Social Security Administration awards $48.9M contract for physical security equipment and IT readers to Securityhunter, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $48,861,478 ($48.9M)

Contractor: Securityhunter, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Social Security Administration

Start Date: 2025-09-30

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $134.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CALL ORDER AGAINST BPA 28321320A00040037 FOR THE DESIGN, ACQUISITION AND INSTALLATION OF PHYSICAL SECURITY EQUIPMENT FOR MULTIPLE SSA OFFICES AND FOR THE PURCHASE, ASSEMBLY, AND SHIPPING OF USE IT ACT READERS.

Place of Performance

Location: BALTIMORE, BALTIMORE CITY County, MARYLAND, 21235

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Social Security Administration obligated $48.9 million to SECURITYHUNTER, INC. for work described as: CALL ORDER AGAINST BPA 28321320A00040037 FOR THE DESIGN, ACQUISITION AND INSTALLATION OF PHYSICAL SECURITY EQUIPMENT FOR MULTIPLE SSA OFFICES AND FOR THE PURCHASE, ASSEMBLY, AND SHIPPING OF USE IT ACT READERS. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on physical security and IT accessibility, indicating a need for enhanced safety and compliance. 2. The award to a single vendor suggests a specific solution or established relationship, warranting scrutiny of alternatives. 3. A firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs, but requires careful monitoring for scope creep or unforeseen expenses. 4. The contract duration of one year with potential for extensions suggests a phased or ongoing need for these services. 5. The use of a BPA call order implies a pre-negotiated framework, potentially offering efficiencies but also limiting immediate competition. 6. The absence of small business set-asides means opportunities for smaller firms may be limited in this specific award.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total contract value of $48.9 million for a one-year period appears substantial for physical security equipment and IT readers. Benchmarking this against similar procurements for large-scale physical security installations and IT hardware across federal agencies is crucial. Without specific details on the quantity and type of equipment, a precise per-unit cost comparison is difficult. However, the overall value suggests a significant investment in infrastructure upgrades or new deployments across multiple SSA offices.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The use of a BPA call order suggests that the underlying BPA itself was competed, and this specific call order was then open to eligible awardees. The number of bidders for this specific call order is not provided, which limits the assessment of the competitive intensity. However, the initial full and open competition for the BPA is a positive sign for price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally leads to better pricing for taxpayers by encouraging a wider range of offers and driving down costs through market forces.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include Social Security Administration employees and the public accessing SSA facilities, who will experience improved physical security. The contract delivers physical security equipment and IT readers, enhancing safety and potentially improving access control and compliance with accessibility mandates. The geographic impact is likely nationwide, as the contract specifies 'multiple SSA offices,' suggesting a broad deployment. Workforce implications may include installation and maintenance personnel, potentially creating jobs in the security and IT sectors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on the types and quantities of security equipment and IT readers makes it difficult to assess value for money.
The reliance on a BPA call order, while potentially efficient, might limit the visibility into the specific competitive dynamics for this particular award.
The absence of small business participation in this specific award could be a missed opportunity to foster growth in the small business sector.

Positive Signals

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust process for selecting the best value.
The firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government, mitigating the risk of cost overruns.
The award to Securityhunter, Inc. may indicate a proven track record or specialized capabilities relevant to SSA's needs.

Sector Analysis

The physical security and IT equipment sector is a significant market driven by increasing concerns over safety, data protection, and regulatory compliance. Federal agencies are major consumers of these products and services. This contract fits within the broader category of government IT and facilities management spending. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal contracts for similar security systems and IT hardware deployments across agencies like GSA, DHS, and other civilian departments.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'ss': false and 'sb': false. This means that the primary award was not specifically targeted towards small businesses. While the prime contractor, Securityhunter, Inc., may utilize small businesses as subcontractors, there is no explicit requirement or set-aside for them in this award. This could limit direct opportunities for small businesses to secure prime contracts for this specific requirement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Social Security Administration's contracting officers and program managers. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability by fixing the cost. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected related to the contract's execution or performance.

Related Government Programs

Physical Security Equipment Procurement
IT Hardware and Software
Federal Building Security Upgrades
Accessibility Technology
General Services Administration (GSA) Schedules
Social Security Administration IT Modernization

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in due to proprietary systems.
Cybersecurity risks associated with IT-enabled readers.
Risk of installation delays impacting SSA operations.
Limited visibility into specific competition details for the call order.
Potential lack of small business subcontracting opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Social Security Administration awarded $48.9 million to SECURITYHUNTER, INC.. CALL ORDER AGAINST BPA 28321320A00040037 FOR THE DESIGN, ACQUISITION AND INSTALLATION OF PHYSICAL SECURITY EQUIPMENT FOR MULTIPLE SSA OFFICES AND FOR THE PURCHASE, ASSEMBLY, AND SHIPPING OF USE IT ACT READERS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SECURITYHUNTER, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $48.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-30. End: 2026-09-29.

What specific types and quantities of physical security equipment and IT readers are being procured under this contract, and how do these align with SSA's stated security and accessibility needs?

The provided data does not specify the exact types and quantities of physical security equipment and IT readers. The contract description broadly states 'DESIGN, ACQUISITION AND INSTALLATION OF PHYSICAL SECURITY EQUIPMENT FOR MULTIPLE SSA OFFICES AND FOR THE PURCHASE, ASSEMBLY, AND SHIPPING OF USE IT ACT READERS.' To assess alignment with SSA's needs, one would need to consult SSA's official security assessments, accessibility compliance reports (e.g., related to the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act - 21st Century IDEA Act), and any statements of work or technical specifications associated with this BPA call order. These documents would detail the specific requirements for access control systems, surveillance equipment, alarm systems, and the types of IT readers (e.g., for badge access, biometric authentication, or assistive technology) necessary to meet federal mandates and operational security posture.

How does the $48.9 million contract value compare to historical spending by the SSA or other federal agencies on similar physical security and IT reader procurements?

Without specific line-item details on the equipment and services, a direct comparison of the $48.9 million is challenging. However, federal agencies frequently invest in physical security upgrades and IT infrastructure. For instance, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the General Services Administration (GSA) often award large contracts for building security systems, access control, and IT hardware. A benchmark analysis would involve searching federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) for contracts with similar scope (physical security, IT readers) and value ranges awarded over the past 3-5 years. Factors like the number of offices covered, the complexity of the systems (e.g., integrated versus standalone), and the specific technologies deployed (e.g., advanced biometrics vs. basic card readers) would influence cost. The one-year duration of this contract also suggests it might be for a specific phase or set of deployments rather than a complete agency-wide overhaul, which could influence its total value relative to multi-year programs.

What is Securityhunter, Inc.'s track record with the federal government, particularly with the Social Security Administration, regarding performance on similar contracts?

Information on Securityhunter, Inc.'s specific track record with the federal government, and particularly the SSA, is not detailed in the provided data. A thorough assessment would require reviewing their past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), any past issues or disputes, and their experience with similar-sized and scoped contracts. Their ability to successfully deliver on this $48.9 million BPA call order depends on their demonstrated capabilities in designing, acquiring, and installing physical security equipment and IT readers, as well as their financial stability and capacity to manage such a project. Checking their award history on SAM.gov and FPDS could reveal previous contracts and their performance ratings, if publicly available.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract, such as vendor lock-in, cybersecurity vulnerabilities introduced by new IT readers, or installation delays?

Several risks are associated with this contract. Vendor lock-in is a potential concern if the procured equipment relies on proprietary software or services from Securityhunter, Inc., making future transitions to different vendors difficult or costly. Cybersecurity vulnerabilities are a significant risk, especially with the 'USE IT ACT READERS,' which are IT-dependent. If these readers are not properly secured, they could become entry points for cyberattacks, compromising SSA's network or sensitive data. Installation delays are also a risk, which could disrupt SSA operations and potentially lead to cost overruns if not managed effectively under the firm-fixed-price structure. The 'DESIGN, ACQUISITION AND INSTALLATION' phases require careful project management to mitigate these risks.

How does the 'full and open competition' for the underlying BPA and this call order ensure that taxpayers are receiving the best value for the funds expended?

A 'full and open competition' process is designed to maximize value for taxpayers by ensuring that a wide range of qualified vendors can compete for the contract. This process typically involves publicizing the requirement, allowing any responsible source to submit an offer, and selecting the offer that represents the best value to the government, considering factors such as price, technical merit, past performance, and socioeconomic goals. For this BPA call order, the initial competition for the Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) itself likely established a pool of pre-qualified vendors. The subsequent call order, being under 'full and open competition,' means that within that pool (or potentially beyond, depending on the BPA's terms), multiple vendors could bid on this specific requirement. This competition drives down prices and encourages innovation, as vendors strive to offer the most attractive combination of cost and capability to win the award, ultimately benefiting taxpayers through cost savings and improved service delivery.

What is the significance of the 'USE IT ACT READERS' mentioned in the contract, and what are the compliance implications for the SSA?

The 'USE IT ACT READERS' likely refers to readers compliant with the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act (21st Century IDEA Act). This act mandates that federal agencies improve their digital services and ensure accessibility for people with disabilities. In the context of physical security, these readers could be part of an access control system that needs to accommodate individuals using assistive technologies or comply with specific accessibility standards for operation. For the SSA, this means ensuring that the readers are not only functional for security purposes but also usable by all employees and visitors, including those with disabilities, thereby fulfilling legal and ethical obligations for accessibility and inclusivity in federal facilities.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT › INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7249 AMBASSADOR RD, WINDSOR MILL, MD, 21244

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $48,861,478

Exercised Options: $48,861,478

Current Obligation: $48,861,478

Actual Outlays: $12,697,691

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 28321320A00040037

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline