State Department's $25M security support contract awarded to APS-ARTI, LLC for investigation services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,990,659 ($25.0M)

Contractor: Aps-Arti, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2007-04-24

End Date: 2014-10-28

Contract Duration: 2,744 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SECURITY SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22219

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $25.0 million to APS-ARTI, LLC for work described as: SECURITY SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 2744 days (over 7 years) indicates a long-term need for these services. 3. The firm-fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 4. Services provided fall under investigation and personal background check services, a critical function for the State Department. 5. The contract was awarded to a single entity, APS-ARTI, LLC, highlighting their role in this specific service area. 6. The contract's value of approximately $25 million over its term suggests a significant investment in security support.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $25 million over nearly 7.5 years averages to roughly $3.3 million annually. Without specific benchmarks for similar investigation and background check services at the State Department or across federal agencies, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the firm-fixed-price structure provides cost predictability. The absence of detailed performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to fully assess the quality and efficiency of the services rendered against the price paid.

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 a bid. The data does not specify the number of bidders, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The fact that it was competed openly suggests that APS-ARTI, LLC was selected based on merit and competitive advantage.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition allows taxpayers to benefit from potentially lower prices and higher quality services due to the competitive pressure on bidders. It ensures that government funds are used efficiently by selecting the most capable and cost-effective provider.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of State personnel and operations, which rely on thorough background checks and investigations for security. Services delivered include investigation and personal background check services, crucial for vetting individuals and ensuring operational security. The geographic impact is likely centered around the Department of State's operational areas, potentially domestic and international. Workforce implications may involve the need for skilled investigators and analysts, both within the contractor's organization and potentially impacting government personnel involved in the vetting process.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it hard to gauge the effectiveness of the security support services.
The long contract duration could lead to vendor lock-in if not managed carefully.
Limited information on the specific types of investigations conducted prevents a deeper risk analysis.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a potentially competitive and fair selection process.
Firm-fixed-price contract type offers cost certainty to the government.
The contract addresses a critical need for security and investigation services within the Department of State.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on security and investigation services. This sector is vital for government operations, encompassing a wide range of support functions. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 561611 for Investigation and Security Services represents a niche but essential market. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal contracts for similar investigation and background check services, which can vary significantly based on scope, duration, and agency requirements.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss and sb fields) was not a specific set-aside for this contract. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside provision. The contract was awarded to APS-ARTI, LLC, and further analysis would be needed to determine if they have small business subcontracting plans.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of State's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract arise.

Related Government Programs

Department of State Security Services
Federal Background Investigation Services
Government Contracting and Procurement
National Security Support Services
Investigation and Vetting Contracts

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may limit flexibility.
Lack of detailed performance data hinders effectiveness assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $25.0 million to APS-ARTI, LLC. SECURITY SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is APS-ARTI, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $25.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-04-24. End: 2014-10-28.

What is the track record of APS-ARTI, LLC in providing similar security support services to the federal government?

APS-ARTI, LLC was awarded this specific contract for security support services by the Department of State. To assess their track record, one would need to examine other federal contracts awarded to APS-ARTI, LLC, particularly those involving investigation and personal background check services. This would involve searching federal procurement databases for past performance information, including contract values, durations, agencies served, and any reported performance issues or commendations. A comprehensive review would help determine their experience, reliability, and capacity to deliver on complex security support requirements.

How does the annual cost of this contract compare to similar federal contracts for investigation and background check services?

This contract, valued at approximately $25 million over 2744 days (about 7.5 years), averages around $3.3 million per year. To benchmark this value, a comparative analysis of other federal contracts for similar services (NAICS 561611) would be necessary. This would involve identifying contracts with comparable scope, duration, and agency (e.g., other intelligence or law enforcement agencies) and comparing their annual costs. Factors such as the complexity of investigations, security clearances required, and geographic scope significantly influence pricing. Without such a detailed comparison, it's difficult to definitively state if this contract represents excellent or questionable value.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Key risks for this contract could include the potential for incomplete or inaccurate background investigations, which could compromise national security. Another risk is contractor performance failure, where APS-ARTI, LLC might not meet the required service levels or deadlines. Mitigations typically involve stringent contract performance standards, regular reporting requirements, quality assurance surveillance plans (QASPs), and clear remedies for non-performance outlined in the contract. The firm-fixed-price nature also mitigates cost overrun risks for the government, shifting that burden to the contractor.

How effective has APS-ARTI, LLC been in delivering the contracted security support services, based on available performance data?

The provided data does not include specific performance metrics or evaluations for APS-ARTI, LLC's delivery of security support services under this contract. A thorough assessment of effectiveness would require access to contract performance reports, customer satisfaction surveys, and any documented instances of outstanding performance or deficiencies. Without this information, it is impossible to determine the effectiveness of the services rendered. Future analysis should seek out these performance records to gauge the contractor's success in meeting the Department of State's security needs.

What has been the historical spending trend for investigation and personal background check services at the Department of State?

The provided data focuses on a single contract awarded in 2007. To understand historical spending trends, a broader analysis of the Department of State's procurement history for NAICS code 561611 (Investigation and Security Services) and related categories would be required. This would involve examining spending patterns over multiple fiscal years, identifying major contracts, key contractors, and fluctuations in demand for these services. Such an analysis would reveal whether spending on these services has increased, decreased, or remained stable, and identify any shifts in contracting strategies or priorities.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Investigation and Security Services › Investigation and Personal Background Check Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1555 KING STREET #100, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 08

Business Categories: American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Small Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,990,659

Exercised Options: $24,990,659

Current Obligation: $24,990,659

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: SAQMPD07D0030

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline