DOJ's $504K Guard Services Contract Awarded to Undisclosed Domestic Firm for District of Columbia Support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $50,400 ($50.4K)

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 - D24

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 $50,400 to DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED) for work described as: FY2025 DISTRICT GUARD SUPPORT SERVICES - D24 Key points: 1. Contract awarded via Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements. 2. The contract duration of 364 days aligns with typical annual service agreements. 3. Security guard services are essential for maintaining operational security and asset protection. 4. The undisclosed nature of the awardee raises questions about transparency and potential market concentration. 5. The contract's value is relatively modest, indicating a specific, localized need rather than a large-scale program. 6. The use of 'Labor Hours' as the contract type suggests a flexible approach to service delivery based on actual needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to the lack of specific performance metrics and the undisclosed awardee. However, the $504,000 value for a year of security guard services in Washington D.C. appears within a reasonable range for localized support. Without comparable contract data or detailed service descriptions, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. The use of SAP may indicate a price that is considered fair and reasonable by the contracting officer, but it limits the ability to compare against a broader market.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involve a limited number of bidders and are used for procurements valued below a certain threshold (currently $250,000, though this contract exceeds that, suggesting it may have been under older thresholds or specific exceptions). The exact number of bidders is not disclosed, but SAP generally implies less robust competition than full and open competition. This limited competition could potentially lead to less aggressive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, limited competition under SAP may mean that the government does not achieve the lowest possible price compared to a fully competed contract. However, SAP is designed for efficiency in acquiring goods and services quickly and cost-effectively for smaller needs.

Public Impact

The U.S. Marshals Service benefits from enhanced security and operational continuity. Services delivered include security guard and patrol functions to protect federal facilities and personnel. The geographic impact is concentrated in the District of Columbia. The contract supports the workforce of the awarded security company, providing employment opportunities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of transparency regarding the awardee's identity.
Limited competition may not yield the best price for taxpayers.
Potential for over-reliance on a single vendor if future contracts follow a similar pattern.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded to a domestic entity, supporting the U.S. economy.
Clear contract duration and start/end dates provide predictability.
The contract addresses a clear need for security services for a federal agency.

Sector Analysis

The security guard and patrol services industry is a significant sector within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. It encompasses a wide range of services from unarmed guards to specialized security personnel. Federal spending in this sector is driven by the need to protect government facilities, personnel, and assets across various agencies. This contract, valued at $504,000, represents a small portion of overall federal spending on security services, likely supporting a specific operational requirement for the U.S. Marshals Service in a concentrated geographic area.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it provide information on subcontracting plans. Given the value and the use of SAP, it is possible that small businesses were encouraged to bid, but without explicit set-aside information, this remains speculative. The impact on the small business ecosystem is therefore unclear.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the U.S. Marshals Service's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance standards outlined in the purchase order. Transparency is limited by the undisclosed nature of the awardee and the use of SAP, which involves less public documentation than larger contract vehicles. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Protective Service Contracts
Department of Homeland Security Security Services
General Services Administration Schedule 00CORP (Professional Services)
Department of Justice Facility Support Services

Risk Flags

Undisclosed Awardee
Limited Competition (SAP)
Lack of Detailed Performance Metrics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $50,400 to DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED). FY2025 DISTRICT GUARD SUPPORT SERVICES - D24

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 $50,400.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the track record of the undisclosed awardee in providing security guard services to the federal government?

The identity of the awardee is not disclosed in the provided data, making it impossible to assess their track record. Federal procurement data typically includes the awardee's name, allowing for analysis of past performance, past contract values, and any reported issues or commendations. Without this information, any evaluation of the contractor's reliability, experience, or past performance is not feasible. This lack of transparency is a significant limitation in understanding the potential risks and benefits associated with this specific award.

How does the per-hour cost of security guard services under this contract compare to market rates or similar federal contracts?

The provided data specifies the contract is for 'Labor Hours' but does not give a specific hourly rate or the total number of hours anticipated. The total award amount is $504,000 for a 364-day duration. To compare per-hour costs, we would need to know the average hourly wage paid to the guards, including overhead and profit. Without this breakdown, a direct comparison to market rates or similar federal contracts is not possible. Federal contracts for security guards can vary widely based on location, security clearance requirements, and the specific services provided.

What are the specific security risks associated with the U.S. Marshals Service operations in the District of Columbia that necessitate this contract?

The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) is responsible for protecting federal judges, court officials, witnesses, and federal prisoners, as well as managing seized assets. Operations in the District of Columbia, a high-profile and often sensitive environment, likely involve protecting courthouses, federal buildings, and potentially escorting individuals. The need for security guards under this contract likely stems from the requirement for constant vigilance, access control, and immediate response to security threats, ensuring the safety of personnel and the integrity of federal operations within the capital.

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

The provided data only pertains to a single FY2025 contract. To analyze historical spending patterns, one would need access to historical federal procurement databases (like USASpending.gov or FPDS) to identify previous contracts awarded by the U.S. Marshals Service for security guard services in the District of Columbia. This analysis would involve looking at contract values, durations, awardees, and competition levels over several fiscal years to identify trends, fluctuations, and the typical scale of such procurements.

What are the performance expectations and key performance indicators (KPIs) for this security guard contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific performance expectations or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, such contracts would include clauses related to guard presence, response times, incident reporting, adherence to post orders, and professionalism. The U.S. Marshals Service would have established these metrics to ensure the effectiveness of the security services. Without access to the full contract document or statement of work, a precise understanding of how performance will be measured and evaluated is not possible.

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: $50,400

Exercised Options: $50,400

Current Obligation: $50,400

Actual Outlays: $54,498

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline