Sources Sought - U.S. Mission Maseru, Lesotho

What the buyer is asking for

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS/QUOTES - THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE/REQUEST FOR INFORMATION, AND INFORMATION SUBMITTED WILL BE USED FOR MARKET RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY. 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. Overview: The Department of State is conducting market research to determine the degree of interest and capability by all business sizes (small and large) in providing local guard services at the U.S. Embassy Maseru, Lesotho. 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. 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 benefits 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 and vehicles. Ability to overcome language barriers. Capability of instructing, providing, and qualifying personnel in the use of x-ray equipment and radio equipment. 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 laborpersonnel 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, train and retain, including English language training, of a guard staff consisting of host country nationals Ability to provide trained equipment technicians for all vehicles and radios 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…