DoD's $23.4M security contract for 15 Air Force bases awarded to Southeastern Protective Services, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,394,598 ($23.4M)

Contractor: Southeastern Protective Services, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2007-12-01

End Date: 2008-09-30

Contract Duration: 304 days

Daily Burn Rate: $77.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 13

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: REGION 1 SECURITY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR 15 CONUS AIR FORCE INSTALLATIONS.

Place of Performance

Location: LACKLAND AFB, BEXAR County, TEXAS, 78236

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $23.4 million to SOUTHEASTERN PROTECTIVE SERVICES, INC for work described as: REGION 1 SECURITY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR 15 CONUS AIR FORCE INSTALLATIONS. Key points: 1. The contract value represents a significant investment in base security across multiple installations. 2. Competition dynamics for this contract warrant further examination due to the 'exclusion of sources' clause. 3. Performance risk appears moderate given the fixed-price nature, but requires monitoring for service delivery. 4. The contract duration of 304 days suggests a focused, short-term security support requirement. 5. This contract falls within the broader security and protective services sector for the federal government. 6. The award amount is substantial, necessitating a close look at value for money.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more granular data on the scope of services and specific security needs across the 15 installations. The raw award amount of $23.4 million for a 10-month period averages to approximately $2.34 million per month. This figure needs to be compared against the cost of similar security services at comparable Air Force bases, considering factors like personnel hours, specialized equipment, and geographic location. The fixed-price contract type suggests a defined scope, but the absence of detailed performance metrics makes a definitive value assessment difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This indicates that while the initial intent was full and open competition, certain sources were excluded, potentially narrowing the bidder pool. The number of bidders (10) suggests some level of competition, but the exclusion clause raises questions about whether the most competitive offers were truly considered. This approach can sometimes lead to higher prices if the excluded sources would have offered more competitive bids.

Taxpayer Impact: The exclusion of sources, even with 10 bidders, may have limited the potential for the government to secure the lowest possible price, potentially costing taxpayers more than if all qualified sources had been allowed to compete.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the 15 CONUS Air Force installations receiving enhanced security services. The services delivered include security guard and patrol functions, contributing to force protection and operational readiness. The geographic impact is concentrated within the continental United States, specifically at the designated Air Force bases. Workforce implications include the employment of security personnel by Southeastern Protective Services, Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for reduced competition due to 'exclusion of sources' clause.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.
Fixed-price contract may not fully account for unforeseen security challenges.
Geographic dispersion of 15 installations could complicate service delivery and oversight.

Positive Signals

Awarded to a single contractor, potentially simplifying management.
Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
10 bidders indicate a degree of market interest in providing these services.
Contract supports critical base security functions for the Air Force.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Security and Patrol Services industry (NAICS 561612), a segment of the broader professional, scientific, and technical services sector. The federal government is a significant consumer of these services, particularly for protecting its numerous facilities and assets. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale security contracts awarded to guard and patrol service providers across various federal agencies, considering factors like the number of personnel, hours of service, and security clearances required.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a primary focus for this contract, as the 'small business' flag is false. There is no explicit mention of small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements in the provided details. This suggests that the contract was likely awarded to a large business, and opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors would depend on the prime contractor's own subcontracting plan, which is not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of the Air Force's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards and payment schedules tied to service delivery. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, which provide basic award information. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Base Operations Support Services
Physical Security Contracts
Department of Defense Security Services
Air Force Installation Support Contracts
Guard and Patrol Services

Risk Flags

Limited Competition Due to Source Exclusion
Potential for Performance Issues
Oversight Challenges with Dispersed Locations

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $23.4 million to SOUTHEASTERN PROTECTIVE SERVICES, INC. REGION 1 SECURITY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR 15 CONUS AIR FORCE INSTALLATIONS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SOUTHEASTERN PROTECTIVE SERVICES, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $23.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-12-01. End: 2008-09-30.

What is the specific nature of the security services provided under this contract?

The contract, identified by NAICS code 561612, pertains to 'Security Guards and Patrol Services.' This typically encompasses a range of activities such as monitoring premises, patrolling grounds, controlling access, responding to alarms, and deterring unauthorized activities. For 15 CONUS Air Force installations, these services are crucial for maintaining force protection, safeguarding personnel and assets, and ensuring the operational integrity of the bases. The exact scope would be detailed in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW), specifying post orders, guard responsibilities, reporting requirements, and any specialized security measures needed at each location.

How does the contract's value compare to similar security contracts for Air Force bases?

Direct comparison of the $23.4 million award for 304 days (approximately 10 months) is difficult without specific details on the number of personnel, hours, and the unique security requirements of each of the 15 installations. However, the average monthly cost is around $2.34 million. To benchmark effectively, one would need to analyze contracts for similar guard and patrol services at comparable Air Force bases, considering factors like geographic location (which affects labor costs), the level of security clearance required for personnel, and the specific threats or risks present at each base. Contracts with a higher number of posts, longer durations, or more specialized security needs would naturally command higher prices.

What are the key risks associated with this contract award?

Key risks include potential performance deficiencies if the contractor, Southeastern Protective Services, Inc., fails to adequately staff or train its personnel, leading to gaps in security coverage. The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' clause presents a risk of suboptimal price discovery, as the exclusion of certain bidders might have prevented the government from obtaining the most competitive offers. Furthermore, the geographic dispersion of 15 installations across CONUS could introduce logistical challenges for the contractor and complicate effective oversight by the Air Force. Finally, the fixed-price nature, while offering cost certainty, could incentivize the contractor to cut corners on service quality if not rigorously monitored.

What is the track record of Southeastern Protective Services, Inc. in fulfilling federal security contracts?

Information on Southeastern Protective Services, Inc.'s specific track record with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Defense or Air Force, is not detailed in the provided data. A thorough assessment would require examining their past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), any history of contract disputes or terminations, and the scale and complexity of previous contracts they have managed. Understanding their experience with multi-installation security support and their financial stability would be crucial for evaluating their capability to successfully execute this $23.4 million award.

How does the 'exclusion of sources' procurement method impact taxpayer value?

The 'exclusion of sources' procurement method, even when following a period of 'full and open competition,' introduces a risk that taxpayers may not receive the best possible value. By excluding certain potential bidders, the government limits the competitive landscape. If the excluded sources were capable of offering lower prices or superior services, their exclusion means the government might pay more than necessary or receive a less optimal solution. While there were 10 bidders, the impact of the exclusion on the final price and overall value proposition is a significant concern for ensuring taxpayer dollars are used efficiently.

What are the implications of this contract for the broader security services market?

This contract represents a significant award within the security guard and patrol services market, particularly for supporting large federal installations. The award to Southeastern Protective Services, Inc. signifies their capacity to compete for and manage substantial government contracts. The 'exclusion of sources' aspect, however, could signal specific government needs or prior relationships that influenced the procurement strategy, potentially impacting how other firms perceive their chances in similar future competitions. The scale of the contract also highlights the ongoing demand for comprehensive security solutions within the federal sector.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: FA300207R0001

Offers Received: 13

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1062 BOBBY BUTLER, CHESTER, SC, 29706

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, HUBZone Firm, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $23,394,598

Exercised Options: $23,394,598

Current Obligation: $23,394,598

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA300207D0022

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline