Bureau of Reclamation awards $26.9M contract for Folsom Dam security guard services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,908,755 ($26.9M)

Contractor: Sacramento, County of

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2007-01-01

End Date: 2011-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CCAO SECURITY GUARD FORCE. THE SHERIFF SHALL FURNISH THE NECESSARY MANAGEMENT, SUPERVISION, PERSONNEL, TRAINING, EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, LICENSES, PERMITS, CERTIFICATES, INSURANCE, PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENINGS, REPORTS, FILES, AND CLOTHING TO PROVIDE A PROFESSIONAL, ARMED SECURITY FORCE TO PROTECT FOLSOM DAM AND ASSOCIATED FACILITIES, HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS FOLSOM DAM, FROM ANY AND ALL THREATS. THE SHERIFF SHALL PERFORM TO THE STANDARDS REQUIRED IN THIS CONTRACT AND WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH DESIGNATED RECLAMATION REPRESENTATIVES THROUGHOUT THE DURATION OF THE CONTRACT.

Place of Performance

Location: FOLSOM, SACRAMENTO County, CALIFORNIA, 95630

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $26.9 million to SACRAMENTO, COUNTY OF for work described as: CCAO SECURITY GUARD FORCE. THE SHERIFF SHALL FURNISH THE NECESSARY MANAGEMENT, SUPERVISION, PERSONNEL, TRAINING, EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, LICENSES, PERMITS, CERTIFICATES, INSURANCE, PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENINGS, REPORTS, FILES, AND CLOTHING TO PROVIDE A PROFESSIONAL, ARMED SECURITY FOR… Key points: 1. Contract provides comprehensive security management, personnel, training, and equipment for Folsom Dam. 2. Services include armed security personnel to protect critical infrastructure from threats. 3. The contract spans over five years, indicating a long-term need for security services. 4. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs for the duration of the contract. 5. This contract falls under the Security Guards and Patrol Services NAICS code. 6. The Bureau of Reclamation is the contracting agency for this critical infrastructure protection.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $26.9 million over five years averages approximately $5.38 million annually. Benchmarking this against similar large-scale security contracts for federal facilities is challenging without more specific details on guard numbers, hours, and required security levels. However, the annual cost per year is within a plausible range for comprehensive security services at a major federal dam. The firm-fixed-price nature suggests an attempt to lock in costs, but it also carries risk if unforeseen security needs arise.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. Without a competitive bidding process, it is difficult to assess if the government received the best possible pricing or if alternative solutions were considered. Sole-source awards often occur when a specific entity possesses unique capabilities or when urgency dictates a rapid award. The lack of competition here means that price discovery through market forces was bypassed.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the most cost-effective solution due to the absence of a competitive bidding process. The government did not leverage market competition to drive down prices for these essential security services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Reclamation, ensuring the security of Folsom Dam. The contract delivers professional, armed security services to protect critical infrastructure. The geographic impact is localized to Folsom Dam and its associated facilities in California. The contract supports a workforce of security guards and management personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpayment and lack of innovation.
Sole-source awards can limit opportunities for other qualified security providers.
The firm-fixed-price contract might not adequately account for evolving security threats or requirements.

Positive Signals

Ensures continuous and dedicated security for a critical piece of infrastructure.
The long-term nature of the contract provides stability for security operations.
The contract specifies comprehensive requirements, aiming for a high standard of service delivery.

Sector Analysis

The security services sector is highly competitive, with numerous firms offering a range of capabilities from basic guard services to advanced threat assessment and physical security solutions. Federal contracts for security are substantial, driven by the need to protect government facilities, personnel, and sensitive information. This contract for Folsom Dam fits within the broader category of critical infrastructure protection, a significant area of government spending. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing contracts for similar facilities, considering factors like square footage, threat levels, and personnel requirements.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'sb': false. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data. This suggests that the primary contractor is expected to fulfill the majority of the service requirements directly, potentially limiting opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific contract's value chain.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Bureau of Reclamation's contracting officers and designated representatives, who are responsible for monitoring performance and ensuring compliance with contract terms. The contract specifies that the Sheriff shall work closely with these representatives. Accountability measures are embedded in the performance standards required by the contract. Transparency regarding the sole-source nature of the award is limited, as competitive justifications are not publicly detailed.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security - Critical Infrastructure Protection
Army Corps of Engineers - Dam Security
General Services Administration - Security Services Contracts
Federal Protective Service Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
Potential for higher costs due to lack of competition.
Limited transparency on performance metrics and oversight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $26.9 million to SACRAMENTO, COUNTY OF. CCAO SECURITY GUARD FORCE. THE SHERIFF SHALL FURNISH THE NECESSARY MANAGEMENT, SUPERVISION, PERSONNEL, TRAINING, EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, LICENSES, PERMITS, CERTIFICATES, INSURANCE, PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENINGS, REPORTS, FILES, AND CLOTHING TO PROVIDE A PROFESSIONAL, ARMED SECURITY FORCE TO PROTECT FOLSOM DAM AND ASSOCIATED FACILITIES, HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS FOLSOM DAM, FROM ANY AND ALL THREATS. THE SHERIFF SHALL PERFORM TO THE STANDARDS REQUIRED IN THIS CONTRACT AND WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH DESIGN

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SACRAMENTO, COUNTY OF.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Reclamation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $26.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-01-01. End: 2011-12-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for security services at Folsom Dam prior to this contract?

The provided data does not include historical spending for security services at Folsom Dam. This contract, awarded in 2007 and ending in 2011, represents a specific period. To understand historical patterns, one would need to access contract databases for previous agreements related to Folsom Dam security. Analyzing prior contracts, if available, could reveal trends in contract duration, value, and whether they were competed or sole-sourced. Without this historical context, it's difficult to assess if the $26.9 million award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of spending for these services over time.

How does the annual cost of this contract compare to similar federal dam security contracts?

Direct comparison of the annual cost of approximately $5.38 million for this Folsom Dam security contract to similar federal dam security contracts is challenging without detailed specifications of the services rendered, personnel levels, and security requirements at other facilities. Federal dam security needs can vary significantly based on size, location, criticality, and threat environment. However, for a large, critical infrastructure site like Folsom Dam, this annual expenditure appears to be within a reasonable range for comprehensive, armed security services. A more precise benchmark would require access to data on comparable contracts, including the number of guards, hours of coverage, and specific security technologies deployed.

What specific risks are associated with a sole-source award for critical infrastructure security?

A sole-source award for critical infrastructure security carries several risks. Firstly, the absence of competition can lead to higher costs for taxpayers, as the government does not benefit from market forces driving down prices. Secondly, it may limit the adoption of innovative security solutions or technologies that could be offered by other potential providers. Thirdly, there's a risk of complacency or reduced performance incentives for the sole provider, as they face no direct competitive pressure. Finally, it raises concerns about the thoroughness of the vetting process and whether the chosen provider is truly the most capable and cost-effective option available, potentially impacting the overall security posture of the facility.

What performance metrics or standards are outlined in the contract to ensure service quality?

The provided data snippet indicates that 'The Sheriff Shall Perform to the Standards Required in This Contract.' However, the specific performance metrics and standards are not detailed in the excerpt. Typically, such contracts would include detailed requirements regarding guard presence, response times, incident reporting, training qualifications, equipment maintenance, and adherence to post orders. Performance would likely be monitored through regular reviews by Bureau of Reclamation representatives, site inspections, and potentially through key performance indicators (KPIs) related to security incidents, response effectiveness, and overall facility safety. Failure to meet these standards could result in contractually defined remedies.

What is the track record of the awarded contractor (County of Sacramento Sheriff's Department) in providing similar federal security services?

The provided data identifies the contractor as 'SACRAMENTO, COUNTY OF' (County of Sacramento Sheriff's Department). While county sheriff departments are primarily law enforcement agencies, they often have capabilities and experience in providing security services, particularly for local government facilities or events. However, their track record specifically in providing large-scale, long-term armed security guard services for federal infrastructure like a dam, comparable to private security firms, is not detailed here. Assessing their federal contracting history, past performance on similar contracts, and any relevant certifications or accreditations would be necessary to fully evaluate their suitability and track record for this specific role.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Investigation and Security Services › Security Guards and Patrol Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: County of Sacramento (UEI: 071550800)

Address: 3301 C ST STE 301, SACRAMENTO, CA, 90

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $26,908,755

Exercised Options: $26,908,755

Current Obligation: $26,908,755

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline