State Dept. Spends $25.5M on Security Guards, Awarded to Safeguard Security Services via Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $25,564,758 ($25.6M)
Contractor: Safeguard Security Services (PVT) Ltd
Awarding Agency: Department of State
Start Date: 2016-05-01
End Date: 2022-07-31
Contract Duration: 2,282 days
Daily Burn Rate: $11.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: LGF ZIMBABAWE: IGF::OT::IGF FOR OTHER FUNCTIONS
Plain-Language Summary
Department of State obligated $25.6 million to SAFEGUARD SECURITY SERVICES (PVT) LTD for work described as: LGF ZIMBABAWE: IGF::OT::IGF FOR OTHER FUNCTIONS Key points: 1. Significant spending on security services highlights the importance of physical security for government operations. 2. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The long duration of the contract (over 6 years) may indicate a stable, ongoing need for these services. 4. The use of Time and Materials pricing could lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's total value of $25.5M over 6 years averages around $4.2M annually. Benchmarking this against similar government contracts for security guard services is difficult without more specific details on scope and location, but it appears to be within a reasonable range for extensive, long-term security needs.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes price discovery and can lead to more competitive pricing for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award suggests taxpayers likely received a fair price for the security services rendered, though the Time and Materials pricing structure warrants careful monitoring to ensure efficiency.
Public Impact
Ensures physical security at diplomatic facilities and personnel. Supports the Department of State's mission by providing essential protective services. Creates jobs within the private security sector. Potential for cost fluctuations due to the Time and Materials contract type.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials pricing can lead to cost uncertainty.
- Long contract duration may reduce flexibility for future needs.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes evaluation difficult.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Addresses a critical government function (security).
- Long-term contract provides stability.
Sector Analysis
The security and patrol services sector is a significant part of government contracting, often involving long-term agreements to ensure consistent protection. Spending benchmarks vary widely based on the scale and location of operations, but this contract represents a substantial investment in safeguarding government assets and personnel.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. The award went to a single entity, Safeguard Security Services (Pvt) Ltd.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Department of State, implying internal oversight mechanisms are in place. However, the Time and Materials pricing structure necessitates robust monitoring and auditing to ensure cost control and prevent potential waste.
Related Government Programs
- Security Guards and Patrol Services
- Department of State Contracting
- Department of State Programs
Risk Flags
- Time and Materials pricing structure.
- Lack of detailed scope of work.
- Potential for cost overruns.
- Limited transparency on contract modifications.
Tags
security-guards-and-patrol-services, department-of-state, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of State awarded $25.6 million to SAFEGUARD SECURITY SERVICES (PVT) LTD. LGF ZIMBABAWE: IGF::OT::IGF FOR OTHER FUNCTIONS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SAFEGUARD SECURITY SERVICES (PVT) LTD.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $25.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2016-05-01. End: 2022-07-31.
What specific security services were provided under this contract, and how did the scope of work influence the final price?
The provided data indicates the contract was for 'Security Guards and Patrol Services' (NAICS 561612). However, the specific details of the scope, such as the number of guards, hours of service, locations covered, and any specialized security measures required, are not detailed. This information is crucial for a precise value assessment and understanding how the $25.5M was allocated.
How effectively was the Time and Materials pricing managed to control costs and ensure value for taxpayers over the contract's duration?
The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing model inherently carries a risk of cost escalation if not rigorously managed. Without detailed reports on contractor hours, material costs, and oversight reviews, it's difficult to assess the effectiveness of cost control. The Department of State would need to demonstrate strong oversight, including audits and performance reviews, to ensure this T&M contract delivered good value.
Were there any performance issues or contract modifications that significantly impacted the cost or duration of the security services provided?
The data shows the contract ran for its full duration (2016-2022) with 5 modifications. While modifications are common, their nature (e.g., scope changes, adjustments to rates) could have impacted the total cost and effectiveness. Further investigation into the specifics of these modifications would be necessary to fully understand any deviations from the original plan and their financial implications.
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: SAQMMA14R0182
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 36, GRANITESIDE
Business Categories: Category Business, Foreign Owned, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Other Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $27,292,729
Exercised Options: $26,380,043
Current Obligation: $25,564,758
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2016-05-01
Current End Date: 2022-07-31
Potential End Date: 2022-10-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-18
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