State Dept. awards $140M+ for Overseas Security Guards, utilizing full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $140,086,992 ($140.1M)

Contractor: Gardaworld Federal Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2011-07-29

End Date: 2017-12-14

Contract Duration: 2,330 days

Daily Burn Rate: $60.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: OVERSEAS CONTRACT

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $140.1 million to GARDAWORLD FEDERAL SERVICES LLC for work described as: OVERSEAS CONTRACT Key points: 1. Significant contract value exceeding $140 million for essential overseas security services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a potentially competitive pricing environment. 3. Contract duration spans over 6 years, indicating long-term service needs. 4. The award was a delivery order, implying it was part of a larger contract vehicle.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract was awarded on a Time and Materials basis, which can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. Benchmarking against similar contracts for security services is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The use of full and open competition is a positive indicator for price discovery. However, the Time and Materials pricing structure may limit the effectiveness of competition in controlling final costs.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for critical security services abroad. The effectiveness of competition and oversight will determine the overall value for money.

Public Impact

Ensures security for U.S. personnel and interests in potentially high-risk overseas locations. Supports diplomatic missions and government operations abroad through essential protective services. The contract's scale suggests a significant operational footprint and reliance on contractor support.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Time and Materials pricing structure
  • Long contract duration
  • Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data

Positive Signals

  • Full and open competition utilized
  • Awarded by Department of State

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under security and protective services, a sector critical for government operations, especially in overseas environments. Spending benchmarks for such services can vary widely based on location and threat level.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates the awardee is GARDAWORLD FEDERAL SERVICES LLC, a large business. There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight of a Time and Materials contract of this magnitude is crucial. The Department of State would need robust contract management and surveillance to ensure cost control and performance.

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 pricing
  • Long contract duration may reduce flexibility
  • Lack of detailed cost breakdown in provided data
  • Overseas locations can present unique logistical and security challenges
  • Reliance on contractor for critical security functions

Tags

security-guards-and-patrol-services, department-of-state, delivery-order, 100m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $140.1 million to GARDAWORLD FEDERAL SERVICES LLC. OVERSEAS CONTRACT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GARDAWORLD FEDERAL SERVICES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $140.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-07-29. End: 2017-12-14.

What was the average hourly rate for labor under this Time and Materials contract, and how does it compare to industry standards for similar overseas security services?

The provided data does not include specific hourly rates for labor. To assess value, a detailed analysis of the Time and Materials breakdown, including labor categories, overhead, and profit margins, would be necessary. Comparison to industry benchmarks for comparable overseas security contracts is essential for a thorough assessment.

What mechanisms were in place to mitigate the risks associated with a Time and Materials contract, particularly regarding potential cost overruns and contractor performance?

Effective mitigation would typically involve strict oversight, detailed reporting requirements, defined labor categories with pre-negotiated rates, and clear performance standards. The Department of State would need a dedicated contract management team to monitor expenditures, validate hours worked, and ensure adherence to the contract's scope and objectives.

How effectively did the full and open competition process ensure competitive pricing, given the Time and Materials contract type?

While full and open competition is a strong starting point for price discovery, the Time and Materials structure inherently shifts some cost risk to the government. The competition likely focused on the proposed rates, overhead, and profit margins. However, the final cost is heavily influenced by the actual hours and materials consumed, making ongoing oversight critical to realizing the benefits of the initial competition.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation ServicesInvestigation and Security ServicesSecurity Guards and Patrol Services

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPINGHOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: TORFP 2011-0010

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Corporation DE Sécurité Garda World (UEI: 205520906)

Address: 1655 FORT MYER DR STE 360, ARLINGTON, VA, 22209

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $678,943,627

Exercised Options: $454,728,562

Current Obligation: $140,086,992

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: SAQMMA10D0094

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2011-07-29

Current End Date: 2017-12-14

Potential End Date: 2017-12-14 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2021-10-06

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