DHS awarded $46.2M for detention management and services in Aurora, CO to The GEO Group, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $46,180,315 ($46.2M)

Contractor: THE GEO Group, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2019-09-11

End Date: 2020-09-15

Contract Duration: 370 days

Daily Burn Rate: $124.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: DETENTION MANAGEMENT/MEDICAL/TRANSPORTATION FOR AURORA, CO

Place of Performance

Location: AURORA, ADAMS County, COLORADO, 80010

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $46.2 million to THE GEO GROUP, INC. for work described as: DETENTION MANAGEMENT/MEDICAL/TRANSPORTATION FOR AURORA, CO Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in detention services for a specific geographic area. 2. The full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs, but requires careful monitoring of service delivery. 4. Performance duration of 370 days indicates a medium-term operational need. 5. The contract falls under Facilities Support Services, a broad category with various potential cost drivers. 6. The award to a single contractor highlights the need for robust oversight to ensure service quality and fair pricing.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $46.2 million for a 370-day period for detention management, medical, and transportation services in Aurora, Colorado, appears to be within a reasonable range for such specialized services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for detention facilities of comparable size and service scope would be necessary for a definitive value assessment. The firm fixed-price structure suggests an attempt to control costs, but the actual value for money depends heavily on the quality and efficiency of services delivered by The GEO Group, Inc. and the specific needs of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in this region.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. While the number of bidders is not specified, this approach generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The fact that it was competed openly suggests that ICE sought to leverage market forces to secure the best value for these essential detention support services.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and encourages contractors to offer their best value propositions, potentially leading to cost savings or improved service quality.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the individuals within their custody in the Aurora, Colorado area. Services delivered include detention management, medical care, and transportation for detainees. The geographic impact is focused on Aurora, Colorado, and surrounding areas requiring detention services. The contract supports jobs within the private detention services industry, including roles in facility operations, security, medical support, and transportation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for over-reliance on a single provider for critical services.
Ensuring consistent quality of medical care within detention facilities can be challenging.
Monitoring transportation services for safety and efficiency requires diligent oversight.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process.
Firm fixed-price contract type helps in budget predictability.
Contract duration provides a stable period for service delivery.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under the Facilities Support Services sector, specifically addressing the needs of detention operations. This sector is crucial for government agencies managing correctional facilities, immigration detention centers, and other secure environments. The market for these services is often characterized by specialized providers with expertise in security, logistics, and healthcare within controlled settings. Spending in this area is driven by government policy and operational requirements for managing individuals in custody.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (sb) was false and there was no small business set-aside (ss). This suggests that the contract was not specifically targeted towards small businesses, and the prime contractor, The GEO Group, Inc., is a large corporation. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist within the scope of this contract, but they are not explicitly detailed in the award information. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Mechanisms likely include performance monitoring, site inspections, and regular reporting requirements from the contractor. Accountability is ensured through the contract terms, including potential penalties for non-performance or breaches. Transparency is typically managed through contract award databases and public reporting, though detailed operational oversight specifics are often internal.

Related Government Programs

Detention Services
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Contracts
Federal Facilities Management
Correctional Healthcare Services
Government Transportation Services

Risk Flags

Potential for service quality issues in medical care.
Risk of security incidents within detention facilities.
Contractor compliance with performance standards.
Adequacy of staffing levels for both contractor and oversight.
Reputational risk associated with private detention operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $46.2 million to THE GEO GROUP, INC.. DETENTION MANAGEMENT/MEDICAL/TRANSPORTATION FOR AURORA, CO

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE GEO GROUP, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $46.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-09-11. End: 2020-09-15.

What is the track record of The GEO Group, Inc. in providing similar detention management and medical services to federal agencies?

The GEO Group, Inc. is a well-established private operator of correctional and detention facilities, as well as provider of community-based services, across the United States and internationally. They have a significant history of contracting with federal agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). Their track record includes managing numerous detention centers and providing a range of services such as housing, food, medical care, and transportation. However, the company has also faced scrutiny and criticism regarding conditions in some of its facilities, labor practices, and instances of non-compliance with contractual obligations or safety standards. Evaluating their performance on specific contracts requires reviewing past performance evaluations, any imposed sanctions, and litigation history related to their federal contracts.

How does the per-unit cost of detention services under this contract compare to similar ICE contracts in other regions?

Determining the precise per-unit cost for detention services under this $46.2 million contract for The GEO Group, Inc. in Aurora, CO, is challenging without knowing the average daily population or specific service utilization metrics. However, the total contract value over its 370-day duration suggests an average daily cost. To benchmark this, one would need to compare this average daily cost against similar ICE contracts for detention management, medical, and transportation services in other geographic locations, adjusting for regional cost of living, labor rates, and the specific scope of services. Without access to detailed breakdowns of inmate populations and service usage, a direct per-unit comparison is difficult, but the overall contract value provides a starting point for broader cost analysis relative to the scale of operations.

What are the primary risk indicators associated with this contract, considering the nature of detention services?

Key risk indicators for this contract include potential issues related to the quality and timeliness of medical care provided to detainees, which can lead to health crises and legal challenges. Another significant risk is the potential for security breaches or incidents within the detention facility, given the sensitive nature of housing individuals. Operational risks also include contractor non-compliance with performance standards, staffing shortages, and potential labor disputes affecting service delivery. Furthermore, reputational risk for the government is a concern, as negative incidents at contracted facilities can draw public and media scrutiny. Ensuring adequate staffing levels, proper training, and robust oversight are critical to mitigating these risks.

How effective has ICE been in overseeing similar detention management contracts to ensure value and compliance?

The effectiveness of ICE's oversight of detention management contracts can be variable and is often subject to scrutiny from government watchdogs, such as the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General (OIG). While ICE has established performance standards and monitoring protocols, reports have sometimes highlighted deficiencies in oversight, leading to concerns about contractor compliance, facility conditions, and the overall value for money. Challenges include ensuring consistent application of standards across numerous facilities, adequate staffing for oversight personnel, and timely remediation of identified issues. The agency's effectiveness is an ongoing area of focus for improving accountability and ensuring taxpayer funds are used appropriately for safe and humane detention operations.

What has been the historical spending trend for detention management and related services by ICE in the Colorado region?

Analyzing historical spending trends for ICE detention management and related services in the Colorado region would require accessing and aggregating contract data over multiple fiscal years. This would involve identifying all contracts awarded by ICE for detention, medical, and transportation services specifically within Colorado or serving the Aurora area. By examining the total dollar amounts, contract durations, and number of awards over time, one could identify patterns of increasing, decreasing, or stable spending. Such an analysis would help contextualize the current $46.2 million award, indicating whether it represents a significant shift in ICE's investment in these services in the region or aligns with established spending levels. Factors influencing trends could include changes in immigration policy, detainee populations, and the availability of government-operated facilities.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities Support Services

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 621 NW 53RD ST STE 700, BOCA RATON, FL, 33487

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $46,180,315

Exercised Options: $46,180,315

Current Obligation: $46,180,315

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSCEDM11D00003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline