DHS Spends $22M on Security Guards via BPA Call, Raising Questions on Value and Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $21,989,378 ($22.0M)
Contractor: Coastal International Security, Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2013-09-25
End Date: 2014-07-31
Contract Duration: 309 days
Daily Burn Rate: $71.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: Other
Official Description: IGF::CL,CT::IGF SECURITY GUARDS AND PATROL SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20536
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $22.0 million to COASTAL INTERNATIONAL SECURITY, INC for work described as: IGF::CL,CT::IGF SECURITY GUARDS AND PATROL SERVICES Key points: 1. Spending of $21.99M on security guard services. 2. Coastal International Security, Inc. was the awardee. 3. Full and open competition was utilized. 4. Concerns exist regarding the value and taxpayer impact given the contract type and duration.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract was awarded via a BPA Call, which can sometimes lead to less competitive pricing than direct solicitations. The total award amount of $21.99M for a 309-day period suggests a significant per-day cost.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating multiple bidders were considered. However, the use of a BPA Call might limit the scope of competition compared to a standalone solicitation.
Taxpayer Impact: The significant expenditure on security services warrants scrutiny to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently and effectively for the required security outcomes.
Public Impact
Taxpayers funded $21.99 million for security guard services. The contract supported the Department of Homeland Security's operational needs. The duration of the contract was approximately 10 months.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for overspending due to BPA Call mechanism.
- Limited duration may indicate a need for ongoing services, suggesting potential for higher long-term costs.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Services provided to a critical agency (DHS).
Sector Analysis
Security guard and patrol services fall under the broader professional services sector. Spending benchmarks for this sector vary widely based on location, security level, and service scope. This contract's value appears substantial for its duration.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses participated in or benefited from this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business inclusion.
Oversight & Accountability
The use of a BPA Call suggests existing framework agreements were leveraged. Oversight would focus on ensuring the call-out process was fair and that the awarded price represented good value.
Related Government Programs
- Security Guards and Patrol Services
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- Office of Procurement Operations Programs
Risk Flags
- High expenditure for a relatively short contract duration.
- Potential for limited price discovery due to BPA Call mechanism.
- Lack of detail on specific services and performance metrics.
- No indication of small business participation.
Tags
security-guards-and-patrol-services, department-of-homeland-security, dc, bpa-call, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $22.0 million to COASTAL INTERNATIONAL SECURITY, INC. IGF::CL,CT::IGF SECURITY GUARDS AND PATROL SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is COASTAL INTERNATIONAL SECURITY, INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Office of Procurement Operations).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $22.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2013-09-25. End: 2014-07-31.
What was the specific need that necessitated a $22 million expenditure on security guards within a 10-month period?
The specific operational requirements of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) dictated the need for extensive security guard and patrol services. This expenditure likely covered personnel costs, including salaries, benefits, and overhead, for a significant number of guards across various locations or for a high-security operation. The scale of the spending suggests a critical security mission was being supported.
How did the pricing compare to market rates for similar security guard services during the contract period?
Without access to the specific labor hour rates and the detailed scope of work, a precise comparison to market rates is challenging. However, the total award of $21.99 million for approximately 10 months suggests a substantial investment. Benchmarking against similar federal or commercial contracts for security personnel in the Washington D.C. area would be necessary to determine if the pricing was competitive and represented good value for the services rendered.
What measures were in place to ensure the effectiveness and accountability of the security guards provided by Coastal International Security, Inc.?
Effectiveness and accountability are typically ensured through performance work statements (PWS) within the contract, outlining specific duties, post orders, and required qualifications. DHS contracting officers would monitor performance, review incident reports, and conduct site visits. KPIs and service level agreements (SLAs) would also be crucial for measuring guard performance and ensuring taxpayer funds were used for effective security outcomes.
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
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Akal Security, Inc.
Address: 6101 FALLARD DR, UPPER MARLBORO, MD, 20772
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $21,989,378
Exercised Options: $21,989,378
Current Obligation: $21,989,378
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HSHQEC10A00001
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2013-09-25
Current End Date: 2014-07-31
Potential End Date: 2014-07-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2024-09-09
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