State Department awards $8.9M contract for local guard services in Accra, Ghana to Inter-con Security Systems, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $8,917,939 ($8.9M)
Contractor: Inter-Con Security Systems, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of State
Start Date: 2020-01-31
End Date: 2026-08-31
Contract Duration: 2,404 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: LOCAL GUARD SERVICES ACCRA, GHANA
Plain-Language Summary
Department of State obligated $8.9 million to INTER-CON SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC. for work described as: LOCAL GUARD SERVICES ACCRA, GHANA Key points: 1. Contract awarded for security guard services in Ghana. 2. Inter-con Security Systems, Inc. is the contractor. 3. The contract has a total value of $8.9 million. 4. The period of performance spans from January 2020 to August 2026. 5. This falls under the Security Guards and Patrol Services NAICS code.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract is a Time and Materials type, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar contracts for security services in other high-risk areas would be beneficial to assess value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the specific pricing mechanisms within the Time and Materials structure need scrutiny to ensure price discovery was effective.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers are impacted by the $8.9 million expenditure for security services abroad. Effective management and competitive pricing are crucial to ensure value for money.
Public Impact
Ensures security for U.S. personnel and facilities in Accra, Ghana. Supports diplomatic operations by providing essential security infrastructure. Potential for job creation within the local Ghanaian economy through the contractor.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost uncertainty.
- Contract duration is long (over 6 years), increasing risk exposure.
- No specific performance metrics or KPIs mentioned.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Provides essential security for diplomatic missions.
- Contractor has experience in security systems.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Security Guards and Patrol Services sector. Spending in this sector is often driven by geopolitical stability and the need to protect government assets and personnel in various locations worldwide.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of State is responsible for overseeing this contract. Regular performance reviews and audits are essential to ensure the contractor meets security requirements and that funds are used appropriately.
Related Government Programs
- Security Guards and Patrol Services
- Department of State Contracting
- Department of State Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract.
- Long contract duration increases exposure to changing security environments.
- Lack of specific performance metrics.
- No clear indication of small business participation.
Tags
security-guards-and-patrol-services, department-of-state, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of State awarded $8.9 million to INTER-CON SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC.. LOCAL GUARD SERVICES ACCRA, GHANA
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is INTER-CON SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $8.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-01-31. End: 2026-08-31.
What is the estimated hourly rate for guards and how does it compare to industry standards in Ghana?
The provided data does not specify the hourly rates for guards. A Time and Materials contract requires detailed review of labor rates, overhead, and profit margins to benchmark against industry standards in Ghana and similar regions. Without this granular data, assessing the true value for money is challenging.
What are the specific security threats in Accra that necessitate this level of spending?
The specific security threats in Accra are not detailed in the provided data. However, diplomatic missions often face risks related to political instability, crime, and terrorism. The Department of State likely has threat assessments that justify the need for robust security services to protect personnel and facilities.
How will the effectiveness of the security services be measured throughout the contract period?
The effectiveness measurement is not explicitly stated. Typically, such contracts include Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) related to response times, incident reporting, patrol coverage, and adherence to security protocols. The Department of State should have a robust performance management plan in place.
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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 19AQMM19R0208
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 210 S DE LACEY AVE, PASADENA, CA, 91105
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $12,377,620
Exercised Options: $10,987,954
Current Obligation: $8,917,939
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-01-31
Current End Date: 2026-08-31
Potential End Date: 2026-10-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-18
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