State Department Spends $30M on Embassy Security Guards in Brussels Over 5 Years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,908,945 ($29.9M)

Contractor: Miscellaneous Foreign Awardees

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2009-05-01

End Date: 2014-10-31

Contract Duration: 2,009 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: SECURITY GUARDS AND PATROL SERVICES- EMBASSY BRUSSELS

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $29.9 million to MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES for work described as: SECURITY GUARDS AND PATROL SERVICES- EMBASSY BRUSSELS Key points: 1. The contract for security guards and patrol services in Brussels totaled $29.9 million. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, the contract aimed for competitive pricing. 3. The primary risk involves ensuring consistent service quality and security effectiveness over the contract duration. 4. This spending falls within the security and protective services sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. Benchmarking against similar contracts for embassy security services would provide a clearer picture of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, which typically allows for the widest range of potential bidders and fosters price discovery. This method is generally expected to yield competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award suggests that taxpayers likely received fair value for the security services provided.

Public Impact

Ensures the physical security and safety of U.S. personnel and facilities at the Embassy in Brussels. Supports diplomatic operations by maintaining a secure environment for government functions. Provides employment opportunities within the security services industry.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for service quality degradation if not closely monitored.
Geopolitical risks affecting security needs in Brussels.

Positive Signals

Awarded via full and open competition.
Clear contract type (definitive contract).

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the security and protective services sector, specifically for guarding and patrol services. Spending benchmarks for similar government contracts in major European capitals would be relevant for comparison.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small businesses were not awarded this contract, as the awardee is listed as 'MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES'. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had the opportunity to compete.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of State is responsible for overseeing this contract to ensure the provision of adequate security services. Performance monitoring and contract compliance are key oversight functions.

Related Government Programs

Security Guards and Patrol Services
Department of State Contracting
Department of State Programs

Risk Flags

Contract duration is relatively long (over 5 years).
Awardee is 'MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES', lacking specific entity detail.
No indication of small business participation.
Potential for price creep in Time and Materials contracts if not managed tightly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $29.9 million to MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES. SECURITY GUARDS AND PATROL SERVICES- EMBASSY BRUSSELS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $29.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-05-01. End: 2014-10-31.

What was the average annual cost of security services per year for Embassy Brussels?

The total contract value was $29,908,945.03 over a period from May 1, 2009, to October 31, 2014, which is approximately 5.5 years. Dividing the total cost by the duration suggests an average annual spending of roughly $5.4 million for security guards and patrol services at the Brussels embassy.

What specific risks were identified or mitigated during the contract period for embassy security?

While the provided data doesn't detail specific risks, common risks for embassy security contracts include personnel security (vetting guards), operational security (preventing breaches), and adapting to evolving threat landscapes. Effective oversight and clear performance standards are crucial for mitigating these risks.

How effectively did the full and open competition ensure cost savings for taxpayers?

Full and open competition is designed to maximize the number of bidders, thereby driving down prices through market forces. While this method generally leads to cost savings, the actual effectiveness depends on the specific market conditions, the clarity of the solicitation, and the government's negotiation power.

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

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2011 CRYSTAL DR STE 911, ARLINGTON, VA, 22202

Business Categories: Category Business, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $32,241,909

Exercised Options: $31,500,592

Current Obligation: $29,908,945

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline