DHS awards $19.3M for Northern Virginia security guards, with full and open competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $19,263,698 ($19.3M)
Contractor: Ares Group Incorporated
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2005-12-01
End Date: 2010-09-20
Contract Duration: 1,754 days
Daily Burn Rate: $11.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 14
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: SECURITY GUARD SERVICES FOR NORTHERN VIRGINIA AREA
Place of Performance
Location: ALEXANDRIA, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22309
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $19.3 million to ARES GROUP INCORPORATED for work described as: SECURITY GUARD SERVICES FOR NORTHERN VIRGINIA AREA Key points: 1. Contract awarded to ARES GROUP INCORPORATED for security guard services. 2. Significant contract value of $19.3 million over its duration. 3. Competition method was 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES', suggesting some initial limitations. 4. Services are for U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Northern Virginia. 5. The contract spans from December 2005 to September 2010.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $19.3 million over approximately 5 years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar security guard contracts would be necessary to fully assess pricing fairness, especially given the specific competition method.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract utilized 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES'. While ultimately open, this initial exclusion might have limited the pool of potential bidders, potentially impacting price discovery compared to a purely open solicitation from the outset.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential security services. The effectiveness of the competition method in securing competitive pricing is a key factor in the overall taxpayer impact.
Public Impact
Ensures border security operations in a critical region. Supports federal law enforcement and national security objectives. Provides employment opportunities within the security services sector. Contributes to the operational readiness of Customs and Border Protection.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Competition method could have been more broadly open initially.
- Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
- Contract duration is relatively long.
Positive Signals
- Essential service for national security.
- Awarded through a form of open competition.
- Clear contracting agency and service location.
Sector Analysis
Security guard services fall under the broader professional services sector. Spending benchmarks for this sector can vary widely based on location, service complexity, and contract duration. This contract represents a significant investment in physical security for a key federal agency.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small business participation was not a stated factor in this contract (sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were available or utilized by the prime contractor.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Homeland Security, specifically U.S. Customs and Border Protection, is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard procurement regulations and oversight mechanisms would apply to ensure performance and accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Security Guards and Patrol Services
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for limited initial competition.
- Long contract duration without clear performance data.
- Lack of small business set-aside or participation noted.
- Geographic concentration of services.
Tags
security-guards-and-patrol-services, department-of-homeland-security, va, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $19.3 million to ARES GROUP INCORPORATED. SECURITY GUARD SERVICES FOR NORTHERN VIRGINIA AREA
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ARES GROUP INCORPORATED.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Customs and Border Protection).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $19.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2005-12-01. End: 2010-09-20.
What was the specific rationale for excluding certain sources initially before opening the competition?
The rationale for excluding sources before opening competition could stem from various factors, such as specific security clearances required, specialized equipment needs, or prior performance issues with certain vendors. Understanding this exclusion is crucial for assessing if the competition was truly as broad as possible from the start, impacting potential cost savings.
How does the per-unit cost of these security guard services compare to industry benchmarks for similar roles in Northern Virginia?
Without specific data on the number of guards, hours worked, or specific duties, a direct per-unit cost comparison is difficult. However, the total contract value spread over its duration suggests an average annual spend. Benchmarking this against average security guard wages and overhead in the high-cost Northern Virginia region would be necessary to evaluate cost-effectiveness.
What performance metrics were used to evaluate ARES GROUP INCORPORATED's effectiveness throughout the contract period?
The provided data does not include specific performance metrics or evaluation reports for ARES GROUP INCORPORATED. Effective oversight typically involves tracking guard presence, response times, incident reporting accuracy, and client satisfaction. The absence of this information limits the ability to assess the contractor's effectiveness and the overall value delivered to the government.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Investigation and Security Services › Security Guards and Patrol Services
Product/Service Code: QUALITY CONTROL, TEST, INSPECTION › OTHER QUALITY, TEST, INSPECT SVCS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: HSBP1004R0247
Offers Received: 14
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 8625C ENGLESIDE OFFICE PA, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 08
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $47,352,047
Exercised Options: $19,263,698
Current Obligation: $19,263,698
Timeline
Start Date: 2005-12-01
Current End Date: 2010-09-20
Potential End Date: 2011-09-08 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2011-09-08
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