DOJ's $3.5M District Guard Contract Awarded to Undisclosed Domestic Firm

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $34,850 ($34.9K)

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: $96/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: FY2025 DISTRICT GUARD SUPPORT SERVICES - D77

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 $34,850 to DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED) for work described as: FY2025 DISTRICT GUARD SUPPORT SERVICES - D77 Key points: 1. Contract awarded via Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller procurements. 2. The contract duration of one year aligns with typical guard service needs. 3. Security guard services are essential for maintaining secure federal facilities. 4. The specific awardee is undisclosed, limiting transparency on contractor selection. 5. The contract is for labor hours, indicating a service-based delivery model. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 561612 points to security and patrol services.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to the undisclosed awardee and the lack of specific service details. The purchase order format suggests a transactional approach rather than a long-term strategic partnership. Without comparative data on similar security guard contracts from the U.S. Marshals Service or other agencies, assessing whether the $3.5 million represents a fair price for the services rendered is difficult. The use of SAP may also limit the extent of price competition.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which are typically used for procurements valued below the threshold for full and open competition. While SAP allows for some competition, it often involves fewer bidders and less formal solicitation processes compared to larger contract vehicles. The specific number of bidders and the extent of competition within the SAP framework are not detailed, making it difficult to assess the breadth of market engagement.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP suggests that the competition may have been less extensive than for larger contracts, potentially impacting the government's ability to secure the lowest possible prices for taxpayers.

Public Impact

The U.S. Marshals Service benefits from enhanced security for its facilities and personnel. The contract ensures the provision of essential security guard and patrol services. The geographic impact is focused on the District of Columbia. The contract supports jobs within the security services sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of transparency regarding the specific awardee hinders assessment of contractor suitability and past performance.
Competition under SAP may not yield the best possible pricing for taxpayers.
Limited public information on the scope of services makes it difficult to evaluate performance expectations.

Positive Signals

The contract addresses a clear need for security services by the U.S. Marshals Service.
The duration of one year provides a defined period for service delivery.
The contract is awarded by a reputable federal agency, the Department of Justice.

Sector Analysis

The security guard and patrol services industry is a significant component of the broader security and investigation services sector. This contract falls within the NAICS code 561612, which encompasses establishments primarily engaged in providing security guards and patrol services. Spending in this sector is driven by the need for physical security across various environments, including government facilities, commercial properties, and residential areas. Federal agencies are consistent purchasers of these services to protect assets and personnel.

Small Business Impact

The contract details do not indicate a small business set-aside. Given the use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), it is possible that small businesses were among the bidders, as SAP is often utilized to encourage small business participation. However, without specific information on the awardee or subcontracting plans, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem remains unclear.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight of this contract would primarily fall under the U.S. Marshals Service, responsible for ensuring that the contracted security services meet the required standards and specifications. As a purchase order under SAP, the level of formal oversight and reporting may be less extensive than for larger, more complex contracts. Transparency is limited by the undisclosed awardee, making independent assessment of accountability challenging.

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 Competition (SAP)
Lack of Performance Metrics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $34,850 to DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED). FY2025 DISTRICT GUARD SUPPORT SERVICES - D77

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 $34,850.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the track record of the undisclosed awardee for similar security contracts?

The awardee for this contract is listed as 'DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED)', which means their specific track record for similar security contracts cannot be assessed. This lack of transparency prevents an evaluation of their past performance, reliability, and experience in providing security guard and patrol services to federal agencies. Without knowing the identity of the contractor, it is impossible to determine if they have a history of successful contract completion, any past performance issues, or relevant certifications and qualifications. This information is crucial for understanding the potential risks associated with the contract and for ensuring value for taxpayer money.

How does the estimated value of $3.5 million compare to similar security guard contracts?

Comparing the estimated value of $3.5 million for this one-year contract to similar security guard contracts is difficult without more specific details about the scope of services, the number of personnel required, and the specific locations within the District of Columbia. Contracts for security guards can vary significantly based on the level of security clearance required, the hours of coverage, and the specific duties performed (e.g., access control, surveillance, emergency response). The use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) also suggests this might be a smaller-scale procurement, potentially making direct comparisons to larger, full-and-open competition contracts less meaningful. However, for a one-year contract of this nature, $3.5 million would typically cover a substantial number of guard hours.

What are the primary risks associated with awarding a security contract to an undisclosed entity?

The primary risks associated with awarding a security contract to an undisclosed entity are a significant reduction in transparency and accountability. Without knowing the contractor's identity, it is impossible to perform due diligence on their financial stability, past performance, security clearances, and any potential conflicts of interest. This lack of information hinders the government's ability to ensure the contractor is capable of fulfilling the security requirements effectively and reliably. Furthermore, it complicates oversight and makes it difficult to assess whether the contract represents good value for money. The undisclosed nature of the awardee raises concerns about potential risks to government facilities and personnel if the contractor is not properly vetted.

How effective are Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) in ensuring competitive pricing for security services?

Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are designed for procurements below a certain dollar threshold (currently $250,000, though specific agency thresholds can vary, and larger amounts may be permissible under certain conditions). While SAP aims to streamline the acquisition process and can encourage participation from small businesses, it generally involves less formal competition and fewer bidders compared to full and open competition. This can potentially lead to less aggressive pricing as the market may not be as broadly canvassed. For a contract potentially valued at $3.5 million, the use of SAP might indicate specific circumstances or agency policies that allow for its application, but it generally offers a less robust mechanism for price discovery than larger-scale competitive processes.

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

Analyzing the historical spending patterns for security guard services by the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) would require access to detailed federal procurement data over multiple fiscal years. Generally, federal agencies like the USMS require significant security support to protect courthouses, detention facilities, personnel, and sensitive assets. Spending in this category is often consistent, driven by ongoing operational needs. The amount spent can fluctuate based on specific facility requirements, changes in threat levels, and the agency's budget allocations. Without specific historical data for the USMS, it's difficult to place this $3.5 million contract within a precise trend, but it represents a typical investment in essential security infrastructure for law enforcement agencies.

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: $34,850

Exercised Options: $34,850

Current Obligation: $34,850

Actual Outlays: $37,516

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline