DHS awards $2.2M for armed protective security services in Pennsylvania, with a 60-day duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,228,171 ($2.2M)

Contractor: Kerberos International, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2025-08-01

End Date: 2025-09-30

Contract Duration: 60 days

Daily Burn Rate: $37.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ARMED PROTECTIVE SECURITY OFFICER (PSO) SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA (PA)

Place of Performance

Location: PITTSBURGH, ALLEGHENY County, PENNSYLVANIA, 15201

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $2.2 million to KERBEROS INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: ARMED PROTECTIVE SECURITY OFFICER (PSO) SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA (PA) Key points: 1. The contract value represents a significant investment in securing federal facilities and personnel within Pennsylvania. 2. Competition dynamics for this contract are crucial for ensuring cost-effectiveness and optimal service delivery. 3. Performance metrics and contractor track record will be key indicators of value for money. 4. The short duration suggests a need for immediate or temporary security augmentation. 5. This contract falls within the broader sector of government security services, a consistently large market. 6. The fixed-price nature of the contract aims to control costs and provide budget certainty.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.2 million for 60 days of armed protective security services appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar contracts for PSO services in other states or for longer durations would provide a more precise assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure helps manage cost overruns, but the per-diem rate needs to be competitive.

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 pool of bidders. The exact reasons for exclusion are not detailed, but this approach can sometimes lead to less competitive pricing if the eligible pool is small.

Taxpayer Impact: The exclusion of certain sources, even with an initial open competition intent, may have reduced the number of competitive bids, potentially impacting the final price achieved for taxpayers.

Public Impact

Federal facilities and personnel within the state of Pennsylvania will benefit from enhanced security measures. The services delivered include armed protective security, ensuring a high level of protection. The geographic impact is concentrated within Pennsylvania. The contract supports the employment of armed security professionals.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion.
Short contract duration may indicate a temporary need, requiring rapid deployment and potentially higher per-diem costs.
Reliance on armed personnel necessitates stringent vetting and oversight to mitigate risks.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Focus on armed protective services addresses high-security needs.
Awarded by the Department of Homeland Security, indicating a critical security function.

Sector Analysis

The security services sector is a substantial part of the federal procurement landscape, with significant spending allocated annually to guard and patrol services. This contract for armed protective security officers (PSOs) fits within this broader category. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other federal contracts for similar PSO services across different regions and agencies to gauge the market rate and efficiency of this award.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside consideration for this specific contract. This means that larger, established firms were likely the primary bidders. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses, which could be a missed opportunity to engage the small business ecosystem in providing these critical services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely fall under the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Procurement Operations. Accountability measures will be tied to the performance standards outlined in the contract. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases, but specific operational details of PSO deployment are typically sensitive and not publicly disclosed. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Protective Service Contracts
Department of Homeland Security Security Services
Armed Guard Services
State-Specific Security Contracts

Risk Flags

Limited Competition Potential
Short-Term Need Indication
Reliance on Armed Personnel

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $2.2 million to KERBEROS INTERNATIONAL, INC.. ARMED PROTECTIVE SECURITY OFFICER (PSO) SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA (PA)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KERBEROS INTERNATIONAL, INC..

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 $2.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-08-01. End: 2025-09-30.

What is the historical spending pattern for armed protective security services by the Department of Homeland Security in Pennsylvania?

Analyzing historical spending for armed protective security services by DHS in Pennsylvania requires access to detailed federal procurement data beyond this single award. Generally, DHS, through its various components like the Federal Protective Service (FPS), has a consistent need for security services across its facilities nationwide. Spending patterns can fluctuate based on threat assessments, facility upgrades, and specific operational requirements. Without a broader dataset, it's difficult to establish a precise historical trend for this specific service in Pennsylvania. However, the recurring nature of security needs suggests that similar contracts, perhaps with different durations or scopes, have likely been awarded in the past to ensure the safety of federal property and personnel.

How does the awarded price per day for these security services compare to industry benchmarks?

To compare the awarded price per day to industry benchmarks, we first need to calculate it. The total contract value is $2,228,170.56 for a duration of 60 days. This yields a daily rate of approximately $37,136. This rate needs to be further broken down to understand the cost per officer per hour, assuming a standard shift structure. Industry benchmarks for armed security officers can vary significantly based on location, level of threat, required certifications, and the specific services provided. Generally, rates can range from $50 to over $100 per hour per officer. If this $37,136 daily rate covers multiple officers and supervisory staff, it might be competitive. A detailed breakdown of the number of officers, hours, and any specialized equipment or services would be necessary for a precise comparison.

What are the specific risks associated with using armed protective security officers, and how are they mitigated in this contract?

The primary risks associated with armed protective security officers (PSOs) include the potential for accidental discharge, excessive force, escalation of conflicts, and the psychological impact on the public. Mitigation strategies typically involve rigorous pre-employment screening, including background checks and psychological evaluations, comprehensive training on de-escalation techniques and use-of-force policies, ongoing performance evaluations, and clear rules of engagement. This contract, awarded by DHS, likely incorporates these standard mitigation measures. The firm-fixed-price nature also incentivizes the contractor to manage these risks effectively to avoid costly incidents or contract breaches. Specific details on training protocols and oversight mechanisms would be found in the contract's performance work statement.

What is the contractor's track record in providing similar security services to federal agencies?

Assessing Kerberos International, Inc.'s track record requires reviewing their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving armed protective security services. Information on past performance, including client satisfaction, adherence to schedules, and quality of service, is often available through federal procurement databases like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS). A positive CPARS history would indicate reliability and competence. Conversely, any documented performance issues, disputes, or contract terminations would raise concerns. Without specific CPARS data or a detailed review of their contract history, it's difficult to definitively assess their track record for this specific type of high-stakes security service.

What is the expected impact of this contract on the local workforce in Pennsylvania?

This contract is expected to create or sustain employment opportunities for armed protective security officers and potentially supervisory or administrative staff within Pennsylvania. The number of positions created will depend on the operational tempo and the number of posts requiring coverage over the 60-day period. Given the nature of security services, these are likely to be local hires, contributing to the regional economy. The contract value suggests a need for a significant number of personnel, potentially offering a short-term but substantial employment boost in the security sector within the specified operational areas of Pennsylvania.

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

Parent Company: Kerberos International Inc.

Address: 2109 BIRDCREEK TER, TEMPLE, TX, 76502

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,228,171

Exercised Options: $2,228,171

Current Obligation: $2,228,171

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70RFP323DE3000002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline