The Department of State’s Global Acquisitions Office is preparing DiPSS II (Diplomatic Platform Support Services II), the follow-on to one of the largest overseas support contracts in the federal civilian market. Estimated at $8.5 billion, DiPSS II will provide OCONUS support for DOS and other U.S. government agencies
- program management, construction, life support, logistics, medical, operations and maintenance, and security support services
The RFP is estimated for August 2026, with awards anticipated in 2027 Q1.
The current dual-pool structure contract signals that a dedicated small business track is likely to continue, though competition type has not yet been formally determined. With the RFP still months out, firms have time to assess their position, build teaming arrangements, and engage the contracting office while acquisition decisions are still being shaped.
OPPORTUNITY SNAPSHOT
- Opportunity: Diplomatic Platform Support Services II (DiPSS II)
- Agency: Department of State, Global Acquisitions (GA) Office
- Estimated Value: $8.5B
- Estimated RFP: August 2026
- Estimated Award: February 2027
- Contract Type: Multiple-award IDIQ
- Competition Type: Undetermined (predecessor included Full & Open and Total Small Business Set-Aside pools)
- Number of Awards: Multiple — number unknown (22 combined incumbents across both pools)
- NAICS: 541614 – Process, Physical Distribution and Logistics Consulting Services
- Place of Performance: OCONUS; anticipated focus on Middle East and South-Central Asia, with worldwide scope
- Security: Task order-dependent; scope includes SCIF construction and secure facility work
- Solicitation Number: 19AQMM26R0179
WHY DiPSS II MATTERS
DiPSS II consolidates and continues the State Department’s primary overseas support contracting mechanism, which:
- covers seven capability areas across the full lifecycle of diplomatic facility and mission support
- spans construction of secure facilities including SCIFs, camp and life support operations in contingency environments, international freight and logistics, on-site medical services, O&M of critical infrastructure, and physical and electronic security systems
This is not a narrow professional services vehicle and is critical to national security and covers operational support in the most demanding environments the U.S. government operates in.
The predecessor DOS contract’s dual-pool structure:
- is a dedicated small business set-aside running in parallel to the Full & Open vehicle
- gives smaller firms direct access to overseas work that would otherwise be dominated by large defense and logistics contractors
- has 11 small business incumbents and demonstrate that smaller firms are actively performing this work across the globe
If the above structure carries forward into DiPSS II, it will again represent one of the more accessible pathways for small businesses into high-value OCONUS professional and operational services.
The Middle East and South-Central Asia focus signals continued demand driven by U.S. diplomatic presence in complex operating environments. Firms with OCONUS project history, deployed personnel infrastructure, and experience supporting Chief of Mission activities will be best positioned to compete across the broadest range of task orders.
WHO SHOULD CONSIDER DiPSS II
DiPSS II is designed for firms with demonstrated experience supporting U.S. government overseas operations in demanding or contingency environments. Given the breadth of the seven capability areas, strategic teaming will play a critical role supporting how companies compete on this vehicle. Relevant experience includes:
- Program management for multi-site, multi-country government contracts
- Overseas construction, including secure facility and SCIF construction
- Life support and base camp operations in remote or high-threat environments
- International freight forwarding, customs brokerage, and supply chain management
- On-site medical services, emergency response, and MEDEVAC coordination
- Operations and maintenance of critical facility infrastructure (power, HVAC, fire suppression)
- Physical and electronic security systems, including access control, surveillance, and perimeter security
- Experience under Chief of Mission authority or with DOS, DoD, or other federal overseas programs
It is also worth noting that being aligned with the incumbent’s capabilities from the current DiPSS SB pool (logistics, security, O&M, program management), will be a useful benchmark for evaluating fit and teaming needs.
HOW OST CAN HELP
With the solicitation expected in August and competition type still being shaped, now is the time to confirm eligibility and begin building a capture strategy. OST supports professional services, engineering, and operational support firms pursuing large-scale OCONUS government contracts with the below solutions.
- Gap Analysis Assessment
- Bid/No-Bid assessment: Evaluating your capabilities against DiPSS II’s seven areas and the competitive landscape across both pools
- Capture planning: Developing win themes and positioning relative to the 22 named incumbents
- Teaming strategy: Identifying complementary partners to strengthen coverage across capability areas or fill gaps in OCONUS infrastructure
- Past performance strategy: Documenting relevant overseas, contingency, or diplomatic facility experience from federal or commercial programs
- Small Business Pool strategy: Assessing eligibility for the SB track and developing a competitive approach if the dual pool structure is confirmed
- Proposal development
- Proposal Management, Technical Writing, Desktop Publishing, Graphics Conceptualization and Creation, Cost & Pricing
- Technical approach, past performance narratives, and compliance for IDIQ submissions
If you are evaluating whether DiPSS II aligns with your firm’s capabilities or need support preparing for the upcoming solicitation release, we are happy to help. Our Phase I Gap Analysis support, which includes teaming strategies and bid and no-bid decision verification, is a low-cost investment that will lead to you determining if you can access and benefit from this $8.5B solicitation.
If this interests you, please book a call with OST Partner and President Bill Schalik via the button below.
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