State Department awards $5.3M contract for security services in Kinshasa, DRC, to G4S (DRC) S.A.R.L

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,343,551 ($5.3M)

Contractor: G4S (DRC) S.a.r.l

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2023-06-01

End Date: 2026-08-31

Contract Duration: 1,187 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: LOCAL GUARD UNIFORMED AND ARMED SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE US AMERICAN MISSION KINSHASA, DRC WHICH REQUIRES THE CONTRACTOR TO PREVENT LOSS OR INJURY TO U.S. PERSONNEL, DEPENDENTS, PROPERTY DESTRUCTION OF ASSETS TO PREVENT UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS AND D

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $5.3 million to G4S (DRC) S.A.R.L for work described as: LOCAL GUARD UNIFORMED AND ARMED SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE US AMERICAN MISSION KINSHASA, DRC WHICH REQUIRES THE CONTRACTOR TO PREVENT LOSS OR INJURY TO U.S. PERSONNEL, DEPENDENTS, PROPERTY DESTRUCTION OF ASSETS TO PREVENT UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS AND D Key points: 1. Contract aims to prevent loss or injury to U.S. personnel and property at the U.S. Mission in Kinshasa. 2. Services include preventing unauthorized access and asset destruction. 3. The contract is a Time and Materials type, awarded through full and open competition. 4. The duration of the contract is 1187 days, with an estimated completion date in August 2026. 5. The contractor, G4S (DRC) S.A.R.L., will provide security guards and patrol services. 6. This contract supports U.S. diplomatic and operational security abroad.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $5.3 million over approximately 3.25 years averages to about $1.64 million annually. Benchmarking this against similar security contracts for U.S. diplomatic missions requires specific data on the scope of services, threat levels, and geographic location. However, the Time and Materials pricing structure can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not carefully managed, warranting a 'fair' assessment until performance and final costs are evaluated.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 4 bidders suggests a reasonably competitive environment for this type of service. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition helps ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down prices through market forces.

Public Impact

U.S. government personnel and dependents stationed at the U.S. Mission in Kinshasa, DRC, will benefit from enhanced security. The contract ensures the protection of U.S. government property and assets. Services provided include armed and uniformed security guards and patrol services. This contract contributes to the safe and effective operation of U.S. diplomatic missions abroad.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost increases due to Time and Materials pricing structure if not closely monitored.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical security functions requires robust performance management.
Geopolitical instability in the region could impact operational effectiveness and potentially increase costs.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
Contract duration provides stability for security operations.
Clear objectives for preventing loss, injury, and unauthorized access are defined.

Sector Analysis

The security services sector is a significant component of government contracting, particularly for overseas operations where physical security is paramount. This contract falls under the Security Guards and Patrol Services industry (NAICS 561612). The market for such services is global, with major players like G4S operating in numerous countries. Benchmarking requires comparison to similar contracts for diplomatic facilities in regions with comparable security challenges.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. Given the nature of the services and the location, it is unlikely that significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses would be a primary focus, though specific subcontracting plans would need to be reviewed for confirmation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the Department of State's Bureau of Diplomatic Security and the U.S. Mission in Kinshasa. Performance will be monitored through contract clauses, regular reporting requirements, and potentially site visits. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics are typically internal.

Related Government Programs

Worldwide Protective Services (WWPS)
Embassy Security Contracts
Department of State Security Operations

Risk Flags

Time and Materials contract type requires close monitoring to control costs.
Operating in a high-risk environment like Kinshasa presents inherent security challenges.
Contractor performance history needs thorough review for assurance of capability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $5.3 million to G4S (DRC) S.A.R.L. LOCAL GUARD UNIFORMED AND ARMED SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE US AMERICAN MISSION KINSHASA, DRC WHICH REQUIRES THE CONTRACTOR TO PREVENT LOSS OR INJURY TO U.S. PERSONNEL, DEPENDENTS, PROPERTY DESTRUCTION OF ASSETS TO PREVENT UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS AND D

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is G4S (DRC) S.A.R.L.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-06-01. End: 2026-08-31.

What is the track record of G4S (DRC) S.A.R.L. in providing similar security services for U.S. diplomatic missions?

Assessing the specific track record of G4S (DRC) S.A.R.L. requires a deep dive into their past performance on contracts with the Department of State or other federal agencies, particularly in high-risk environments like the Democratic Republic of Congo. While G4S is a large, multinational security provider with extensive experience, the performance of its local subsidiary is critical. Past performance reviews, CPARS (Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System) data, and any documented instances of contract failures or successes would be key indicators. Without access to this specific performance data, it's difficult to definitively assess their suitability beyond their general reputation and the fact they were selected through a competitive process.

How does the pricing structure of this Time and Materials contract compare to industry benchmarks for armed security services in Kinshasa?

The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure for this contract means that the government pays for the actual labor hours and materials used, plus a fixed fee or profit. To benchmark this against industry standards for armed security services in Kinshasa, one would need detailed cost breakdowns of labor rates (including guard pay, benefits, overtime), equipment costs, and overhead. Market research reports on security costs in DRC, or data from similar T&M contracts awarded by the State Department for comparable posts, would be essential. The absence of a fixed ceiling price in a T&M contract necessitates stringent oversight to prevent cost escalation and ensure value for money, making direct comparison challenging without granular cost data.

What are the primary risks associated with providing armed security services in the Kinshasa, DRC, environment, and how are they mitigated by this contract?

The primary risks in Kinshasa include potential political instability, local crime, and the inherent dangers associated with armed security operations. These risks can lead to incidents, personnel safety concerns, and operational disruptions. This contract attempts to mitigate these risks by clearly defining the contractor's responsibilities for preventing loss, injury, and unauthorized access, and by requiring armed and uniformed personnel. The selection of G4S, a company with global security experience, suggests an assessment of their capability to manage these risks. However, ongoing risk mitigation relies heavily on the contractor's operational procedures, training, and the effectiveness of the Department of State's oversight and security protocols.

What is the historical spending pattern for security services at the U.S. Mission in Kinshasa, and how does this award compare?

To analyze historical spending, one would need to examine previous contracts awarded for security services at the U.S. Mission in Kinshasa. This would involve looking at contract values, durations, and the contractors involved over the past several years. Comparing the current $5.3 million award over approximately 3.25 years (annualized at ~$1.64M) to previous spending would reveal whether this represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment. Factors like changes in threat assessments, mission size, or service requirements could explain any variations. Without access to historical contract data for this specific post, a direct comparison is not possible, but this award indicates a significant, multi-year commitment to security.

How does the competition level (4 bidders) for this contract influence the potential for cost savings for the taxpayer?

A competition involving four bidders generally suggests a healthy market for the required security services in Kinshasa. More bidders typically increase the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing, as companies vie for the contract. This level of competition provides the government with leverage to negotiate favorable terms and prices. While the Time and Materials nature of the contract requires careful management, the initial competitive award is a positive indicator that taxpayer funds are being sought at market-reflective rates. The ultimate cost savings depend on effective contract administration and performance monitoring to ensure efficiency.

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: 19AQMM21R0376

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: G4S Limited

Address: 4885 KOLWEZI AVENUE, KINSHASA

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $28,433,129

Exercised Options: $9,277,577

Current Obligation: $5,343,551

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline