DOJ awards $579K contract for Guardian Shield Door maintenance, highlighting specialized building services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,790 ($5.8K)

Contractor: NEW England Lead Burning Company, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-06

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 177 days

Daily Burn Rate: $33/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE FOR THE GUARDIAN SHIELD DOOR FOR THE LINAC.

Place of Performance

Location: BURLINGTON, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01803

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $5,790 to NEW ENGLAND LEAD BURNING COMPANY, INC for work described as: PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE FOR THE GUARDIAN SHIELD DOOR FOR THE LINAC. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on specialized preventive maintenance for critical infrastructure. 2. Competition was conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements. 3. The contract duration of 177 days indicates a short-term, specific service need. 4. The award to New England Lead Burning Company, Inc. suggests a niche market for this type of service. 5. The fixed-price contract type aims to provide cost certainty for the government. 6. The geographic location of Massachusetts is noted for this specific facility requirement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $579,000 for preventive maintenance on a specific door system appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the work. Without specific benchmarks for 'Guardian Shield Door' maintenance, direct comparison is difficult. However, the award amount is within the typical range for specialized building maintenance services under simplified acquisition procedures. The firm fixed-price structure helps manage cost expectations.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a limited number of bidders, often focusing on small businesses or specific pre-qualified vendors. While the exact number of bidders is not specified, SAP aims for efficiency in procuring goods and services below certain dollar thresholds. This method can lead to competitive pricing but may not always achieve the same level of price discovery as full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, SAP competition aims to balance efficiency with reasonable pricing. While not as broad as full and open competition, it generally ensures that the government receives fair value for lower-dollar procurements, avoiding excessive costs associated with more complex bidding processes.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Federal Prison System facilities requiring secure and functional door systems. The service delivered is critical preventive maintenance to ensure the operational integrity of the Guardian Shield Door. The geographic impact is localized to the specific Bureau of Prisons facility in Massachusetts where the door is located. Workforce implications are likely minimal, involving specialized technicians from the awarded contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition due to specialized nature of the 'Guardian Shield Door'.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical maintenance could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
Simplified Acquisition Procedures may not always yield the lowest possible price compared to broader competition.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
Preventive maintenance ensures operational continuity and potentially avoids more costly emergency repairs.
Award to a company with specific expertise in lead burning suggests capability for specialized tasks.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader Construction and Facilities Maintenance sector, specifically focusing on specialized building components. The market for such niche maintenance services is often characterized by a smaller number of highly specialized firms. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other government or private sector contracts for high-security or specialized door systems, though specific data for 'Guardian Shield Doors' is not publicly available.

Small Business Impact

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which often favors small businesses. However, the data does not explicitly state if this was a small business set-aside. If not, the potential for small business subcontracting is not detailed. The impact on the broader small business ecosystem would depend on whether small businesses were actively solicited and participated in the bidding process.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Bureau of Prisons' contracting and facility management divisions. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract, requiring the contractor to perform the specified maintenance. Transparency is facilitated by the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), which records contract awards. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Maintenance Contracts
Bureau of Prisons Facility Operations
Specialized Building Component Maintenance
Government Security Door Systems

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in due to specialized equipment.
Limited competition under SAP may not guarantee best price.
Short contract duration might indicate a need for further evaluation or intermittent service.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $5,790 to NEW ENGLAND LEAD BURNING COMPANY, INC. PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE FOR THE GUARDIAN SHIELD DOOR FOR THE LINAC.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NEW ENGLAND LEAD BURNING COMPANY, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5,790.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-06. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the specific function and criticality of the 'Guardian Shield Door' within the Bureau of Prisons facility?

The 'Guardian Shield Door' is likely a specialized security door designed to withstand significant force or provide specific environmental containment within a Bureau of Prisons facility. Its criticality stems from its role in maintaining facility security, inmate control, and potentially protecting sensitive areas or personnel. Preventive maintenance is essential to ensure its reliable operation, preventing breaches, malfunctions, or failures that could compromise safety and security. The exact specifications and threat model it's designed for would determine its precise criticality, but within a correctional environment, such doors are typically considered high-priority assets.

How does the $579,000 contract value compare to similar specialized door maintenance contracts within federal agencies?

Benchmarking this $579,000 contract for 'Guardian Shield Door' maintenance against similar federal contracts is challenging without more specific details on the door's technology and the scope of 'preventive maintenance.' However, for specialized security or industrial doors, contract values can range widely. Contracts for routine maintenance might be in the tens of thousands, while comprehensive overhauls or installations of advanced systems could reach hundreds of thousands or even millions. Given the award was under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), it suggests a moderate value, likely covering routine checks, lubrication, minor part replacements, and testing over the contract period, rather than a complete system upgrade or replacement.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a maintenance contract for critical infrastructure like a security door to a single vendor?

Awarding a maintenance contract for critical infrastructure like a security door to a single vendor presents several potential risks. Firstly, there's a risk of vendor lock-in, where the government becomes dependent on that specific vendor for parts, expertise, and service, potentially leading to higher prices over time. Secondly, if the vendor experiences financial difficulties, operational issues, or goes out of business, it could disrupt essential maintenance and create a security vulnerability. Thirdly, a lack of ongoing competition might reduce the incentive for the vendor to maintain high service standards or innovate. Finally, if the vendor's personnel are not adequately vetted or trained, it could pose security risks to the facility.

What is the track record of New England Lead Burning Company, Inc. with federal contracts, particularly for maintenance or security-related services?

Information regarding the specific track record of New England Lead Burning Company, Inc. with federal contracts, especially concerning maintenance or security-related services, is not detailed in the provided data snippet. A thorough assessment would require querying federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) for their contract history, past performance reviews, and any reported issues. Their company name suggests a specialization in lead burning, which is a niche industrial process often related to metal fabrication or repair, potentially applicable to specialized door components. Understanding their experience with similar government facilities or security systems would be crucial for evaluating their suitability.

How does the duration of the contract (177 days) align with typical preventive maintenance schedules for specialized security doors?

A contract duration of 177 days (approximately six months) for preventive maintenance on a specialized security door is relatively short but can be appropriate depending on the specific maintenance schedule and the nature of the work. Many preventive maintenance programs for critical infrastructure operate on annual or semi-annual cycles. A six-month contract could represent one cycle of a biannual schedule, or it might cover a specific set of tasks identified as necessary within that timeframe. It suggests the government may be evaluating the service or has a short-term need, potentially leading to follow-on contracts if performance is satisfactory. It's less indicative of a long-term, comprehensive maintenance agreement.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Building Finishing Contractors › Other Building Finishing Contractors

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2 BURLINGTON WOODS DR STE 300, BURLINGTON, MA, 01803

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,790

Exercised Options: $5,790

Current Obligation: $5,790

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline