State Department awards $89.3M for worldwide protective services, with Acuity - Janus Global, LLC as prime

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $89,330,918 ($89.3M)

Contractor: Acuity - Janus Global, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2019-10-06

End Date: 2025-02-03

Contract Duration: 1,947 days

Daily Burn Rate: $45.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: U.S. MISSION, MOGADISHU, SOMALIA WORLDWIDE PROTECTIVE SERVICES (WPS) DIPLOMATIC SECURITY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $89.3 million to ACUITY - JANUS GLOBAL, LLC for work described as: U.S. MISSION, MOGADISHU, SOMALIA WORLDWIDE PROTECTIVE SERVICES (WPS) DIPLOMATIC SECURITY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in diplomatic security infrastructure. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 3. Performance period extends over 1947 days, indicating a long-term need for these services. 4. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges. 5. Security Guards and Patrol Services are critical for protecting diplomatic personnel and facilities. 6. The geographic scope is worldwide, highlighting the global nature of U.S. diplomatic missions.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award of $89.3 million over approximately 5.4 years for worldwide protective services requires careful benchmarking. While specific per-unit costs are not provided, the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type introduces inherent risk for cost overruns if not managed diligently. Comparing this to similar global security contracts is difficult without detailed service level agreements and geographic risk assessments, but the scale suggests a substantial commitment. The agency's ability to manage T&M contracts effectively will be key to ensuring value for money.

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 shows 4 offers were received, suggesting a competitive environment. A healthy number of bidders generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government, as contractors vie for the award. The agency's selection process likely involved evaluating technical capabilities and price.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally beneficial for taxpayers as it fosters a competitive environment that can drive down prices and improve service quality, ensuring the government receives the best value for its investment.

Public Impact

U.S. diplomatic missions worldwide benefit from enhanced security measures. Diplomatic personnel and sensitive government facilities are protected. The services provided ensure the continuity of diplomatic operations in potentially high-risk environments. The contract supports a global workforce of security professionals.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
The broad geographic scope presents logistical and management complexities.
Ensuring consistent service quality across diverse global locations is a potential challenge.
Reliance on a single contractor for such a critical global function carries inherent risks.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process.
The long performance period suggests a stable and ongoing requirement for these essential services.
The contractor, Acuity - Janus Global, LLC, is likely experienced in providing protective services.
The contract addresses a critical national security need for diplomatic security.

Sector Analysis

The security services sector is a significant component of the federal contracting landscape, particularly for agencies like the Department of State that operate globally. This contract falls within the Security Guards and Patrol Services industry (NAICS 561612). The market for protective services is competitive, with numerous firms capable of providing these specialized skills. The State Department's spending in this area is substantial, reflecting the inherent risks associated with diplomatic operations in various international locations. Benchmarking requires comparison with other large-scale, global security contracts awarded by government entities.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a large-scale, global security contract, it is unlikely that small businesses would be primary awardees, though they may participate as subcontractors. The prime contractor, Acuity - Janus Global, LLC, is likely a large business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses within the scope of this award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Diplomatic Security. Mechanisms likely include regular performance reviews, site visits, and adherence to detailed performance work statements. Accountability is typically managed through contract clauses, performance metrics, and potential penalties for non-compliance. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases and public reporting, though specific operational details may be sensitive.

Related Government Programs

Worldwide Protective Services
Diplomatic Security Services
Guard and Patrol Services
Department of State Contracts
Federal Security Contracts

Risk Flags

Time and Materials contract type
Global operational complexity
Potential for cost overruns
Ensuring consistent quality across diverse locations

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $89.3 million to ACUITY - JANUS GLOBAL, LLC. U.S. MISSION, MOGADISHU, SOMALIA WORLDWIDE PROTECTIVE SERVICES (WPS) DIPLOMATIC SECURITY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ACUITY - JANUS GLOBAL, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $89.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-10-06. End: 2025-02-03.

What is the historical spending trend for Worldwide Protective Services by the Department of State?

Analyzing historical spending for Worldwide Protective Services (WPS) by the Department of State is crucial for understanding budget trends and the long-term commitment to security. While this specific award is for $89.3 million, examining prior years' obligations for similar contracts can reveal whether spending is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable. For instance, if previous WPS contracts averaged $70 million annually, this $89.3 million award over its duration might represent a significant increase or a consolidation of services. Understanding these patterns helps in assessing the sustainability of current spending levels and identifying potential areas for efficiency or reallocation of resources. It also provides context for the contractor's bid and the agency's budget planning.

How does the per-man-hour cost of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for security personnel in similar high-risk environments?

Determining the per-man-hour cost benchmark for this contract requires access to detailed breakdowns of labor rates, overhead, and profit margins within the $89.3 million award. Without this granular data, a precise comparison is challenging. However, security personnel operating in high-risk diplomatic environments typically command higher rates due to specialized training, hazard pay, and the critical nature of their duties. Industry benchmarks for such roles can range significantly, but often exceed standard security guard rates by a substantial margin. If the State Department's average rate falls within or below the upper range of these specialized benchmarks, it could indicate good value. Conversely, if it significantly exceeds these benchmarks, it might warrant further investigation into the necessity of the higher costs or potential inefficiencies.

What are the specific performance metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate Acuity - Janus Global, LLC's service delivery?

The effectiveness of the Worldwide Protective Services contract hinges on clearly defined performance metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that Acuity - Janus Global, LLC must meet. These KPIs likely include response times to security incidents, adherence to post orders, personnel training and certification levels, incident reporting accuracy, and overall effectiveness in preventing security breaches. The Department of State's Bureau of Diplomatic Security would typically establish these metrics within the Performance Work Statement (PWS). Regular performance evaluations, potentially including site assessments and feedback from mission personnel, would be used to track the contractor's adherence to these KPIs. Failure to meet critical KPIs could result in contractual remedies, including financial penalties or even termination.

What is the track record of Acuity - Janus Global, LLC in delivering similar protective services for government agencies, particularly in overseas locations?

Acuity - Janus Global, LLC's track record in delivering protective services is a critical factor in assessing the risk associated with this $89.3 million contract. Government agencies typically conduct thorough due diligence on potential awardees, reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any instances of disputes or failures. For a contract of this scale and global scope, the State Department would likely seek evidence of the contractor's experience managing complex security operations in diverse international settings, including their ability to recruit, train, and deploy personnel effectively, as well as their financial stability and compliance history. Positive past performance indicates a higher likelihood of successful contract execution, while negative past performance would raise significant concerns.

How does the total contract value compare to the estimated annual security needs of U.S. diplomatic missions globally?

The total contract value of $89.3 million, spanning approximately 5.4 years, needs to be contextualized against the estimated annual security needs of U.S. diplomatic missions worldwide. This involves calculating an approximate annual spend by dividing the total value by the contract duration (e.g., $89.3M / 5.4 years ≈ $16.5 million per year). This annual figure can then be compared to internal State Department estimates or industry analyses of the costs associated with providing comprehensive security – including personnel, equipment, training, and logistical support – for diplomatic facilities and personnel across numerous countries, some of which may be designated as high-risk or hardship posts. If the annual spend appears significantly lower than estimates, it could suggest aggressive pricing or potentially insufficient service levels. Conversely, a higher spend might indicate robust security provisions or potential cost inefficiencies.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 19AQMM19R0112

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 10701 PARKRIDGE BLVD STE 200, RESTON, VA, 20191

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $111,083,124

Exercised Options: $101,087,377

Current Obligation: $89,330,918

Actual Outlays: $38,638,526

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: SAQMMA16D0047

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline