Homeland Security spent $12.8M on armed guard services in Texas, awarded via competitive delivery order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,840,941 ($12.8M)

Contractor: Security Consultants Group Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2005-08-17

End Date: 2006-09-30

Contract Duration: 409 days

Daily Burn Rate: $31.4K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: DESCRIPTION: ARMED GUARD SERVICES FOR IN DALLAS, TEXAS FOR THE PERIOD OF 07/01/05-09/30/05, SECURITY CONSULTANTS GROUP, INC., FSS CONTRACT GS-07F-0267L, TASK ORDER HSCEFC-05-F-F0020, PDN: PJFC50017.

Place of Performance

Location: DALLAS, DALLAS County, TEXAS, 75202

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $12.8 million to SECURITY CONSULTANTS GROUP INC for work described as: DESCRIPTION: ARMED GUARD SERVICES FOR IN DALLAS, TEXAS FOR THE PERIOD OF 07/01/05-09/30/05, SECURITY CONSULTANTS GROUP, INC., FSS CONTRACT GS-07F-0267L, TASK ORDER HSCEFC-05-F-F0020, PDN: PJFC50017. Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the firm-fixed-price contract type and duration. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a competitive delivery order, suggesting potential for price discovery. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with a fixed-price contract potentially mitigating cost overruns. 4. Performance context is for armed guard services, a critical security function. 5. Sector positioning is within government services, specifically security and protective services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $12.8 million for approximately 13 months of service appears within a reasonable range for armed guard services. Benchmarking against similar contracts is challenging without more granular data on service levels, guard qualifications, and geographic coverage within Texas. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests the government aimed to control costs upfront.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order, indicating that multiple vendors likely had the opportunity to bid. The presence of two bidders suggests a degree of competition, which is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers. The specific details of the bidding process and the number of proposals received would provide further insight.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a market-driven price for essential security services.

Public Impact

Benefits U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) by providing essential security personnel. Services delivered include armed guard services to protect federal facilities and personnel. Geographic impact is concentrated in Dallas, Texas. Workforce implications include the employment of security guards for the contract duration.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for service quality variations between competing vendors.
Ensuring consistent guard training and adherence to protocols across all shifts.

Positive Signals

Competitive award process likely drove a more favorable price.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Clear service description for armed guard duties.

Sector Analysis

The security guard services industry is a significant sector within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. Government contracts for security are a substantial portion of this market, driven by the need to protect federal assets and personnel. This contract fits within the protective services sub-sector, where competition can be robust among established security firms.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting is not explicitly provided in the data. Without this information, it's difficult to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem. However, the nature of armed guard services often involves larger contracts that may be awarded to larger, established firms, potentially limiting direct opportunities for very small businesses unless they are part of a subcontracting plan.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement contracting officer and COR (Contracting Officer's Representative). The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability by fixing the cost. Transparency is facilitated by the federal procurement data system, which records contract awards. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Protective Service Contracts
Department of Homeland Security Security Services
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Security Operations

Risk Flags

Contract Duration
Service Specificity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $12.8 million to SECURITY CONSULTANTS GROUP INC. DESCRIPTION: ARMED GUARD SERVICES FOR IN DALLAS, TEXAS FOR THE PERIOD OF 07/01/05-09/30/05, SECURITY CONSULTANTS GROUP, INC., FSS CONTRACT GS-07F-0267L, TASK ORDER HSCEFC-05-F-F0020, PDN: PJFC50017.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SECURITY CONSULTANTS 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 $12.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-08-17. End: 2006-09-30.

What is the historical spending pattern for armed guard services by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Texas?

Analyzing historical spending for ICE's armed guard services in Texas requires a broader dataset than what is provided for this single contract. However, this $12.8 million contract for a 13-month period (July 2005 - September 2006) suggests a significant investment in security for specific facilities or operations within Dallas. To understand broader patterns, one would need to examine contract awards over multiple fiscal years, looking at total obligated amounts, contract types (e.g., IDIQ, delivery orders), and the specific agencies or offices within ICE that procured these services. Trends might indicate increasing or decreasing reliance on contracted security, shifts in service requirements, or changes in average contract values due to inflation or market dynamics.

How does the cost per day for this contract compare to industry benchmarks for armed guard services?

The total contract value is $12,840,941.04 for a duration of 409 days (from 2005-08-17 to 2006-09-30). This equates to approximately $31,396 per day. To benchmark this against industry standards, we would need to know the number of guards, their post assignments, hours of operation, and required qualifications (e.g., level of training, armed status). Assuming a standard 24/7 operation with multiple guards, this daily rate might be competitive, especially considering the overhead associated with government contracting. However, without specific service details, a precise comparison is difficult. Industry averages for armed guards can range widely, from a few hundred dollars per guard per day to over a thousand, depending on the factors mentioned.

What specific security risks was this contract intended to mitigate for ICE operations in Dallas?

While the description specifies 'armed guard services,' the precise security risks being mitigated are not detailed. However, for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, such services typically address a range of threats including unauthorized access to sensitive facilities, protection of personnel (especially those involved in high-risk enforcement actions or detention operations), safeguarding of evidence or detainees, and deterrence of criminal activity or protests. Given the location in Dallas, potential risks could involve securing detention centers, administrative buildings, or critical infrastructure managed by ICE. The 'armed' aspect specifically points to a need for personnel authorized to use force to counter immediate threats.

What was the track record of Security Consultants Group Inc. prior to or during this contract?

Assessing the track record of Security Consultants Group Inc. based solely on this contract award requires access to additional performance data, past performance reviews, and potentially other contracts held by the company. This single data point indicates they were awarded a significant contract by ICE. To evaluate their track record thoroughly, one would need to investigate their history with government contracts, including any reported issues with performance, quality, timeliness, or compliance. Databases like the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) might contain relevant information, though access and detail levels can vary. Without further data, we can only infer that they met the basic requirements to be considered for and awarded this competitive delivery order.

How has the market for security guard services evolved since this contract was awarded in 2005-2006?

The market for security guard services has evolved significantly since 2005-2006. Key changes include increased emphasis on technology integration (e.g., surveillance systems, access control, drone monitoring), a greater demand for specialized security personnel (e.g., those with cybersecurity awareness, threat assessment training), and evolving regulatory requirements. There has also been a trend towards consolidation within the industry, with larger companies acquiring smaller ones. Furthermore, the use of data analytics to optimize security deployment and identify potential risks has become more prevalent. Government contracting in this space likely reflects these trends, with agencies seeking more sophisticated, technology-enabled, and specialized security solutions beyond traditional guard 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: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: SRS Critical Infrastructure Security LLC (UEI: 355790924)

Address: 13655 DULLES TECHNOLOGY DR STE 100, HERNDON, VA, 20171

Business Categories: Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,840,941

Exercised Options: $12,840,941

Current Obligation: $12,840,941

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS07F0267L

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline