DHS awards $37.1M for detention and guard services, with AHTNA Technical Services Inc. securing the contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $37,122,667 ($37.1M)

Contractor: Ahtna Technical Services, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2010-05-28

End Date: 2011-05-31

Contract Duration: 368 days

Daily Burn Rate: $100.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: DETENTION AND GUARD SERVICES AT PIDC.

Place of Performance

Location: LOS FRESNOS, CAMERON County, TEXAS, 78566

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $37.1 million to AHTNA TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC. for work described as: DETENTION AND GUARD SERVICES AT PIDC. Key points: 1. The contract value of $37.1 million for detention and guard services represents a significant investment in immigration enforcement infrastructure. 2. Competition dynamics for this contract, awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' warrant closer examination to understand bidder participation. 3. The fixed-firm price structure suggests a predictable cost for the government, but requires careful monitoring of service delivery. 4. Performance context is crucial, as the quality of detention and guard services directly impacts detainee welfare and facility security. 5. This contract falls within the broader security and public safety sector, supporting the operational needs of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). 6. The relatively short duration of the contract (368 days) may indicate a need for ongoing re-competition or a focus on immediate operational requirements.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $37.1 million contract for detention and guard services is challenging without specific performance metrics and service level agreements. However, the firm fixed-price nature suggests an attempt to control costs. Comparing this to similar ICE contracts for detention services would provide a clearer picture of whether the pricing is competitive for the scope of services rendered. The absence of detailed performance data makes a definitive value assessment difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which implies that while the competition was intended to be broad, certain sources were excluded. This procurement method can sometimes limit the pool of potential bidders and may not always yield the most competitive pricing compared to unrestricted full and open competition. Understanding the rationale behind the exclusion of sources is key to assessing the true level of competition achieved.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition may have resulted in a higher price for taxpayers than if all potential sources had been allowed to bid. It also raises questions about whether the government received the best possible value under the circumstances.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries of this contract are U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), who receive essential services for managing detention facilities. The services delivered include detention and guard services, crucial for maintaining order, security, and the humane treatment of individuals in ICE custody. The geographic impact is concentrated in Texas (ST: TX, SN: TEXAS), where the detention facilities requiring these services are located. Workforce implications include the direct employment of security guards and support staff by the contractor, AHTNA TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC., contributing to local employment in Texas.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for over-reliance on a single contractor for critical security functions.
Risk of service quality degradation if contractor incentives are misaligned with performance expectations.
Challenges in ensuring consistent adherence to detention standards and protocols.
Limited transparency in operational details due to the nature of detention facilities.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Award to an established entity (AHTNA TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC.) may indicate a level of pre-existing capability.
The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' suggests an effort to achieve some level of competitive pricing.

Sector Analysis

This contract operates within the government contracting sector focused on security services, specifically detention and guard services. The market for these services is substantial, driven by federal, state, and local government needs for correctional facilities and detention centers. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other ICE or DHS contracts for similar services, considering factors like facility size, detainee population, and geographic location. The total contract value of $37.1 million places it as a significant award within this niche.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (SB: false, SS: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses arising from a small business set-aside. The primary contractor, AHTNA TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC., is likely a large business, and their engagement does not inherently create opportunities for small business subcontractors unless specified in the contract's subcontracting plan, which is not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the purview of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance standards outlined in the contract and the firm fixed-price terms. Transparency may be limited due to the sensitive nature of detention operations, but reporting requirements are typically mandated. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply for any investigations into fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Federal Detention Services
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Contracts
Department of Homeland Security Security Services
Correctional Facility Management Contracts
Private Security Services for Government Facilities

Risk Flags

Limited competition due to source exclusion.
Potential for service quality issues under fixed-price contract.
Lack of detailed performance metrics for value assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $37.1 million to AHTNA TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC.. DETENTION AND GUARD SERVICES AT PIDC.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AHTNA TECHNICAL SERVICES, 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 $37.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-05-28. End: 2011-05-31.

What is the track record of AHTNA TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC. in providing detention and guard services to federal agencies?

A review of federal procurement data indicates that AHTNA TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC. has a history of securing contracts with various government agencies, including those within the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security. Their experience often spans technical services, logistics, and base operations support. For detention and guard services specifically, their past performance would need to be evaluated against the requirements of this particular contract. Agencies typically assess past performance through contractor performance assessment reporting (CPARs) to gauge reliability, quality of service, and adherence to contract terms. A detailed analysis would involve examining CPARs for similar contracts awarded to AHTNA TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC. to understand their performance history in managing secure facilities and personnel.

How does the awarded amount of $37.1 million compare to similar detention and guard service contracts awarded by ICE?

Comparing the $37.1 million award to similar contracts requires access to a broader dataset of ICE procurements for detention and guard services. However, based on general knowledge of federal contracting, this amount suggests a substantial contract, likely covering the operation of one or more significant detention facilities or a large number of personnel over the contract period. Factors influencing contract value include the number of individuals detained, the duration of detention, the level of security required, and the geographic location. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to identify contracts with similar scope, duration, and service requirements awarded within the last few fiscal years. Without this comparative data, it's difficult to definitively state whether $37.1 million represents a high, low, or average value for such services.

What are the primary risks associated with a firm fixed-price contract for detention and guard services?

A firm fixed-price (FFP) contract for detention and guard services presents several risks. For the government, the primary risk is that the contractor may cut corners on service quality or staffing to maximize profit, potentially compromising safety and security standards. If the scope of work changes significantly or unforeseen circumstances arise (e.g., unexpected increases in detainee populations requiring more resources), the contractor may be less flexible in accommodating these changes without seeking contract modifications, which could lead to price increases. For the contractor, the risk lies in underestimating costs, leading to financial losses if they cannot deliver the services within the agreed-upon price. Effective oversight and clearly defined performance standards are crucial to mitigate these risks for the government.

What does the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' procurement method imply for this contract?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' (FCAES) method implies that the government intended to conduct a broad competition but specifically excluded certain potential sources from participating. This exclusion could be based on various reasons, such as national security concerns, specific technical requirements that only a limited number of firms could meet, or previous performance issues with excluded entities. While it aims for competition, the exclusion of sources inherently limits the bidder pool compared to unrestricted full and open competition. The justification for these exclusions is critical for understanding the extent to which true market competition was leveraged to achieve the best value for the government. It suggests a deliberate decision to narrow the field, potentially impacting the final price and innovation.

How has federal spending on detention and guard services evolved over recent years, and where does this contract fit in?

Federal spending on detention and guard services, particularly by agencies like ICE and the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), has historically been substantial and subject to fluctuations based on immigration policies, enforcement priorities, and budget allocations. Over recent years, there has been significant public and congressional scrutiny on the costs and conditions within detention facilities. This $37.1 million contract awarded in 2010 represents a specific instance of this spending. To understand its place in the broader evolution, one would need to analyze aggregate spending trends for detention services across DHS and DOJ over the past decade or more. This would reveal patterns of increase or decrease, shifts in contracting strategies (e.g., more or fewer facilities managed by private contractors), and the overall budget allocated to these essential but often controversial services.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Ahtna, Incorporated (UEI: 069586055)

Address: 1400 W BENSON BLVD STE 210, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99503

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $37,122,667

Exercised Options: $37,122,667

Current Obligation: $37,122,667

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSCEDM08D00002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline