DoD's $24.8M Iraqi Air Force Training Contract Lacks Competition, Raises Value Concerns

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,825,964 ($24.8M)

Contractor: Royal Jordanian AIR Academy

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2013-08-09

End Date: 2015-08-08

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $34.1K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF IRAQI AIR FORCE TECHNICAL PERSONNEL TRAINING EQUIPMENT - ENGLISH LANGUAGE TRAINING MATERIAL

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $24.8 million to ROYAL JORDANIAN AIR ACADEMY for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF IRAQI AIR FORCE TECHNICAL PERSONNEL TRAINING EQUIPMENT - ENGLISH LANGUAGE TRAINING MATERIAL Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Royal Jordanian Air Academy for English language training materials. 2. Significant spending on training materials without clear competitive bidding. 3. Potential for inflated costs due to lack of competition. 4. Sector context: Defense training and education services.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $24.8M for training materials is substantial. Without competitive pricing data, it's difficult to assess if this represents fair value for the services and materials provided.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not available for competition, indicating a limited source selection. This lack of competition hinders price discovery and may lead to higher costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition for a contract of this size means taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price for these essential training materials.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be overpaying for English language training materials due to a lack of competitive bidding. The effectiveness of the training materials and their impact on Iraqi Air Force capabilities are not detailed. Oversight is needed to ensure the value and necessity of this significant expenditure.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for overpricing
Limited transparency on specific deliverables

Positive Signals

Supports critical foreign military training
Addresses a specific skill gap

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the defense education and training sector. Spending in this area is often high, but competitive bidding is crucial to ensure efficiency and value for money.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, suggesting a missed opportunity for their participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The limited competition raises questions about the oversight applied during the contract's award. Further review is needed to ensure accountability and proper use of funds.

Related Government Programs

Other Technical and Trade Schools
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Air Force Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competitive bidding
Potential for inflated pricing
Limited transparency on deliverables
Unclear value for money
No small business participation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $24.8 million to ROYAL JORDANIAN AIR ACADEMY. IGF::OT::IGF IRAQI AIR FORCE TECHNICAL PERSONNEL TRAINING EQUIPMENT - ENGLISH LANGUAGE TRAINING MATERIAL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ROYAL JORDANIAN AIR ACADEMY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $24.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-08-09. End: 2015-08-08.

What specific training materials were procured, and how was their necessity and scope determined?

The data does not specify the exact nature of the English language training materials. A detailed breakdown of the curriculum, textbooks, software, or other resources is needed to understand the scope and justify the $24.8M expenditure. This information is crucial for assessing the value and effectiveness of the contract.

What are the risks associated with awarding such a large training contract without competition?

The primary risk is financial: without competition, the government cannot be assured it is receiving the best possible price, potentially leading to overpayment. There's also a risk of substandard quality or inappropriate materials if the sole source is not adequately vetted or incentivized for performance. This lack of competition can also set a precedent for future sole-source awards.

How will the effectiveness of this English language training be measured and its impact on the Iraqi Air Force's operational capabilities assessed?

The provided data lacks any metrics or plans for measuring training effectiveness. A robust assessment framework, including pre- and post-training evaluations, proficiency testing, and feedback from the Iraqi Air Force, is essential. Linking training outcomes to improved operational capabilities is critical for justifying the investment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Technical and Trade Schools › Other Technical and Trade Schools

Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: FA300212R0031

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: MARKA AIRPORT, AMMAN

Business Categories: Category Business, Foreign Owned, International Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,825,964

Exercised Options: $24,825,964

Current Obligation: $24,825,964

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA300212D0006

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline