State Department awards $47.3M for Bangui security, bypassing competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $47,312,240 ($47.3M)
Contractor: SOC LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of State
Start Date: 2018-01-16
End Date: 2021-08-29
Contract Duration: 1,321 days
Daily Burn Rate: $35.8K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: STATIC SECURITY SERVICES TO SUPPORT CHIEF OF MISSION AND CHIEF OF MISSION (COM) PERSONNEL SUPPORTING THE U.S. MISSION IN BANGUI, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC.
Plain-Language Summary
Department of State obligated $47.3 million to SOC LLC for work described as: STATIC SECURITY SERVICES TO SUPPORT CHIEF OF MISSION AND CHIEF OF MISSION (COM) PERSONNEL SUPPORTING THE U.S. MISSION IN BANGUI, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC. Key points: 1. Significant contract value for security services in a high-risk environment. 2. Sole provider SOC LLC has held this contract since 2018. 3. Lack of competition raises concerns about price discovery and value. 4. Services align with critical diplomatic mission support in Central African Republic.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract's total value is substantial. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if the pricing reflects fair market value for security services in this region. Benchmarking against similar, competed contracts would be necessary for a definitive assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This approach limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers as there was no market pressure to offer the best price.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in inflated costs, meaning taxpayers are likely paying more than necessary for these essential security services.
Public Impact
Ensures safety for U.S. diplomats and personnel in a volatile region. Supports critical U.S. foreign policy objectives in Central African Republic. Potential for taxpayer overpayment due to non-competitive award.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- High contract value
- Services in a high-risk environment
Positive Signals
- Essential service provision
- Long-term support for mission
Sector Analysis
The contract falls under security and protective services, a sector often characterized by specialized needs and varying levels of competition. Given the location, specialized security expertise is required, but the lack of competition is notable.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses. There is no information provided on subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of State is responsible for overseeing this contract. The sole-source nature suggests a potential gap in competitive sourcing strategies or a specific justification for direct award that requires further scrutiny.
Related Government Programs
- Security Guards and Patrol Services
- Department of State Contracting
- Department of State Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for overpricing due to lack of competition.
- Limited transparency in contract award process.
- Reliance on a single contractor for extended period.
- High value contract in a challenging geopolitical environment.
Tags
security-guards-and-patrol-services, department-of-state, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of State awarded $47.3 million to SOC LLC. STATIC SECURITY SERVICES TO SUPPORT CHIEF OF MISSION AND CHIEF OF MISSION (COM) PERSONNEL SUPPORTING THE U.S. MISSION IN BANGUI, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SOC LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $47.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2018-01-16. End: 2021-08-29.
What was the justification for awarding this contract sole-source, and has it been reviewed for potential competition?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves specific circumstances where only one responsible source can provide the required services. For this contract, the Department of State would need to provide documentation detailing why competition was not feasible. Regular reviews should be conducted to reassess if competition is now possible or if the initial justification remains valid.
How does the cost of this contract compare to similar security services in comparable high-risk regions?
Benchmarking this contract's cost against similar security services procured competitively in other high-risk diplomatic locations is crucial. Without this comparison, it's difficult to ascertain if the $47.3 million expenditure represents a fair market price. The lack of competition makes such a comparison even more important for assessing value for money.
What measures are in place to ensure the effectiveness and accountability of SOC LLC's security services?
The Department of State's contracting officer and relevant personnel are responsible for monitoring performance and ensuring adherence to contract terms. This includes regular performance reviews, site visits, and feedback mechanisms. Given the critical nature of the services, robust oversight is essential to guarantee mission security and personnel safety.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Investigation and Security Services › Security Guards and Patrol Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3975 VIRGINIA MALLORY DR STE 200, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $61,484,957
Exercised Options: $53,546,530
Current Obligation: $47,312,240
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2018-01-16
Current End Date: 2021-08-29
Potential End Date: 2021-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-10-02
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