# Foreign Service Recruitment Canonical: https://abierto.us/opportunities/19aqmm26c0400 - Solicitation number: 19AQMM26C0400 - Notice type: Justification - Status: Awarded to Red Balloon LLC - Department: Department of State - Contracting office: Acquisitions - Aqm Momentum (19AQMM) - NAICS: 561311 Employment Placement Agencies - Product or service code: R499 Other Professional Services - Place of performance: Washington, District of Columbia - County: District of Columbia (FIPS 11001). https://abierto.us/counties/district-of-columbia-dc-11001 - City: Washington. https://abierto.us/cities/washington-dc-1150000 - First posted: April 14, 2026 - Last posted: April 14, 2026 - SAM.gov: https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/995b2c6dbf4445998d7d0cd576144a08/view ## Description The scope of this contract includes candidate acquisition and recruitment support for Foreign Service Officer (FSO) Generalist and Diplomatic Security Specialist positions. Activities include program management, national outreach and partnerships, on-site recruiting events, applicant screening and enrollment support, reporting, and contract close-out. The contractor shall generate and engage qualified candidates, increase awareness of Foreign Service career opportunities, and support applicant progression through Government-managed assessment processes. All activities shall be conducted in full compliance with merit-based hiring principles, applicable Federal law, and Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance. The contractor shall not perform inherently governmental functions, including final applicant selection, adjudication, or assessment scoring. The Government anticipates a requirement to generate sufficient applicant volume to support Foreign Service testing and assessment activities during the period of performance, as further defined below. Tasks Task 1 – Program Management, Mobilization, and Compliance The contractor shall provide overall program management and compliance support for the recruitment effort. Task 2 – National Candidate Acquisition and Outreach The contractor shall conduct national candidate acquisition and outreach activities to generate qualified applicants in support of Foreign Service recruitment objectives. Execution and sustainment of recruitment campaigns over the period of performance Applicant Volume Objective: The contractor shall make best efforts to generate and engage a sufficient pool of qualified applicants to support at least 300 applicants per Government-designated testing session, for up to two (2) testing sessions during the period of performance (600 total). The contractor shall make best efforts to generate and engage a sufficient pool of qualified applicants to support at least 100 Diplomatic Security Special Agents candidates through the Special Agent recruitment process during CY2026. Applicant volume objectives are performance goals and do not constitute a guarantee of selection, appointment, or testing outcomes. Task 3 – On-Site Recruiting Events The contractor shall participate in on-site recruiting events to promote Foreign Service careers and engage potential candidates. Task 4 – Screening, Testing, and Enrollment Support The contractor shall support applicant screening and enrollment activities using contractor-owned systems and processes. The contractor’s role under this task is limited to outreach, engagement, readiness, and enrollment support. All testing, scoring, assessment, and selection determinations remain the sole responsibility of the Government. Task 5 – Reporting, Deliverables, and Contract Close-Out The contractor shall provide reporting and close-out support ## Award on USAspending - Recipient: Red Balloon LLC (UEI UU1JAPQ1NB45) - Contract: 19AQMM26C0400, definitive contract - Obligated: $978,750.00 - Competition: Not Competed, 1 offers received - Link: award number 19AQMM26C0400 equals the contract number; same awarding office 19AQMM (high confidence) - Record: https://www.usaspending.gov/award/CONT_AWD_19AQMM26C0400_1900_-NONE-_-NONE-/ ## Publications - April 14, 2026: Justification. Notice 995b2c6dbf4445998d7d0cd576144a08. https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/995b2c6dbf4445998d7d0cd576144a08/view ## Points of contact - Jeannie R. Mays, MaysJR@state.gov --- Source: SAM.gov Contract Opportunities bulk extract and USAspending.gov award data. Confirm deadlines on SAM.gov before responding. Cite https://abierto.us/opportunities/19aqmm26c0400.