DHS awards $3.17M for Plum Island security, with Alutiiq Advanced Security Solutions LLC securing the contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,165,569 ($3.2M)

Contractor: Alutiiq Advanced Security Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2024-07-01

End Date: 2024-12-31

Contract Duration: 183 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROTECTIVE SECURITY AND OTHER RELATED SERVICES PLUM ISLAND ANIMAL DISEASE CENTER

Place of Performance

Location: ORIENT, SUFFOLK County, NEW YORK, 11957

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $3.2 million to ALUTIIQ ADVANCED SECURITY SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: PROTECTIVE SECURITY AND OTHER RELATED SERVICES PLUM ISLAND ANIMAL DISEASE CENTER Key points: 1. The contract value represents a significant investment in safeguarding critical research infrastructure. 2. Competition dynamics for this contract are noted as 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES', suggesting a deliberate but potentially limited bidding process. 3. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs, but performance monitoring is crucial to ensure value. 4. The duration of 183 days indicates a short-term need for these services. 5. The contract's focus on security services aligns with the high-security requirements of animal disease research facilities. 6. Geographic location in New York (NY) is relevant for local workforce and operational considerations.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

Benchmarking the value of this $3.17 million contract requires more granular data on the specific services rendered and the security level required at Plum Island. However, for a 183-day duration, the cost appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized security services at a sensitive government facility. Without comparable contract data for similar facilities or detailed service breakdowns, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests an expectation of predictable costs.

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 may have been excluded for defined reasons, potentially limiting the number of bidders. The exact rationale for excluding certain sources would need further investigation to understand the full competitive landscape and its impact on price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition may have resulted in a higher price than if a broader range of qualified vendors had been able to participate. Taxpayers may have paid a premium due to the restricted bidding pool.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the researchers and staff at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center, ensuring a secure environment for their work. The services delivered include protective security and other related support, crucial for maintaining the integrity and safety of the facility. The geographic impact is concentrated in New York (NY), potentially utilizing local security personnel and resources. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for security professionals within the New York region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition impacting price competitiveness.
Short contract duration may lead to less experienced vendors being hesitant to bid.
Reliance on a single awardee for critical security functions requires robust performance monitoring.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty.
Award to Alutiiq Advanced Security Solutions LLC, a known entity in the security sector.
Contract supports a critical national asset (Plum Island Animal Disease Center).

Sector Analysis

The security services sector is highly competitive, with numerous firms offering a range of protective services. This contract falls within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services category, specifically focusing on security and investigation services (NAICS code 561612). The market size for government security contracts is substantial, driven by the need to protect federal facilities, personnel, and sensitive information. This specific award is for a niche requirement at a high-security research facility, suggesting specialized expertise is valued.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a primary focus for this specific award, as the 'ss' (small business set-aside) and 'sb' (small business) flags are false. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the prime contractor, Alutiiq Advanced Security Solutions LLC, is likely a larger entity, and opportunities for small businesses would depend on their internal subcontracting plans rather than a direct set-aside provision in this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Procurement Operations, which awarded the contract. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price structure, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within budget. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of contract awards, though detailed performance metrics and oversight reports may not always be publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Plum Island Animal Disease Center Operations
Department of Homeland Security Protective Services
Federal Security Guard Contracts
Animal Disease Research Facility Security

Risk Flags

Limited competition may impact price.
Short contract duration.
Need for robust performance monitoring due to critical facility.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $3.2 million to ALUTIIQ ADVANCED SECURITY SOLUTIONS LLC. PROTECTIVE SECURITY AND OTHER RELATED SERVICES PLUM ISLAND ANIMAL DISEASE CENTER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ALUTIIQ ADVANCED SECURITY SOLUTIONS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Office of Procurement Operations).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-07-01. End: 2024-12-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for protective security services at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center?

Analyzing historical spending for protective security at Plum Island requires access to past contract awards and their values. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to establish a trend. However, given the critical nature of the facility, consistent and potentially increasing investment in security is probable, especially in response to evolving threat landscapes and research needs. The current $3.17 million award for a 183-day period suggests a significant but potentially episodic or project-based need rather than a continuous, multi-year high-value contract. Further investigation into previous contracts awarded to Alutiiq Advanced Security Solutions LLC or other security providers for this facility would be necessary to identify spending patterns and budget fluctuations over time.

How does the per-unit cost of security personnel under this contract compare to similar federal contracts?

Determining the per-unit cost of security personnel requires knowing the number of personnel, their hours, and the specific rates paid. This contract's data does not provide these granular details. However, the total award of $3.17 million over 183 days (approximately 6 months) for security services at a high-security facility suggests a substantial operational cost. If we assume a team of 20-30 security personnel working 12-hour shifts, the implied hourly rate would need to be benchmarked against prevailing federal wage rates for security guards in the New York area and the specific security clearances and training required for Plum Island. Without this breakdown, a direct per-unit comparison is not feasible, but the overall contract value indicates a significant investment in specialized security labor.

What are the specific security risks associated with the Plum Island Animal Disease Center that necessitate this contract?

Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC) is a high-containment biocontainment facility researching dangerous foreign animal diseases. The primary security risks include potential theft of dangerous pathogens for bioterrorism, sabotage of research, unauthorized access by individuals or groups, and insider threats. These risks necessitate robust physical security, access control, surveillance, and personnel vetting. The contract for protective security services directly addresses these risks by ensuring trained personnel are present to monitor the facility, control access, respond to incidents, and maintain a secure perimeter, thereby safeguarding both the research and public safety.

What is the track record of Alutiiq Advanced Security Solutions LLC in providing similar security services to federal agencies?

Alutiiq Advanced Security Solutions LLC has a documented history of providing security services to various federal agencies, including the Department of Defense and other homeland security-related entities. Their experience often encompasses physical security, access control, cybersecurity support, and protective services for sensitive government installations. Reviews of past performance and contract awards would reveal their success in meeting performance requirements, managing large-scale security operations, and adhering to federal regulations. Their ability to secure this contract for PIADC suggests they meet the stringent requirements for operating at such a critical federal facility.

What is the potential impact of 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' on the contractor's performance and pricing?

The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' (FOUAES) designation implies that while the initial intent was open competition, certain potential bidders were excluded based on specific criteria or justifications. This can have a dual impact: on one hand, it might ensure that only highly qualified or specialized vendors participate, potentially leading to better performance. On the other hand, a reduced pool of bidders could lessen price competition, potentially leading to higher costs for the government compared to a truly open bid. The specific reasons for exclusion are critical; if they were based on essential qualifications, it could be justified. If arbitrary, it could be a concern for value.

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

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3909 ARCTIC BLVD STE 500, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99503

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Other Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,165,569

Exercised Options: $3,165,569

Current Obligation: $3,165,569

Actual Outlays: $3,165,569

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70RFP119DE2000002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline