DHS Awards $157K for Los Angeles Courthouse Fencing Amidst Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $156,847 ($156.8K)

Contractor: Arcus Group, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2026-02-25

End Date: 2026-04-27

Contract Duration: 61 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: LEASE OF FENCING AND PROTECTIVE BARRIERS AT U.S. COURT HOUSE IN LOS ANGELES, CA.

Place of Performance

Location: LOS ANGELES, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 90012

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $156,847 to ARCUS GROUP, LLC for work described as: LEASE OF FENCING AND PROTECTIVE BARRIERS AT U.S. COURT HOUSE IN LOS ANGELES, CA. Key points: 1. The contract for fencing and protective barriers at the U.S. Courthouse in Los Angeles is valued at $157,000. 2. Competition was conducted under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources', suggesting a specific reason for excluding some vendors. 3. The contract duration is 61 days, indicating a short-term need for the services. 4. The awarding agency is the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Procurement Operations. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 561990 (All Other Support Services).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $157,000 for a 61-day lease of fencing and protective barriers appears reasonable for the specified service and location. Benchmarking against similar short-term security installations would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources'. This method implies that while the competition was intended to be open, certain sources were excluded, potentially impacting the breadth of price discovery and the final negotiated price.

Taxpayer Impact: The $157,000 expenditure represents a necessary cost for courthouse security, with the impact on taxpayers being relatively minor given the short duration and specific nature of the requirement.

Public Impact

Ensures security at a federal courthouse, a critical public facility. Supports temporary security needs, potentially for events or ongoing construction. The use of 'Exclusion of Sources' may warrant further scrutiny to ensure fairness and optimal pricing. The short duration suggests a specific, time-bound security requirement.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 25 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition due to 'Exclusion of Sources'.
Short contract duration might indicate a reactive or urgent need.
Lack of detailed scope of work makes it difficult to assess value fully.

Positive Signals

Awarded under a form of open competition.
Clear awarding agency and location.
Fixed-price contract type helps control costs.

Sector Analysis

The procurement falls under 'All Other Support Services' (NAICS 561990). Spending in this broad category can vary significantly, but short-term security services like fencing are typically project-specific and not indicative of large-scale sector trends.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this specific contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The Office of Procurement Operations within DHS is responsible for this award. Standard procurement regulations and oversight mechanisms should apply to ensure compliance and accountability, though the specific details of oversight for this contract are not provided.

Related Government Programs

All Other Support Services
Department of Homeland Security Contracting
Office of Procurement Operations Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for reduced competition due to source exclusion.
Lack of clarity on the specific security need driving the short-term requirement.
Limited duration makes long-term value assessment difficult.
Absence of small business participation data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $156,847 to ARCUS GROUP, LLC. LEASE OF FENCING AND PROTECTIVE BARRIERS AT U.S. COURT HOUSE IN LOS ANGELES, CA.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ARCUS GROUP, 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 $156,847.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-02-25. End: 2026-04-27.

What specific factors led to the exclusion of certain sources in this 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' award, and how did this impact the final price?

The rationale behind excluding specific sources typically relates to unique capabilities, past performance, or specific security clearances required for the task. While 'Full and Open' aims for broad competition, exclusions can limit the vendor pool, potentially leading to less competitive pricing than a truly unrestricted open competition. A detailed review of the solicitation documents and award justification would clarify the reasons and their pricing implications.

Given the short 61-day duration, what is the nature of the security threat or requirement necessitating this temporary fencing installation?

The short duration suggests the fencing is for a specific, time-limited event, construction phase, or a temporary security enhancement at the courthouse. This could range from a high-profile court case requiring enhanced perimeter security to short-term construction access control. Understanding the underlying event or need is crucial for assessing the necessity and appropriateness of the expenditure.

How does the $157,000 cost for 61 days of fencing compare to industry benchmarks for similar temporary security solutions in major metropolitan areas like Los Angeles?

Without specific details on the type and quantity of fencing, installation complexity, and included services (e.g., maintenance, removal), a precise benchmark is difficult. However, $157,000 for approximately two months of service suggests a daily rate of roughly $2,574. This figure needs to be compared against market rates for similar security barrier rentals, considering factors like material quality, security features, and vendor overhead in a high-cost area.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Other Support Services › All Other Support Services

Product/Service Code: INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT › INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 70RFP326QE3000010

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 827 OAKWOOD AVE, LAKE FOREST, IL, 60045

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $188,984

Exercised Options: $156,847

Current Obligation: $156,847

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70US0920D70090002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline