes in service needs, pricing fluctuations, or shifts in procurement strategies.

How does the firm-fixed-price contract type impact the government's financial exposure and the contractor's profit potential?

A firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract is a type of contract where the price is set at the time of award and does not change, regardless of the contractor's cost overruns. This contract type provides the greatest cost certainty for the government, as the total expenditure is known upfront. For the District of Columbia Courts, this means their budget for armored car services is fixed at $328,000 for the option year. For the contractor, Brinks, Incorporated, the profit potential is directly tied to their ability to manage costs efficiently. If Brinks can deliver the services for less than $328,000, they retain the difference as profit. Conversely, if their costs exceed $328,000, they absorb the loss. This structure incentivizes the contractor to be highly efficient and cost-conscious, as they bear the primary risk of cost overruns.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Investigation and Security Services › Armored Car Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 555 DIVIDEND DR STE 100, COPPELL, TX, 75019

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $32,800

Exercised Options: $32,800

Current Obligation: $32,800

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline