Diplomatic Security/Overseas Protective Operations (DS/OPO) Global Canine Services (GCS)

The “Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986,” as amended (The Act) established the Secretary of State (hereinafter referred to as “Secretary”) as ultimately responsible for, inter alia, the safety and security of the Department of State (Department) and its employees serving in the U.S. and overseas.  The Secretary has delegated these global safety and security responsibilities to the Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS).

The Act further authorizes DS to employ individuals or organizations by contract to assist it with this global safety and security mission.  The Global Canine Services (GCS) contract, administered and managed by DS, International Programs, Office of Overseas Protective Operations (DS/IP/OPO), supports DS’ global protective and security mission, particularly in elevated high risk/high threat environments, by deploying the additional needed resources to strengthen DS’ security and protective posture in a surge or long-term capacity. 

Domestically/Continental U.S. (CONUS), several DS offices share responsibility for the execution and management of security and protective operations that are within the Department’s purview, including Contractor provided services.

Moreover, the Department maintains over 270 Posts outside the continental U.S. (OCONUS). The Foreign Service Act of 1980 gives the Chief of Mission (COM) to a foreign country full responsibility for the safety and security of all U.S. Government employees serving in that country (except Voice of America correspondents on official assignment and those personnel under the authority of a U.S. area military combatant commander) and their eligible accompanying household members.  Advising the COM on the execution of security and protective matters is the Regional Security Officer (RSO), DS, Diplomatic Security Service (DS/DSS).  The RSO is responsible for implementing and managing the diverse portfolio of security and protective functions at the RSO’s assigned Post(s) abroad, including Contractor provided services performed under this contract.

Working canines and their handlers, are an important part of The Department’s ability to provide security services in the furtherance of this mission, primarily through DS programs.  DS uses working canine teams in their operations worldwide and the Global Canine Services (GCS) program is integral to the continued support of the safety and security of Americans domestic and abroad.

The primary objective of this contract is to secure best-in-class and on-time delivery of those Contractor-provided resources and services DS/IP/OPO deems necessary to meet DS’ global canine support and security responsibilities.  It is through a strong U.S. Government and Contractor partnership that this important overall security objective can most effectively be achieved.