State Department Awards $11.75M Contract for Lisbon Mission Guard Services to Universal Protection Service
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $11,750,050 ($11.8M)
Contractor: Universal Protection Service, Limited Partnership
Awarding Agency: Department of State
Start Date: 2020-12-01
End Date: 2026-05-31
Contract Duration: 2,007 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: LOCAL GUARD FORCE SERVICES U.S. MISSION LISBON, PORTUGAL
Plain-Language Summary
Department of State obligated $11.8 million to UNIVERSAL PROTECTION SERVICE, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP for work described as: LOCAL GUARD FORCE SERVICES U.S. MISSION LISBON, PORTUGAL Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Universal Protection Service, a significant player in the security sector. 2. The contract value of $11.75M over approximately 5.5 years warrants scrutiny for value. 3. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a robust price discovery process. 4. The sector is Security Guards and Patrol Services, a critical function for diplomatic missions.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $11.75M over 5.5 years averages around $2.1M annually. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for security services at overseas missions is necessary to assess if this pricing is competitive.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating multiple bidders likely participated. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives fair market value.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award suggests that taxpayer funds are being utilized efficiently for essential security services at the U.S. Mission in Lisbon.
Public Impact
Ensures security for U.S. personnel and assets at the Lisbon Mission. Supports a critical diplomatic function abroad. Provides employment opportunities within the security services sector.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 58 / 10
Warning Flags
- Contract duration is relatively long (5.5 years).
- Contract type is Time and Materials, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed closely.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Supports a vital government function.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the Security Guards and Patrol Services sector, a common requirement for government facilities, especially embassies and consulates. Spending in this sector is driven by geopolitical needs and facility protection requirements.
Small Business Impact
The awardee, Universal Protection Service, LP, is a large business. There is no indication of specific set-asides for small businesses in this procurement, which is common for specialized security services.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of State is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard oversight mechanisms for contract performance and financial management should be in place to ensure accountability.
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 contract type.
- Long contract duration may reduce flexibility for future needs.
- Lack of small business participation noted.
- Performance quality is dependent on contractor execution.
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 $11.8 million to UNIVERSAL PROTECTION SERVICE, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP. LOCAL GUARD FORCE SERVICES U.S. MISSION LISBON, PORTUGAL
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is UNIVERSAL PROTECTION SERVICE, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $11.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-12-01. End: 2026-05-31.
What is the average annual cost per guard, and how does it compare to industry benchmarks for similar overseas locations?
Calculating the average annual cost per guard requires knowing the number of guards and their specific roles. Without this data, a precise per-guard cost benchmark is impossible. However, the total contract value divided by the contract duration suggests an annual spend of approximately $2.1 million. Further analysis would involve comparing this figure against known government and private sector security personnel costs in similar international postings.
What are the specific risks associated with a Time and Materials contract for security services, and how are they mitigated?
Time and Materials (T&M) contracts carry inherent risks of cost escalation due to undefined labor hours and material costs. For security services, this could manifest as increased staffing or overtime without clear justification. Mitigation strategies typically include robust monitoring of hours, strict adherence to pre-approved staffing levels, detailed reporting requirements, and clear definitions of billable materials.
How effectively does this contract ensure the physical security and operational continuity of the U.S. Mission in Lisbon?
The effectiveness of this contract hinges on the performance of Universal Protection Service, LP. While the full and open competition suggests a competitive selection, ongoing performance monitoring, adherence to security protocols, and responsiveness to evolving threats are crucial. The contract's success will be measured by the absence of security incidents and the seamless provision of security services.
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: 19AQMM20R0119
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1551 N TUSTIN AVE STE 650, SANTA ANA, CA, 92705
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $12,715,320
Exercised Options: $12,715,320
Current Obligation: $11,750,050
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-12-01
Current End Date: 2026-05-31
Potential End Date: 2026-05-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-30
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