Department of the Army awarded $16.2M for general construction in Afghanistan, completed in 2013

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,204,722 ($16.2M)

Contractor: Technologists Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2008-04-30

End Date: 2013-04-30

Contract Duration: 1,826 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: GENERAL CONSTRUCTION AFGAHNISTAN

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $16.2 million to TECHNOLOGISTS INC for work described as: GENERAL CONSTRUCTION AFGAHNISTAN Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Technologists Inc. for general construction services. 2. The contract duration was 1826 days, indicating a significant, long-term project. 3. Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 4. The contract type was Firm Fixed Price, which transfers risk to the contractor. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 236220, Commercial and Institutional Building Construction. 6. The contract was awarded by the Department of the Army, a component of the Department of Defense. 7. The contract was awarded in April 2008 and completed in April 2013.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific deliverables or comparable projects in the same geographic region and time frame. The total award amount of $16.2 million over five years suggests a substantial investment in construction services. However, without details on the scope of work, materials, labor, and profit margins, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract implies that the contractor bore the risk of cost overruns, which can sometimes lead to higher initial bids but provides cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This typically suggests a competitive environment where multiple companies vied for the contract. The number of bidders is not specified, but the designation implies a process designed to solicit the best possible offers. Full and open competition is generally favored as it promotes price discovery and can lead to more favorable pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down prices and encourage innovation from contractors seeking to win the bid.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries of this contract were likely military personnel and associated government entities operating in Afghanistan, who would have utilized the constructed facilities. The services delivered involved general construction, which could encompass a wide range of building and infrastructure projects. The geographic impact was specific to Afghanistan, where the construction activities took place. The contract supported the construction workforce, potentially including both local Afghan labor and international personnel, contributing to employment in the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on the construction projects undertaken makes it difficult to assess the true value and impact.
Geopolitical instability in Afghanistan during the contract period could have introduced unforeseen risks and cost escalations.
The long duration of the contract (5 years) might have presented challenges in adapting to changing operational needs or security environments.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a fair and competitive bidding process.
Firm Fixed Price contract type transfers cost overrun risk to the contractor.
The contract was successfully completed, indicating the contractor met their obligations.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector (NAICS 236220). This sector involves the construction of non-residential buildings such as commercial, industrial, institutional, and public buildings. Federal spending in this sector, particularly in overseas contingency operations like Afghanistan, often supports infrastructure development, base facilities, and operational support. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other construction contracts awarded by the Department of Defense in similar operational theaters or for similar types of facilities.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb: false) and there is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans or performance. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless Technologists Inc. voluntarily engaged small businesses as subcontractors. Without specific subcontracting data, it's difficult to assess the extent to which small businesses benefited from this award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would have been provided by the Department of the Army, likely through contracting officers and project managers responsible for ensuring performance and compliance. Given the location in Afghanistan, oversight may have also involved military command structures and potentially the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) if the projects fell within SIGAR's jurisdiction. Transparency would depend on the public availability of contract performance reports and final award details.

Related Government Programs

Afghanistan Infrastructure Projects
Department of Defense Construction Contracts
Overseas Contingency Operations Construction
Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) related construction (if applicable)
General Building Construction Services

Risk Flags

Geopolitical Risk (Afghanistan)
Security Concerns
Logistical Challenges
Potential for Cost Overruns (despite FFP)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $16.2 million to TECHNOLOGISTS INC. GENERAL CONSTRUCTION AFGAHNISTAN

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TECHNOLOGISTS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $16.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-04-30. End: 2013-04-30.

What specific types of general construction were performed under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact types of general construction performed under this $16.2 million contract awarded to Technologists Inc. by the Department of the Army. General construction is a broad category that can include the building of new facilities, renovation of existing structures, site preparation, installation of utilities, and other related infrastructure development. Given the context of operations in Afghanistan during the contract period (2008-2013), projects could have ranged from barracks and administrative buildings to logistical support facilities, roads, or security infrastructure. A more detailed analysis would require access to the contract's statement of work (SOW) or performance reports, which are not publicly available in this dataset.

How does the $16.2 million award compare to similar construction contracts in Afghanistan during the same period?

Comparing the $16.2 million award to similar construction contracts in Afghanistan between 2008 and 2013 requires access to a broader dataset of federal contracts, specifically those awarded for construction in that region during that timeframe. However, $16.2 million over a five-year period (1826 days) represents an average annual expenditure of approximately $3.24 million. This figure would need to be contextualized against the scale and complexity of construction projects undertaken by various government agencies and military branches in Afghanistan. Contracts for major base development or large-scale infrastructure could easily exceed this amount, while smaller, specialized projects might be significantly less. Without specific comparable projects detailing scope, duration, and contractor, a precise benchmark is difficult to establish, but the amount suggests a moderately sized, long-term construction effort.

What were the primary risks associated with this construction contract in Afghanistan?

Construction contracts in Afghanistan during the 2008-2013 period faced significant risks, primarily stemming from the challenging security environment. These risks included potential disruptions due to conflict, threats to personnel and equipment, and logistical difficulties in transporting materials and personnel. Geopolitical instability could also lead to fluctuating local conditions, impacting labor availability and costs. Furthermore, navigating local regulations, land use issues, and potential corruption presented operational and compliance risks. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract transferred some financial risk to the contractor, but risks related to project delays, security incidents, and unforeseen site conditions remained substantial.

What was the track record of Technologists Inc. with federal contracts prior to and during this award?

The provided data does not include information on the track record of Technologists Inc. with federal contracts prior to or during the period of this award (2008-2013). To assess their track record, one would need to examine historical contract databases for other awards received by this company, including their performance ratings, any contract modifications, disputes, or terminations. A comprehensive review would reveal their experience with similar types of projects, their ability to manage costs and schedules, and their overall compliance with federal acquisition regulations. Without this additional data, it is impossible to evaluate their past performance or reliability as a federal contractor.

How did the firm fixed-price contract type influence the government's cost exposure?

The firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type significantly limited the government's cost exposure on this $16.2 million construction contract. Under an FFP agreement, the contractor, Technologists Inc., is obligated to complete the work for a predetermined price, regardless of their actual costs incurred. This shifts the primary financial risk from the government to the contractor. If the contractor's costs exceed the agreed-upon price, they absorb the loss. Conversely, if their costs are lower than anticipated, they retain the profit. This contract type provides the government with cost certainty, making budgeting more predictable, but it may also lead contractors to build in higher contingency amounts into their initial bids to account for potential cost overruns.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation ID: W917PM07R0105

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1700 N MOORE ST, ARLINGTON, VA, 08

Business Categories: Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Other Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,204,722

Exercised Options: $16,204,722

Current Obligation: $16,204,722

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W917PM07D0016

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline