Homeland Security's $17.2M guard services contract awarded to AKAL SECURITY, INC. in Arizona

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,261,073 ($17.3M)

Contractor: Akal Security, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2006-12-21

End Date: 2007-12-31

Contract Duration: 375 days

Daily Burn Rate: $46.0K/day

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: OTHER (NONE OF THE ABOVE)

Sector: Other

Official Description: GUARD SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: FLORENCE, ARIZONA, 85232

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $17.3 million to AKAL SECURITY, INC. for work described as: GUARD SERVICES Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the duration and scope of services. 2. Competition dynamics were limited, suggesting potential for price inflation. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with a focus on performance and security. 4. Performance context is tied to immigration and customs enforcement operations. 5. Sector positioning is within the security services industry for government contracts.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $17.2 million over one year for guard services is substantial. Benchmarking against similar contracts for security personnel in government facilities is crucial for a precise value assessment. Without specific performance metrics or detailed service level agreements, it's challenging to definitively state if this represents excellent value. However, the price per day per guard can be estimated and compared to industry averages for similar security roles.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not competed on a full and open basis. The limited competition suggests that fewer potential bidders were considered or allowed to participate. This can impact the government's ability to secure the most competitive pricing, as the pool of offerors is restricted. The specific reasons for limited competition, such as specialized requirements or existing relationships, would need further investigation to fully understand the implications.

Taxpayer Impact: Limited competition can lead to higher costs for taxpayers if the selected contractor does not face significant pricing pressure from rivals. This may result in less efficient use of public funds compared to a more open bidding process.

Public Impact

Benefits federal agencies, specifically U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, by providing essential security personnel. Services delivered include guarding and patrol duties to ensure facility safety and security. Geographic impact is primarily within Arizona, where the contract was performed. Workforce implications involve the employment of security guards by AKAL SECURITY, INC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price overruns due to limited competition.
Ensuring consistent service quality across all deployed personnel.
Managing contractor performance to meet stringent security requirements.

Positive Signals

Award to an established security provider.
Clear contract duration and defined service scope.
Focus on a critical government function (security).

Sector Analysis

The security services sector is a significant part of the government contracting landscape, encompassing a wide range of protective services. This contract for guard services falls under the broader category of facility support and security. The market for these services is competitive, but government contracts often have specific requirements that can influence the number and type of participating firms. Benchmarking against other federal contracts for similar guard services would provide further context on pricing and scope.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans for this specific contract is not readily available in the provided data. Typically, larger contracts may include provisions for small business participation. Without explicit data, it's difficult to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem for this particular award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and relevant program officials within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Accountability measures would be outlined in the contract's terms and conditions, focusing on performance standards and service delivery. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports may not always be publicly accessible.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Limited competition may impact pricing.
Contract performance monitoring is critical.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $17.3 million to AKAL SECURITY, INC.. GUARD SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AKAL SECURITY, 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 $17.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-12-21. End: 2007-12-31.

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

Analyzing historical spending for guard services by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) requires accessing past contract awards and obligations. While this specific contract represents $17.2 million in 2006-2007, ICE's overall security budget and reliance on contracted guard services likely fluctuate based on operational needs, policy changes, and threat assessments. To provide a comprehensive historical view, one would need to aggregate data from multiple fiscal years, identify trends in contract values, identify key incumbent contractors, and note any significant shifts in service requirements or geographic coverage. This would help contextualize the $17.2 million award within ICE's broader spending on security personnel and identify potential patterns of sustained or increasing investment in such services.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to other federal guard service contracts awarded around the same time?

Comparing the pricing of this $17.2 million contract for guard services to other federal contracts awarded around 2006-2007 requires access to a broader dataset of contemporaneous contract awards. Key metrics for comparison would include the price per guard per hour, price per guard per day, or the total contract value relative to the number of guards and hours of service. Factors such as geographic location (which affects labor costs), specific security requirements (e.g., armed vs. unarmed guards, specialized equipment), and the level of competition can significantly influence pricing. Without a detailed benchmark analysis against similar contracts from agencies like the General Services Administration (GSA) or other Department of Homeland Security components, it is difficult to definitively assess if this contract was competitively priced or represented a fair market value.

What is AKAL SECURITY, INC.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Homeland Security?

AKAL SECURITY, INC. has a history of receiving federal contracts, including those with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its predecessor agencies. A review of federal procurement data would reveal the extent of their contract awards, the types of services provided, and their performance history. Key aspects to examine include the number of contracts awarded, their total value, the duration of these contracts, and any reported performance issues or accolades. Understanding their past performance, especially with DHS entities like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), is crucial for assessing their reliability and capability in fulfilling the requirements of this specific $17.2 million guard services contract.

What are the specific security risks associated with relying on contracted guard services for immigration and customs enforcement facilities?

Relying on contracted guard services for immigration and customs enforcement facilities presents several security risks. These can include potential gaps in personnel vetting and training, leading to compromised security or improper conduct. Contractor turnover can result in a loss of institutional knowledge and require continuous retraining. Furthermore, there's a risk of information breaches if guards have access to sensitive data. Ensuring consistent adherence to strict protocols and maintaining high levels of vigilance among contract guards requires robust oversight. The potential for conflicts of interest or undue influence from the contractor also needs careful management. The government must implement stringent performance monitoring and quality assurance measures to mitigate these inherent risks.

How has the demand for guard services in federal immigration facilities evolved since 2007?

The demand for guard services in federal immigration facilities has likely evolved significantly since 2007, driven by shifts in immigration policy, border security strategies, and overall undocumented immigration flows. Post-2007, there have been periods of increased focus on border enforcement and detention, which would naturally increase the need for security personnel. Conversely, policy changes aimed at processing asylum claims or alternative detention methods might alter the demand. Technological advancements in surveillance and security systems may also have influenced the type and number of human guards required. Analyzing trends in appropriations for agencies like ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), as well as the number of individuals in detention, would provide a clearer picture of how demand has changed.

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

Contractor Details

Address: 7 INFINITY LOOP, ESPANOLA, NM, 03

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,261,073

Exercised Options: $17,261,073

Current Obligation: $17,261,073

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: ACL2C0002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline