DHS awarded $14.3M for pre-trial guard services, with CoreCivic Inc. securing the contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,304,983 ($14.3M)

Contractor: Corecivic, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2005-05-06

End Date: 2006-05-03

Contract Duration: 362 days

Daily Burn Rate: $39.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PRE-TRIAL GUARD SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20202

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $14.3 million to CORECIVIC, INC. for work described as: PRE-TRIAL GUARD SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract value of $14.3 million for guard services appears reasonable given the duration and scope. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract was awarded as a firm-fixed-price delivery order, which helps manage cost certainty. 4. The duration of 362 days indicates a short-term need for these services. 5. The contract was awarded to CoreCivic, Inc., a known entity in the corrections and detention services sector. 6. The service falls under the 'PRE-TRIAL GUARD SERVICES' category, indicating a specific operational need.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $14.3 million for approximately one year of pre-trial guard services seems within a reasonable range for such a specialized service. Benchmarking against similar contracts for detention support or security services would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, given the firm-fixed-price nature, the government has a degree of cost certainty. The award to a single contractor, CoreCivic, Inc., suggests they were the most competitive offeror.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The data shows 2 bids were received. A competitive process like this generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government compared to sole-source or limited competition awards. The number of bidders, while not explicitly stated as high, suggests some level of market interest.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages multiple companies to bid, driving down prices and ensuring the government receives competitive rates for its services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), receiving essential security services. The services delivered are pre-trial guard services, crucial for maintaining security and order within detention facilities or during transit. The contract was performed in the District of Columbia, indicating a localized geographic impact. The contract supports the operational needs of federal law enforcement agencies, indirectly impacting the justice system and public safety.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for over-reliance on a single large contractor if future needs arise.
Limited transparency on the specific performance metrics and quality of guards provided.
The firm-fixed-price contract might not fully account for unforeseen operational complexities.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, ensuring a competitive process.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
CoreCivic, Inc. is an established provider in the corrections and detention sector, suggesting experience.

Sector Analysis

The contract for pre-trial guard services falls within the broader security and professional services sector, which is a significant area of federal spending. This sector includes a wide range of support services for government operations, from physical security to administrative and technical support. The market for detention and correctional services is specialized, with a few key players like CoreCivic, Inc. Federal spending in this area is often driven by law enforcement and national security priorities.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). While CoreCivic, Inc. is a large business, there is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether CoreCivic engages small businesses for any support roles, which is not detailed in this award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) contracting officers and program managers within DHS. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price delivery order structure, requiring the contractor to meet defined service levels. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports may not always be publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Operations
Immigration Detention Services
Law Enforcement Support Services
Correctional Facility Management

Risk Flags

Contract Performance Risk
Contractor Financial Stability
Security Protocol Compliance

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $14.3 million to CORECIVIC, INC.. PRE-TRIAL GUARD SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CORECIVIC, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $14.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-05-06. End: 2006-05-03.

What is the track record of CoreCivic, Inc. in providing pre-trial guard services to federal agencies?

CoreCivic, Inc. is a well-established private operator of prisons and detention centers. While this specific award is for pre-trial guard services, the company has extensive experience in managing correctional facilities and providing security personnel for various government agencies, including ICE and the Bureau of Prisons. Their track record includes managing large-scale detention operations, which requires robust security protocols and trained personnel. However, like many large contractors in this sector, they have faced scrutiny regarding operational standards, staffing levels, and cost-effectiveness in past contracts. A detailed review of their performance on similar ICE contracts would be necessary to fully assess their suitability for this specific role.

How does the $14.3 million contract value compare to similar pre-trial guard services contracts?

Benchmarking the $14.3 million contract value requires comparing it against similar contracts for pre-trial guard services or detention support. Given the contract duration of approximately one year and the location (District of Columbia), this value appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized security services in a high-cost-of-living area. However, without access to a comprehensive database of comparable contracts, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Factors such as the number of guards required, the specific security protocols, and the level of supervision would significantly influence the cost. The firm-fixed-price nature of this award suggests that the government sought cost certainty, and the competitive bidding process likely contributed to a fair market price.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract for the Department of Homeland Security?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential performance issues, such as inadequate guard staffing, insufficient training, or failure to maintain security standards, which could compromise the safety and security of detainees and facilities. There's also a risk of cost overruns if the firm-fixed-price contract does not adequately account for unforeseen operational demands, although this is mitigated by the fixed-price structure. Reputational risk could arise if the contractor, CoreCivic, Inc., faces public criticism or legal challenges related to its operations. Furthermore, a reliance on a single contractor for critical security functions presents a risk if the contractor experiences financial instability or operational failures.

How effective are firm-fixed-price contracts for procuring guard services like these?

Firm-fixed-price (FFP) contracts are generally considered effective for procuring guard services when the scope of work is well-defined and the risks are understood. For pre-trial guard services, an FFP contract provides the government with cost certainty, as the contractor assumes most of the risk for cost overruns. This structure incentivizes the contractor to manage its costs efficiently. However, if the requirements are not clearly articulated or if unforeseen circumstances arise, the contractor may be less willing to accommodate changes, potentially leading to disputes or a need for contract modifications. For guard services, the effectiveness also hinges on robust performance monitoring by the government to ensure quality and compliance with contract terms.

What is the historical spending pattern for pre-trial guard services by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement?

Historical spending patterns for pre-trial guard services by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can fluctuate based on immigration policies, detention capacity needs, and shifts in operational strategies. ICE relies on a mix of government-operated facilities and contracts with private entities for detention and related services. Spending on guard services is a component of overall detention operations costs. While this specific $14.3 million award is for a defined period, ICE's total budget allocation for detention and enforcement activities, which includes personnel and facility support, is substantial and has seen significant year-over-year variations. Analyzing trends in ICE's budget and contract awards for detention services over the past decade would reveal patterns related to demand for such services.

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 10 BURTON HILLS BLVD, NASHVILLE, TN, 37215

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,538,804,325

Exercised Options: $15,189,086

Current Obligation: $14,304,983

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSCEMS03D0013

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline