DHS ICE awards $9.9M for unarmed guard services in DC, highlighting firm fixed-price contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,919,204 ($9.9M)

Contractor: Akal Security, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2003-12-18

End Date: 2004-12-31

Contract Duration: 379 days

Daily Burn Rate: $26.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 17

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: UNARMED GUARD SERVICES FOR EL CENTRO SPC

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20202

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $9.9 million to AKAL SECURITY, INC. for work described as: UNARMED GUARD SERVICES FOR EL CENTRO SPC Key points: 1. Contract Value: $9.9 million for unarmed guard services. 2. Competition: Awarded under full and open competition. 3. Risk: Firm fixed-price contract may limit flexibility for changing security needs. 4. Sector: Government services, specifically security and law enforcement support.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The $9.9 million award for unarmed guard services appears reasonable given the contract duration of over a year and the number of delivery orders (17). Benchmarking against similar contracts for security services in the DC area would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method typically leads to competitive pricing as multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is generally beneficial for taxpayers, as it promotes efficiency and potentially lower costs through market forces.

Public Impact

Ensures security at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities. Supports the operational continuity of critical government functions. Provides employment opportunities within the security services sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price increases if security needs change significantly under a firm fixed-price contract.
Dependence on a single vendor for essential security services.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Clear contract scope for unarmed guard services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the government services sector, specifically focusing on security and protective services. Benchmarks for similar unarmed guard services contracts vary widely based on location, scope, and duration, but $9.9 million for over a year of service in DC is within a typical range.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses participated in or benefited from this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Department of Homeland Security (ICE) and utilized a standard procurement process. Oversight would typically involve contract management by ICE officials to ensure service delivery and adherence to terms.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security Contracting
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Programs

Risk Flags

Firm fixed-price contract may not accommodate scope changes.
Lack of detail on specific guard duties.
No indication of small business participation.
Potential for vendor lock-in if competition was limited in subsequent years.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $9.9 million to AKAL SECURITY, INC.. UNARMED GUARD SERVICES FOR EL CENTRO SPC

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AKAL SECURITY, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $9.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2003-12-18. End: 2004-12-31.

What was the specific scope of services required for these unarmed guards?

The provided data specifies 'UNARMED GUARD SERVICES' but lacks granular detail on the exact duties. This could range from access control and monitoring to patrolling and responding to non-violent incidents. Understanding the precise requirements is crucial for evaluating the contract's value and ensuring it met all operational needs effectively.

How did the firm fixed-price structure impact the final negotiated price?

A firm fixed-price contract aims to provide price certainty. While beneficial for budgeting, it can lead to higher initial bids if vendors anticipate potential cost overruns or scope creep. The effectiveness of this pricing structure depends on how well the initial scope was defined and whether it accurately reflected the government's needs throughout the contract period.

What mechanisms were in place to ensure the quality of guard services provided?

Quality assurance for guard services typically involves performance metrics, regular inspections, and feedback mechanisms. While not detailed here, ICE would likely have had a quality assurance surveillance plan (QASP) to monitor AKAL SECURITY, INC.'s performance, ensuring adherence to contract requirements and service standards.

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Offers Received: 17

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Contractor Details

Address: 7 INFINITY LOOP, ESPANOLA, NM, 87532

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,919,204

Exercised Options: $9,919,204

Current Obligation: $9,919,204

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: ACL2C0003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline