State Department awards $5.2M contract for security services in Doha, Qatar, to G4S QATAR JV

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,213,205 ($5.2M)

Contractor: G4S Qatar JV

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2023-11-01

End Date: 2026-10-31

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: LOCAL GUARD UNIFORMED AND ARMED SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE US MISSION DOHA, QATAR

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $5.2 million to G4S QATAR JV for work described as: LOCAL GUARD UNIFORMED AND ARMED SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE US MISSION DOHA, QATAR Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control risks if not managed closely. 3. The duration of 1095 days (3 years) indicates a long-term need for these security services. 4. The awardee, G4S QATAR JV, is a joint venture, potentially indicating a specialized or localized capability. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 561612 points to security guard services. 6. The contract is for services on behalf of the US Mission in Doha, Qatar, highlighting an overseas operational requirement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $5.2 million over three years averages approximately $1.73 million annually. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for uniformed and armed security services at US diplomatic missions abroad is challenging without more specific data on the scope of services, threat levels, and geographic location. However, the Time and Materials pricing structure warrants careful monitoring to ensure costs remain within reasonable bounds and do not escalate unexpectedly. The absence of a fixed price or cost-plus-fixed-fee structure suggests a degree of uncertainty in the required effort or hours.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 3 bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this requirement. While three bidders is better than a sole-source award, it is not indicative of a highly competitive market. The specific details of the bidding process, including the number of proposals received and the evaluation criteria, would provide further insight into the effectiveness of the competition.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition, even with a moderate number of bidders, generally provides a better opportunity for price discovery and can lead to more favorable pricing for taxpayers compared to sole-source or limited competition scenarios.

Public Impact

US Mission in Doha, Qatar, will benefit from enhanced security services. The contract ensures the safety and security of personnel and facilities at the diplomatic mission. Services include uniformed and armed guards, providing a visible security presence. The contract supports the US foreign policy and diplomatic operations in Qatar. Local employment opportunities may arise for security personnel in Qatar.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.
Limited competition (3 bidders) may not have driven the most aggressive pricing.
The specific scope of services and performance metrics are not detailed, making performance assessment difficult.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, allowing for broad market participation.
The contract duration suggests a stable, long-term need for security services.
The awardee is a joint venture, potentially bringing specialized local expertise.

Sector Analysis

The security services sector is a significant component of the global economy, encompassing a wide range of protective measures. For government contracts, particularly those supporting diplomatic missions abroad, the market often involves specialized firms with experience in high-risk environments. The spending benchmark for such services can vary widely based on location, threat assessment, and the specific requirements for personnel and equipment. This contract falls within the broader government contracting landscape for protective services, which is a recurring need for federal agencies operating overseas.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract included a small business set-aside. The awardee, G4S QATAR JV, is a joint venture, and its size classification would need further investigation. Without specific subcontracting plans or set-aside requirements, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear, though large contracts like this can sometimes create opportunities for smaller subcontractors if they are part of the prime contractor's supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of State's contracting and program management officials responsible for overseas missions. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS, where basic information is publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would typically cover investigations into fraud, waste, and abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

US Department of State Diplomatic Security Service Contracts
Overseas Security Guard Services
Embassy and Consulate Security Contracts
Global Security Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Moderate competition level may not have yielded the best possible pricing.
Lack of detailed public information on specific performance metrics and scope of work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $5.2 million to G4S QATAR JV. LOCAL GUARD UNIFORMED AND ARMED SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE US MISSION DOHA, QATAR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is G4S QATAR JV.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-11-01. End: 2026-10-31.

What is the typical cost range for similar uniformed and armed security guard services at US diplomatic missions in comparable regions?

Determining a precise cost range for similar services requires detailed comparison of factors such as the specific threat environment, the number of personnel required, the level of armament, the hours of coverage, and the geographic location's cost of living and labor market. Contracts for security at US diplomatic posts can range from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of dollars annually, depending on these variables. For instance, high-threat posts often require more extensive security measures and personnel, driving up costs significantly. Without specific details on the scope of services and threat level for the US Mission in Doha, a direct cost comparison is difficult. However, the $1.73 million annual average for this contract suggests a substantial security operation is in place.

What is the track record of G4S QATAR JV in providing security services to the US government or other diplomatic missions?

G4S is a large, multinational security company with a significant presence globally, including in Qatar. Information regarding the specific track record of the joint venture 'G4S QATAR JV' in providing services directly to the US government or other diplomatic missions would typically be found in their proposal documentation submitted during the bidding process. Government agencies often review past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS) when making award decisions. A review of publicly available contract databases might reveal other awards to G4S or its joint ventures for similar services, providing insight into their experience and performance history.

How does the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type impact cost control and risk for this security service contract?

The Time and Materials (T&M) contract type is generally used when the level of effort or the duration of the work cannot be estimated accurately at the time of contract award. For security services, this could apply if the exact number of guard hours or the specific tasks required are subject to fluctuation due to changing security conditions or mission requirements. The primary risk with T&M contracts is the potential for cost overruns, as the government pays for the actual labor hours and materials used, plus a fixed fee or hourly rate. Effective cost control relies heavily on robust government oversight, detailed record-keeping by the contractor, and clear definitions of what constitutes billable hours and materials to prevent inefficiencies or unnecessary work.

What are the potential implications of awarding this contract to a joint venture for service delivery and oversight?

Awarding a contract to a joint venture (JV) like G4S QATAR JV can have several implications. JVs are often formed to combine the strengths, expertise, or local presence of multiple companies. For service delivery, this could mean access to specialized skills, local market knowledge, and potentially a more robust operational capability. From an oversight perspective, the government needs to ensure clear lines of accountability are established within the JV structure. It's important to understand which entity or entities within the JV hold primary responsibility for performance, compliance, and financial reporting. The government may also need to assess the financial stability and performance capabilities of all JV partners.

What is the historical spending pattern for security guard services by the Department of State, and how does this contract compare?

The Department of State consistently spends significant amounts on security services globally to protect its personnel and facilities at embassies and consulates. Historical spending data, often available through sources like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), would show a pattern of substantial investment in this area. This $5.2 million contract over three years represents a portion of that overall spending. To compare it effectively, one would need to analyze the average contract value, duration, and scope of services for similar security contracts awarded by the State Department in recent years. Without that broader context, it's difficult to definitively state whether this specific award is high, low, or average, but it aligns with the department's ongoing need for robust overseas security.

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: 19AQMM23R0087

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: G4S CAR JV

Address: 1395 UNIVERSITY BLVD., JUPITER, FL, 33458

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,947,663

Exercised Options: $6,952,014

Current Obligation: $5,213,205

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline