DHS awards $17.9M contract for security guards in Tacoma, WA, to The Geo Group, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,943,044 ($17.9M)

Contractor: THE GEO Group, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2009-04-24

End Date: 2009-04-23

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 6 MONTH EXTENSION FOR TACOMA, WA

Place of Performance

Location: TACOMA, PIERCE County, WASHINGTON, 98421

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $17.9 million to THE GEO GROUP, INC. for work described as: 6 MONTH EXTENSION FOR TACOMA, WA Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is for security guard services, a critical function for government facilities. 3. Awarded as a delivery order, indicating it's part of a larger contract vehicle. 4. The duration of the base contract is not specified, but this is a 6-month extension. 5. The contractor, The Geo Group, Inc., has experience in providing correctional and detention services. 6. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific delivery order is challenging without knowing the total value of the base contract and the scope of services. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests an attempt to manage costs. Comparing the per-unit cost of security guard services would require more detailed information on hours, guard levels, and specific duties performed. Given the amount, it represents a significant investment in security personnel for a six-month period.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. This suggests a robust bidding process where multiple companies likely had the opportunity to compete for the work. The number of bidders is not specified, but the method implies a competitive environment that should theoretically lead to a fair market price.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down prices through market forces.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and potentially other Department of Homeland Security (DHS) operations in the Tacoma, WA area. The services delivered are security guards and patrol services, crucial for maintaining safety and order. The geographic impact is localized to Tacoma, Washington. This contract supports employment for security personnel in the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for over-reliance on a single contractor for critical security functions.
Limited transparency on the specific performance metrics and quality assurance measures for the security guards.
The fixed-price nature might disincentivize exceeding basic service requirements if not carefully monitored.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a fair market approach.
Firm fixed-price contract type helps control costs.
The contractor has established experience in related security services.

Sector Analysis

Security guard services fall under the broader professional, scientific, and technical services sector. This sector is characterized by a wide range of service providers, from large corporations to smaller specialized firms. Government contracts for security are a significant component of this market, driven by the need for protection of federal facilities and personnel. Benchmarking this specific award against overall government spending on security guards would require aggregating data across multiple agencies and contract types.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). While The Geo Group, Inc. is a large entity, there is no information provided on their subcontracting plans with small businesses. Without this data, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear, though large prime contracts often have subcontracting requirements that can benefit smaller firms.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) contracting officer and program managers. Performance would be monitored against the terms of the delivery order and the base contract. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS, where basic award information is published. Specific details on day-to-day oversight and quality assurance are usually internal to the agency.

Related Government Programs

Federal Protective Service Contracts
Correctional Facility Management Contracts
Immigration Detention Services
Department of Homeland Security Security Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if scope changes or unforeseen issues arise.
Performance quality of security guards is critical and requires diligent oversight.
Contractor's capacity to scale services if requirements change.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $17.9 million to THE GEO GROUP, INC.. 6 MONTH EXTENSION FOR TACOMA, WA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE GEO GROUP, 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 $17.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-04-24. End: 2009-04-23.

What is the total value and duration of the base contract from which this delivery order was issued?

The provided data only specifies the value and duration of a 6-month extension ($17.9 million over 6 months). Information regarding the original base contract's total value, award date, and period of performance is not included in this dataset. Understanding the full scope and commitment requires access to the base contract details. This extension suggests the base contract is ongoing and requires continued security guard services.

How does the per-guard cost compare to similar security guard contracts awarded by DHS or other federal agencies?

Calculating a precise per-guard cost requires knowing the number of guards, their hours, pay rates, and the specific services rendered, which are not detailed in the provided data. The total award of $17.9 million over six months averages to approximately $2.98 million per month. If we assume a significant number of guards are employed, the average monthly cost per guard could be estimated. However, without knowing the exact number of personnel and their deployment, a direct comparison to market rates or other federal contracts is speculative. Benchmarking would necessitate a detailed breakdown of labor hours and associated costs.

What is The Geo Group, Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly for security guard services?

The Geo Group, Inc. is a well-established provider of correctional and detention management services, which inherently involves significant security operations. While their primary focus has been on managing facilities, this often includes providing or overseeing security personnel. Their history with federal contracts, particularly with agencies like DHS and ICE, suggests they possess the necessary clearances and experience to handle such requirements. A deeper dive into their contract performance history, including any past performance evaluations or disputes, would provide a more comprehensive assessment.

What specific security risks or needs does this contract address for ICE in Tacoma, WA?

This contract addresses the need for security guard services, which typically involve access control, perimeter security, monitoring of facilities, and potentially responding to security incidents. For ICE operations in Tacoma, WA, these services are crucial for maintaining the security of facilities, personnel, and any individuals under their custody or supervision. The specific risks could range from unauthorized access and theft to ensuring the safety of staff and detainees, depending on the nature of the ICE facility or operation being supported.

How has federal spending on security guard services evolved over the past five years, and where does this contract fit in?

Federal spending on security guard services has generally remained substantial, driven by the need to protect a vast array of government assets and facilities. While specific figures for the entire federal government require comprehensive data aggregation, agencies like DHS, GSA, and DoD are major consumers. This $17.9 million delivery order for a six-month period represents a significant, albeit localized, expenditure. It aligns with the ongoing trend of federal agencies outsourcing security functions to specialized private sector providers to ensure consistent coverage and leverage industry expertise.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Investigation and Security Services › Security Guards and Patrol Services

Product/Service Code: OPERATION OF GOVT OWNED FACILITY › OPERATE GOVT OWNED BUILDINGS

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: 1 PARK PL STE 700 621 NW 53RD ST, BOCA RATON, FL, 33487

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $20,331,631

Exercised Options: $20,331,631

Current Obligation: $17,943,044

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSCEAL02C0004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline