Interior Department awards $22.6M contract for security services to Klamath 9-1-1 Emergency Communications District in Oregon

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,574 ($22.6K)

Contractor: Klamath 9-1-1 Emergency Communications District

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-10-01

End Date: 2027-09-30

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $31/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: KLAMATH 911

Place of Performance

Location: KLAMATH FALLS, KLAMATH County, OREGON, 97601

State: Oregon Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $22,574.16 to KLAMATH 9-1-1 EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS DISTRICT for work described as: KLAMATH 911 Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, raising questions about potential cost efficiencies and market competition. 2. The duration of the contract (729 days) suggests a need for sustained security presence. 3. Fixed-price contract type may offer cost certainty but could limit flexibility if needs change. 4. The awardee is a public safety communications district, an unusual entity for providing security guard services. 5. Geographic focus on Oregon aligns with the Bureau of Land Management's operational areas. 6. Lack of competition indicates a potential risk of overpayment or suboptimal service quality.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to its sole-source nature and the unique profile of the awardee. Without competitive bids, it's difficult to assess if the $22.6 million represents a fair market price for security guard and patrol services. The fixed-price structure provides some cost predictability, but the absence of comparative pricing data makes a definitive value-for-money assessment difficult. Further analysis would be needed to compare the scope of services and pricing against similar contracts for comparable geographic areas and security needs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach is typically used when only one vendor can provide the required goods or services, or in specific emergency situations. The lack of competition means there were no other bidders to compare against, potentially limiting price discovery and the government's ability to secure the most advantageous terms. The rationale for a sole-source award to a public safety communications district for security services warrants further investigation.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can lead to higher costs for taxpayers as the government does not benefit from the price reductions typically achieved through competitive bidding. This limits the government's leverage in negotiating favorable terms and pricing.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) operations within Oregon, which will receive security guard and patrol services. The contract ensures the protection of federal assets and personnel managed by the BLM in the specified region. The geographic impact is concentrated in Oregon, where the BLM has significant landholdings and facilities. The contract may have implications for local workforce development if the awarded district hires personnel for these services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award raises concerns about fair pricing and potential lack of competitive pressure.
Awardee's primary mission is emergency communications, not security services, suggesting a potential mismatch in expertise or focus.
Lack of transparency in the justification for a sole-source award to this specific entity.
Fixed-price contract may not adequately account for unforeseen security challenges or evolving needs.
Absence of small business subcontracting opportunities due to the sole-source nature of the award.

Positive Signals

Contract ensures continuity of essential security services for BLM operations in Oregon.
Fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for the agency.
Awardee is a public entity, potentially aligning with government service delivery goals.
Contract duration suggests a stable, long-term security solution.

Sector Analysis

The security services sector is a significant component of federal contracting, encompassing a wide range of protective services. This contract falls within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services category. While specific market data for security guard services awarded to public safety districts is scarce, the overall market for these services is competitive. However, the sole-source nature of this award bypasses typical market dynamics, making direct comparisons to industry benchmarks difficult. The federal government spends billions annually on security services across various agencies.

Small Business Impact

As this contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, there is no indication of small business set-aside provisions or subcontracting opportunities. The nature of the award to a specific public entity limits the potential for small businesses to participate in delivering these security services. This could represent a missed opportunity to support the small business ecosystem within the relevant geographic area.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Bureau of Land Management's contracting officers and program managers. The fixed-price nature of the award provides a degree of financial oversight by establishing a set cost. However, the sole-source justification and the awardee's non-traditional role in providing security services necessitate robust performance monitoring and accountability measures to ensure services are delivered effectively and at a reasonable cost. Transparency regarding the sole-source justification and performance metrics would be crucial.

Related Government Programs

Bureau of Land Management Security Contracts
Federal Law Enforcement Support Services
Public Safety Communications Contracts
Oregon Federal Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Unusual awardee type for service
Potential for cost overruns due to lack of competition
Risk of suboptimal service quality

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $22,574.16 to KLAMATH 9-1-1 EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS DISTRICT. KLAMATH 911

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KLAMATH 9-1-1 EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS DISTRICT.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Land Management).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $22,574.16.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2027-09-30.

What is the specific justification for awarding this security services contract on a sole-source basis to the Klamath 9-1-1 Emergency Communications District?

The provided data does not specify the justification for the sole-source award. Typically, sole-source contracts are awarded when only one responsible source is available or capable of meeting the agency's needs. This could be due to unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or specific geographic requirements. Given that the awardee is an emergency communications district, the justification might relate to their existing infrastructure, local presence, or a perceived ability to integrate security services with their primary mission in a way that other security firms cannot. However, without explicit documentation from the agency, this remains speculative and warrants further inquiry.

How does the pricing of this $22.6 million contract compare to similar security guard and patrol services contracts awarded by the federal government?

Direct comparison of pricing is difficult without knowing the specific scope of services, number of personnel, hours of coverage, and geographic spread required by this contract. However, a $22.6 million contract over approximately two years (729 days) suggests a significant operational requirement. Typically, federal security contracts are competed, allowing for price benchmarking. The sole-source nature of this award means there are no competing bids to establish a market-driven price. To assess value, one would need to compare the proposed per-hour or per-man-hour rates against industry averages for similar security services in Oregon, considering the level of security required (e.g., armed vs. unarmed guards, specialized patrols).

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a security services contract to an entity whose primary function is emergency communications?

The primary risk lies in a potential mismatch between the awardee's core competencies and the requirements of providing comprehensive security guard and patrol services. While the district may have local knowledge and infrastructure, their experience in security operations, personnel management for security staff, and adherence to federal security standards may be less developed than that of specialized security firms. This could lead to issues with service quality, reliability, and responsiveness. There's also a risk that the dual focus could dilute resources or attention, impacting both emergency communications and security functions. Ensuring adequate training, vetting, and operational protocols for security personnel would be critical.

What is the historical spending pattern for security services by the Bureau of Land Management in Oregon?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for security services by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Oregon. To analyze this, one would need to access historical federal procurement databases (like USASpending.gov or FPDS) and filter for contracts awarded by the BLM in Oregon for security guard and patrol services (NAICS code 561612) over previous fiscal years. This analysis would reveal the typical contract values, types of services procured, and whether these services were historically competed or awarded sole-source. Understanding past spending can help contextualize the current $22.6 million award and identify any significant deviations or trends.

What performance metrics or oversight mechanisms are in place to ensure the effectiveness of the security services provided under this contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific performance metrics or oversight mechanisms for this contract. However, standard federal contracting practice dictates that contracts include performance standards, quality assurance surveillance plans (QASPs), and defined deliverables. The Bureau of Land Management's contracting officer and designated COR (Contracting Officer's Representative) would be responsible for monitoring performance, conducting inspections, and ensuring compliance with the contract terms. Given the sole-source nature and the awardee's unique profile, robust oversight would be particularly important to mitigate risks and ensure the government receives the intended value and level of security.

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 UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140L4325Q0125

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2543 SHASTA WAY, KLAMATH FALLS, OR, 97601

Business Categories: Category Business, Government, U.S. Local Government, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $59,040

Exercised Options: $22,574

Current Obligation: $22,574

Actual Outlays: $2,780

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline