Feral Jundi

This is fantastic news. Check this out. In the solicitation below, they are going to use ‘Best Value Criteria’ for the selection of what company they will go with. So that means they will not be selecting companies by who is the ‘lowest priced and technically acceptable’, or what I call the lowest bidder. Outstanding news and this is exactly what I and others have been harping on for awhile now.

You don’t pick your doctor based on who is the ‘lowest priced, technically acceptable’ and it does not make sense to pick a security company like that either. In both cases, lives are at risk and at Camp Leatherneck, our Marines deserve better.

Now of course this also requires the government to do their due diligence and actually find a good company to do business with. And if they can implement key components into the contract to either keep that company in check, or have the means to get rid of them and go with a better partner, then they should exercise that option. They should also work hard and really understand the dynamics of the company and how they treat their people, once they are hiring and fielding folks. A company can talk a great game, but the proof is in the pudding. And the test is if the base security is sound and the services delivered are exactly what the contract stipulates.

The thing the government should also focus on is the happiness of the guards themselves. Are they getting paid what they were promised, is the company treating them fairly, are they paying their people on time, are they pleased with the living conditions, are they happy with their leadership, is the company giving them good weapons and kit, and is the company doing all they can to take care of their people. Because if you have a happy guard force, then they will work that much harder to keep their job and do well on that contract. Sure it is a war zone and there will be some discomfort with the assigned duties and the environment itself, but there are still a lot of areas that a company can control and do well at in order to keep their folks happy.

The government should also focus on the leadership out in the field and ask them if they are getting the support necessary from headquarters? You get some of these companies that could care less about their managers out in the field, and are horrible at supporting them when for example they are trying to discipline a contractor or get certain equipment that is vital to the mission. Like I said, headquarters should be purely focused on making sure their people on the ground in that war zone are happy and taken care of. If not, then that is when you get the high attrition rate or you have leaders and workers that slack off and could care less about doing a good job. You also have a hard time properly managing these contracts if you have folks that are constantly leaving because they hate working for the company.

The other thing about this contract that perked me up is that they will be fielding 166 guards, and those guards are all to be vetted with a secret security clearance and come from the US or Commonwealth nations. That is great, and that means you will not see a TWISS deal for this contract where Ugandans or similar contractors are guarding the facility.

This is the first such requirement recognized at a Marine Corps installation that requires a higher force-protection standard; therefore, this procurement will be restricted to the citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada (FVEY EXPAT). This procurement will contain Classified Information. Therefore, Offerors must also have a current facility clearance, have the appropriate business licenses to carry arms, and operate as a business in Afghanistan.

The other element of this contract that is interesting to me is the weapons. For this deal, contractors will be operating some serious firepower. Which is great, and that is the way it should be. It also explains why there is more of a focus on a ‘higher force-protection standard’.

Personnel will be expected to wear body armor, man security towers and be familiar with the M16A4 rifle, M4 carbine and M9 pistol, plus crew-served weapons such as the M240B heavy machine gun and M2 .50-caliber machine gun. A typical workweek will last up to 72 hours, military documents said.

I wouldn’t mind seeing some mortars or even a Carl Gustav or two thrown in there? Why not some Mk 19’s as well? I mean if you are going to give contractors M 240B’s and M2’s, then why not give them as many tools as necessary to get the job done? But if the Marines feel this appropriate for the base defense, or that maybe a military unit will be manning the bigger more lethal stuff, then that is fine.

Oh, and one more thing. I personally like the guard shift system of three shifts of eight hours. The 12 hour shift is too long and I question how sharp guards can actually be after doing 12 hour shifts for multiple months? Having worked both types of shifts, it is my opinion that the 8 hour shift is the optimum schedule for keeping a guard force happy and sharp. It also helps to have one day off a week, just so guards can disconnect from the job and just relax. It is little things like that, that will make all the difference in the world on these contracts. Either way, I am glad to see that someone is listening to reason when it comes to these contracts. –Matt

Civilians to guard Marine base in Afghanistan
By Dan Lamothe
Wednesday Dec 28, 2011
U.S. commanders want civilian contractors to provide military security at the Marine Corps’ largest base in Afghanistan as a planned withdrawal of U.S. forces from the war-torn country expands.
The contracted security personnel will guard Camp Leatherneck, the sprawling, 1,500-acre-plus installation that serves as the Corps’ main hub of operations in Helmand province and home to II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), commanded by Maj. Gen. John Toolan. To date, coalition forces have handled security at Leatherneck, but commanders have discussed using contractors for months in anticipation of a smaller Marine footprint, said Lt. Col. Riccoh Player, a Marine spokesman at Leatherneck.

“As we prepare for fewer Marine boots on the ground, the requirement to maintain a certain level of security aboard Camp Leatherneck must be maintained,” Player said. “That’s where contractor support will provide Camp Leatherneck security where Marines have in the past.”
U.S. Army Contracting Command announced a competition for the job in November. At least 166 civilian guards will be needed at all times, meaning the company that wins the contract will almost certainly need more to account for vacations and other leave time. Companies who seek the job must hire guards who are citizens of the U.S. or some of its closest allies: the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
Base security at Leatherneck has been performed primarily by a reserve infantry battalion, currently 1st Battalion, 25th Marines, out of Fort Devens, Mass. However, as part of the drawdown, the Corps already has canceled the deployment of a replacement unit, 1st Battalion, 24th Marines, out of Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich. Marines with 1/24 would have replaced 1/25 in theater next year.
The civilian guards posting security must have a secret security clearance issued by either the U.S. or the International Security Assistance Force headed by Marine Gen. John Allen, according to documents released in the competition.
Personnel will be expected to wear body armor, man security towers and be familiar with the M16A4 rifle, M4 carbine and M9 pistol, plus crew-served weapons such as the M240B heavy machine gun and M2 .50-caliber machine gun. A typical workweek will last up to 72 hours, military documents said.
Broader mission unclear
The solicitation to industry said establishment of an ammunition supply center and expansion of Leatherneck has prompted additional perimeter security requirements there. It’s unclear who will handle security at other large forward operating bases in 2012.
Marines with 1/25 handle security at not only Leatherneck but at Camp Dwyer and Camp Delaram II, both of which are home to regimental combat team headquarters that fall under II MEF (Fwd.).
Dwyer, in Garmser district, is home to Regimental Combat Team 5, overseeing infantry operations in central Helmand. Delaram II is just across the Helmand border in Nimroz province, and home to RCT-8. It oversees infantry operations in northern Helmand, including in volatile Sangin and Kajaki districts.
There is no requirement for civilian contractors to provide security at Dwyer or Delaram, Player said. The contract competition mentions work only at Leatherneck.
Marines with 1/25 also provide security in locations outside the wire near large forward operating bases. One example is “Soak City,” a shantytown about a half-mile outside the north gate of Leatherneck. Named after the so-called “soak lot” at the Helmand Regional Distribution Center, it popped up because merchants and scavengers were attracted to the possibility of selling goods to truck drivers who deliver supplies to Leatherneck, Marine commanders said. It’s unclear who may get that mission after 1/25 returns to the U.S.
Posting security at Leatherneck has proved to be a mostly peaceful endeavor. Established in the desert primarily in Helmand’s Washir district, the base is isolated from other population centers. Kandahar Airfield, another major FOB in neighboring Kandahar province, has been attacked with rockets and coordinated ground attacks, but the military has not experienced similar high-profile problems at Leatherneck.
Story here.
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R–AFGHANISTAN SECURITY SERVICES – CAMP LEATHERNECK AND AMMUNITION SUPPLY POINT
Solicitation Number: W560MY12R0001
Agency: Department of the Army
Office: Army Contracting Command
Location: ACC – Rock Island – C3 (ACC-RI-C3)
Note: There have been modifications to this notice. You are currently viewing the original synopsis.
Solicitation Number: W560MY12R0001
Notice Type: Presolicitation
Synopsis: This is a Pre-Solicitation Synopsis for the US Army Contracting Command, Rock Island for solicitation W560MY-12-R-0001, which serves as notification to industry of the procurement of Afghanistan Security Services for Camp Leatherneck and Ammunition Supply Point. US Marine Corps (USMC) – II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) has a recurring requirement for security services within Afghanistan. The establishment of the permanent Ammunition Supply Point (ASP) concurrently with the expansion of Camp Leatherneck has generated additional perimeter security requirements. This is the first such requirement recognized at a Marine Corps installation that requires a higher force-protection standard; therefore, this procurement will be restricted to the citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada (FVEY EXPAT). This procurement will contain Classified Information. Therefore, Offerors must also have a current facility clearance, have the appropriate business licenses to carry arms, and operate as a business in Afghanistan.
It is the Government’s intent to utilize Best Value Criteria which is expected to result in the award of one Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) (with Cost Reimbursable CLINs for spare parts, Defense Base Act (DBA) insurance, and overtime, ancillary to services provided) basic contract. A one year base award and four evaluated 12 month options will support the FY 12 – FY17 planned requirements.
The anticipated date for solicitation issuance is on/about 04 November 2011.
The NAICS code for this procurement is 561612 Security Services.
This is not a request for offers. THE SOLICITATION WILL BE ISSUED ON THE WEB VIA FEDERAL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES (FEDBIZOPPS). NO PAPER COPIES OF THE SOLICITATION OR AMENDMENTS WILL BE ISSUED. No public announcement of any amendments will be made. Vendors are advised to periodically check the web page for new amendments or other updates. Any changes to the solicitation will be posted only to the website. Contractors are required to be registered in the Central the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) prior to award of any resultant contract. The Internet site for registering in the CCR is . You may also contact the CCR Registration Assistance Center at 1-888-227-2423, customer service, and request the registration form and assistance packet for completion. Inquiries/questions concerning this pre-solicitation notice may be emailed to Mariellen Crosson at mariellen.crosson.civ@mail.mil and Cheryl Nielsen at Cheryl.l.nielsen8.civ@mail.mil.
Contracting Office Address:
ACC – Rock Island – C3 (ACC-RI-C3), Bldg 60, 3rd Floor , Rock Island, IL 52807
Place of Performance:
ACC – Rock Island – C3 (ACC-RI-C3) Bldg 60, 3rd Floor Rock Island IL
52807
US
Point of Contact(s):
Mariellen Crosson, 309-782-5405