This Sources Sought/Request for Information (RFI) is for information, planning and market research purposes only and shall not be construed as either a solicitation or obligation on the part of the United States Department of State ("State"). The purpose of this RFI is to identify ALL INTERESTED VENDORS that are capable of providing the services described in this RFI, draft Section C Performance Work Statement (PWS) and draft Section H Special Contract Requirements. The Department of State is also conducting market research to determine the degree of interest and capability by small businesses in providing local guard services at the U.S. Embassy Cotonou, Benin.
State will use this market research information to assess the market's capability to successfully meet State's need for local guard services at the U.S. Mission Cotonou. State does not intend to make a decision or award a contract on the basis of responses nor otherwise reimburse interested sources for the preparation of any information submitted for State's use of such information. State reserves the right to contact vendors if additional information is required.
Overview:
The Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security plays an essential role in ensuring that foreign policy missions are accomplished in a safe and secure environment. The primary mission of the local guard service is to provide protection for United States personnel, facilities, and equipment from damage or loss due to violent attack and theft. The local guard services shall prevent unauthorized access; protect life; maintain order; deter criminal and terrorist attacks against employees, dependents, and property; and prevent damage to all U.S. assets. The NAICS code for these services is 561612.
Responses must clearly demonstrate capabilities through examples of previous and/or current guard security contracts or experience closely related thereto.
Vendors must specifically address the following capabilities:
- Current licenses, work authorizations in compliance with host country law required for the execution of work, including firearms permits and licenses. Licenses must be in the name of the U.S. small business.
- Knowledge of and compliance with host country labor law which may require bonuses, specific minimum wage levels, premium pay for holidays, payments for social security, pensions, severance pay, sick or health benefits, childcare or any other benefit
- Knowledge of and compliance with host country tax law
- Ability to provide all types of insurance coverage required by host country in performance of services, such as automobile liability, comprehensive general liability, worker's compensation, employer's liability, etc.
- Furnishing, operating, and maintaining a radio network, including acquiring all licenses and permits that may be required for frequencies and the operation of all communications equipment
- Familiarity or experience with associated security equipment such as Guard Electronic Monitoring System (GEMS), Central Alarm Monitoring systems (CAMS), closed-circuit television systems, x-ray and explosive detection equipment
- Furnishing guard force equipment such as uniforms, vehicles, and weapons
- Ability to overcome language barriers
- Capability of instructing, providing, and qualifying personnel in the use of firearms, as well as x-ray equipment and radio equipment, including obtaining the access to a firearm training facility
- Ability to maintain a guard staff on a 24 hour 7 day a week basis with the ability to immediately backfill vacant positions due to resignations, rotations and illnesses due to a variety of reasons such as flu and food poisoning
- Capability of dealing with organized actions by direct labor personnel such as strikes (anticipated and unanticipated) and labor unrest (work slowdowns and/or organized failure of employees to report for shift changes)
- Ability to hire and train, including English language training and weapons training, if required, a guard staff consisting of host country nationals
- Ability to provide trained equipment technicians for all vehicles, radios and weapons required in the performance of the contract
- Ability to train a sizeable workforce to adapt quickly to unfamiliar laws and customs as well as the ability of company officials to gain quickly information regarding the laws and customs needed to maintain and equip such a workforce
- Experience or capability of getting contractor-furnished equipment and goods through customs and/or similar governmental agencies of the host country
- Understanding import and export regulations
- Understanding and familiarity of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) and International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) and the capability of complying with both by the performance date of any contract awarded requiring the execution of this Statute (22 U.S.C. 2778-2780)
- Managing smooth contract transition efforts.
- Ability to safely keep and track Government-Furnished Property
- Ability to screen personnel to meet suitability requirements for guard force positions
- Strong skill in instant, situational decision-making, e.g., response to threats
- Organized billing and invoicing procedures
Attachments:
1. Draft PWS (Section C) and DRAFT Special Contract Requirements (Section H) - See attached DRAFT PWS and Special Contract Requirements (Sections C & H), which are subject to change. Interested contractors responding to this notice are highly encouraged to review these sections. In order to gain access to the DRAFT PWS and Special Contract Requirements, contractors must sign the Vendor Restricted Access Form.
2. Contractor Information Form and Questionnaire Interested contractors must complete the attached response sheet and submit with their RFI submission.
3. Vendor Restricted Access Form- Interested contractors will need to fill out the Restricted Access form in order to download the DRAFT PWS and Special Contract Requirements in SAM.gov.
It is requested that all interested parties submit their capabilities by e-mail to Katya V. Gutierrez at GutierrezKV@state.gov addressing each of the above requirements by 10:00AM EST, June 22, 2026. Interested parties shall also complete the attached Contractor Information Sheet.
If you have any questions or comments, please reference this Sources Sought Notice when emailing.
At this time, this is a sources sought notice for written information only. The U.S. Department of State does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this notice or reimburse the costs incurred by potential offerors in providing the information requested herein. In preparation for an upcoming procurement, the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Global Acquisitions is conducting market research to determine potential sources.
THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR TECHNICAL OR COST PROPOSALS. This is a request for interested potential offerors to submit a brief capability statement.
Background
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security is seeking to identify interested vendors capable of providing local guard services at the U.S. Embassy in Cotonou, Benin. This Sources Sought/Request for Information (RFI) is intended for information gathering and market research purposes only, not as a solicitation or obligation to award a contract.
The primary mission of the local guard service is to ensure the safety and security of U.S. personnel, facilities, and equipment from threats such as violent attacks and theft.
Work Details
The local guard services will include:
- Protecting U.S. personnel and property;
- Preventing unauthorized access;
- Maintaining order;
- Deterring criminal and terrorist attacks;
- Preventing damage to U.S. assets;
- Ensuring compliance with host country laws regarding labor, taxes, and insurance.
Vendors must demonstrate capabilities through examples of previous guard security contracts or related experience. Specific capabilities required include:
- Compliance with host country laws for licenses and work authorizations;
- Knowledge of labor laws including minimum wage and benefits;
- Ability to provide necessary insurance coverage;
- Operation of a radio network;
- Familiarity with security equipment;
- Provision of guard force equipment;
- Language proficiency;
- Training capabilities for personnel in firearms and security equipment use;
- Maintaining a 24/7 guard staff;
- Managing labor relations including strikes;
- Hiring host country nationals;
- Providing trained technicians for equipment maintenance;
- Understanding import/export regulations and compliance with the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) and International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR);
- Managing contract transitions smoothly;
- Tracking Government-Furnished Property safely;
- Screening personnel for suitability requirements;
- Making situational decisions in response to threats;
- Maintaining organized billing procedures.
Period of Performance
The geographic location(s) the contract will be performed (if provided).
Place of Performance
The services will be performed at the U.S. Embassy in Cotonou, Benin.
Bidder Requirements
Bidders must be able to demonstrate current licenses and work authorizations compliant with host country law, including firearms permits. They must have knowledge of host country labor laws, tax laws, insurance requirements, and be capable of providing trained personnel. Additionally, bidders should have experience in customs processes within the host country and comply with AECA and ITAR regulations.
Incumbent Analysis (see Incumbents section for more detail)
This opportunity appears to have a confirmed incumbent based on prior award 19AQMM21C0003, awarded to Inter-Con Security Systems for $10,636,643 (03/01/21–11/30/26), covering local guard services at the U.S. Embassy in Cotonou, Benin. The prior work description aligns closely with the current RFI’s need for 24/7 local guard coverage, including staffing, management, and qualified personnel to meet the PWS requirements for protecting U.S. personnel and assets and preventing unauthorized access and threats.
