DHS's $58.2M guard and transportation contract awarded to Asset Protection & Security Services, L.P. for Florence, AZ

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $58,234,289 ($58.2M)

Contractor: Asset Protection & Security Services, L.P.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2013-11-01

End Date: 2015-04-29

Contract Duration: 544 days

Daily Burn Rate: $107.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: GUARD SERVICES AND TRANSPORATION FOR FLORENCE SPC, AZ IGF::CT::IGF

Place of Performance

Location: FLORENCE, PINAL County, ARIZONA, 85132, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $58.2 million to ASSET PROTECTION & SECURITY SERVICES, L.P. for work described as: GUARD SERVICES AND TRANSPORATION FOR FLORENCE SPC, AZ IGF::CT::IGF Key points: 1. The contract value of $58.2 million over its period of performance suggests a significant need for security and transportation services. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, this contract indicates a market where multiple vendors could potentially bid. 3. The fixed-firm price contract type aims to provide cost certainty for the government. 4. The duration of the contract (544 days) is relatively standard for services of this nature. 5. The specific services include guard services and transportation, highlighting a dual focus on physical security and logistical support. 6. The contract was awarded to a single vendor, ASSET PROTECTION & SECURITY SERVICES, L.P., suggesting they were the most competitive bidder.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $58.2 million contract is challenging without more specific details on the scope of services and performance metrics. However, the contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically drives prices towards market rates. The firm-fixed-price structure also suggests that the contractor assumed the risk for cost overruns, which can sometimes lead to higher initial bids but provides budget certainty for the agency. Without comparable contract data for similar guard and transportation services in the Florence, AZ region, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, meaning that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 3 bids indicates a moderate level of competition for this requirement. While not a large number of bidders, it suggests that the market was aware of the opportunity and that there were at least a few capable providers. The competition level is sufficient to provide some price discovery, but a higher number of bidders could potentially have led to more aggressive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition, with multiple bidders, likely resulted in a more competitive price for taxpayers compared to a sole-source or limited competition award.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and potentially other Department of Homeland Security (DHS) components requiring secure transportation and guard services. The services delivered include physical security through guard services and logistical support via transportation, crucial for border security operations. The geographic impact is focused on Florence, Arizona, and surrounding areas where the Special Processing Center (SPC) is located. The contract supports the workforce of ASSET PROTECTION & SECURITY SERVICES, L.P., providing employment opportunities in the security and transportation sectors in Arizona.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for over-reliance on a single contractor for critical security and transportation functions.
The fixed-firm price contract might lead to less flexibility if the scope of services needs to change significantly.
Ensuring consistent quality and performance across all guard and transportation operations over the contract duration.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process.
The firm-fixed-price contract type provides budget certainty for the agency.
The contract addresses essential security and transportation needs for DHS operations in Arizona.

Sector Analysis

The Facilities Support Services sector (NAICS code 561210) encompasses a broad range of services, including guard services and logistical support. This contract falls within a segment of the market focused on government contracting for essential operational support. The total federal spending in this sector can be substantial, with many agencies relying on contractors for security, maintenance, and transportation. This specific contract represents a significant award within this niche, highlighting the government's reliance on private sector entities for specialized services.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false) and there is no explicit mention of small business subcontracting requirements (sb: false). This suggests that the primary award went to a larger entity, and opportunities for small businesses would likely be through direct subcontracting if the prime contractor chooses to engage them, or through competing for other, smaller contracts within the sector. The absence of set-aside provisions means that large businesses were eligible and likely competed for this award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) contracting officers and program managers within the Department of Homeland Security. Performance would be monitored against the terms and conditions of the firm-fixed-price contract. While specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction is not detailed, the DHS Office of Inspector General typically has oversight over DHS spending and contracts to ensure accountability and identify potential fraud, waste, or abuse. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements.

Related Government Programs

DHS Guard Services Contracts
ICE Transportation Services
Federal Facilities Support Services
Border Security Support Contracts
Arizona Federal Contracts

Risk Flags

Contract Duration
Competition Level
Contract Type

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $58.2 million to ASSET PROTECTION & SECURITY SERVICES, L.P.. GUARD SERVICES AND TRANSPORATION FOR FLORENCE SPC, AZ IGF::CT::IGF

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ASSET PROTECTION & SECURITY SERVICES, L.P..

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 $58.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-11-01. End: 2015-04-29.

What is the track record of ASSET PROTECTION & SECURITY SERVICES, L.P. with federal contracts, particularly with DHS or ICE?

A comprehensive review of ASSET PROTECTION & SECURITY SERVICES, L.P.'s federal contract history would require access to detailed contract databases. However, the award of a $58.2 million contract by ICE suggests a demonstrated capability to perform large-scale security and transportation services. Agencies typically vet contractors based on past performance, financial stability, and technical expertise before awarding significant contracts. Further investigation into their performance ratings on previous federal awards, any past disputes or terminations, and their experience with similar government requirements would provide a clearer picture of their track record. Without specific past performance data, it's assumed ICE conducted due diligence.

How does the per-unit cost of guard services and transportation under this contract compare to similar contracts awarded by DHS or other federal agencies?

Determining the precise per-unit cost requires detailed breakdowns of service hours, personnel rates, vehicle usage, and mileage, which are not provided in the summary data. The contract is a firm-fixed-price award, meaning the total price is set, and the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns. To benchmark, one would need to compare the contractor's proposed rates for guards (e.g., hourly rate per guard) and transportation (e.g., cost per mile, cost per hour per vehicle) against similar solicitations and awards in the same geographic region (Arizona) and for comparable services (security and transportation for federal facilities). The fact that it was awarded under full and open competition with 3 bidders suggests some level of market competitiveness, but without specific rate data, a direct comparison is speculative.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this guard and transportation contract?

While specific KPIs are not detailed in the provided data, typical performance indicators for guard services contracts include response times to incidents, adherence to post orders, personnel reliability (e.g., attendance, background checks), and incident reporting accuracy. For transportation services, KPIs often involve on-time performance, vehicle maintenance and safety records, driver qualifications, and adherence to transportation regulations. ICE contracting officers would establish specific metrics and evaluation criteria within the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS) to ensure ASSET PROTECTION & SECURITY SERVICES, L.P. meets the required standards for security and logistical support at the Florence SPC.

What is the historical spending pattern for guard and transportation services at the Florence SPC or similar ICE facilities?

The provided data only details this specific $58.2 million contract awarded in late 2013 with an end date in April 2015. To understand historical spending patterns, one would need to examine contract awards for the Florence SPC prior to and following this period, as well as for comparable ICE Processing Centers or Special Processing Centers. Analyzing the frequency, duration, and total value of previous contracts for similar services would reveal trends in agency spending, potential increases or decreases in demand, and the evolution of contractor selection. Without this broader historical context, it's difficult to assess if this $58.2 million award represents a typical or an outlier expenditure.

What are the potential risks associated with a firm-fixed-price contract for guard and transportation services in a dynamic environment like border security?

Firm-fixed-price (FFP) contracts offer budget certainty but can pose risks if the operating environment or service requirements change significantly. For guard and transportation services at a facility like the Florence SPC, unforeseen events (e.g., changes in detainee populations, security threats, or logistical challenges) could necessitate scope adjustments. If the contractor is locked into a fixed price that doesn't account for these changes, they might cut corners on service quality to maintain profitability, or seek contract modifications, which can negate the initial cost certainty. Conversely, if the government requires significant changes, negotiating new terms under an FFP can be complex. Effective contract management and clear communication channels are crucial to mitigate these risks.

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: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5502 BURNHAM DR, CORPUS CHRISTI, TX, 78413

Business Categories: Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $58,234,289

Exercised Options: $58,234,289

Current Obligation: $58,234,289

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSCEDM09D00003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline