FCC awards $3.9M contract for security operations, highlighting a need for consistent facility protection

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,895,519 ($3.9M)

Contractor: Trust Consulting Services Inc.

Awarding Agency: Federal Communications Commission

Start Date: 2021-06-01

End Date: 2026-05-31

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SECURITY OPERATIONS SERVICES FCC HEADQUARTERS AND COLUMBIA MD FACILITY

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20036

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Federal Communications Commission obligated $3.9 million to TRUST CONSULTING SERVICES INC. for work described as: SECURITY OPERATIONS SERVICES FCC HEADQUARTERS AND COLUMBIA MD FACILITY Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the multi-year duration and scope of services. 2. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a firm fixed-price structure and a single awardee. 4. Performance context involves maintaining security at FCC headquarters and a Maryland facility. 5. This contract fits within the broader sector of government facility security and protective services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of approximately $3.9 million over five years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for security services indicates that this pricing is within a competitive range. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government, although it may limit flexibility if unforeseen security needs arise.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded using full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The presence of four bidders indicates a healthy level of competition for this requirement. This competitive process likely drove pricing towards market rates and ensured the government received a technically acceptable solution at a reasonable cost.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the competitive bidding process, which helps ensure that federal funds are used efficiently and that the government secures necessary security services at the best possible price.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and its employees, who will receive enhanced security. Services delivered include security guards and patrol services to protect government facilities. The geographic impact is concentrated in Washington D.C. and Columbia, Maryland. Workforce implications include the employment of security personnel by the contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for over-reliance on a single contractor for critical security functions.
Contract duration may not fully account for evolving security threats and technological advancements.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides budget predictability.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
Clear definition of services required for facility protection.

Sector Analysis

The security services sector for government facilities is a significant market. This contract falls under the broader category of security guards and patrol services, a segment characterized by numerous providers ranging from large corporations to smaller specialized firms. The FCC's requirement is typical for federal agencies needing to protect physical assets and personnel, with spending benchmarks varying based on facility size, location, and security requirements.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. Analysis of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses would require further investigation into the prime contractor's practices. Without specific set-aside goals, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this particular award is likely limited unless the prime contractor actively engages small businesses for subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight of this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program/technical point of contact within the FCC. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, with performance standards expected to be met. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award being publicly available, though detailed performance metrics are not publicly disclosed.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule contracts for security services
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) facility security contracts
Other agency-specific security guard contracts

Risk Flags

Contract duration may exceed the pace of evolving security threats.
Reliance on a single awardee for critical security functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Federal Communications Commission awarded $3.9 million to TRUST CONSULTING SERVICES INC.. SECURITY OPERATIONS SERVICES FCC HEADQUARTERS AND COLUMBIA MD FACILITY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TRUST CONSULTING SERVICES INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Federal Communications Commission (Federal Communications Commission).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-06-01. End: 2026-05-31.

What is the track record of Trust Consulting Services Inc. in providing similar security services to federal agencies?

Trust Consulting Services Inc. has a history of performing federal contracts, including those related to security services. A review of federal procurement data indicates past awards for guard services and related protective measures. While specific performance details for each contract are not always publicly available, the company's ability to win and perform on multiple federal contracts suggests a baseline level of capability. Further due diligence would involve examining past performance evaluations, if accessible, to assess their reliability and quality of service in comparable scenarios.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar security services in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area?

Benchmarking the awarded price requires comparing the contract's total value and scope against market data for security guard and patrol services in the specific geographic region. Given the firm fixed-price nature and the duration of five years, the annual cost needs to be considered. Preliminary analysis suggests the pricing is competitive, especially considering the full and open competition that likely drove down costs. However, a precise comparison would necessitate detailed analysis of prevailing wage rates, required security clearances, and the specific security protocols mandated by the FCC, which are not fully detailed in the provided data.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential service disruptions, contractor performance issues, and the possibility of cost overruns if the fixed-price contract is not managed effectively. Mitigation strategies are embedded within the contract structure and oversight. The firm fixed-price arrangement caps the government's financial exposure. The full and open competition process aims to select a capable contractor. Ongoing oversight by the FCC contracting officer and technical representatives, along with defined performance standards and reporting requirements, are crucial for monitoring and mitigating performance risks throughout the contract's life.

How effective has Trust Consulting Services Inc. been in fulfilling previous security contracts with the federal government?

Assessing the effectiveness of Trust Consulting Services Inc. on previous federal contracts requires access to performance evaluation reports (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS). While the award of this contract indicates they were deemed a responsible source with a track record, specific effectiveness metrics are not publicly detailed. Generally, agencies award follow-on contracts or task orders to contractors who have demonstrated satisfactory performance. Without direct access to past performance data, it's presumed that their previous work met the government's requirements sufficiently to be considered for this award.

What is the historical spending pattern for security services at the FCC headquarters and Columbia, MD facility?

Historical spending data for security services at the FCC headquarters and Columbia, MD facility prior to this award is not provided. However, the duration and value of this new contract (2021-2026, ~$3.9M) suggest a consistent and significant need for these services. Agencies typically maintain security contracts for extended periods, often renewing or re-competing them as needed. Understanding the historical spend would provide context on the scale and consistency of the FCC's security requirements over time and allow for trend analysis, which is not possible with the current data.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Investigation and Security Services › Security Guards and Patrol 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: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1250 CONNECTICUT AVE NW STE 700, WASHINGTON, DC, 20036

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,900,019

Exercised Options: $3,898,519

Current Obligation: $3,895,519

Actual Outlays: $3,657,117

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSWA20D000Y

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline