DHS awards $48.7M IDIQ order for guard services at Port Isabel Detention Center to Ahtna Technical Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $48,684,203 ($48.7M)
Contractor: Ahtna Technical Services, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2013-11-26
End Date: 2015-01-31
Contract Duration: 431 days
Daily Burn Rate: $113.0K/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: CRITICAL FUNCTION - IGF::CT::IGF -IDIQ ORDER FOR GUARD AND FOOD SERVICES WITH AHTNA TECHNICAL SERVICES AT PORT ISABEL DETENTION CENTER THROUGH 04/30/2014.
Place of Performance
Location: ANCHORAGE, ANCHORAGE County, ALASKA, 99503
State: Alaska Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $48.7 million to AHTNA TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC. for work described as: CRITICAL FUNCTION - IGF::CT::IGF -IDIQ ORDER FOR GUARD AND FOOD SERVICES WITH AHTNA TECHNICAL SERVICES AT PORT ISABEL DETENTION CENTER THROUGH 04/30/2014. Key points: 1. The contract is for critical security guard and food services. 2. Ahtna Technical Services, Inc. is the awardee. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 4. The total value is $48,684,203.35. 5. The period of performance is from November 26, 2013, to January 31, 2015.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $48.7 million for approximately 1.2 years of service appears high when considering the benchmark of $112,956 for similar services. Further analysis of the scope and specific requirements is needed to justify this pricing.
Cost Per Unit: $112,956
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded using full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating an attempt to solicit a broad range of bidders. However, the high benchmark cost relative to the award value raises questions about the effectiveness of price discovery in this competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers are impacted by the significant expenditure of $48.7 million for security and food services, with potential for overpayment given the cost benchmark.
Public Impact
Ensures critical security and food services at a detention facility. Supports a government contractor providing essential operational support. The large contract value represents a significant federal investment in detention facility operations.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- High cost relative to benchmark
- Potential for cost overruns
- Limited contract duration
Positive Signals
- Critical function support
- Competitive award process
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically security and support services for government facilities. The benchmark cost suggests that security guard services can be procured at significantly lower rates, raising questions about the efficiency of this particular award.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication in the provided data whether small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further investigation would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Oversight would involve monitoring the contractor's performance and adherence to contract terms to ensure service delivery and cost control.
Related Government Programs
- Security Guards and Patrol Services
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Programs
Risk Flags
- High cost relative to benchmark
- Ambiguous competition justification
- Lack of detailed service scope
- Potential for inefficient price discovery
Tags
security-guards-and-patrol-services, department-of-homeland-security, ak, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $48.7 million to AHTNA TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC.. CRITICAL FUNCTION - IGF::CT::IGF -IDIQ ORDER FOR GUARD AND FOOD SERVICES WITH AHTNA TECHNICAL SERVICES AT PORT ISABEL DETENTION CENTER THROUGH 04/30/2014.
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 $48.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2013-11-26. End: 2015-01-31.
What specific services are included in the 'Guard and Food Services' to justify the high cost?
The provided data does not detail the specific services included beyond 'Security Guards and Patrol Services' and general 'Food Services'. A comprehensive understanding of the scope, including the number of personnel, hours of operation, specific security protocols, and food service standards, is necessary to evaluate if the $48.7 million award is justified against the $112,956 benchmark.
How was the exclusion of sources justified in the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' award method?
The data indicates 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' as the award method. This typically means that while the competition was intended to be open, certain sources were excluded based on specific criteria. The justification for this exclusion is not provided but is crucial for understanding if the competition was truly as open as possible and if it impacted price discovery.
What is the basis for the $112,956 benchmark, and how does it compare to the actual services rendered?
The data provides a benchmark value of $112,956, but its origin and the specific services it represents are not detailed. Without knowing what this benchmark represents (e.g., annual cost for a similar facility, average cost per guard), it's difficult to definitively assess the value for money of the $48.7 million award. A direct comparison requires understanding the scope and scale of services covered by the benchmark.
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: $48,684,203
Exercised Options: $48,684,203
Current Obligation: $48,684,203
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HSCEDM08D00002
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2013-11-26
Current End Date: 2015-01-31
Potential End Date: 2015-05-21 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2017-07-29
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