DHS awards $2.27M for Colorado PSO services, with Triple Canopy Inc. securing the contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,268,703 ($2.3M)

Contractor: Triple Canopy Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2020-09-14

End Date: 2021-06-30

Contract Duration: 289 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROTECTIVE SECURITY OFFICER (PSO) SERVICES FOR COLORADO SSA LOCATIONS.

Place of Performance

Location: DENVER, JEFFERSON County, COLORADO, 80225

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $2.3 million to TRIPLE CANOPY INC for work described as: PROTECTIVE SECURITY OFFICER (PSO) SERVICES FOR COLORADO SSA LOCATIONS. Key points: 1. The contract value of $2.27 million for approximately 10 months of service represents a significant investment in security infrastructure. 2. The fixed-price contract type suggests a clear scope of work and predictable costs for the government. 3. The award was made under full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 561612 points to specialized security guard services. 5. The contract duration of 289 days is relatively short-term, suggesting potential for future re-competition or adjustments. 6. The absence of small business set-aside flags indicates the primary award was not specifically targeted towards small businesses.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.27 million for approximately 10 months of service appears reasonable given the nature of protective security services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for PSO services in other regions or for different agencies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs, but the specific per-unit costs for services rendered are not detailed here. Without more granular data on the scope of services and personnel hours, a definitive value assessment is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bids received is not provided, but this method of procurement generally fosters price discovery and encourages competitive pricing. The agency sought proposals from all responsible sources, aiming to secure the best value through a transparent process.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider selection of qualified contractors, ensuring that government funds are used efficiently.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries of this contract are the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its facilities in Colorado, which will receive enhanced security. The services delivered include protective security officer (PSO) functions, aimed at safeguarding government personnel and property. The geographic impact is concentrated within Colorado, specifically at SSA (Social Security Administration) locations. The contract supports jobs within the security services sector, contributing to the workforce in the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the security services provided.
The firm-fixed-price contract might incentivize the contractor to minimize service levels if not carefully monitored.
Limited information on the specific security threats or requirements for these SSA locations makes it hard to gauge the adequacy of the awarded services.

Positive Signals

The award was made through full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process that should yield fair pricing.
The firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Triple Canopy Inc. is a known entity in the security services industry, suggesting a level of established capability.

Sector Analysis

The security services industry is a significant sector within the U.S. economy, encompassing a wide range of protective and investigative activities. This contract falls under the Security Guards and Patrol Services sub-sector (NAICS 561612). Spending in this area is driven by government needs for physical security at federal facilities, as well as private sector demand. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal contracts for PSO services across different agencies and geographic regions to understand typical pricing and service models.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary contract value did not directly benefit small businesses through a set-aside. However, the prime contractor, Triple Canopy Inc., may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill portions of the contract requirements, depending on their subcontracting plans and the nature of the services needed. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether subcontracting opportunities are made available and actively pursued.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Homeland Security's contracting officers and program managers. The Office of Procurement Operations is responsible for the award process. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of contract awards, though detailed performance reports are typically internal. 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
General Services Administration Security Contracts
Security Guard Services for Federal Buildings

Risk Flags

Contract Duration
Performance Metrics Unclear
Limited Scope Detail

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $2.3 million to TRIPLE CANOPY INC. PROTECTIVE SECURITY OFFICER (PSO) SERVICES FOR COLORADO SSA LOCATIONS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TRIPLE CANOPY 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 $2.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-09-14. End: 2021-06-30.

What is the historical spending pattern for Protective Security Officer (PSO) services by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in Colorado?

Analyzing historical spending for PSO services by DHS in Colorado requires access to comprehensive federal procurement data beyond this single award. Generally, DHS, as a large federal agency responsible for a wide range of facilities, consistently procures security services across various locations. Spending patterns are influenced by factors such as the number of facilities requiring security, changes in threat assessments, and budget allocations. Without specific historical data for Colorado, it's difficult to establish a precise pattern. However, it's reasonable to assume that DHS maintains a steady requirement for such services in populated areas like Colorado, with spending fluctuating based on contract renewals, scope adjustments, and competitive bidding outcomes. The $2.27 million awarded here for a roughly 10-month period provides a data point for recent spending, but a broader analysis would involve examining multiple years and potentially other DHS components operating within the state.

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

To compare the awarded price per day to industry benchmarks, we first calculate the approximate daily cost. With a contract value of $2,268,703.02 and a duration of 289 days, the average daily cost is approximately $7,850.63. Industry benchmarks for PSO services can vary significantly based on location, level of security clearance required, specific duties (e.g., armed vs. unarmed, access control, patrol), and the experience of the personnel. For high-security federal facilities, especially those requiring armed and highly trained officers, daily rates can range from $500 to over $1,500 per officer per shift. If this contract covers multiple officers or shifts per day, the $7,850 daily cost might represent the total cost for all personnel. Without knowing the number of officers and shifts covered, a direct comparison is difficult. However, if this figure represents the cost for a single officer's daily duty, it would be exceptionally high compared to typical market rates, suggesting it likely covers multiple personnel or a comprehensive security solution.

What is Triple Canopy Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly for security services?

Triple Canopy Inc. has a significant track record with federal contracts, primarily in the security and logistics sectors. The company has been awarded numerous contracts by various government agencies, including the Department of Defense, Department of State, and Department of Homeland Security. Their experience often involves providing security services in complex and high-risk environments, including personnel security, facility protection, and training. While specific details of past performance on contracts similar to this PSO award for DHS in Colorado are not provided here, their general history suggests they are a capable provider of such services. Federal contract databases would offer a more detailed view of their performance ratings, past contract values, and any documented issues or commendations.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Potential risks associated with this contract include service delivery failures, cost overruns (though mitigated by fixed-price), contractor performance issues, and security breaches. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust contract oversight by the government, including performance monitoring, regular reporting requirements, and defined service level agreements. The firm-fixed-price structure helps mitigate financial risks for the government by capping costs. Furthermore, the selection process under full and open competition aims to choose a contractor with a proven track record and the capacity to meet requirements. Pre-award vetting of the contractor, Triple Canopy Inc., would have assessed their capability and reliability. Post-award, the government can exercise contract clauses related to performance deficiencies, including potential termination for default if necessary.

How does the competition level for this contract (full and open) typically impact pricing and service quality compared to sole-source or limited competition awards?

Full and open competition generally leads to more competitive pricing and potentially higher service quality because it allows all responsible sources to submit bids. This broad participation increases the likelihood that the government will receive proposals that are not only cost-effective but also innovative and tailored to meet the specific requirements. When multiple bidders vie for a contract, they are incentivized to offer their best pricing and demonstrate superior capabilities to win the award. In contrast, sole-source or limited competition awards, while sometimes necessary due to unique circumstances or urgency, often result in higher prices and may offer less pressure on the contractor to excel in service quality, as the pool of potential providers is restricted. Therefore, the full and open competition for this PSO contract suggests a favorable environment for achieving value for taxpayer money.

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

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 13530 DULLES TECHNOLOGY DR STE 500, HERNDON, VA, 20171

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,268,703

Exercised Options: $2,268,703

Current Obligation: $2,268,703

Actual Outlays: $236,727

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70RFPW19DW8000001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline