Increased participation of United States contractors in local guard contracts abroad under diplomatic security program

• Currency: Current through P.L. 118-13 (published on www.congress.gov on 08/07/2023)
• Citation: 22 U.S.C. § 4864

(a) Findings

The Congress makes the following findings:

(1) State Department policy concerning the advertising of security contracts at Foreign Service buildings has been inconsistent over the years. In many cases, diplomatic and consular posts abroad have been given the responsibility to determine the manner in which the private sector was notified concerning an invitation for bids or a request for proposals with respect to a local guard contract. Some United States foreign missions have only chosen to advertise locally the availability of a local security guard contract abroad.

(2) As a result, many United States security firms that provide local guard services abroad have been unaware that local guard contracts were available for bidding abroad and such firms have been disadvantaged as a result.

(3) Undoubtedly, United States security firms would be interested in bidding on more local guard contracts abroad if such firms knew of the opportunity to bid on such contracts.

(b) Objective

It is the objective of this section to improve the efficiency of the local guard programs abroad administered by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security of the Department of State and to ensure maximum competition for local guard contracts abroad concerning Foreign Service buildings.

(c) Participation of United States contractors in local guard contracts abroad

With respect to local guard contracts for a Foreign Service building which exceed $250,000 and are entered into after February 16, 1990, the Secretary of State shall-

(1) establish procedures to ensure that all solicitations for such contracts are adequately advertised in the Commerce and Business Daily;

(2) absent compelling reasons, award such contracts through the competitive process;

(3) in evaluating proposals for such contracts, award contracts to the technically acceptable firm offering the lowest evaluated price, except that proposals of United States persons and qualified United States joint venture persons (as defined in subsection (d)) shall be evaluated by reducing the bid price by 10 percent;

(4) in countries where contract denomination and/or payment in local currencies constitutes a barrier to competition by United States firms-

(A) allow solicitations to be bid in United States dollars; and

(B) allow contracts awarded to United States firms to be paid in United States dollars;

(5) ensure that United States diplomatic and consular posts assist United States firms in obtaining local licenses and permits; and