DoD awards $12.6M contract for detention security and transportation services in Texas
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $12,657,616 ($12.7M)
Contractor: Bering Straits Professional Services, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2025-06-14
End Date: 2025-09-12
Contract Duration: 90 days
Daily Burn Rate: $140.6K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: DETENTION SECURITY OFFICERS AND TRANSPORTATION SERVICES AT THE EL PASO ENHANCED HARDENED FACILITY.
Place of Performance
Location: EL PASO, EL PASO County, TEXAS, 79934
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $12.7 million to BERING STRAITS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, LLC for work described as: DETENTION SECURITY OFFICERS AND TRANSPORTATION SERVICES AT THE EL PASO ENHANCED HARDENED FACILITY. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Bering Straits Professional Services, LLC for essential security and transportation. 2. Services are critical for maintaining secure detention facilities. 3. The contract duration is 90 days, indicating a short-term operational need. 4. The award was not competed, raising questions about potential cost efficiencies. 5. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs within a defined scope. 6. This contract supports Department of Defense operations in Texas.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $12.6 million for a 90-day period suggests a high daily operational cost. Benchmarking against similar contracts for detention security and transportation services is difficult without more specific service level agreements and geographic comparisons. The lack of competition may have prevented a more thorough price discovery process, potentially leading to a less than optimal price for the government.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not open to competitive bidding. While the specific justification for the sole-source award is not detailed here, such awards can sometimes be necessary for specialized services or urgent requirements. However, the absence of competition limits the government's ability to secure the best possible pricing and service terms through market forces.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not be receiving the most cost-effective solution due to the lack of competitive pressure to drive down prices.
Public Impact
Provides essential security and transportation for individuals within Department of Defense custody. Ensures the safe and secure movement of personnel and detainees. Supports the operational readiness of military facilities in Texas. Maintains a secure environment, contributing to national security objectives.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition could lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
- Sole-source award may not represent the best value achievable through open bidding.
- Short contract duration might indicate a temporary or urgent need, requiring careful monitoring of future requirements.
Positive Signals
- Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
- Award to a single contractor streamlines management and execution.
- Services are critical for maintaining operational security and order.
Sector Analysis
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 561612, Security Guards and Patrol Services, falls within the broader security and investigation services sector. This sector is characterized by a mix of large, established firms and smaller, specialized providers. Contracts for detention security and transportation are often mission-critical for government agencies, particularly those involved in law enforcement, immigration, and defense. The market size for such services is substantial, driven by ongoing security needs across various federal departments.
Small Business Impact
Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans is not available for this contract. As a sole-source award, it is less likely to have been specifically targeted for small business participation unless the sole-source contractor has a strong small business subcontracting program. Further analysis would be needed to determine the impact on the small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the contracting agency, the Department of the Army, and potentially the Department of Defense's Inspector General. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of cost control, but performance monitoring and adherence to service level agreements are crucial. Transparency regarding the justification for the sole-source award and the contractor's performance metrics would enhance accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Detention Services
- Transportation Services
- Security Guard Services
- Department of Defense Contracts
- Texas Federal Contracts
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
- High daily operational cost requires close performance monitoring.
- Short contract duration may indicate evolving needs.
Tags
defense, department-of-defense, department-of-the-army, security-guards-and-patrol-services, definitive-contract, firm-fixed-price, sole-source, texas, short-term, operational-support
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $12.7 million to BERING STRAITS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, LLC. DETENTION SECURITY OFFICERS AND TRANSPORTATION SERVICES AT THE EL PASO ENHANCED HARDENED FACILITY.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BERING STRAITS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $12.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-06-14. End: 2025-09-12.
What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?
The provided data does not include the specific justification for the sole-source award. Typically, sole-source contracts are justified under circumstances such as urgent and compelling needs, unique capabilities of a single contractor, or when only one responsible source is available. Without this justification, it is difficult to assess whether the sole-source award was appropriate and if it truly represented the best option for the government. Further investigation into the contract file or agency justifications would be required to understand the rationale behind bypassing the competitive bidding process.
How does the daily cost of this contract compare to similar services in the region or for other federal agencies?
The total contract value is $12,657,616.46 over a 90-day period. This equates to approximately $140,640.18 per day. Benchmarking this daily rate against similar detention security and transportation services is challenging without more granular data on the scope of services, number of personnel, types of transportation, and specific security requirements. However, this daily rate appears substantial, underscoring the importance of ensuring efficient service delivery and cost-effectiveness, especially given the lack of competition.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will performance be monitored?
The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or the detailed performance monitoring plan for this contract. For detention security and transportation services, typical KPIs might include response times, incident resolution rates, security breach occurrences, transportation safety records, and adherence to schedules. The contracting officer's representative (COR) or a designated government official would be responsible for monitoring the contractor's performance against the contract's requirements and service level agreements. Regular performance reviews and reporting are essential to ensure the contractor meets all obligations.
What is the track record of Bering Straits Professional Services, LLC in providing similar services to the federal government?
Bering Straits Professional Services, LLC has a history of federal contracting, though specific details on their performance in detention security and transportation services require further research. Analyzing past performance evaluations, contract awards, and any reported issues or successes with similar contracts would provide insight into their capabilities and reliability. Understanding their experience with firm-fixed-price contracts and sole-source awards would also be beneficial in assessing their suitability for this particular requirement.
What is the historical spending pattern for detention security and transportation services by the Department of Defense in Texas?
Analyzing historical spending patterns for these services by the Department of Defense in Texas would require access to historical contract databases and procurement records. This would involve searching for contracts with similar NAICS codes, service descriptions, and geographic locations over several fiscal years. Understanding past spending levels can help identify trends, potential cost savings opportunities, and whether this current contract represents an increase or decrease in expenditure for similar services.
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 AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3301 C ST STE 400, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99503
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $13,432,299
Exercised Options: $12,657,616
Current Obligation: $12,657,616
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-06-14
Current End Date: 2025-09-12
Potential End Date: 2025-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-08
More Contracts from Bering Straits Professional Services, LLC
- NEW Guard Contract Fy2024-Fy2028, for Services AT: (1) 1200 NEW Jersey AVE, S.E., Washington, DC 20590 2) 800 Independence AVE, S.W., Washington, DC 20591 3) 600 Independence AVE, S.W., Washington, DC 20597 — $41.1M (Department of Transportation)
- AS Part of Opms Modernization Effort, the Ocio IS Establishing a Combined Cyber and Network Vendor Supported Services Contract Enterprise Cyber, Infrastructure, and Network Operations Support Services (ecioss). Ecioss IS a Foundational, Strategic CON — $20.9M (Office of Personnel Management)
- Niosh Guard Services — $18.9M (Department of Health and Human Services)
- International Mail Services for Courier Pick-Up Mail and Internationally Mail Services for SIX Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Field Sites (michigan, Utah, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Illinois, and Texas) — $9.6M (Department of the Treasury)
- Administrative Services — $4.2M (Department of State)
View all Bering Straits Professional Services, LLC federal contracts →
Other Department of Defense Contracts
- Federal Contract — $51.3B (Humana Government Business Inc)
- Lrip LOT 12 Advance Acquisition Contract — $35.1B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- SSN 802 and 803 Long Lead Time Material — $34.7B (Electric Boat Corporation)
- 200204!008532!1700!AF600 !naval AIR Systems Command !N0001902C3002 !A!N! !N! !20011026!20120430!008016958!008016958!834951691!n!lockheed Martin Corporation !lockheed Blvd !fort Worth !tx!76108!27000!439!48!fort Worth !tarrant !texas !+000026000000!n!n!018981928201!ac15!rdte/Aircraft-Eng/Manuf Develop !a1a!airframes and Spares !2ama!jast/Jsf !336411!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !a!n!r!2!002!n!1a!a!n!z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !a!a!a!a!000!a!c!n! ! ! !Y! !N00019!0001! — $34.2B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- KC-X Modernization Program — $32.0B (THE Boeing Company)