DOJ awards $28K for security barrier maintenance, raising questions on competition and value

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,058 ($28.1K)

Contractor: THE Anchor Group, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-06

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 269 days

Daily Burn Rate: $104/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT TO COVER THE SECURITY BARRIERS AT ENTRANCE TO FACILITY, THE GUARD SHACK, AND GATE BARRIER AT OTHER END OF FACILITY DOWN PRIVATE ROAD THAT CONNECTS TO FBI.

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, TARRANT County, TEXAS, 76011

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $28,057.5 to THE ANCHOR GROUP, INC. for work described as: MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT TO COVER THE SECURITY BARRIERS AT ENTRANCE TO FACILITY, THE GUARD SHACK, AND GATE BARRIER AT OTHER END OF FACILITY DOWN PRIVATE ROAD THAT CONNECTS TO FBI. Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential security infrastructure maintenance. 2. Limited competition raises concerns about potential overpayment. 3. Contract duration of 269 days for a fixed price. 4. Geographic focus on Texas for specialized trade services. 5. No small business set-aside noted for this procurement.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $28,057.50 for security barrier maintenance appears reasonable for the scope of work, which includes the facility entrance, guard shack, and a gate barrier. However, without a competitive bidding process, it is difficult to benchmark the pricing against market rates or similar contracts. The fixed-price nature of the award suggests the government has a clear understanding of the costs, but the lack of competition prevents a definitive assessment of value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a potential limitation in the competitive process. The data does not specify the exact reason for this limited competition, such as a sole-source justification or a specific exception. The absence of multiple bidders means that price discovery through market forces was likely constrained, potentially leading to a higher price than if it had been fully competed.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may have paid a premium due to the lack of competitive pressure to drive down costs. Without a robust bidding process, there is less assurance that the government secured the most cost-effective solution available.

Public Impact

Ensures the continued security and operational integrity of a Department of Justice facility. Maintains critical security infrastructure, including entrance barriers and guard facilities. Services are geographically focused within Texas. Supports specialized trade contractors in the maintenance and security sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of full and open competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
Absence of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess effectiveness.
Limited information on contractor's past performance in similar roles.

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical need for facility security maintenance.
Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Contract duration aligns with the scope of maintenance required.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Specialty Trade Contractors sector, specifically related to security infrastructure. The market for such services is driven by government and private sector needs for physical security and facility maintenance. While the specific dollar amount is relatively small, it represents a necessary expenditure for maintaining secure government operations. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more data on the specific type and complexity of the security barriers.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned in the provided data. The award to The Anchor Group, Inc. does not indicate whether they are a small or large business. The lack of a small business set-aside means opportunities for smaller firms in this specialized trade were not proactively pursued through this specific procurement vehicle.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Justice's internal procurement and financial management systems. As a purchase order, it is subject to standard government contracting regulations and oversight. However, the limited competition aspect warrants closer scrutiny to ensure the price paid was fair and reasonable. Transparency is moderate, as the award is publicly visible, but the justification for limited competition is not detailed.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building Security Maintenance
Specialty Trade Contractor Services
Department of Justice Facility Management
Physical Security Infrastructure

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Lack of Detailed Justification for Limited Competition
Potential for Non-Competitive Pricing

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $28,057.5 to THE ANCHOR GROUP, INC.. MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT TO COVER THE SECURITY BARRIERS AT ENTRANCE TO FACILITY, THE GUARD SHACK, AND GATE BARRIER AT OTHER END OF FACILITY DOWN PRIVATE ROAD THAT CONNECTS TO FBI.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE ANCHOR GROUP, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Drug Enforcement Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $28,057.5.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-06. End: 2026-12-31.

What is the specific nature of the security barriers being maintained?

The security barriers include those at the main facility entrance, the guard shack, and a gate barrier located down a private road connecting to the FBI. This suggests a multi-point security system requiring regular upkeep to ensure its functionality and integrity. The exact type of barriers (e.g., bollards, gates, fences) is not specified, but their maintenance is crucial for controlling access to sensitive government facilities.

What is the justification for not competing this contract more broadly?

The provided data states the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures). This implies that while it might not have been a full and open competition, it doesn't necessarily mean it was a sole-source award. There could be specific circumstances or justifications under federal acquisition regulations that allowed for limited competition, such as urgency, a specific technical requirement, or if only one source was reasonably available. However, without further documentation, the precise reason remains unclear, making it difficult to fully assess the impact on price.

How does the contract value compare to similar maintenance agreements for security infrastructure?

Benchmarking this $28,057.50 contract against similar agreements is challenging without more specific details on the scope, complexity, and location of the security barriers. Maintenance agreements for security infrastructure can vary widely based on the technology involved (e.g., automated gates vs. manual barriers), the frequency of service, and the specific components requiring upkeep. Given the limited competition, it's difficult to ascertain if this price represents optimal value without comparative data from competitively bid contracts.

What is the track record of The Anchor Group, Inc. with the Department of Justice or similar agencies?

Information regarding The Anchor Group, Inc.'s specific track record with the Department of Justice or other federal agencies is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes on previous government contracts. Without this context, it's difficult to evaluate their reliability and expertise in fulfilling this security maintenance agreement.

What are the potential risks associated with this type of maintenance contract?

Potential risks include the degradation of security infrastructure if maintenance is not performed adequately or on time, leading to vulnerabilities. There's also a risk of cost overruns if the fixed price does not adequately cover unforeseen issues, although this is mitigated by the fixed-price structure. Furthermore, if the contractor lacks the necessary expertise or resources, the quality of maintenance could be compromised. The lack of robust competition also introduces a risk that the government did not secure the best possible price or service.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Other Specialty Trade Contractors › All Other Specialty Trade Contractors

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 501 ROAD TO SIX FLAGS ST W, ARLINGTON, TX, 76011

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $28,058

Exercised Options: $28,058

Current Obligation: $28,058

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline