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Due Diligence Vetting

All private security firm contracts awarded by the U.S. Department of State necessitate that the security personnel employed under the contract fulfill precise experience requirements as outlined by their respective job titles, job descriptions, and positions.

Prior to approving an individual’s participation in the program, the security firm contractor is responsible for verifying that each proposed hire possesses the necessary experience and training mandated by the contract.

The Diplomatic Security High Threat Protection (HTP) Program Office (in Washington) individually reviews and approves candidates for key leadership positions. The contractor certifies that all other personnel meet the requirements. The Program Office may review qualifications and remove individuals not meeting contract requirements at any time.

Qualification statements for a Protective Security Specialist (PSS) require a minimum of one year of experience in protective security assignments. This experience and background may have been gained in any of the following assignments:

  • U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service
  • U.S. Secret Service
  • U.S. Federal Agencies, e.g., FBI (former Special Agents with protective- security background)
  • U.S. Special Forces or Special Operations
  • U.S. Military Infantry (Army or USMC)
  • Commercial Executive Protection Services with Military or Police Background
  • Law Enforcement Experience (U.S. Military Police/Criminal Investigation Division or in an Emergency Services, Special Weapons, or Tactical Operations Type Unit of a Local or State Law Enforcement Agency)

All PSS personnel are trained in accordance with the requirements in the WPPS II base contract. The contract contains the qualifications and requirements for both facilities and instructors providing PSS training. PSS personnel must attend and successfully complete pre-deployment training that consists of 164 hours of instruction delivered by instructors previously vetted by DS. PSS training covers the following topics:

  • Terrorist Operations
  • Organization of a Protective Detail
  • Protective Services Formations and Standard Operating Procedures
  • Protective Security Advances
  • Driver Training
  • Vehicle Dynamics
  • Evasive Maneuvers
  • Armored Vehicle Dynamics
  • Basic Motorcade Operations
  • Radio Procedures
  • Countermeasures
  • Emergency Medical Training
  • Firearms
  • Defensive Tactics
  • Land Navigation

In addition to DS-provided course materials, contractor-developed lesson plans must be approved by the DS HTP program office and the DS Training Center. DS HTP personnel visit contractor facilities and observe training to ensure compliance with contract requirements.