DHS awards $86.4M contract for fire safety services to Summit Fire & Security LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $86,397 ($86.4K)

Contractor: Summit Fire & Security LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2021-03-05

End Date: 2026-05-06

Contract Duration: 1,888 days

Daily Burn Rate: $46/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ANNUAL FIRE SAFETY PROTECTION/INSPECTION AND REPAIRS

Place of Performance

Location: BRUNSWICK, GLYNN County, GEORGIA, 31524

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $86,397.1 to SUMMIT FIRE & SECURITY LLC for work described as: ANNUAL FIRE SAFETY PROTECTION/INSPECTION AND REPAIRS Key points: 1. Contract provides essential fire safety protection, inspection, and repair services. 2. Services are critical for maintaining safety standards at federal facilities. 3. The contract duration extends over five years, indicating a long-term need. 4. Competition was conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller procurements. 5. The award type is a Purchase Order, often used for straightforward acquisitions. 6. Fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $86.4 million over approximately five years suggests a significant investment in fire safety. Benchmarking against similar contracts for facilities support services is necessary to fully assess value for money. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost predictability. However, without detailed cost breakdowns or comparisons to market rates for specific services (e.g., inspection frequency, repair labor rates), a precise value assessment is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a limited number of bidders compared to full and open competition. While the data indicates 6 bids were received, the specific nature of SAP competition means it may not always achieve the broadest possible market engagement. This level of competition can still yield competitive pricing, but the potential for greater price discovery might be limited compared to larger, more broadly advertised solicitations.

Taxpayer Impact: Competition under SAP can lead to efficient procurement for smaller dollar values, potentially saving administrative costs. However, taxpayers may benefit more from wider competition on larger contracts where greater price reductions are often achievable.

Public Impact

Federal Law Enforcement Training Center personnel and facilities are protected by these fire safety services. Ensures compliance with federal fire safety regulations. Supports the operational readiness of critical federal law enforcement training infrastructure. The services are geographically focused within Georgia, where the training center is located. Potential for local employment opportunities related to inspection and repair services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition due to SAP procedures impacting price discovery.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical safety services requires robust performance monitoring.
Scope creep in repair services could lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Long-term contract (over 5 years) allows for consistent service delivery and relationship building.
Multiple bids received indicate some level of market interest and potential for competitive pricing.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Facilities Support Services sector, a broad category encompassing maintenance, repair, and operational support for government buildings and infrastructure. The market for fire safety services is specialized, involving certified technicians and adherence to stringent regulatory standards. Spending in this area is consistent across federal agencies responsible for maintaining physical assets. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other contracts for similar fire protection, inspection, and repair services across different federal agencies and locations.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included a small business set-aside or if subcontracting opportunities were specifically mandated for small businesses. Given the contract value and the nature of specialized fire safety services, it's possible that larger firms or those with specific certifications were prioritized. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer's representative (COR) at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. Performance standards and delivery schedules outlined in the contract would be monitored. The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General may conduct audits or investigations into contract performance and financial management if concerns arise. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases like FPDS.

Related Government Programs

Federal Fire Safety Programs
Facilities Maintenance Contracts
Law Enforcement Training Infrastructure Support
General Services Administration (GSA) Schedules for Facilities Services

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition
Long contract duration may outpace technological advancements
Reliance on fixed-price for potentially variable repair costs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $86,397.1 to SUMMIT FIRE & SECURITY LLC. ANNUAL FIRE SAFETY PROTECTION/INSPECTION AND REPAIRS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SUMMIT FIRE & SECURITY LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Federal Law Enforcement Training Center).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $86,397.1.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-03-05. End: 2026-05-06.

What is the historical spending pattern for fire safety services at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center?

Analyzing historical spending requires access to prior contract data for the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) specifically for fire safety protection, inspection, and repairs. Without this historical data, it's difficult to establish a baseline or trend. However, the current award of $86.4 million over approximately five years suggests a consistent and significant need for these services. If previous contracts were of similar value and duration, it indicates a stable requirement. Conversely, a substantial increase or decrease from prior spending levels would warrant further investigation into the reasons, such as changes in facility size, regulatory requirements, or service scope.

How does the pricing of Summit Fire & Security LLC compare to market rates for similar fire safety services?

A precise comparison of Summit Fire & Security LLC's pricing to market rates requires detailed service-level data (e.g., hourly rates for technicians, cost per inspection, material markups) and access to market intelligence reports or databases that track pricing for fire safety services in Georgia. The current data only provides the total contract value and award type. Firm Fixed Price contracts aim to lock in prices, but the initial negotiation is key. Without specific line-item costs or benchmarks from comparable government or commercial contracts, assessing whether this contract represents good value from a pricing perspective is challenging. The number of bids (6) suggests some level of competition, which typically helps in achieving competitive pricing.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how is performance being measured?

Key performance indicators (KPIs) for a fire safety protection, inspection, and repair contract would typically focus on timeliness, quality, and compliance. Examples include: percentage of scheduled inspections completed on time, response time for emergency repairs, successful resolution rate of identified deficiencies, adherence to safety protocols during service delivery, and compliance with all relevant fire codes and standards. Performance measurement is usually conducted by a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) through regular reporting, site visits, and potentially customer satisfaction surveys. Failure to meet KPIs could result in contract remedies, including financial penalties or termination.

What is the track record of Summit Fire & Security LLC in performing similar federal contracts?

Assessing Summit Fire & Security LLC's track record requires reviewing their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving fire safety, inspection, and repair services. Databases like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) and the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) can provide insights into their past performance ratings, any disputes, or contract terminations. A history of successful contract completion, positive performance reviews, and minimal issues would indicate reliability. Conversely, a pattern of poor performance, unresolved issues, or significant disputes would raise concerns about their ability to meet the requirements of this new contract effectively.

What are the potential risks associated with the long duration of this contract (over 5 years)?

The long duration of this contract, spanning over five years, presents several potential risks. Firstly, technology and safety standards in fire protection can evolve, potentially making the contracted services or equipment outdated before the contract ends. Secondly, market prices for labor and materials may fluctuate significantly over such a period, potentially leading to the government paying above-market rates if the fixed price doesn't adequately account for inflation or unforeseen cost increases. Thirdly, long-term reliance on a single contractor can reduce flexibility and potentially lead to complacency. Robust contract management, including provisions for reviewing and potentially adjusting pricing or scope based on market changes and technological advancements, is crucial to mitigate these risks.

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: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 70LGLY21QGLB00013

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Blackrock Inc

Address: 1025 TELEGRAPH ST, RENO, NV, 89502

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $132,887

Exercised Options: $132,887

Current Obligation: $86,397

Actual Outlays: $72,505

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline