DOJ's $34.7M District Guard Support Services contract awarded to undisclosed domestic entity

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $34,666 ($34.7K)

Contractor: Domestic Awardees (undisclosed)

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2024-10-01

End Date: 2025-09-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $95/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: FY2025 DISTRICT GUARD SUPPORT SERVICES - D08

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20405

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $34,665.5 to DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED) for work described as: FY2025 DISTRICT GUARD SUPPORT SERVICES - D08 Key points: 1. Contract aims to secure facilities and personnel, indicating a need for consistent security presence. 2. Awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller, efficient procurements. 3. The single award for a 364-day duration points to a specific, ongoing security requirement. 4. Limited information on the awardee necessitates further scrutiny of contractor performance and value. 5. The service category (Security Guards and Patrol Services) is a common government need, but specific performance metrics are key. 6. Geographic focus on Washington D.C. highlights the critical nature of security in the nation's capital.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to the lack of specific performance metrics and the undisclosed awardee. The purchase order structure suggests a need for flexibility, but without comparable contract data or detailed pricing breakdowns, assessing true value-for-money is difficult. The contract's duration and estimated value should be compared against similar security service contracts awarded by the Department of Justice or other federal agencies to identify potential outliers in pricing or scope.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves fewer bidders than full and open competition. While SAP is designed for efficiency in acquiring goods and services below certain thresholds, it can limit the pool of potential offerors. The specific competition level and number of bidders are not disclosed, making it difficult to assess the extent of price discovery and market responsiveness.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition under SAP may result in less competitive pricing for taxpayers compared to a fully competed contract. However, it can also lead to faster award times for essential services.

Public Impact

The U.S. Marshals Service benefits from enhanced security for its facilities and operations. Services include the provision of security guards and patrol services, ensuring a safe environment. The geographic impact is concentrated in Washington D.C., a high-security area. The contract supports the federal workforce by ensuring a secure working environment for DOJ personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of transparency regarding the awardee raises concerns about potential contractor performance and accountability.
Limited competition under SAP may not yield the most cost-effective solution for taxpayers.
Absence of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the security services provided.
The undisclosed nature of the awardee prevents a thorough review of their track record and past performance.
The contract's reliance on labor hours could lead to cost overruns if not managed effectively.

Positive Signals

The contract addresses a critical need for security services within the Department of Justice.
Awarded under SAP, suggesting an efficient procurement process for essential services.
The contract duration is aligned with operational needs, providing continuity of security.
The geographic focus on Washington D.C. indicates a strategic allocation of security resources.

Sector Analysis

The security services sector is a significant component of federal contracting, encompassing a wide range of protective and surveillance activities. This contract falls within the 'Security Guards and Patrol Services' category, which is a recurring need across various federal agencies. Spending in this sector is often driven by the need to protect sensitive government facilities, personnel, and assets. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other contracts for similar security services awarded to agencies like the General Services Administration (GSA) or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (sb) is false for this contract. There is no indication of a small business set-aside. This suggests that the contract was not specifically targeted towards small businesses, and larger, established firms were likely eligible and potentially awarded the contract. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not explicitly detailed but would depend on the prime contractor's strategy and any flow-down requirements.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the U.S. Marshals Service, the specific agency within the Department of Justice utilizing the services. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is limited due to the undisclosed awardee and the nature of SAP procurements. The Inspector General for the Department of Justice would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Federal Protective Service Contracts
Department of Justice Security Services
Law Enforcement Support Services
Facility Security Contracts
Guard Services

Risk Flags

Undisclosed Awardee
Limited Competition
Lack of Performance Metrics
Potential for Price Inefficiency

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $34,665.5 to DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED). FY2025 DISTRICT GUARD SUPPORT SERVICES - D08

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED).

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (U.S. Marshals Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $34,665.5.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-10-01. End: 2025-09-30.

What is the track record of the undisclosed contractor for providing security guard and patrol services?

The provided data does not disclose the identity of the awardee, making it impossible to assess their track record. To evaluate this, one would need to identify the contractor through other means (e.g., agency procurement portals, public databases) and then research their past performance on similar federal contracts. Key areas to investigate would include on-time delivery, quality of service, adherence to security protocols, any past performance issues or disputes, and client satisfaction ratings. Without this information, the risk associated with the contractor's ability to meet the contract's requirements remains unknown.

How does the estimated cost of this contract compare to similar security service contracts awarded by the U.S. Marshals Service or other federal agencies?

A precise cost comparison is difficult without knowing the specific scope of work, service levels, and geographic coverage in detail, as well as the identity of the awardee. However, the contract's estimated value of $34.7 million for a 364-day period, covering security guards and patrol services in Washington D.C., can be benchmarked against publicly available data for similar contracts. For instance, contracts for security services at federal courthouses or other sensitive facilities in high-cost-of-living areas like D.C. often range from several million to tens of millions of dollars annually, depending on the number of personnel and hours required. A detailed analysis would involve comparing the per-man-hour rate and overall contract value against the average rates paid by agencies like GSA or DHS for comparable services.

What are the primary risks associated with awarding a security contract under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) with an undisclosed awardee?

The primary risks associated with awarding a security contract under SAP with an undisclosed awardee include potential lack of competition, which can lead to higher prices and reduced value for taxpayers. Furthermore, the lack of transparency regarding the awardee's identity hinders the ability to perform due diligence on their past performance, financial stability, and security clearances. This increases the risk of contractor failure, subpar service delivery, or even security breaches. SAP, while efficient, may not attract the most capable or cost-effective providers compared to full and open competition. The government might also miss opportunities to leverage small business capabilities if they were not adequately considered or solicited.

What are the expected outcomes and effectiveness measures for the security guard and patrol services to be provided under this contract?

The expected outcomes for this contract are the provision of adequate and effective security guard and patrol services to protect U.S. Marshals Service facilities and personnel in Washington D.C. Effectiveness measures are typically defined within the Performance Work Statement (PWS) and may include metrics such as response times to incidents, adherence to post orders, reduction in security breaches or unauthorized access, and overall client satisfaction. Without access to the PWS and specific performance metrics outlined in the contract, it is difficult to definitively state the expected outcomes and how their achievement will be measured. However, the fundamental goal is to maintain a secure environment and deter potential threats.

How has federal spending on security guard and patrol services evolved over the past five fiscal years, and how does this contract fit into that trend?

Federal spending on security guard and patrol services has generally remained robust over the past five fiscal years, reflecting the ongoing need to secure government facilities and assets across various agencies. While specific aggregate data requires detailed analysis of federal procurement databases, agencies like the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), General Services Administration (GSA), and the Department of Justice (DOJ) are consistently large purchasers of these services. This contract, valued at approximately $34.7 million for one year, represents a significant, albeit localized, expenditure within the broader federal security services landscape. Its award under SAP suggests a focus on meeting specific, potentially urgent, security needs rather than a large-scale, long-term strategic procurement, fitting into a trend where agencies utilize various contracting methods to address diverse security requirements efficiently.

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: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 15M10222QA4700055

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1800 F ST NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20405

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $34,666

Exercised Options: $34,666

Current Obligation: $34,666

Actual Outlays: $37,317

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline