VA awards $16M contract for unarmed security guards in Puerto Rico and USVI to One Corps, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,044,339 ($16.0M)

Contractor: ONE Corps, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2021-08-01

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 1,733 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: UNARMED SECURITY GUARDS AT VACHS (PR & USVI)

Place of Performance

Location: SAN JUAN, SAN JUAN County, PUERTO RICO, 00921

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $16.0 million to ONE CORPS, INC. for work described as: UNARMED SECURITY GUARDS AT VACHS (PR & USVI) Key points: 1. Contract value of $16 million over its period of performance. 2. One Corps, Inc. is the sole awardee for these services. 3. The contract is a definitive contract with a firm fixed price. 4. Services are for unarmed security guards at VA Community Living Centers. 5. The contract duration is approximately 1733 days. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 561612 for Security Guards and Patrol Services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $16 million for unarmed security services over nearly five years appears to be within a reasonable range for the scope of services and geographic coverage. However, without specific benchmarks for per-guard costs or comparisons to similar VA contracts in other regions, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government, but it may limit flexibility if unforeseen circumstances arise.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be open, specific sources were excluded, potentially limiting the number of bidders. The record does not specify the number of bidders that participated, making it difficult to fully assess the level of competition and its impact on price discovery. The exclusion of sources warrants further investigation into the rationale.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition may have resulted in a higher price than if a broader range of qualified vendors had been able to bid. Taxpayers may not have received the most competitive pricing possible.

Public Impact

Veterans in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands will benefit from enhanced security at VA Community Living Centers. The contract ensures the provision of unarmed security guard services. The geographic impact is focused on the territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The contract supports the operational needs of the Department of Veterans Affairs in these locations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The rationale for excluding certain sources in the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' award is not detailed, potentially limiting competitive pricing.
Lack of specific per-unit cost data makes it difficult to benchmark the value for money effectively.
The definitive contract type, while providing flexibility, could lead to scope creep if not managed carefully.

Positive Signals

The firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type provides cost certainty for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The contract duration of nearly five years offers stability in security services for the covered facilities.
The award addresses a critical need for security at VA facilities in remote locations.

Sector Analysis

The security services sector is a significant component of government contracting, encompassing a wide range of protective services. This contract falls under the Security Guards and Patrol Services category (NAICS 561612). The market for these services is competitive, with numerous providers ranging from large corporations to smaller specialized firms. Government contracts often represent a substantial portion of revenue for security companies, and agencies rely on these services to maintain safety and security at federal facilities.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific award is likely minimal unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract structure, requiring the contractor to deliver services as specified. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, though detailed performance metrics and oversight reports are not publicly available in this summary. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

VA Medical Facility Security Contracts
Federal Unarmed Security Guard Services
Department of Veterans Affairs Support Services
Definitive Contracts for Services

Risk Flags

Limited competition due to exclusion of sources.
Lack of detailed performance metrics for value assessment.
Potential for higher costs due to restricted bidder pool.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $16.0 million to ONE CORPS, INC.. UNARMED SECURITY GUARDS AT VACHS (PR & USVI)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ONE CORPS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (Department of Veterans Affairs).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $16.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-08-01. End: 2026-04-30.

What is the historical spending pattern for unarmed security services at VA Community Living Centers in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands?

Historical spending data for unarmed security services specifically at VA Community Living Centers in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands prior to this $16 million contract is not readily available in the provided data. To conduct a thorough analysis, one would need to access historical contract databases (e.g., FPDS) and filter by agency (Department of Veterans Affairs), service type (security guards), geographic location (Puerto Rico, USVI), and facility type (Community Living Centers). This would reveal trends in contract values, durations, and awardees over time, allowing for a comparison to the current contract's value and duration to identify any significant increases or changes in spending patterns.

How does the per-guard cost of this contract compare to similar VA contracts in other regions?

A direct comparison of per-guard cost for this contract to similar VA contracts in other regions is not possible with the provided data. The contract value is $16,044,338.97 over approximately 1733 days (roughly 4.75 years), with 4 contracts noted. To calculate a per-guard cost, we would need the number of guards required, their hours, and hourly rates, which are not specified. Benchmarking would involve identifying comparable contracts for unarmed security guards at VA facilities in other regions, extracting their total contract values, durations, and the number of personnel or hours, and then calculating a standardized per-guard or per-hour rate for comparison. Without this granular data, the assessment remains qualitative.

What is the track record of One Corps, Inc. in performing similar federal contracts?

The provided data indicates that One Corps, Inc. is the awardee of this $16 million contract for unarmed security guards. To assess their track record, a review of their past federal contract performance would be necessary. This would involve searching federal procurement databases for previous awards to One Corps, Inc., examining the types of services rendered, contract values, durations, and any reported performance issues or accolades. Information on past performance, including any past performance evaluations or contractor performance assessment reporting (CPARs), would provide crucial insights into their reliability, quality of service, and ability to manage similar federal contracts effectively.

What are the specific security risks being mitigated by this contract?

This contract aims to mitigate general security risks at VA Community Living Centers in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands through the provision of unarmed security guards. Specific risks typically include unauthorized access, theft, vandalism, disturbances, and ensuring the safety and well-being of residents, staff, and visitors. While the contract doesn't detail specific threat assessments, the presence of security personnel serves as a deterrent and provides a first line of response to security incidents, thereby maintaining a secure environment conducive to patient care and facility operations.

What is the significance of the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' award type?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' award type signifies a procurement process that began with the intent of full and open competition but subsequently excluded specific sources. This exclusion must be justified by law or regulation, such as national security concerns, specific technical requirements that only a limited number of sources can meet, or prior contract performance issues with certain vendors. While it aims for broad competition initially, the exclusion limits the pool of potential offerors, which could impact the level of competition achieved and potentially the final price compared to a truly unrestricted full and open competition.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 36C24821R0021

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: ROAD 190 CAMPO RICO LA CERAMICA, CAROLINA, PR, 00984

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Hispanic American Owned Business, HUBZone Firm, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,050,841

Exercised Options: $16,044,339

Current Obligation: $16,044,339

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline