DHS awarded $54.1M for detention, transportation, and food services to The GEO Group, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $54,107,311 ($54.1M)

Contractor: THE GEO Group, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2012-10-24

End Date: 2013-10-23

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $148.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF CRITICAL FUNCTIONS. DETENTION, TRANSPORTATION AND FOOD SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: TACOMA, PIERCE County, WASHINGTON, 98421

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $54.1 million to THE GEO GROUP, INC. for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF CRITICAL FUNCTIONS. DETENTION, TRANSPORTATION AND FOOD SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract value of $54.1M over one year indicates significant resource allocation for essential services. 3. Fixed-price contract type may offer cost certainty but could limit flexibility for unforeseen issues. 4. The award to a single contractor, The GEO Group, Inc., warrants examination of performance history and potential risks. 5. Services include detention, transportation, and food, critical functions for immigration enforcement operations. 6. The contract duration of 364 days aligns with typical service periods for such requirements.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $54.1 million for a one-year period for detention, transportation, and food services appears substantial. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for immigration detention facilities and services is crucial. Without specific per-unit cost data or comparisons to other providers, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the fixed-price nature suggests an attempt to control costs, though the overall expenditure warrants scrutiny for efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The number of bidders is not specified, but this procurement method generally fosters price discovery and encourages competitive pricing. The agency sought proposals from the market, aiming to secure the best value through a structured evaluation process.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it aims to drive down costs through market forces and encourage multiple vendors to offer competitive pricing.

Public Impact

Benefits individuals in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody by providing essential services. Ensures the provision of detention, transportation, and food services critical to immigration enforcement operations. Geographic impact is likely concentrated in areas where ICE operates detention facilities and requires transportation services. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for personnel involved in facility management, transportation, and food services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for over-reliance on a single contractor for critical services.
Performance quality and adherence to standards in detention, transportation, and food services require continuous monitoring.
Fixed-price contracts can sometimes lead to contractor cost-cutting measures that may impact service quality if not properly overseen.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability for the agency.
The contract addresses essential operational needs for ICE.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Facilities Support Services sector, specifically related to government contracting for correctional and detention services. The market for these services is significant, driven by government needs for managing detainees and ensuring their welfare. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other contracts for similar services awarded by federal agencies, particularly those involved in law enforcement and immigration.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (sb) was false and there was no small business set-aside (ss). This suggests that the contract was not specifically targeted towards small businesses, and the prime contractor, The GEO Group, Inc., is a large corporation. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses would depend on the prime contractor's procurement practices and any flow-down requirements, which are not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms would typically involve contract performance management by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) contracting officer's representative (COR). Accountability measures are inherent in the contract terms and conditions, including performance standards and potential penalties for non-compliance. Transparency is facilitated through contract awards databases, though detailed operational oversight reports are often internal or subject to specific disclosure rules.

Related Government Programs

Immigration Detention Services
Detention Facility Management
Transportation of Detainees
Correctional Services Contracts
Federal Law Enforcement Support Services

Risk Flags

Contract performance monitoring
Service quality assurance
Cost-effectiveness review
Contractor accountability
Detainee welfare standards

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $54.1 million to THE GEO GROUP, INC.. IGF::CT::IGF CRITICAL FUNCTIONS. DETENTION, TRANSPORTATION AND FOOD SERVICES

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 $54.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-10-24. End: 2013-10-23.

What is the historical spending pattern for this specific contract or similar services provided by The GEO Group, Inc. to ICE?

Analyzing historical spending for this contract (ID: IGF::CT::IGF CRITICAL FUNCTIONS. DETENTION, TRANSPORTATION AND FOOD SERVICES) awarded on 2012-10-24 for $54.1M with an end date of 2013-10-23 reveals a significant single-year expenditure. To provide a comprehensive historical context, one would need to examine prior contracts awarded to The GEO Group, Inc. for similar services by ICE or other Department of Homeland Security (DHS) components. This would involve searching federal procurement databases for contracts predating this award and potentially subsequent contracts if the services continued. Understanding the trend in contract values, durations, and the number of competitors over time would illuminate whether spending has increased, decreased, or remained stable, and how competitive the market has been historically for these critical functions.

How does the awarded amount of $54.1 million compare to the estimated value or budget for these services?

The awarded amount of $54.1 million represents the total value obligated for the contract period. To assess if this aligns with the estimated value or budget, one would need access to the agency's original budget allocation or independent cost estimates for these detention, transportation, and food services. Without this information, it's difficult to determine if the contract was awarded at, above, or below the anticipated cost. However, the fact that it was awarded under full and open competition suggests that the agency likely had a budget in mind and received bids that were evaluated against it. Further analysis would require comparing this figure to similar solicitations and their awarded amounts to gauge market rates.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract?

While the provided data does not explicitly list the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract, typical requirements for detention, transportation, and food services awarded by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would include stringent standards. These often encompass timely transportation of detainees, adherence to safety and security protocols during transport, quality and nutritional standards for food services, cleanliness and maintenance of detention facilities, and responsiveness to detainee needs. Performance would likely be monitored through regular inspections, audits, and reporting mechanisms, with potential financial penalties or corrective action plans for failing to meet defined metrics. The contract's fixed-price nature implies that meeting these SLAs is crucial for the contractor to achieve profitability.

What is The GEO Group, Inc.'s track record with government contracts, particularly with DHS and ICE?

The GEO Group, Inc. is a well-established private operator of correctional and detention facilities, with a significant history of contracting with federal, state, and local governments in the United States and internationally. Their track record with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is extensive, involving numerous contracts for detention services, facility management, and related support. While they are a major player in this sector, their performance has also been subject to scrutiny and criticism regarding conditions in facilities, cost-effectiveness, and adherence to human rights standards. A thorough assessment would involve reviewing past performance evaluations, any documented disputes or litigation, and Inspector General reports related to their contracts with ICE.

Are there any specific risks identified by the Inspector General related to detention, transportation, or food services contracts?

The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General (OIG) has frequently issued reports and conducted audits concerning the operations and contracts related to immigration detention, transportation, and food services. Common risk areas identified by the OIG often include concerns about the quality of care provided to detainees, overcrowding in facilities, inadequate medical and mental health services, safety and security vulnerabilities, and issues related to the cost-effectiveness and management of contracts. Specific to food services, concerns might arise regarding nutritional adequacy, food safety, and waste. For transportation, risks could involve the security of detainees during transit and the efficiency of movement. The OIG's findings often lead to recommendations for improved oversight, stricter performance standards, and enhanced accountability for contractors like The GEO Group, Inc.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities Support Services

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING 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: 1 PARK PL STE 700, BOCA RATON, FL, 23

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $54,107,311

Exercised Options: $54,107,311

Current Obligation: $54,107,311

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSCEDM10D00001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline