DOJ's $19M security contract with Jenkins Security Consultants shows fair value, but limited competition raises concerns

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,019,833 ($19.0M)

Contractor: Jenkins Security Consultants, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2007-04-01

End Date: 2012-07-31

Contract Duration: 1,948 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SECURITY GUARD SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20226

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $19.0 million to JENKINS SECURITY CONSULTANTS, INC. for work described as: SECURITY GUARD SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract represents a significant investment in security services for the Department of Justice. 2. Competition was limited, potentially impacting price discovery and overall value for taxpayers. 3. The fixed-price contract structure aims to control costs, but performance monitoring is crucial. 4. The duration of the contract suggests a long-term need for these security services. 5. The geographic focus on Washington D.C. highlights a concentration of federal security needs in the capital. 6. The absence of small business set-asides warrants further examination of subcontracting opportunities.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's total award value of approximately $19 million over its period of performance suggests a substantial commitment to security services. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for security guard services is challenging without more granular data on service levels and geographic scope. However, the firm fixed-price nature indicates an attempt to establish cost certainty. The price per day, calculated from the total award and duration, appears within a reasonable range for security services in a high-cost area like Washington D.C., but a more precise comparison would require detailed service requirements.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' which implies that while a competitive process was intended, certain sources were excluded. This suggests a potentially narrower field of bidders than a truly full and open competition. With 10 bids received, the level of competition was moderate, but the exclusion of sources could have limited the range of innovative solutions and potentially inflated prices compared to a broader competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Limited competition can lead to higher prices for taxpayers as it reduces the pressure on contractors to offer their most competitive rates. The exclusion of certain sources means the government may not have accessed the full spectrum of available market solutions and pricing.

Public Impact

Federal law enforcement agencies within the Department of Justice benefit from enhanced security measures. The services provided ensure the safety and security of federal facilities and personnel. The contract's impact is concentrated in the District of Columbia, supporting local security operations. The contract likely supports a workforce of security professionals, contributing to employment in the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may have resulted in suboptimal pricing for taxpayers.
The exclusion of sources in the competition process warrants further investigation into fairness and market access.
The long contract duration could lead to vendor lock-in if not managed effectively.
Lack of explicit small business set-aside raises questions about opportunities for smaller firms.

Positive Signals

The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
A moderate number of bids (10) suggests some level of market interest.
The contract duration indicates a stable and ongoing need for these critical security services.
The award to Jenkins Security Consultants, Inc. suggests a potentially established provider in the security sector.

Sector Analysis

The security services industry is a significant component of the broader professional services sector, encompassing a wide range of activities from physical guarding to cybersecurity. This contract falls within the physical security sub-sector, specifically focusing on guard services. The market for these services is competitive, with numerous providers ranging from large multinational corporations to smaller, specialized firms. Federal government contracts represent a substantial portion of this market due to the extensive security needs of federal agencies. Benchmarking spending requires comparing contract values against the scale and scope of services provided, as well as prevailing market rates for similar security personnel in specific geographic locations.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor does it appear to have specific provisions for small business subcontracting mentioned in the provided details. This suggests that opportunities for small businesses to participate in fulfilling this contract may be limited, potentially through prime contracting or subcontracting roles. Further analysis would be needed to determine if Jenkins Security Consultants, Inc. has a history of subcontracting with small businesses or if there were specific justifications for not including small business considerations in the contract's award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Acquisition and Property Management Division, and potentially the Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General. Mechanisms for oversight would include contract performance reviews, financial audits, and monitoring of service delivery against the contract's terms and conditions. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, but detailed performance reports and audit findings may not always be publicly accessible. The effectiveness of oversight depends on the rigor of these reviews and the responsiveness of the contractor to any identified issues.

Related Government Programs

Federal Protective Service Contracts
Department of Homeland Security Security Services
General Services Administration Schedules for Security Services
Department of Justice Facility Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Potential for higher costs due to restricted bidding
Lack of transparency in source exclusion criteria

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $19.0 million to JENKINS SECURITY CONSULTANTS, INC.. SECURITY GUARD SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JENKINS SECURITY CONSULTANTS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Acquisition and Property Management Division).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $19.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-04-01. End: 2012-07-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for security guard services by the Department of Justice?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for security guard services by the Department of Justice (DOJ) is crucial for understanding trends, identifying potential cost efficiencies, and assessing the overall investment in security. While specific aggregate data for the DOJ's security guard spending across all its components is not directly provided here, this single contract of approximately $19 million awarded in 2007 and ending in 2012 indicates a significant, multi-year commitment. To provide a comprehensive historical view, one would need to examine contract databases (like FPDS or USASpending.gov) for similar procurements across different DOJ bureaus (e.g., FBI, DEA, ATF, USMS) over extended periods. This would reveal fluctuations in spending, identify major contract vehicles, and highlight any shifts in procurement strategies, such as a move towards performance-based contracts or increased use of small business set-asides. Understanding these patterns helps in forecasting future needs and budgeting more accurately.

How does the per-unit cost of this contract compare to similar federal security contracts?

Determining the precise per-unit cost for comparison is challenging without detailed service level agreements (SLAs) and specific guard duties. However, we can estimate a daily rate. The contract value is $19,019,833.04, and the duration is 1948 days (from April 1, 2007, to July 31, 2012). This yields an approximate daily cost of $9,764 ($19,019,833.04 / 1948 days). To benchmark this, we would need to compare it against contracts for similar security guard services in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, considering factors like the number of guards, hours of coverage, required certifications, and specific security protocols. Federal contracts for security guards can range widely, from a few hundred dollars per day for basic posts to several thousand dollars per day for highly specialized or supervisory roles. Without more specific service details, a definitive comparison is difficult, but this daily rate appears to be within a plausible range for comprehensive security services in a high-cost urban area.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate Jenkins Security Consultants, Inc. under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate Jenkins Security Consultants, Inc. for this contract. Typically, for security guard services, KPIs would focus on metrics such as guard punctuality and attendance, response times to incidents, adherence to post orders, incident reporting accuracy and timeliness, and overall effectiveness in preventing unauthorized access or maintaining order. Performance would likely be assessed through regular reports from the contracting officer's representative (COR), site inspections, and potentially through formal performance evaluations at specific milestones or upon contract completion. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract implies that the contractor is responsible for delivering the agreed-upon services within the set price, and failure to meet performance standards could lead to contractual remedies, such as reduced payment or termination.

What is the track record of Jenkins Security Consultants, Inc. with federal contracts?

Jenkins Security Consultants, Inc. has a history of securing federal contracts, as evidenced by this Department of Justice award valued at approximately $19 million. To fully assess their track record, a broader search across federal procurement databases (like FPDS or USASpending.gov) would be necessary. This would reveal the number, value, and types of contracts they have held with various federal agencies, as well as their performance history on those contracts. Key aspects to examine would include contract modifications (indicating potential scope changes or issues), past performance ratings, any instances of contract disputes or terminations, and their success rate in competitive bidding. A consistent record of successful contract performance and positive past performance reviews would indicate reliability and capability, while frequent issues or disputes might raise concerns about their suitability for future awards.

What is the risk associated with the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' award type?

The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' award type presents a moderate risk. While it signifies an attempt at competition, the 'exclusion of sources' implies that certain potential bidders were deliberately prevented from participating. This exclusion could be based on various factors, such as specific technical requirements, past performance issues with certain vendors, or socioeconomic program goals. The risk lies in the potential for reduced competition, which can lead to higher prices and fewer innovative solutions compared to a truly unrestricted full and open competition. It also raises questions about the justification for excluding sources and whether such exclusions were fair and legally sound. Agencies must clearly document the rationale for excluding sources to mitigate the risk of protests and ensure the government is obtaining the best value.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2001 BUNKER HILL RD NE, WASHINGTON, DC, 98

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $19,019,833

Exercised Options: $19,019,833

Current Obligation: $19,019,833

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DJA07D000018

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline