Interior Department awards $23M Folsom Dam security contract to Sacramento County Sheriff's Department

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,050,212 ($23.1M)

Contractor: Sacramento County Sheriffs Department

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-04-01

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,094 days

Daily Burn Rate: $21.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FOLSOM DAM LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SECURITY SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: FOLSOM, SACRAMENTO County, CALIFORNIA, 95630

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $23.1 million to SACRAMENTO COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT for work described as: FOLSOM DAM LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SECURITY SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is a definitive contract with a firm fixed price, providing cost certainty. 3. The duration of the contract is approximately three years, indicating a medium-term need. 4. The service category is Police Protection, essential for safeguarding federal assets. 5. The awardee is a local government entity, potentially leveraging existing infrastructure and personnel. 6. The contract value is substantial, reflecting the critical nature of security at a major dam facility.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $23 million over three years for law enforcement and security services at Folsom Dam appears reasonable given the critical infrastructure it protects. Benchmarking against similar contracts for large-scale federal facility security is challenging without more specific service details. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests that the government has negotiated a set cost, which can be advantageous. The award to a county sheriff's department may indicate cost efficiencies compared to private security firms, assuming they can leverage existing resources.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of two bidders indicates some level of competition, though more bidders would typically suggest a more robust price discovery process. The award to the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department suggests they offered the best value proposition among the competitors.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down prices and improve service quality.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Reclamation, ensuring the security of Folsom Dam. The services delivered include law enforcement and security, crucial for protecting critical federal infrastructure. The geographic impact is localized to Folsom, California, and the surrounding areas managed by the Bureau of Reclamation. The contract supports the operational workforce of the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department, providing them with federal funding for essential services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for increased workload on the Sheriff's Department, impacting their ability to serve other county needs.
Dependence on a single government entity for critical security functions could pose risks if internal issues arise.

Positive Signals

Leveraging an established, local law enforcement agency can ensure rapid response and familiarity with the area.
Potential for cost savings by utilizing existing government infrastructure and personnel rather than contracting with a private entity.
The firm fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for the government.

Sector Analysis

The federal spending on law enforcement and security services for critical infrastructure like dams falls within the broader public safety and government services sector. This contract is specific to the protection of a major water resource and hydroelectric facility. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve contracts for security at other large federal installations or critical infrastructure sites, often involving significant investment due to the high stakes involved.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. The awardee is a government entity, not a small business. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses within this award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, a division of the Department of the Interior. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract structure, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services. Transparency is generally maintained through federal contract databases, though specific performance metrics may not be publicly detailed. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Law Enforcement Contracts
Critical Infrastructure Security
Bureau of Reclamation Operations
Dam Safety and Security
Public Safety Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Potential for resource strain on awardee
Dependence on government entity's internal priorities

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $23.1 million to SACRAMENTO COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT. FOLSOM DAM LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SECURITY 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 $23.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-04-01. End: 2027-03-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for law enforcement and security services at Folsom Dam?

Historical spending data for law enforcement and security services specifically at Folsom Dam prior to this $23 million award is not readily available in the provided data. However, the Bureau of Reclamation, as the awarding agency, has a consistent need for security at its facilities. Analyzing past contracts for similar dam security services across the Bureau or other agencies could provide a benchmark. For instance, if previous contracts were significantly lower or higher, it would indicate a trend in cost escalation or a change in security requirements. Without prior contract details, it's difficult to establish a precise historical spending pattern for this specific location.

How does the per-unit cost of this contract compare to similar security contracts for federal facilities?

A direct per-unit cost comparison is challenging without knowing the specific services rendered and the volume of those services (e.g., hours of guard service, number of patrols, specific law enforcement actions). The total contract value of $23 million over approximately three years averages to about $7.67 million per year. If this contract involves a significant number of personnel providing 24/7 coverage, the cost might be in line with other large federal facilities. However, if it's for a smaller security footprint or fewer personnel, it could be higher. Benchmarking would require detailed service level agreements from comparable contracts.

What is the track record of the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department in managing federal contracts?

The Sacramento County Sheriff's Department is a well-established law enforcement agency with a long history of serving the Sacramento region. While specific details of their past federal contract management are not provided, county sheriff departments frequently collaborate with federal agencies on various initiatives, including task forces and shared services. Their experience in managing a large operational budget, personnel, and public safety mandates suggests a capacity to handle federal contracts. However, a thorough assessment would require reviewing their performance on any previous federal agreements, including timeliness, adherence to regulations, and overall effectiveness.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will performance be measured?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, for law enforcement and security services, KPIs would include response times to incidents, successful deterrence of unauthorized access, adherence to patrol schedules, incident reporting accuracy, and overall effectiveness in maintaining a secure environment. Performance measurement would likely involve regular reporting by the Sheriff's Department, site inspections by the Bureau of Reclamation, and potentially feedback from facility personnel. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract implies that failure to meet defined service levels could result in penalties or contract termination.

What is the risk assessment associated with awarding this contract to a government entity rather than a private security firm?

Awarding this contract to the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department, a government entity, presents a different risk profile compared to a private firm. Risks associated with government entities might include bureaucratic processes, potential resource constraints if the department is simultaneously managing other high-priority county needs, and less flexibility in staffing compared to a dedicated private security company. However, potential benefits and reduced risks include the inherent authority of sworn law enforcement officers, established community trust, and potentially lower overhead costs if existing infrastructure is utilized. The primary risk mitigation would involve clear contractual terms and robust oversight from the Bureau of Reclamation.

How does the competition level (2 bidders) impact the value for money achieved in this contract?

A competition level with only two bidders suggests that while some competition existed, it was not as robust as it could have been. With more bidders, there is typically greater downward pressure on pricing and a wider range of innovative solutions offered. However, for specialized services like law enforcement for critical infrastructure, the pool of qualified bidders might be inherently limited. The fact that the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department was selected indicates they likely provided the best value proposition among the two. To fully assess value for money, a comparison of the winning bid against an independent cost estimate or against similar contracts would be necessary.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Public Administration › Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities › Police Protection

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 140R2023R0025

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4500 ORANGE GROVE AVE, SACRAMENTO, CA, 95841

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $40,962,268

Exercised Options: $23,050,212

Current Obligation: $23,050,212

Actual Outlays: $13,010,110

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline