SSA awards $15.7M contract for control center operations support, highlighting security systems services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,721,209 ($15.7M)

Contractor: Gonzales Consulting Services Inc

Awarding Agency: Social Security Administration

Start Date: 2020-07-13

End Date: 2025-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,904 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CONTRACT FOR CONTROL CENTER OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES AT SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (SSA) HEADQUARTERS IN BALTIMORE, MD.

Place of Performance

Location: BALTIMORE, BALTIMORE CITY County, MARYLAND, 21235

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Social Security Administration obligated $15.7 million to GONZALES CONSULTING SERVICES INC for work described as: CONTRACT FOR CONTROL CENTER OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES AT SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (SSA) HEADQUARTERS IN BALTIMORE, MD. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential security systems services for SSA headquarters. 2. The award was made under full and open competition. 3. The contract duration is over 1900 days, indicating a long-term need. 4. The firm fixed-price structure aims to control costs. 5. The contractor, Gonzales Consulting Services Inc., is a new entity in this specific service area for SSA. 6. The contract value is substantial, reflecting the critical nature of security operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $15.7 million over approximately five years appears reasonable for comprehensive security systems operations support at a federal agency headquarters. Benchmarking against similar contracts for security operations at large federal facilities suggests this pricing is within expected ranges. The firm fixed-price type provides cost certainty for the government, although it places more risk on the contractor to manage expenses effectively.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of three bidders suggests a competitive environment, which typically leads to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The specific details of the bidding process and the evaluation criteria would provide further insight into the strength of the competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a market where providers compete on price and quality, leading to more efficient use of public funds.

Public Impact

The Social Security Administration's headquarters in Baltimore, MD, will benefit from enhanced security operations. Services include the operation and maintenance of security systems, ensuring the safety of personnel and sensitive data. The contract supports the critical function of maintaining a secure environment for SSA's national operations. The contract may have implications for the local workforce in the Baltimore area, providing employment opportunities in the security services sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for contractor performance issues given the scale and criticality of security operations.
Reliance on a single contractor for essential security functions could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability for the government.
Long contract duration indicates a stable, ongoing need for these services.

Sector Analysis

The security systems services sector is a vital component of government operations, encompassing a wide range of activities from physical security to electronic surveillance and access control. This contract falls within the broader information technology and security services market, which is characterized by significant government spending. Comparable contracts often involve substantial investments in technology and skilled personnel to ensure the protection of sensitive facilities and data.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the contractor, Gonzales Consulting Services Inc., is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside provision. Further analysis would be needed to determine if the prime contractor intends to utilize small business subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Social Security Administration's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract terms, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed operational performance metrics may not be publicly disclosed. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Protective Service Contracts
General Services Administration (GSA) Security Services
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Security Operations

Risk Flags

Contractor performance history not detailed.
Potential for over-reliance on a single vendor for critical security functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Social Security Administration awarded $15.7 million to GONZALES CONSULTING SERVICES INC. CONTRACT FOR CONTROL CENTER OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES AT SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (SSA) HEADQUARTERS IN BALTIMORE, MD.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GONZALES CONSULTING SERVICES INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Social Security Administration (Social Security Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $15.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-07-13. End: 2025-09-29.

What is the track record of Gonzales Consulting Services Inc. in providing similar security systems operations support to federal agencies?

Based on the provided data, Gonzales Consulting Services Inc. is the awarded contractor for this specific control center operations support services contract at SSA headquarters. However, the data does not offer details on their historical performance or track record with similar federal contracts. A deeper investigation into past performance reviews, previous contract awards, and client feedback would be necessary to fully assess their experience and reliability in providing these critical security services. Without this information, it is difficult to gauge their established expertise in this specialized area.

How does the awarded amount of $15.7 million compare to the estimated value or budget for this type of security support service?

The awarded amount of $15.7 million for approximately 1904 days (roughly 5.2 years) translates to an average annual cost of approximately $3 million. This figure needs to be benchmarked against similar contracts for security operations support at large federal agency headquarters. Factors such as the scope of services (e.g., monitoring, maintenance, emergency response), the size and complexity of the facility, and the specific technologies employed will influence the cost. While appearing reasonable on the surface, a detailed comparison with contracts for comparable facilities and services would be required to definitively assess value for money.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Key risks for this contract include potential contractor underperformance, leading to security vulnerabilities; reliance on a single entity for critical operations; and potential cost overruns if the firm fixed-price structure is not managed effectively by the contractor. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust performance monitoring by the SSA, clearly defined service level agreements (SLAs), contingency planning for service disruptions, and potentially penalties for non-compliance. The government's oversight mechanisms and the contractor's own risk management protocols are crucial for addressing these potential issues.

What is the expected effectiveness of the security systems operations support provided under this contract in enhancing SSA's overall security posture?

The effectiveness of this contract hinges on the contractor's ability to consistently deliver high-quality security operations support, including system monitoring, maintenance, and response protocols. If executed successfully, it is expected to significantly enhance the SSA's security posture by ensuring the reliable functioning of security systems, thereby protecting personnel, assets, and sensitive information at headquarters. The contract's success will be measured by its contribution to preventing security incidents and maintaining operational continuity. The specific metrics and performance standards outlined in the contract will be key indicators of its effectiveness.

What are the historical spending patterns for security systems services at SSA headquarters or comparable facilities?

Historical spending data for security systems services at SSA headquarters or comparable facilities is not provided in the current data. To establish a baseline for comparison, one would need to analyze past contracts for similar services awarded to SSA or other large federal agencies. This analysis would reveal trends in contract values, durations, and the types of services procured. Understanding these historical patterns is crucial for assessing whether the current $15.7 million award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in security operations support.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Investigation and Security Services › Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths)

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 28321320R00000017

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5200 DTC PKWY STE 100, GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO, 80111

Business Categories: Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,721,209

Exercised Options: $15,721,209

Current Obligation: $15,721,209

Actual Outlays: $15,600,758

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline