DOJ's $24.8M Guard Services Contract Awarded to Undisclosed Domestic Firm

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,800 ($24.8K)

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: $68/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: FY2025 DISTRICT GUARD SUPPORT SERVICES - D12

Place of Performance

Location: LOS ANGELES, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 90012

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $24,800 to DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED) for work described as: FY2025 DISTRICT GUARD SUPPORT SERVICES - D12 Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the 364-day duration and labor hours contract type. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a competed contract under SAP, suggesting a streamlined process. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with an undisclosed awardee and a single award. 4. Performance context is for security guard services, a critical function for the US Marshals Service. 5. Sector positioning is within the security and protective services industry.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of $24.8 million for 364 days of security guard services is difficult to benchmark precisely without knowing the specific labor rates or the number of personnel assigned. However, the contract type (Purchase Order) suggests it might be for a defined scope of work. Comparing it to similar contracts for security services would require detailed analysis of the specific services rendered and the geographic location.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP (System for Award Management), which typically implies a simplified acquisition procedure for contracts valued below a certain threshold. While competed, the specific number of bidders is not disclosed, making it difficult to assess the breadth of competition. This limited competition might suggest fewer offers were solicited or received compared to full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a potentially more efficient procurement process under SAP, but the lack of disclosed bidder numbers limits transparency on whether the best possible price was achieved.

Public Impact

The U.S. Marshals Service benefits from enhanced security and protection of facilities and personnel. Services delivered include security guard and patrol functions. Geographic impact is concentrated in California, where the services will be performed. Workforce implications include potential employment opportunities for security personnel in California.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of transparency regarding the specific awardee and the number of bidders limits full assessment of competition.
The 'undisclosed domestic awardees' detail raises concerns about public visibility into contractor selection.
Potential for price escalation if labor hours are not tightly managed and benchmarked.

Positive Signals

Contract was competed, indicating an effort to solicit offers.
Award is for a defined period, allowing for periodic re-evaluation of needs.
Services are critical for the operational effectiveness of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Sector Analysis

The security and protective services sector is a significant part of the federal contracting landscape, encompassing a wide range of services from physical security to cybersecurity. This contract falls under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 561612 for Security Guards and Patrol Services. Spending in this sector is driven by the need to protect federal assets, personnel, and sensitive information across various agencies. Benchmarking this contract's value would involve comparing its per-hour labor rates and overall cost against industry standards and other government contracts for similar security services.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract included a small business set-aside. The contract details do not specify any subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific award is likely minimal, unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the U.S. Marshals Service, the contracting activity. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance standards outlined in the purchase order and the labor hours delivered. Transparency is limited by the undisclosed nature of the awardee and the specific details of the competition. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Protective Service Contracts
Department of Homeland Security Security Services
General Services Administration Schedules for Security Services

Risk Flags

Lack of transparency regarding awardee identity.
Limited disclosed competition details.
Potential for cost overruns if labor hours are not managed effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $24,800 to DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED). FY2025 DISTRICT GUARD SUPPORT SERVICES - D12

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 $24,800.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the typical hourly rate for security guards under similar federal contracts in California?

Determining the typical hourly rate for security guards under similar federal contracts in California requires access to detailed contract data, including specific service levels, experience requirements, and geographic sub-regions within California. Federal contracts often utilize labor hour or time and materials pricing. Rates can vary significantly based on the level of security clearance required, the number of personnel, the hours of operation (e.g., 24/7 coverage), and the specific duties performed (e.g., armed vs. unarmed guards, specialized surveillance). Without specific details on the labor categories and experience levels for this $24.8M contract, a precise benchmark is challenging. However, publicly available data from contract databases and GSA schedules can provide a range, often showing rates from $30-$70+ per hour per guard, depending on these factors. The undisclosed nature of the awardee in this DOJ contract prevents a direct comparison to their historical performance or pricing.

How does the 'competed under SAP' designation impact price discovery for this contract?

Competing a contract under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) generally means the procurement process is streamlined and intended for acquisitions below certain dollar thresholds (typically $250,000, though this can be higher for specific categories). This often involves fewer documentation requirements and potentially a shorter solicitation period compared to full and open competition. While it indicates some level of competition, it typically involves a smaller pool of potential bidders or a less formal solicitation process. For taxpayers, this can mean faster award times and potentially lower administrative costs. However, the limited scope and potentially fewer bidders under SAP might result in less aggressive price competition compared to large-scale, full and open solicitations, potentially leading to a less optimized price outcome. The specific impact depends on how many offers were actually received and evaluated under the SAP process for this particular contract.

What are the potential risks associated with an 'undisclosed domestic awardee' for a security contract?

An 'undisclosed domestic awardee' for a security contract presents several potential risks. Firstly, it significantly hinders transparency and public accountability. Without knowing the identity of the contractor, it is difficult for the public, oversight bodies, and even other government agencies to assess the contractor's track record, financial stability, and past performance. This lack of visibility can obscure potential conflicts of interest or prior performance issues. Secondly, it complicates the process of verifying compliance with federal regulations, including labor laws and security requirements. While the awardee is domestic, the inability to publicly identify them raises questions about the rigor of the vetting process. This opacity could potentially mask a contractor with a history of poor performance, security lapses, or financial instability, thereby increasing the risk of service disruption or compromised security for the U.S. Marshals Service.

What is the historical spending pattern for security guard services by the U.S. Marshals Service?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for security guard services by the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) is crucial for contextualizing the current $24.8M award. While specific historical figures for the USMS are not provided in the data, federal agencies generally exhibit consistent or increasing spending on security services due to evolving threat landscapes and the need to protect critical infrastructure and personnel. The USMS, responsible for protecting the federal judiciary, transporting dangerous prisoners, and managing federal courthouses, relies heavily on security personnel. Past spending likely reflects a mix of contract types (e.g., fixed-price, labor hours) and competition levels. Understanding trends in cost per guard hour, contract duration, and the prevalence of sole-source versus competed contracts would provide valuable insights into whether this current award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in security services.

How does the NAICS code 561612 (Security Guards and Patrol Services) compare to other federal security contracts?

The NAICS code 561612 encompasses a broad range of services related to guarding and patrolling, including unarmed and armed guards, alarm system monitoring, and security consulting. Federal contracts under this code are numerous and represent a significant portion of government spending on physical security. Compared to other federal security contracts, such as those for cybersecurity (often under different NAICS codes like 541512 or 541519) or specialized investigative services (e.g., 561611), contracts under 561612 are typically focused on the physical presence and deterrence provided by security personnel. The market size for these services is substantial, driven by the need to secure federal buildings, courthouses, detention facilities, and other assets. Benchmarking this $24.8M contract would involve comparing its scope, duration, and pricing against other contracts awarded under NAICS 561612 to agencies with similar security needs, such as the Department of Homeland Security or the General Services Administration.

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: $24,800

Exercised Options: $24,800

Current Obligation: $24,800

Actual Outlays: $26,697

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline