Commerce Department awards $8.99M for armed guard services to Excalibur Associates Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,991,192 ($9.0M)

Contractor: Excalibur Associates Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2025-12-01

End Date: 2026-11-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $24.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ARMED GUARD SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: GAITHERSBURG, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20899

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $9.0 million to EXCALIBUR ASSOCIATES INC for work described as: ARMED GUARD SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in physical security for the agency. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a potentially competitive bidding process for this service. 3. Fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. 4. Service duration of one year with options for extension provides flexibility. 5. Geographic focus on Maryland indicates specific site security needs. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 561612 points to specialized security guard services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $8.99 million for armed guard services appears reasonable given the scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar contracts for security services in the federal sector would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure is a positive indicator for cost control. However, without specific details on the number of guards, hours, or locations covered, a definitive value assessment is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This approach generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service quality. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competition was sought.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for cost savings through competitive bidding and encourages a wider pool of qualified contractors to offer their services.

Public Impact

The Department of Commerce benefits from enhanced physical security for its facilities and personnel. Services delivered include armed guard patrols and security monitoring. The geographic impact is concentrated in Maryland, where the services will be performed. The contract supports jobs within the private security industry.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess service effectiveness.
Potential for price increases in future option periods if not carefully managed.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical security functions carries inherent risk.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract limits the government's exposure to cost overruns.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive process that could yield favorable pricing.
Contract duration allows for consistent security coverage over the specified period.

Sector Analysis

The security services industry is a significant component of the broader professional, scientific, and technical services sector. Federal spending on security guards and patrol services (NAICS 561612) is substantial, driven by the need to protect government assets and personnel. This contract fits within the federal government's ongoing efforts to secure its facilities and operations, with spending often benchmarked against private sector rates and other agency contracts for similar services.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have a small business subcontracting requirement noted. This suggests that the primary award went to a larger entity, and the direct impact on the small business ecosystem may be limited unless Excalibur Associates Inc. utilizes small businesses for subcontracting opportunities not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Commerce's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards and payment schedules. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS, though specific operational oversight details are internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Protective Service Contracts
Department of Homeland Security Security Services
General Services Administration Schedules for Security Services

Risk Flags

Potential for contractor performance issues
Reliance on a single vendor for critical security functions
Need for robust ongoing performance monitoring

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $9.0 million to EXCALIBUR ASSOCIATES INC. ARMED GUARD SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EXCALIBUR ASSOCIATES INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (Office of the Secretary).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $9.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-12-01. End: 2026-11-30.

What is the track record of Excalibur Associates Inc. in performing federal contracts for armed guard services?

A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to fully assess Excalibur Associates Inc.'s track record. Key indicators would include the number of past federal contracts awarded, their values, the agencies served, and performance ratings. Examining past performance on similar armed guard services contracts, particularly regarding on-time delivery, adherence to security protocols, and client satisfaction, would provide crucial insights. Any history of contract disputes, terminations, or performance issues would be significant risk factors. Without specific historical data on this contractor, it is difficult to provide a definitive assessment of their reliability and capability for this specific requirement.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar armed guard services in Maryland?

To benchmark the awarded price of $8.99 million against market rates, one would need to analyze prevailing wages, overhead costs, and profit margins for armed guard services in the Maryland region. This involves comparing the contract's estimated hourly rates or daily rates per guard against data from industry surveys, commercial security provider quotes, and potentially other federal contracts for similar services in the same geographic area. Factors such as the level of security clearance required for guards, the specific types of equipment provided, and the 24/7 operational tempo significantly influence market rates. A detailed comparison would reveal whether the government is achieving competitive pricing or if there is potential for cost savings.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Primary risks include potential performance failures by the contractor (e.g., inadequate guard presence, unprofessional conduct), security breaches, and cost overruns if the fixed-price structure is not robustly managed. Mitigation strategies involve stringent contractor vetting during the full and open competition, clear performance work statements (PWS), defined service level agreements (SLAs), and regular performance monitoring by the contracting officer's representative (COR). The firm fixed-price contract type itself is a risk mitigation tool, shifting most cost overrun risk to the contractor. However, ensuring the contractor maintains adequate staffing and training throughout the contract period is crucial.

How effective is the current armed guard service in meeting the Department of Commerce's security objectives?

Assessing the effectiveness requires specific performance metrics outlined in the contract's PWS and regular evaluations by the COR. Key performance indicators (KPIs) might include response times to incidents, adherence to post orders, incident reporting accuracy, and guard professionalism. Without access to these internal performance reports and incident logs, it's impossible to definitively state the effectiveness. The renewal or continuation of such contracts often implies a level of satisfaction, but a thorough analysis would necessitate reviewing objective performance data and feedback from the end-users within the Department of Commerce.

What has been the historical spending trend for armed guard services within the Department of Commerce?

Analyzing historical spending requires accessing federal procurement databases (like FPDS) for previous years. One would look for contracts awarded by the Department of Commerce for 'Security Guards and Patrol Services' (NAICS 561612) or similar categories. This would reveal the total amount spent annually on these services, the number of contracts awarded, and the primary contractors. Understanding past spending patterns helps in evaluating the current $8.99 million award in the context of the agency's long-term security budget and its reliance on contracted guard services. Significant year-over-year increases or decreases could indicate shifts in security posture or budget priorities.

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

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1713 S LOIS AVE STE 200, TAMPA, FL, 33629

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,991,192

Exercised Options: $8,991,192

Current Obligation: $8,991,192

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1331L521A13OS0011

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline