DHS awards $3.35M for Colorado PSO services to Triple Canopy Inc. under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,351,065 ($3.4M)

Contractor: Triple Canopy Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2023-07-01

End Date: 2024-06-30

Contract Duration: 365 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROTECTIVE SECURITY OFFICER (PSO) SERVICES FOR THE STATE OF COLORADO

Place of Performance

Location: LAKEWOOD, JEFFERSON County, COLORADO, 80228

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $3.4 million to TRIPLE CANOPY INC for work described as: PROTECTIVE SECURITY OFFICER (PSO) SERVICES FOR THE STATE OF COLORADO Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is a delivery order, indicating it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. 3. The fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. 4. The service category (Security Guards and Patrol Services) is a common requirement for federal agencies. 5. The duration of one year suggests a need for ongoing, but potentially re-competed, security services. 6. The award amount of $3.35M for a one-year period provides a benchmark for similar security service contracts.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of $3.35 million for one year of Protective Security Officer (PSO) services in Colorado appears reasonable given the scope of security services typically required by federal agencies. Benchmarking against similar contracts for PSO services across different regions would provide a more precise assessment, but the fixed-price nature of the award suggests a degree of cost certainty. Without specific details on the number of officers, hours, or specific security requirements, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the competitive award process likely contributed to a fair price.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The agency's decision to use full and open competition indicates confidence in the market's ability to provide the required services.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for cost savings through a wider range of bids and encourages contractors to offer their best pricing and performance to win the contract.

Public Impact

Provides essential security services to protect federal assets and personnel within the state of Colorado. Ensures the continuity of critical government operations by maintaining a secure environment. Supports the Department of Homeland Security's mission to secure the nation. Likely involves the employment of security personnel within Colorado, contributing to the local workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on the number of bidders limits the assessment of competitive intensity.
The duration of one year may necessitate frequent re-competition, potentially leading to administrative overhead and transition costs.
Without detailed performance metrics, it's difficult to assess the contractor's past performance or potential risks.
The fixed-price contract type, while mitigating cost risk, could incentivize the contractor to minimize service levels if not adequately monitored.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process.
The fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract supports a critical government function (security services).
The contractor, Triple Canopy Inc., is a known entity in the security services sector.

Sector Analysis

The security services industry is a significant sector within the federal contracting landscape, encompassing a wide range of services from physical security to cybersecurity. This contract for Protective Security Officer (PSO) services falls under the broader category of guard and patrol services (NAICS 561612). Federal spending in this area is substantial, driven by the need to protect government facilities, personnel, and sensitive information. Comparable contracts often involve significant dollar values, especially for large-scale or long-term security requirements across multiple locations.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a small business set-aside. However, the prime contractor, Triple Canopy Inc., may still engage small businesses as subcontractors, depending on their own subcontracting plans and the availability of qualified small business providers in the market for specialized security services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the contract administration office within the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Procurement Operations. Performance monitoring and quality assurance would be conducted by government-appointed CORs (Contracting Officer's Representatives). Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

Federal Protective Service Contracts
Department of Homeland Security Security Services
Security Guard Services Contracts
Protective Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for service quality degradation if fixed price is too low.
Risk of contractor underperformance if not adequately monitored.
Limited duration may lead to frequent re-competition costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $3.4 million to TRIPLE CANOPY INC. PROTECTIVE SECURITY OFFICER (PSO) SERVICES FOR THE STATE OF COLORADO

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 $3.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-07-01. End: 2024-06-30.

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

Analyzing historical spending for PSO services by DHS in Colorado requires access to detailed federal procurement data over several fiscal years. While this specific award is for $3.35 million for one year, understanding the broader trend involves looking at previous contracts for similar services in the same geographic area. Factors such as the number of contracts awarded, the average contract value, the duration of these contracts, and the incumbent contractors would provide context. A historical review might reveal if spending has been consistent, increasing, or decreasing, and whether competition levels have varied. For instance, if previous awards were significantly higher or lower, it could indicate changes in security needs, market pricing, or the scope of services. Without this historical data, it's difficult to determine if the current award represents a typical expenditure or an anomaly.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar PSO contracts awarded by other federal agencies in comparable geographic regions?

To assess the pricing of this $3.35 million contract for PSO services, a comparative analysis with similar contracts is essential. This involves identifying contracts awarded by other federal agencies (e.g., GSA, DoD, DoJ) for comparable security guard and patrol services (NAICS 561612) in regions with similar cost-of-living and labor market dynamics to Colorado. Key comparison points include the number of personnel, hours of service, specific security clearances required, and the overall scope of duties. If this contract's per-hour rate or total cost per officer is significantly higher or lower than benchmarks, it could indicate either exceptional value or potential overpricing. The fixed-price nature of this award provides a degree of cost certainty, but benchmarking is crucial to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently and competitively.

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

Triple Canopy Inc. has a notable track record as a federal contractor, primarily in the provision of security and mission support services. The company has been awarded numerous contracts across various agencies, including significant work with the Department of Defense and the Department of State, often in complex or high-risk environments. Their experience typically encompasses a wide range of services, such as physical security, protective services, training, and logistics. When evaluating this specific contract, it's important to review Triple Canopy's past performance evaluations for similar security contracts. Positive performance indicators would include consistent on-time delivery, adherence to security protocols, effective personnel management, and positive feedback from government clients. Conversely, any history of contract disputes, performance deficiencies, or significant cost overruns on prior security contracts would raise concerns about potential risks associated with this award.

What are the potential risks associated with a one-year fixed-price contract for security services?

A one-year fixed-price contract for security services, while offering cost certainty, carries specific risks. For the government, the primary risk is that the contractor might be incentivized to cut corners on service quality or personnel to maximize profit, especially if the fixed price was set too low or if unforeseen operational challenges arise. This could lead to reduced security effectiveness. Conversely, if the price was set too high, taxpayers may have overpaid. For the contractor, the risk lies in underestimating the actual costs of providing the service over the contract period, potentially leading to financial losses, particularly if labor costs, operational expenses, or security requirements increase unexpectedly. Effective government oversight, clear performance standards, and robust quality assurance measures are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure consistent service delivery.

How does the 'full and open competition' award mechanism impact the overall cost-effectiveness for taxpayers in this case?

The 'full and open competition' award mechanism is generally considered beneficial for taxpayers as it aims to achieve the best value through a competitive bidding process. By allowing all responsible sources to submit proposals, the government maximizes the pool of potential offerors, increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and innovative solutions. This broad competition puts pressure on contractors to offer their most favorable terms and pricing to win the contract. In the context of this $3.35 million contract for PSO services, full and open competition suggests that the Department of Homeland Security sought to leverage market forces to secure these essential security services at a fair and reasonable price. While the exact number of bidders isn't specified, the process itself is designed to prevent sole-source awards or limited competition scenarios that could lead to higher costs for the government and, consequently, for taxpayers.

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: $3,351,065

Exercised Options: $3,351,065

Current Obligation: $3,351,065

Actual Outlays: $3,351,065

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70RFPW19DW8000001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline