DHS's $13.7M security guard contract awarded to Knight Protective Service, Inc. for 364 days

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,699,454 ($13.7M)

Contractor: Knight Protective Service, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2006-09-01

End Date: 2007-08-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $37.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SECURITY GUARD SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20002

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $13.7 million to KNIGHT PROTECTIVE SERVICE, INC. for work described as: SECURITY GUARD SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract represents a significant investment in physical security for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 2. Knight Protective Service, Inc. secured this award through full and open competition. 3. The firm fixed-price contract type suggests predictable costs for the government. 4. The contract duration of one year indicates a need for ongoing security services. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 561621 points to specialized security systems services. 6. The award was made to a single contractor, Knight Protective Service, Inc. 7. The base contract value was $13,699,454.21. 8. The contract was awarded in the District of Columbia.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $13.7 million for a one-year period for security guard services appears substantial. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for security guard services across federal agencies is crucial for a definitive value assessment. Without specific details on the scope of services, number of guards, or geographic coverage, it's difficult to definitively assess if the pricing is competitive or if it represents excellent value for money. The firm fixed-price contract type, however, offers cost certainty.

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 fact that it resulted in a single award to Knight Protective Service, Inc. after this broad competition suggests that either Knight Protective Service, Inc. was the most competitive bidder, or that the specific requirements of the solicitation may have led to fewer than expected bids. The level of competition is generally positive for price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages multiple companies to bid, driving down prices and potentially leading to better service quality.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries of this contract are U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel and facilities, ensuring their safety and security. The services delivered include security guard services, likely encompassing access control, patrols, and monitoring. The geographic impact is concentrated in the District of Columbia, where the services are presumably rendered. The contract supports jobs within the security services industry, contributing to the local workforce in the DC area.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for over-reliance on a single provider for critical security functions.
The contract's value may warrant closer scrutiny to ensure optimal resource allocation.
The specific performance metrics and quality assurance measures are not detailed here, posing a potential risk if not robustly managed.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability for the government.
The contract addresses a fundamental need for security services for a critical federal agency.

Sector Analysis

The security services industry is a significant sector within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services market. This contract falls under the NAICS code 561621, which covers security systems services, excluding locksmiths. This segment of the market includes guard services, alarm systems, and investigation services. Federal spending in this area is substantial, driven by the need to protect government assets, personnel, and sensitive information across various agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale security contracts awarded to private firms by agencies like DHS, GSA, or the Department of Defense.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a small business set-aside. However, the prime contractor, Knight Protective Service, Inc., may engage small businesses as subcontractors, though this is not specified in the provided data. The absence of a small business set-aside means the competition was open to all eligible firms, regardless of size.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) contracting officer and their representatives. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's performance work statement, including service level agreements and potential penalties for non-performance. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of contract awards, though detailed performance reports are often internal. 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
General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule Contracts for Security
Physical Security Services for Federal Facilities

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues in a critical security role.
Contract value may warrant detailed cost-benefit analysis.
Lack of specific performance metrics in summary data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $13.7 million to KNIGHT PROTECTIVE SERVICE, INC.. SECURITY GUARD SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KNIGHT PROTECTIVE SERVICE, 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 $13.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-09-01. End: 2007-08-31.

What is the track record of Knight Protective Service, Inc. in performing similar federal contracts?

A comprehensive review of Knight Protective Service, Inc.'s track record would involve examining their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those with the Department of Homeland Security or similar agencies. This includes assessing their history of meeting performance requirements, on-time delivery, and adherence to contract terms. Data on past contract awards, modifications, and any reported disputes or terminations would provide insight into their reliability and capability. A positive performance history on comparable contracts would increase confidence in their ability to successfully execute this current award. Conversely, a history of performance issues or contract disputes could signal potential risks.

How does the per-unit cost of this contract compare to similar security guard services across federal agencies?

To compare the per-unit cost, we would need to define a relevant unit, such as the cost per guard hour or per guard per day. This contract's total value is approximately $13.7 million over 364 days. Assuming a standard 24/7 operation and a certain number of guards, we could estimate an average daily or hourly cost. This estimated cost would then be benchmarked against publicly available data for similar security contracts awarded by other federal agencies. Factors like geographic location, specific security requirements (e.g., armed vs. unarmed guards, specialized equipment), and the level of experience required for personnel can significantly influence per-unit costs, necessitating careful comparison.

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

The provided data does not detail the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract. Typically, for security guard services, KPIs might include response times to incidents, adherence to patrol routes, accuracy in access control procedures, and guard punctuality. SLAs would outline the expected standards for these metrics and the consequences of failing to meet them, such as service credits or financial penalties. Robust KPIs and SLAs are crucial for ensuring the contractor delivers the required level of security and for holding them accountable for performance.

What is the historical spending pattern for security guard services by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over the past five years?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for ICE's security guard services would involve querying federal procurement databases (like FPDS or USASpending) for contracts awarded under relevant NAICS codes (e.g., 561621) by ICE over the last five fiscal years. This would reveal the total annual expenditure, the number of contracts awarded, the types of contracts (e.g., firm-fixed-price, cost-plus), and the primary contractors. Understanding these trends can help identify fluctuations in demand, potential consolidation or expansion of services, and whether spending has been consistent or variable, providing context for the current $13.7 million award.

Are there any identified risks or concerns related to the contractor's past performance or the nature of the services provided?

Without access to detailed past performance reviews or specific contract compliance reports for Knight Protective Service, Inc., it is difficult to identify specific risks related to their performance on this contract. However, general risks associated with large security contracts include potential lapses in security, inadequate guard training or vetting, and contractor non-compliance with contract terms. The nature of security services, especially for an agency like ICE, involves inherent risks related to personnel safety, facility integrity, and the handling of sensitive information. A thorough risk assessment would involve reviewing any available CPARS (Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System) data and considering the criticality of the services.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Investigation and Security Services › Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths)

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8507 EDGEWORTH DR, CAPITOL HEIGHTS, MD, 20743

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $23,246,426

Exercised Options: $13,699,454

Current Obligation: $13,699,454

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Timeline