DOI's $33M Folsom Dam Security Contract Awarded to Sacramento County Sheriff's Department

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $33,036,419 ($33.0M)

Contractor: Sacramento County Sheriffs Department

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2019-04-01

End Date: 2024-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,826 days

Daily Burn Rate: $18.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FOLSOM DAM LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SECURITY OFFICER SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: FOLSOM, SACRAMENTO County, CALIFORNIA, 95630

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $33.0 million to SACRAMENTO COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT for work described as: FOLSOM DAM LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SECURITY OFFICER SERVICES Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the long duration and fixed-price nature of the contract. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open competition, suggesting potential for price discovery. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with a long contract duration and a single awardee. 4. Performance context is critical for ensuring consistent security at a major federal facility. 5. Sector positioning places this contract within the broader federal security services market.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of approximately $33 million over five years suggests an average annual cost of $6.6 million. This is a significant but not necessarily excessive amount for comprehensive law enforcement and security services at a critical infrastructure site like Folsom Dam. Benchmarking against similar contracts for large-scale federal facility security would provide a clearer picture of value, but the fixed-price structure offers cost predictability.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The fact that the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department was the sole awardee suggests they presented the most advantageous offer based on the evaluation criteria. The level of competition, while open, resulted in a single selected provider.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more favorable pricing and better service offerings.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are federal agencies responsible for the Folsom Dam's operation and security, ensuring the safety of personnel and the facility. Services delivered include law enforcement, security patrols, access control, and emergency response. Geographic impact is concentrated around the Folsom Dam and its surrounding federal lands in California. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for law enforcement and security personnel employed by the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration (5 years) could lead to complacency or reduced incentive for innovation.
Reliance on a single entity for critical security functions poses a potential risk if performance degrades.
Limited transparency on specific performance metrics and evaluation outcomes post-award.

Positive Signals

Award to a local government entity (Sheriff's Department) may indicate strong community ties and understanding of local conditions.
Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a robust bidding process.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broad category of government security and protective services, a significant sector for federal spending. The market includes private security firms and, as seen here, local law enforcement agencies contracted for federal duties. The size of this contract is substantial, reflecting the critical nature and scale of Folsom Dam, a key piece of infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to involve small business set-asides, as it was awarded to a county sheriff's department. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. The focus is on the primary service provider fulfilling the security needs.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is likely managed by the Bureau of Reclamation's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be tied to the contract's performance work statement and terms. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reviews may not be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Federal Law Enforcement Services
Critical Infrastructure Security
Bureau of Reclamation Contracts
Dam Security Contracts
Sacramento County Government Contracts

Risk Flags

Long-term contract duration
Sole awardee for critical service
Potential for performance degradation over time

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $33.0 million to SACRAMENTO COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT. FOLSOM DAM LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SECURITY OFFICER SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SACRAMENTO COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $33.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-04-01. End: 2024-03-31.

What is the track record of the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department in providing similar security services to federal agencies?

The Sacramento County Sheriff's Department has a long-standing history of providing law enforcement and public safety services within Sacramento County. While specific details on their experience with federal contracts of this magnitude are not provided in the data, county sheriff departments often collaborate with federal agencies on various initiatives, including border security, investigations, and facility protection. Their established infrastructure, trained personnel, and experience in managing large-scale public safety operations suggest a capacity to fulfill the requirements of the Folsom Dam contract. Further due diligence would involve examining past performance reviews and any existing federal intergovernmental agreements.

How does the per-unit cost of security services compare to similar federal contracts?

Direct per-unit cost comparison is challenging without specific details on the services rendered (e.g., cost per guard hour, cost per patrol mile). However, the total contract value of $33 million over approximately 1826 days (5 years) averages to roughly $18,100 per day or $6.6 million annually. This figure needs to be contextualized against the number of personnel, hours of coverage, and specific security measures implemented at Folsom Dam. Benchmarking against contracts for security at other large federal facilities or critical infrastructure sites would be necessary to assess if this represents a competitive rate. The fixed-price nature of the contract, however, suggests a degree of cost control for the government.

What are the primary risks associated with awarding a long-term security contract to a single entity?

The primary risks associated with awarding a long-term security contract to a single entity include potential over-reliance, leading to reduced incentive for innovation or cost-efficiency over time. Performance degradation is a significant concern; if the contractor's capabilities diminish or service quality declines, the government has limited immediate alternatives without potentially disrupting critical security operations. Furthermore, a single awardee can reduce competitive pressure, potentially leading to less favorable pricing in future contract renewals. Ensuring robust performance monitoring, clear service level agreements, and contingency planning are crucial mitigation strategies for these risks.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' process in ensuring the best value for taxpayers in this specific contract?

The 'full and open competition' process is designed to maximize value for taxpayers by encouraging a wide range of qualified bidders to submit proposals, thereby fostering price competition and innovation. In this case, the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department was the sole awardee, suggesting they offered the most advantageous proposal according to the government's evaluation criteria. While the process itself is sound, the ultimate value realized depends on the thoroughness of the evaluation and the effectiveness of the negotiated terms. The fixed-price nature of the contract also contributes to cost predictability for taxpayers. Continued monitoring of performance and cost against benchmarks will be key to confirming long-term value.

What are the historical spending patterns for law enforcement and security services at Folsom Dam or similar facilities?

Historical spending data for Folsom Dam's law enforcement and security services prior to this contract award is not detailed in the provided information. However, federal spending on security services for critical infrastructure, including dams, is a consistent and substantial category. Contracts for such services often span multiple years and involve significant sums due to the 24/7 operational requirements and the need for highly trained personnel. Examining broader trends in federal security contracting, particularly within agencies like the Department of the Interior or the Army Corps of Engineers (which manages many dams), would reveal general spending patterns. This $33 million award over five years appears to be a significant, but potentially consistent, investment for maintaining security at a facility of Folsom Dam's importance.

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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 140R2018R0036

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 711 G ST, SACRAMENTO, CA, 95814

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $33,777,936

Exercised Options: $33,036,419

Current Obligation: $33,036,419

Actual Outlays: $31,586,569

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline