Presidential Library security contract awarded for $2.9M over five years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,902,589 ($2.9M)

Contractor: Texas a & M University

Awarding Agency: National Archives and Records Administration

Start Date: 2024-06-01

End Date: 2029-05-31

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.6K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THIS FIRM FIXED PRICE CONTRACT IS TO ACQUIRE SECURITY GUARDS SUPPORT SERVICES AT THE GEORGE H. W. BUSH PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM.

Place of Performance

Location: COLLEGE STATION, BRAZOS County, TEXAS, 77845

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Archives and Records Administration obligated $2.9 million to TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY for work described as: THIS FIRM FIXED PRICE CONTRACT IS TO ACQUIRE SECURITY GUARDS SUPPORT SERVICES AT THE GEORGE H. W. BUSH PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM. Key points: 1. Contract provides essential security services for a significant national landmark. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about potential cost efficiencies and market competition. 3. Long-term contract duration (5 years) offers stability but may limit flexibility. 4. Fixed-price structure shifts performance risk to the contractor. 5. Geographic concentration in Texas for a federal service contract. 6. Services align with the National Archives and Records Administration's mission to preserve historical assets.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $2.9 million over five years for security guard services at a presidential library appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized facilities. However, without specific benchmarks for presidential library security or comparable government facilities of similar size and scope, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the government, but it is crucial to ensure the contractor's pricing reflects efficient operations and avoids excessive profit margins given the lack of competitive pressure.

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 requirements. The lack of competition means that the government did not benefit from a bidding process that could have driven down prices or spurred innovation. It is important to understand the justification for the sole-source award to ensure it was appropriate and that the public interest was served.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the best possible price due to the absence of competitive bidding. A sole-source award limits the government's ability to leverage market forces to secure cost savings.

Public Impact

The George H. W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum receives continuous security coverage, ensuring the preservation and accessibility of historical records and artifacts. The public benefits from the secure environment that allows for educational programs, research, and public visitation. The contract supports local employment in the College Station, Texas area through the provision of security guard services. Federal historical preservation efforts are strengthened by ensuring the physical security of presidential records.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to higher costs than a competed contract.
Sole-source award requires strong justification to ensure fair pricing and prevent potential contractor complacency.
Long contract duration could lead to price increases if market conditions change significantly and the contract doesn't allow for adjustments.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for the agency.
Contractor is responsible for managing operational costs and risks.
Long-term contract ensures continuity of essential security services for the presidential library.

Sector Analysis

The security services sector is a large and diverse market, encompassing a wide range of services from physical guarding to cybersecurity. For physical security services like those provided here, the market is often localized, with numerous small and medium-sized businesses competing. However, for specialized facilities like presidential libraries, specific security protocols and clearances may limit the pool of eligible contractors. This contract falls within the broader government services sector, where agencies procure a vast array of support functions to fulfill their missions.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned in the provided data. The sole-source nature of the award further limits opportunities for small business participation unless the sole-source provider itself is a small business or actively utilizes small business subcontractors. Analysis of subcontracting plans would be necessary to fully assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). As a definitive contract, it is subject to standard federal procurement regulations and oversight mechanisms. The agency's contracting officer and program managers are responsible for monitoring contractor performance and ensuring compliance with contract terms. While specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction for this particular contract isn't detailed, NARA's Office of Inspector General would have oversight authority for potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to federal funds.

Related Government Programs

Presidential Libraries and Museums Operations
Federal Protective Service Contracts
National Archives and Records Administration Facilities Management
Security Services for Government Buildings

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
Long contract duration may not reflect current market conditions.
Contractor's primary mission is education, not security services provision.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Archives and Records Administration awarded $2.9 million to TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY. THIS FIRM FIXED PRICE CONTRACT IS TO ACQUIRE SECURITY GUARDS SUPPORT SERVICES AT THE GEORGE H. W. BUSH PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TEXAS A & M 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 $2.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-06-01. End: 2029-05-31.

What is the historical spending on security services at the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum?

Historical spending data for security services specifically at the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum prior to this contract is not readily available in the provided data. This $2.9 million contract, spanning five years, represents the current planned expenditure. To understand historical patterns, one would need to access NARA's procurement records for this specific facility or comparable presidential libraries. Without this historical context, it is difficult to determine if this contract represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of spending for these essential services.

How does the cost per day for these security services compare to similar federal facilities?

The total contract value is $2,902,588.77 over 1825 days (5 years). This equates to approximately $1,590 per day. Benchmarking this against similar federal facilities, such as other presidential libraries or high-security government buildings of comparable size and operational tempo, would be necessary for a robust comparison. However, given the specialized nature of presidential libraries, which often require a blend of security, archival preservation, and public access management, a direct comparison might be challenging. The daily rate should be assessed against the number of guards, hours of coverage, and specific security requirements.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED,' implying a sole-source or limited competition award. Federal procurement regulations (e.g., FAR Part 6) allow for sole-source awards under specific circumstances, such as when only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services. For a presidential library, this could be due to unique security protocols, existing integrated systems, or specialized knowledge of the facility's assets and risks that only a particular contractor possesses. A formal justification document (e.g., a Justification and Approval for Other Than Full and Open Competition) would typically be required and should detail the specific reasons why competition was not feasible or not in the government's best interest.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this security guard contract?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this security guard contract. Typically, for such services, KPIs would focus on metrics like response times to incidents, adherence to post orders, guard presence and punctuality, incident reporting accuracy, and overall effectiveness in preventing unauthorized access or security breaches. The contract document itself, along with any performance work statements (PWS), would detail these specific requirements and how performance will be measured and evaluated by the National Archives and Records Administration.

What is the track record of the contractor, Texas A & M University, in providing similar security services?

Texas A&M University, listed as the contracting entity ('co'), is an educational institution. While universities often manage large facilities and complex operations, their primary role is education and research, not typically direct provision of security guard services on a large scale for external government entities. It is possible that Texas A&M University is acting as an intermediary or has a specific division or subsidiary responsible for managing this contract, potentially subcontracting the actual guard services. Further investigation into how Texas A&M University is structured to fulfill this contract and its specific experience in managing such security operations would be necessary to assess its track record.

What is the risk associated with a five-year fixed-price contract for security services?

A five-year fixed-price contract for security services carries several risks. For the government, the primary risk is paying a price that becomes uncompetitive if market rates decrease or if the contractor becomes complacent due to the lack of ongoing competition. Inflationary pressures over five years could also mean the contractor is providing services at a loss if the fixed price doesn't account for significant economic shifts. For the contractor, the risk lies in unforeseen cost increases (e.g., labor, insurance, operational expenses) that are not covered by the fixed price, potentially eroding profit margins or leading to financial strain. The long duration also reduces flexibility for the agency to adapt to changing security needs or technology.

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

Solicitation ID: 88310324Q00071

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 400 HARVEY MITCHELL PKY S STE 300, COLLEGE STATION, TX, 77845

Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, Higher Education (Minority Serving), U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), U.S. Regional/State Government, Veterinary College

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,173,408

Exercised Options: $3,338,853

Current Obligation: $2,902,589

Actual Outlays: $2,591,742

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline