The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security – Worldwide Protective Services (WPS) contract hires armed bodyguards and security for American diplomatic personnel worldwide. That means a combination of personal protective (bodyguard), static guard (facilities and checkpoints), and emergency response security (fan looks hit…) services. It is probably the most lucrative such program on the planet, and as one might expect from its size and nature: the FY 2010 budget request and justification was for $1.65 billion, covering 1,898 personnel.
It’s also occasionally the subject of controversy when its contractors are involved in armed clashes, or some segment of the people involved display stupid, unprofessional, or even illegal behavior. If allegations are true, extremely lax management and poor choices in contractors have contributed to the problems. The State Department’s own rules can also create Catch-22s for the unwary, and corruption where they work can be as dangerous to contractor employees as enemy bullets.
Fore the US Department of State, the questions ultimately boil down to control and consequences. Do they have it, and do they enforce them? Which is why the latest 5-year, $10 billion multi-award umbrella contract is attracting interest and scrutiny. Under solicitation SAQMMA10R0005 (-a), 8 pre-approved contractors can compete for each award during the base year and up to 4 option years of the contract. Each is guaranteed only $5,000, which would serve as minimal compensation relative to even the cost of bidding. The winning firms include:
DARPA’s TRITON program plans to demonstrate duplex connectivity at submarine keel depths significantly greater than what has been demonstrated in the green, achieving area coverage and bit rates that satisfy existing Navy requirements. On Sept 24/10, QinetiQ North America Operations, LLC received a $31.8 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for Phase 1 of the TRITON/ Tactical Relay Information Network program. Work will be performed in Waltham, MA (43%); Ypsilanti, MI (7%); Herndon, VA (30%); La Jolla, CA (1%); Anaheim, CA (18%); Redondo Beach, CA (1%); and Los Angeles, CA (1%), and is expected to be complete by November 2011.
