DHS awards $31.4M for detention center support, raising value-for-money questions

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $31,406,696 ($31.4M)

Contractor: Ahtna Support & Training Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2022-06-01

End Date: 2023-01-31

Contract Duration: 244 days

Daily Burn Rate: $128.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PORT ISABEL DETENTION CENTER SUPPORT SERVICES BRIDGE TASK ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: LOS FRESNOS, CAMERON County, TEXAS, 78566

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $31.4 million to AHTNA SUPPORT & TRAINING SERVICES LLC for work described as: PORT ISABEL DETENTION CENTER SUPPORT SERVICES BRIDGE TASK ORDER Key points: 1. Contract awarded for security guard services at a detention center. 2. Significant funding allocated for a relatively short contract duration. 3. Limited competition raises concerns about price discovery and potential overpayment. 4. Performance context is crucial given the sensitive nature of detention services. 5. Sector positioning within government security services requires further benchmarking. 6. Risk indicators include potential for cost overruns due to limited competition.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract's value of $31.4 million for a 244-day period appears high when considering the scope of security guard services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for detention facility support is difficult without more detailed service descriptions. However, the per-diem cost implied by this award is substantial, suggesting a need for rigorous justification of the pricing structure and comparison to industry standards for similar security operations.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning there was no open competition. This significantly limits the government's ability to explore alternative providers and negotiate the best possible price. The lack of competition means that the awarded price is based on the contractor's proposed costs rather than market-driven forces, potentially leading to less favorable terms for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may have paid a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding. Without competing offers, it is difficult to ascertain if the price reflects fair market value.

Public Impact

Benefits the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) by providing essential security services. Ensures the safe and secure operation of the Port Isabel Detention Center. Impacts the local workforce in South Texas through employment opportunities for security personnel. Contributes to the broader mission of border security and immigration enforcement.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits price competition and potentially increases costs for taxpayers.
High dollar amount for a short-term contract warrants scrutiny of cost-effectiveness.
Lack of transparency in the sole-source justification process.
Potential for scope creep or unmanaged cost increases without competitive pressure.

Positive Signals

Contract addresses a critical government need for detention facility security.
Award to AHTNA Support & Training Services LLC indicates a specific capability match.
Fixed-price contract type can provide cost certainty if scope is well-defined.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the government's broader security services sector, which includes guard services, physical security, and facility management. The market for these services is competitive, with numerous private sector firms capable of providing such support. However, specific contracts for detention facilities often involve unique requirements and security clearances, which can narrow the field of qualified bidders. The $31.4 million award is a significant sum, placing it in the mid-to-large tier for individual service contracts within this niche.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This means that the primary award went to a large business, and opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific contract are likely limited unless they are direct subcontractors to AHTNA Support & Training Services LLC. The absence of a small business set-aside in this sole-source award does not directly impact the broader small business ecosystem but represents a missed opportunity for direct engagement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) contracting officers and program managers. The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General (OIG) would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, making public scrutiny of the decision-making process challenging.

Related Government Programs

Immigration and Customs Enforcement Detention Services
Department of Homeland Security Security Services
Federal Law Enforcement Support Contracts
Government Guard Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
High cost per day
Lack of competition transparency

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $31.4 million to AHTNA SUPPORT & TRAINING SERVICES LLC. PORT ISABEL DETENTION CENTER SUPPORT SERVICES BRIDGE TASK ORDER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AHTNA SUPPORT & TRAINING SERVICES LLC.

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 $31.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-06-01. End: 2023-01-31.

What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The provided data indicates the contract was awarded as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' which is synonymous with a sole-source award. The specific justification for this sole-source determination is not detailed in the provided data. Typically, sole-source awards are justified when only one responsible source is available or capable of meeting the government's needs, often due to unique capabilities, urgent requirements, or specific circumstances where competition is not feasible or practical. Without further documentation from the agency (Department of Homeland Security/U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement), the precise rationale remains unclear. This lack of transparency can be a point of concern for oversight and accountability, as it limits the public's understanding of why competitive processes were bypassed.

How does the cost per day for security services compare to industry benchmarks for similar detention facilities?

Calculating the precise cost per day requires dividing the total contract value ($31,406,695.91) by the contract duration in days (244 days). This yields approximately $128,716 per day. Benchmarking this figure against industry standards for detention facility security services is challenging without more granular data on the specific services provided, the number of personnel, the facility's size, and the security threat level. However, this daily rate appears substantial. Industry averages can vary widely, but such a high daily cost suggests that either the scope of services is exceptionally comprehensive, the personnel are highly specialized, or the pricing may be inflated due to the lack of competition. A detailed comparison would necessitate access to proprietary cost data from other similar contracts or market research reports.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for the security guard services, and how will performance be measured?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or the methods for measuring the performance of AHTNA SUPPORT & TRAINING SERVICES LLC in providing security guard services for the Port Isabel Detention Center. Typically, for such contracts, KPIs would include metrics related to response times to incidents, adherence to post orders, successful prevention of unauthorized access, personnel conduct and professionalism, and compliance with all relevant security protocols and regulations. Performance measurement would likely involve regular site inspections, incident reports, feedback from facility management, and potentially contractor self-reporting. The effectiveness of the oversight and performance management is critical to ensuring the government receives the value intended by the contract, especially given its sole-source nature.

What is the track record of AHTNA SUPPORT & TRAINING SERVICES LLC in providing similar detention support or security services to government agencies?

AHTNA SUPPORT & TRAINING SERVICES LLC has a track record of performing government contracts, including those related to support and training services. While the specific data provided does not detail their history with detention center security, their past performance on other federal contracts would be a key factor in the agency's decision-making, particularly in a sole-source context. Agencies typically review past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS) to assess a contractor's reliability, quality of work, and adherence to schedule and budget. A positive track record in similar service areas would lend credibility to the award, whereas any significant past performance issues could raise concerns about the suitability of the contractor for this critical role.

Are there any known risks associated with the contractor or the nature of the services that could impact contract performance?

Risks associated with this contract could stem from several areas. Firstly, the sole-source nature of the award itself presents a risk of suboptimal pricing and reduced incentive for maximum efficiency. Secondly, the sensitive nature of detention center operations means that any lapse in security could have significant consequences, including safety risks to detainees and staff, potential escapes, and reputational damage to the agency. Contractor-specific risks might include potential staffing issues (recruitment, retention, training of guards), adherence to evolving security protocols, and the contractor's financial stability. The government's risk mitigation strategy would involve robust oversight, clear performance standards, and contingency planning, which are especially important when competition is absent.

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: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 110 W 38TH AVE STE 200D, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99503

Business Categories: Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $31,406,696

Exercised Options: $31,406,696

Current Obligation: $31,406,696

Actual Outlays: $19,314,377

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70CDCR22D00000003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline