DOJ's $503K Guard Services Contract Awarded to Undisclosed Domestic Firm for District Support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $50,340 ($50.3K)

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: $138/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 $50,340 to DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED) for work described as: FY2025 DISTRICT GUARD SUPPORT SERVICES - D12 Key points: 1. Contract awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements. 2. The contract's duration of 364 days aligns with typical annual service agreements. 3. Awardee information is undisclosed, limiting transparency regarding contractor selection and potential conflicts of interest. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 561612 indicates services related to security guards and patrol. 5. The contract is for labor hours, implying a flexible service delivery model. 6. The award is a Purchase Order, a common instrument for acquiring goods and services. 7. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements mentioned.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to the lack of specific service details and the undisclosed awardee. The value of $503,400 for a year of security guard services appears within a reasonable range for such support, but without more information on the scope of work, personnel hours, and specific security requirements, a definitive value-for-money assessment is not possible. Comparisons to similar contracts are hindered by the limited data provided.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which generally allows for full and open competition but may involve fewer bidders than larger, more complex procurements. The specific number of bidders is not disclosed, but SAP is designed to promote competition for acquisitions below the simplified acquisition threshold. The use of SAP suggests that the agency sought competitive offers within the established regulatory framework for smaller purchases.

Taxpayer Impact: Competition under SAP aims to ensure that taxpayers receive fair pricing for services by soliciting multiple offers, even for smaller contract values.

Public Impact

The U.S. Marshals Service benefits from enhanced security and operational support through these services. The contract provides essential security guard and patrol services to support the Department of Justice's district operations. The geographic impact is focused on California, where the services will be delivered. The contract supports the workforce by engaging security personnel to fulfill the service requirements.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of transparency regarding the specific awardee raises concerns about due diligence and potential risks.
Limited details on the scope of work and performance metrics make it difficult to assess effectiveness.
The use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures, while efficient, may limit the pool of potential bidders compared to larger contract vehicles.

Positive Signals

The contract was competed, indicating an effort to obtain competitive pricing.
The award is for a defined period, providing clear service expectations.
The contract supports a critical function of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Sector Analysis

The security guard and patrol services sector is a significant component of the broader security industry, serving government agencies, private businesses, and public institutions. This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services category, specifically under NAICS code 561612. Spending in this sector is driven by the need for physical security, access control, and surveillance. Government contracts for security services are common across various agencies, with values ranging from small, localized support to large-scale, nationwide operations.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of mandatory subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award was made under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, which can be utilized by small businesses, but the lack of a specific set-aside suggests that the competition was open to all eligible offerors. The impact on the small business ecosystem is neutral, as there are no explicit provisions to boost small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the U.S. Marshals Service, the contracting activity within the Department of Justice. Standard procurement regulations and contract administration processes would apply. Transparency is limited by the undisclosed awardee. Accountability would be managed through contract performance monitoring and adherence to the terms of the purchase order. There is no specific mention of an Inspector General's direct involvement at this stage, though the DOJ IG oversees agency operations.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Undisclosed Awardee
Limited Scope Detail
Simplified Acquisition Procedures (May Limit Competition)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $50,340 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 $50,340.

What is the period of performance?

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

What specific security services are required under this contract, and what are the key performance indicators?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'Security Guards and Patrol Services' (NAICS 561612) and is based on 'Labor Hours'. However, specific details regarding the exact duties, such as access control, surveillance, response protocols, or the number of personnel required, are not disclosed. Key performance indicators (KPIs) are also not detailed in the summary data. Typically, for such contracts, KPIs might include response times to incidents, adherence to post orders, patrol frequency, and incident reporting accuracy. Without this granular information, a thorough assessment of service delivery and effectiveness is not possible.

How does the $503,400 contract value compare to similar security guard services procured by the U.S. Marshals Service or DOJ?

Direct comparison of the $503,400 value is difficult without knowing the specific scope, location, and duration of services. However, for a 364-day contract focused on labor hours for security guards, this value appears to be within a typical range for localized support. Larger contracts for comprehensive security solutions across multiple facilities or for higher-security environments would naturally command significantly higher dollar amounts. The U.S. Marshals Service, like many federal law enforcement agencies, procures a variety of security services, and this contract likely represents a specific, localized need rather than a broad operational requirement.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a contract to an undisclosed domestic awardee?

Awarding contracts to undisclosed entities, even if domestic, presents several risks. Primarily, it hinders transparency and public accountability, making it difficult for oversight bodies and the public to verify the contractor's qualifications, past performance, and financial stability. There's an increased risk of awarding to entities with inadequate experience, poor track records, or even those with potential conflicts of interest or ties to illicit activities. While the government conducts due diligence, the lack of public disclosure means these checks are not subject to external scrutiny, potentially increasing the risk of contractor failure or subpar performance.

What is the significance of the contract being competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP)?

Competing under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), typically for purchases below $250,000 (though thresholds can vary), signifies that the agency is using a streamlined process designed for smaller value procurements. This approach aims for efficiency and speed while still encouraging competition. It generally involves soliciting quotes from multiple sources, but the process is less formal than full and open competition for larger contracts. For taxpayers, SAP aims to ensure fair pricing and value for money on smaller purchases without incurring the administrative overhead associated with larger, more complex solicitations.

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

Historical spending data for security guard services by the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) would reveal patterns in contract values, durations, and types of services procured. While this specific $503,400 contract is for FY2025 support, analyzing past years would show if the USMS consistently procures similar services, if spending has increased or decreased, and which types of contracts (e.g., labor hours vs. fixed price) are more common. Such analysis could highlight trends in security needs and the agency's approach to fulfilling them, potentially identifying areas for cost savings or efficiency improvements.

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: $50,340

Exercised Options: $50,340

Current Obligation: $50,340

Actual Outlays: $54,191

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline