ADT wins coveted U.S. Marshal contract worth $128.4 million

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - ADT Security Services' federal division recently won a coveted U.S. Marshals Service contract worth $128.4 million to supply federal courthouses in the United States and its territories with security equipment, system installation and prison handling. It marks the third consecutive time ADT has won the five-year contract, one of the largest ever awarded to the division, according to Paul Brisgone, vice president of the federal systems division for ADT, based here. "We have approximately 220 offices and this contract will touch probably every office in ADT because every jurisdiction has a courthouse," said Brisgone. The last time the contract was awarded, it was valued at $95 million. The contract, which begins in December, is also one of the biggest awarded by the U.S. Marshals' judicial security division, said Dave Sacks, a spokesman for the U.S. Marshals. Most of the contract work, said Brisgone, will center around the installation of security equipment in new courthouses. Approximately 50 percent of the work for the two previous contracts won by ADT involved installing security systems in new facilities, he said. Upgrading security technology is also part of the contract, and includes technology such as access control systems, biometrics and CCTV. Besides the courtroom and court building itself, ADT will also provide security in the judges' chambers, but Brisgone was unable to elaborate, citing security reasons. The U.S. Marshals began taking bids for the most recent contract about one year ago. Using a point system, the agency looks at everything from the equipment, service and installation offered by the bidder to the corporation, management and personnel at the company. "All vendors have an equal chance to get the contract," said Sacks. "It's based on a point system, 100 points." The point system awards up to 35 points based on the company's technical information, such as equipment, service and installation. Another 20 points are based on the company itself, contract management and personnel, while another 20 points are based on past performance. Cost of the job only accounts for 25 points in the scoring system. "There's a set formula," said Sacks. "With everyone having equal access to bid, it gives the government and the vendor the best relationship possible."