State Department awards $27.5M for Embassy security services in Switzerland, competing fully

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $27,451,436 ($27.5M)

Contractor: Protectas SA Securitas Critical Infrastructure Services Inc JV

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2016-06-01

End Date: 2022-05-31

Contract Duration: 2,190 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: AWARD OF CONTRACT TO PROVIDE LOCAL GUARD AND SECURITY SERVICES AT THE U.S. EMBASSY BERN, SWITZERLAND. IGF::CL::IGF

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $27.5 million to PROTECTAS SA SECURITAS CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES INC JV for work described as: AWARD OF CONTRACT TO PROVIDE LOCAL GUARD AND SECURITY SERVICES AT THE U.S. EMBASSY BERN, SWITZERLAND. IGF::CL::IGF Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential security services at the U.S. Embassy in Bern. 2. Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive pricing environment. 3. Contract duration of 6 years allows for stable service provision. 4. Services provided are critical for diplomatic mission safety and operations. 5. The award falls within the security guard and patrol services industry.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $27.5 million over six years for security services at a U.S. Embassy appears reasonable, considering the critical nature of the services and the location. Benchmarking against similar contracts for embassy security globally would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The time and materials pricing structure, while common, requires diligent oversight to ensure costs remain controlled and reflect fair market value for labor and materials.

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 were likely invited to bid. This process is designed to foster competition and potentially drive down costs. The presence of three bidders, as indicated, suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific requirement.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging a wider range of offers, leading to potentially more cost-effective solutions and ensuring that government funds are used efficiently.

Public Impact

U.S. Embassy in Bern, Switzerland benefits from enhanced security. Provides critical security guard and patrol services. Ensures the safety and operational continuity of diplomatic personnel and facilities. Supports local employment in Switzerland through the contracted security personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns with Time and Materials contract type if not closely monitored.
Ensuring consistent quality of security personnel across the contract duration.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process.
Long-term contract (6 years) provides stability for service delivery.
Services are essential for national security and diplomatic operations.

Sector Analysis

The security services sector, particularly for government facilities and diplomatic missions, is a specialized market. This contract falls under the broader security guard and patrol services industry (NAICS 561612). The global demand for such services is driven by security concerns, geopolitical stability, and the need to protect assets and personnel. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other U.S. embassy security contracts or large-scale security service procurements for government agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). There is no specific information provided regarding subcontracting plans. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this particular award is likely minimal, unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses in their supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the Department of State's Bureau of Diplomatic Security and contracting officers. The Inspector General of the Department of State would have jurisdiction for audits and investigations into potential fraud, waste, or abuse. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, but detailed performance monitoring reports are generally not publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Worldwide Protective Services
Embassy Security Contracts
Guard Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing structure.
Need for diligent oversight to ensure quality and prevent fraud.
Ensuring consistent guard performance and adherence to security protocols.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $27.5 million to PROTECTAS SA SECURITAS CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES INC JV. AWARD OF CONTRACT TO PROVIDE LOCAL GUARD AND SECURITY SERVICES AT THE U.S. EMBASSY BERN, SWITZERLAND. IGF::CL::IGF

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PROTECTAS SA SECURITAS CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES INC JV.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $27.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-06-01. End: 2022-05-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for security services at the U.S. Embassy in Bern?

Historical spending data for security services specifically at the U.S. Embassy in Bern prior to this $27.5 million award is not detailed in the provided data. However, the duration of this contract (2016-2022) suggests it replaced or consolidated previous security arrangements. Analyzing past solicitations and awards for this specific embassy or similar diplomatic posts would reveal trends in contract values, service providers, and pricing structures over time. Understanding historical spending is crucial for assessing whether the current award represents a cost increase, decrease, or stable expenditure relative to previous periods, and for identifying any shifts in service requirements or market dynamics.

How does the per-contractor cost compare to similar embassy security contracts?

The provided data does not allow for a direct per-contractor cost comparison to similar embassy security contracts due to the lack of detailed cost breakdowns and comparable contract specifics (e.g., scope of services, threat levels, geographic location nuances). The total award of $27.5 million over six years averages approximately $4.58 million annually. To benchmark effectively, one would need to identify contracts for security services at other U.S. embassies of comparable size and security requirements, and then analyze their total value, duration, and the specific services rendered. Factors such as local labor costs, geopolitical risk, and the specific security posture required at each embassy significantly influence pricing, making direct comparisons challenging without granular data.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this security contract?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this security contract. Typically, for guard and patrol services, KPIs would focus on metrics such as response times to incidents, adherence to post orders, guard attentiveness and professionalism, incident reporting accuracy, and the prevention of security breaches. The Department of State's Bureau of Diplomatic Security would establish these KPIs to ensure the effectiveness of the security services provided. Performance would likely be monitored through regular reviews, incident logs, and potentially unannounced inspections to ensure compliance with the contract's requirements and maintain the security posture of the embassy.

What is the track record of PROTECTAS SA SECURITAS CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES INC JV as a government contractor?

The provided data identifies 'PROTECTAS SA SECURITAS CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES INC JV' as the awardee. To assess their track record, one would need to examine their past performance on federal contracts. This involves reviewing contract databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) for previous awards, contract durations, values, and performance ratings. Information on past performance, including any documented issues, disputes, or exceptional performance, is critical. A joint venture (JV) structure might indicate a collaboration to leverage specific expertise or meet size requirements, and understanding the track record of each entity within the JV, as well as the JV's collective performance, is important for evaluating reliability and capability.

What are the risks associated with a Time and Materials contract for security services?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts, like the one used here, carry inherent risks for the government, primarily related to cost control. The government pays for the actual labor hours expended and the cost of materials used, plus a fixed fee or நிர்ணயம். The primary risk is that costs can escalate beyond initial estimates if work is inefficiently performed, if scope creep occurs without proper management, or if labor rates are higher than anticipated. To mitigate these risks, robust oversight, detailed tracking of hours and materials, and clear definitions of work are essential. The government must actively manage the contract to ensure fair and reasonable pricing and prevent contractor overcharging.

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: SAQMMA15R0150

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6850 VERSAR CENTER STE 400, SPRINGFIELD, VA, 22151

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $30,855,537

Exercised Options: $29,621,171

Current Obligation: $27,451,436

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline