State Department awarded $18M for domestic guard services to Inter-con Security Systems, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $17,988,472 ($18.0M)
Contractor: Inter-Con Security Systems, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of State
Start Date: 2007-07-10
End Date: 2012-09-29
Contract Duration: 1,908 days
Daily Burn Rate: $9.4K/day
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: DOMESTIC GUARD SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20520
Plain-Language Summary
Department of State obligated $18.0 million to INTER-CON SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC. for work described as: DOMESTIC GUARD SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for the duration and scope of services. 2. Limited competition may have impacted price discovery. 3. Contract duration and fixed-price nature suggest moderate risk. 4. Services provided are essential for facility security. 5. This contract falls within the broader security services sector for government facilities.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of approximately $18 million over five years for domestic guard services appears to be within a reasonable range when considering the scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar contracts for large-scale federal facility security, the per-year cost is competitive. The fixed-price nature of the contract, while potentially limiting flexibility, helps control costs for the government.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under a limited competition, with only one bid received. This suggests that the pool of eligible contractors or the specific requirements may have restricted broader participation. While a single bid can sometimes lead to higher prices, the government may have had pre-existing agreements or specific criteria that narrowed the field. The lack of multiple bids limits the ability to definitively assess the most competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: A limited competition means taxpayers may not have benefited from the lowest possible price that could have been achieved through a more open bidding process.
Public Impact
The Department of State benefits from secure facilities. Essential security guard services are delivered across specified locations. The geographic impact is concentrated within the District of Columbia. The contract supports a workforce of security personnel.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition raises concerns about potential overpayment.
- Lack of multiple bids reduces transparency in pricing.
Positive Signals
- Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
- Services are critical for national security and diplomatic operations.
Sector Analysis
The federal government is a significant consumer of security services, with spending spread across various agencies and functions. This contract for domestic guard services aligns with the broader trend of outsourcing facility security to specialized private sector firms. The market for security services is competitive, but specific government contracts can sometimes face limited competition due to stringent requirements or existing relationships.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting opportunities for small businesses. The primary contractor, Inter-con Security Systems, Inc., is a large business, suggesting that the bulk of the work would be performed by them rather than being distributed to smaller entities.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of State is responsible for the oversight of this contract, ensuring that the terms and conditions are met. Accountability is maintained through performance reviews and adherence to the fixed-price agreement. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award notice, though further details on performance metrics and specific oversight activities are not publicly detailed.
Related Government Programs
- Federal Protective Service Contracts
- Department of State Security Operations
- Government Facility Guard Services
Risk Flags
- Limited competition
- Single bid received
Tags
security-services, department-of-state, domestic-guard-services, firm-fixed-price, limited-competition, district-of-columbia, inter-con-security-systems-inc, large-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of State awarded $18.0 million to INTER-CON SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC.. DOMESTIC GUARD SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is INTER-CON SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $18.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-07-10. End: 2012-09-29.
What is the track record of Inter-con Security Systems, Inc. with federal contracts?
Inter-con Security Systems, Inc. has a history of performing security services for various federal agencies. While specific details on past performance for this exact contract are not provided, the company is a known entity in the federal contracting space for security. A deeper dive into their contract history, including any past performance evaluations, disputes, or awards, would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability and effectiveness in fulfilling government requirements. Reviewing data from contract databases and agency performance reports would be necessary for a thorough assessment.
How does the awarded price compare to similar domestic guard service contracts?
Without access to a comprehensive database of all federal domestic guard service contracts with detailed pricing structures, a precise comparison is challenging. However, the approximate annual cost for this contract, derived from the total award and duration, can be benchmarked against publicly available data for similar services. The $18 million award over approximately five years suggests an average annual expenditure of around $3.6 million. This figure needs to be contextualized by the number of personnel, hours, specific security measures, and geographic coverage. If comparable contracts for similar scope and scale in the DC area are significantly lower or higher, it would indicate potential issues with value for money.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract?
The primary risks associated with this contract include potential overpayment due to limited competition, as only one bid was received. This lack of robust competition can hinder price discovery and may result in the government not securing the most cost-effective solution. Another risk is contractor performance; while Inter-con Security Systems, Inc. is an established provider, any lapse in service quality or failure to meet contractual obligations could compromise facility security. The long duration of the contract also introduces the risk of changing security needs or economic fluctuations impacting the value proposition over time.
How effective are domestic guard services in ensuring federal facility security?
Domestic guard services are a critical component of federal facility security, providing a visible deterrent and immediate response capability. Their effectiveness is contingent on several factors, including the quality of personnel, the rigor of their training, the clarity of their post orders, and the level of supervision. When executed well, guards contribute significantly to preventing unauthorized access, responding to emergencies, and maintaining order. However, their effectiveness can be limited by the scope of their authority, the technological systems they support, and the overall security posture of the facility. This contract's effectiveness would be measured by the Department of State's assessment of security incidents and overall facility safety.
What has been the historical spending pattern for domestic guard services by the Department of State?
Analyzing the historical spending patterns of the Department of State for domestic guard services would provide context for the $18 million award. This would involve examining previous contracts for similar services, noting the number of awards, contract values, durations, and awarded contractors over several fiscal years. Understanding whether this award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of spending can indicate shifts in security needs, policy changes, or market dynamics. A consistent pattern of high spending might suggest a sustained need, while significant fluctuations could point to evolving requirements or changes in contracting strategies.
Contractor Details
Address: 210 S DE LACEY AVE, PASADENA, CA, 28
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $17,993,790
Exercised Options: $17,993,790
Current Obligation: $17,988,472
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: SLMAQM01D0157
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-07-10
Current End Date: 2012-09-29
Potential End Date: 2012-09-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2012-12-06
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