Feral Jundi

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Industry Talk: CIA Curtails Contract with MVM, SOC Picks it Up

Filed under: Industry Talk — Tags: , , , , , — Matt @ 10:48 AM

Thanks to Scott for hooking me up with this article.  –Head Jundi 

—————————————————————— 

CIA Curtails Contract

With U.S. Security Firm in Iraq

By SIOBHAN GORMAN and AUGUST COLE

August 28, 2008; Page B1

 

MVM Inc., one of the biggest security contractors used by U.S. intelligence agencies, has lost the bulk of a Central Intelligence Agency contract in Iraq after failing to provide enough armed guards, according to company emails and contractors familiar with the decision.

 

The loss of the CIA contract, which was potentially worth more than $1 billion over five years, is a big blow to closely held MVM, based in Vienna, Va. Overseas work for U.S. intelligence agencies represents a third of the company’s $200 million in annual revenue and is believed to be one of the fastest-growing areas of the contracting business.

 

Intelligence officers needing protective services are likely to remain in Iraq even after U.S. troops leave, so demand for such services will continue or possibly increase. The CIA’s largest foreign station is in Baghdad, with hundreds of officers estimated to be based there. The loss of the contract will likely hurt MVM’s chances of winning further work with the agency.

 

“We are disappointed to announce that the client has not chosen MVM Inc.,” Rob Whitfield, who manages MVM’s CIA work, wrote to the company’s pool of guards on Aug. 22, according to a copy of the email viewed by The Wall Street Journal.

 

MVM declined to respond to specific questions. In a written statement, the company said it has an “outstanding performance history” working in dangerous regions and it has never failed to “secure any personnel or facilities that we have been contracted to protect.” The company also said that it is “fully compliant with all of the contractual obligations of our diverse client base.”

 

A CIA spokesman said the agency doesn’t comment on contracting decisions.

 

MVM’s performance on the CIA contract, known as Panther, was the subject of a Page One article in the Journal last month. The article also discussed alleged problems with a related National Security Agency contract, dubbed Scorpion, which provides guards for NSA employees overseas.

 

The article detailed allegations from a former MVM guard who said his teammates fabricated an after-action report about a November 2004 shooting incident to cover up their errors. Other contractors detailed problems in areas such as staffing and equipment.

 

In the article, MVM Chief Executive Dario Marquez said the government had been satisfied with MVM’s work. “We have a great working relationship with both these clients,” he said in an interview for the article, referring to the CIA and NSA.

 

The NSA has begun probing the allegations, according to a former MVM manager familiar with the inquiry, including sending an official to Baghdad last month to interview contractors employed by MVM at the time. An NSA spokesman said the agency had no information to provide on the inquiry or the contract.

 

The CIA’s Panther contract with MVM was to protect CIA officers in Iraq. MVM will retain a small portion responsible for guarding CIA facilities and will continue to provide a handful of mobile guards at two sites whose locations are classified, but which aren’t in Iraq, Afghanistan or Pakistan, according to Mr. Whitfield’s email.

 

The CIA awarded the more profitable work-protecting officers traveling around the country to a Nevada company, SOC Inc. SOC has been providing logistical support such as food services and electricity to the CIA in war zones.

 

SOC didn’t respond to requests for comment.

 

The U.S. relies on contractors throughout the intelligence community, though few are sent overseas. According to a recent report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, about 5% of the estimated 37,000 contracted intelligence personnel work overseas.

 

Overall, about 70% of the total intelligence budget, including electricity, is outsourced; some 27% of the total amount is spent on people doing core work, such as those with specific skills such as languages.

 

According to several former MVM managers, MVM was regularly 10 to 15 guards short of the 100 or so it promised. The lack of guards required the agency to postpone missions, one former manager said.

 

Guards working on Panther were frustrated with MVM’s management and pay and many decided to sign on with SOC, which promised $715 a day, compared with $630 MVM offered, according to a contractor familiar with the situation.

 

MVM’s Mr. Whitfield said in the email that the company “would have provided the most positive working environment for the independent contractors in the field.”

 

MVM plans to pursue “other opportunities” with CIA, Mr. Whitfield added.

 

Wall Street Journal article

 

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Industry Talk: SOC and MVM Still Hiring

Filed under: Industry Talk,Jobs — Tags: , , , — Matt @ 10:57 AM

   Be sure to check out the Secure Aspects job board.  MVM and SOC are still looking for guys.  Cheers.  -Head Jundi

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Industry Talk: SOC looking for more guys.

Filed under: Industry Talk,Iraq,Jobs — Tags: , — Matt @ 9:37 AM

   SOC is still looking for security specialists, for deployment to Iraq.  This has been an ongoing thing, and this is really a prime opportunity for you guys out there that are looking to get into the industry.  The contracts are mostly site security, with a little convoy stuff.  They also manage the Ugandan security forces, that you see at their various Air Base contracts in Iraq.  The monthly pay is 9,000 a month.  -Head Jundi

http://soc-smg.com/jobs

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Jobs: Security Guard, Iraq

Filed under: Jobs — Tags: , , , — Matt @ 1:01 AM

Short Description:
Security Guards
Long Description:
Mission: The contractor is required to provide 2 SCIF teams of 4 persons to perform security operations at the Perfume Palace SCIF at Camp Slayer. The objective is to maintain a high level of security at selected entry control points and perimeter security operations. The tasks will be accomplished by providing internal operations at entry control points, securing selected facilities, and providing armed escorts for local national laborers. The contractor shall enforce VBC security rules and regulations regarding authorized access to VBC, including internal check points. (more…)

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