The Department of State is conducting market research to determine the degree of interest and capability by U.S. Small Businesses only in providing local guard services for the U.S. Mission to Panama City. At this time, no solicitation document is available, and telephone or email requests for additional information will not be honored. Any response to this notice must accompany details expressing clear and convincing evidence of prospective contractors experience, capability and capacity to perform this requirement. The information collected is for market research. This RFI serves as a market survey to query the capability of the competitive market. 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: Provide copies of current licenses and/or 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 radios. Ability to overcome language barriers. 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 instructing, providing, and qualifying personnel in the use of security equipment including but not limited to x-ray equipment, radio equipment, as well as obtaining access to a training facility in host country. 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). Describe experience hiring and training, including English language training, a guard staff consisting of host country nationals. Describe capabilities having provided trained equipment technicians for all vehicles, and 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. Describe 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. 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. It is requested that all interested parties submit their capabilities by e-mail to Martin Fuller at
[email protected] addressing each of the above requirements by 9:00 am EST, August 9th, 2024. Interested parties shall also complete the Contractor Information Sheet which is attached. If you have any questions or comments, please reference this Sources Sought Notice when emailing. At this time, the U.S. Department of State does not guarantee that any future contracts may be awarded covering the aforementioned duties and responses to this Sources Sought notice do not bind the U.S. Department of State to any agreement with the responder, be it explicit or implied