Guard services contract for G.W. Bush Library awarded at $8.7M, highlighting security needs for federal archives

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,721,584 ($8.7M)

Contractor: Southern Methodist University

Awarding Agency: National Archives and Records Administration

Start Date: 2022-10-01

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,277 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.8K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NEW CONTRACT FOR THE GUARD SERVICES AT THE G.W. BUSH LIBRARY.

Place of Performance

Location: DALLAS, DALLAS County, TEXAS, 75205

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Archives and Records Administration obligated $8.7 million to SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY for work described as: NEW CONTRACT FOR THE GUARD SERVICES AT THE G.W. BUSH LIBRARY. Key points: 1. Contract value of $8.7M over approximately 4 years suggests a significant investment in securing federal historical assets. 2. Sole-source award indicates potential limitations in competitive bidding for specialized security services at federal facilities. 3. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs, but the absence of competition may impact price optimization. 4. Performance period of over 3 years allows for consistent service delivery but also requires ongoing monitoring for effectiveness. 5. The contract falls under security services, a critical sector for government operations and asset protection. 6. Geographic focus on Texas for the G.W. Bush Library site.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $8.7 million for guard services at the G.W. Bush Library appears substantial for a single facility. Without comparable contracts for similar presidential library security, it's difficult to benchmark precisely. The firm-fixed-price nature suggests cost certainty for the government, but the lack of competition raises questions about whether the best possible price was achieved. Further analysis would require understanding the specific security requirements and the prevailing market rates for comparable services in the region.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach is typically used when only one vendor can provide the required services, often due to unique capabilities, existing infrastructure, or specific security clearances. The lack of competition means that price discovery through bidding was bypassed, potentially leading to higher costs for the government than if multiple firms had competed.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, a sole-source award means there was no opportunity to benefit from competitive pricing, which could have driven down the cost of these essential security services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the public, who gain assurance of the security and preservation of the G.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum. Services delivered include essential security guard and patrol functions to protect the facility and its contents. The geographic impact is localized to Dallas, Texas, where the G.W. Bush Library is situated. Workforce implications involve the employment of security personnel by the contractor, Southern Methodist University, in the Dallas area.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pressure on pricing.
Lack of competition may obscure true market value for security services.
Firm-fixed-price contract could still be subject to cost overruns if scope changes significantly.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Longer performance period ensures continuity of essential security services.
Contract awarded to Southern Methodist University, potentially leveraging existing campus security infrastructure or expertise.

Sector Analysis

The contract for security guards and patrol services falls within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on security and protective services. This sector is crucial for government operations, ensuring the safety of personnel, facilities, and sensitive information. While specific market size data for presidential library security is not readily available, the overall market for security services is substantial, driven by both government and private sector demand. This contract represents a niche but vital expenditure within the federal government's commitment to preserving historical assets.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'ss': false and 'sb': false. The award to Southern Methodist University, an educational institution, suggests it is not primarily a small business. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Therefore, this contract is unlikely to directly benefit the small business ecosystem through set-asides or mandated subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), the contracting agency. As a definitive contract, it is subject to standard federal procurement regulations and oversight mechanisms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS. Accountability measures would involve performance reviews and adherence to the contract's terms and conditions. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Presidential Library Operations
Federal Archives Security
Government Facility Protection
Security Guard Services Contracts
National Archives and Records Administration Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
Potential for inflated pricing due to lack of competition.
Limited public information on contractor's federal security experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Archives and Records Administration awarded $8.7 million to SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY. NEW CONTRACT FOR THE GUARD SERVICES AT THE G.W. BUSH LIBRARY.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Archives and Records Administration (National Archives and Records Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $8.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-10-01. End: 2026-03-31.

What is the track record of Southern Methodist University in providing federal contract security services?

Information regarding Southern Methodist University's specific track record in providing federal contract security services is limited in the provided data. While SMU is a large educational institution, its primary mission is education and research, not typically federal contracting for security. It's possible this contract leverages existing campus security infrastructure or personnel. A deeper dive into SMU's contracting history, particularly with NARA or other federal agencies for security-related services, would be necessary to fully assess their track record. Without this, it's difficult to gauge their experience level in meeting federal security standards and performance expectations beyond their internal campus operations.

How does the $8.7M contract value compare to similar security contracts for federal facilities or archives?

Benchmarking the $8.7 million contract value for security services at the G.W. Bush Library against similar federal contracts is challenging without more specific data. Presidential libraries vary in size, security requirements, and location, influencing contract costs. Generally, security guard services for federal facilities can range significantly, from tens of thousands to millions of dollars annually, depending on the scale of operations, threat level, and hours of coverage. A contract of this magnitude over approximately four years suggests a comprehensive security posture is required for the G.W. Bush Library. However, without direct comparisons for other presidential libraries or similarly sized federal archives, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents a high, low, or average cost.

What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source award for security services?

The primary risks associated with a sole-source award for security services include potential overpayment due to lack of competitive pricing, reduced incentive for the contractor to innovate or improve efficiency, and a lack of market validation for the chosen service provider. Without competition, the government may not be securing the most cost-effective solution available in the market. There's also a risk that the contractor may not be the most qualified or experienced, as alternatives were not explored through a bidding process. Furthermore, sole-source contracts can sometimes be perceived as less transparent, potentially leading to scrutiny regarding the justification for not competing the award.

How effective is the firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type in managing costs for security guard services?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally effective in managing costs for predictable services like security guard patrols, as it shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor. The government knows the total price upfront, assuming the scope of work remains constant. This provides budget certainty. However, if the requirements change significantly, modifications to the FFP contract can become complex and potentially costly. For security services, where the need for personnel and hours is relatively stable, FFP is a suitable choice for cost control. Its effectiveness is maximized when the scope of work is clearly defined and unlikely to change.

What are the historical spending patterns for security services at federal archives or similar institutions?

Historical spending patterns for security services at federal archives and similar institutions show a consistent and significant investment. Agencies like the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) regularly procure security guard and patrol services to protect valuable historical documents, artifacts, and facilities. Spending can fluctuate based on the number of facilities managed, specific security threats, and contract renewals. While precise historical data for all archives isn't provided here, the recurring nature of these contracts underscores their importance and the ongoing budgetary commitment required. The total value of such contracts across the federal government likely runs into hundreds of millions of dollars annually, reflecting the critical need for robust security measures.

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: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Southern Methodist University Inc

Address: 6425 BOAZ LANE, DALLAS, TX, 75205

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Private), Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,699,069

Exercised Options: $8,936,239

Current Obligation: $8,721,584

Actual Outlays: $8,299,977

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline