OPM Spends $128M on Background Investigations, Securitas Wins Full and Open Competition Task Order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $128,098,949 ($128.1M)

Contractor: Securitas Critical Infrastructure Services, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Office of Personnel Management

Start Date: 2017-11-01

End Date: 2018-09-30

Contract Duration: 333 days

Daily Burn Rate: $384.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 24362018F0107-TASK ORDER #2 11/01/2017-10/30/2018 BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS SERVICES-FIELD WORK

Place of Performance

Location: LOS ANGELES, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 90074

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Office of Personnel Management obligated $128.1 million to SECURITAS CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES, INC. for work described as: 24362018F0107-TASK ORDER #2 11/01/2017-10/30/2018 BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS SERVICES-FIELD WORK Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $128M for background investigation services. 2. Securitas Critical Infrastructure Services, Inc. secured the award. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 4. Services provided are classified under NAICS code 561611 (Investigation and Personal Background Check Services).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $128M for a 333-day duration suggests a substantial per-task cost. Benchmarking against similar large-scale investigation contracts would be necessary to fully assess pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust price discovery process. This method generally leads to competitive pricing as multiple vendors can bid.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds were utilized for this contract, with the expectation that competitive bidding ensured a reasonable price for the services rendered.

Public Impact

Ensures national security by providing essential background investigation services for personnel. Supports government agencies in vetting individuals for sensitive positions. Impacts individuals undergoing background checks, requiring thorough documentation and interviews.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Contract duration is relatively short for the value awarded.
No indication of small business participation.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Clear NAICS code and service description.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on investigation and security services. Spending in this area is critical for government operations and national security.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this award (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed for small businesses in this procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is the awarding agency. Oversight would involve monitoring contract performance, adherence to service level agreements, and financial accountability throughout the contract period.

Related Government Programs

Investigation and Personal Background Check Services
Office of Personnel Management Contracting
Office of Personnel Management Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of small business participation.
Short contract duration relative to high value.
Potential for vendor lock-in if not managed carefully.
Need for detailed performance metrics to ensure quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Office of Personnel Management awarded $128.1 million to SECURITAS CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES, INC.. 24362018F0107-TASK ORDER #2 11/01/2017-10/30/2018 BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS SERVICES-FIELD WORK

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SECURITAS CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Office of Personnel Management (Office of Personnel Management).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $128.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-11-01. End: 2018-09-30.

What was the specific scope of work for these background investigations?

The scope of work for these background investigations likely included comprehensive checks on individuals, potentially encompassing employment history verification, criminal record checks, credit history reviews, and interviews with references. The exact depth and breadth of each investigation would be detailed in the task order's statement of work, tailored to the sensitivity of the positions being filled.

How does the cost per investigation compare to industry benchmarks?

Without specific details on the number of investigations conducted or the tiered complexity of those investigations, a direct per-unit cost comparison is challenging. However, a $128M contract over approximately one year suggests a significant investment, and benchmarking against similar government or private sector contracts for comparable investigation types would be crucial for assessing value.

What are the potential risks associated with a single large contract for these services?

A primary risk is vendor dependency; if Securitas faced performance issues or capacity constraints, it could significantly disrupt government vetting processes. Another risk is the potential for less competitive pricing over time if future procurements are not managed competitively, although this award was competitively sourced.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Investigation and Security Services › Investigation and Personal Background Check Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: SRS Critical Infrastructure Security LLC (UEI: 355790924)

Address: 6850 VERSAR CENTER STE 400, SPRINGFIELD, VA, 22151

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $128,098,949

Exercised Options: $128,098,949

Current Obligation: $128,098,949

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: OPM1516D0004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline