State Department awards $15.5M for Uganda peace ops training, with SAIC as prime

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,466,801 ($15.5M)

Contractor: Science Applications International Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2019-08-23

End Date: 2025-06-30

Contract Duration: 2,138 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: UGANDA PEACE OPERATIONS TRAINING AND ASSISTANCE

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $15.5 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION for work described as: UGANDA PEACE OPERATIONS TRAINING AND ASSISTANCE Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the scope of international training and support. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process was utilized. 3. Potential risks include geopolitical instability in the region and contractor performance. 4. This contract supports U.S. foreign policy objectives in East Africa. 5. The services provided fall under facilities support and training. 6. Spending aligns with broader U.S. government efforts to promote stability abroad.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $15.5 million over its period of performance appears to be within a reasonable range for international training and support services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for peace operations assistance in other regions would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, given the specialized nature of the services and the geographic location, the pricing is likely competitive.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of two bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific requirement. While two bidders is not extensive, it does provide a basis for price comparison and ensures that the award was not made without some market vetting.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive process, even with a limited number of bidders, generally leads to better pricing for taxpayers compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.

Public Impact

Benefits the Ugandan military and security forces through enhanced training and operational capabilities. Delivers critical support services for U.S. diplomatic and security missions in Uganda. Geographic impact is focused on Uganda and potentially surrounding regions affected by peace operations. Workforce implications include potential employment for trainers, logistics staff, and support personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Geopolitical instability in Uganda and the broader East African region could impact program delivery and safety.
Reliance on a single prime contractor, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), for all aspects of the delivery order.
Potential for scope creep or changes in requirements that could increase costs or extend timelines.
Ensuring effective knowledge transfer and sustainability of training beyond the contract period.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a fair and transparent procurement process.
Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) is a large, established government contractor with experience in similar international programs.
The contract has a defined period of performance, allowing for structured oversight and evaluation.
Clear objectives related to peace operations training are likely to contribute to regional stability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically supporting government and defense-related activities. The market for international security assistance and training is significant, with numerous firms competing for such contracts. This award to SAIC represents a portion of the broader U.S. government spending aimed at promoting stability and security in foreign nations.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) as the prime contractor. There is no indication of a small business set-aside for this particular delivery order. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist, but are not explicitly detailed in the provided data. The overall impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless SAIC actively engages small businesses for specialized support.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of State, likely through a contracting officer's representative (COR) responsible for monitoring performance and ensuring compliance. Accountability measures are embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards and payment schedules tied to deliverables. Transparency is facilitated through the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), where contract awards are reported.

Related Government Programs

Foreign Military Financing
Security Cooperation Programs
International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement
Peacekeeping Operations

Risk Flags

Geopolitical Risk
Contractor Performance Risk
Operational Challenges in Host Nation
Sustainability of Training Outcomes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $15.5 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION. UGANDA PEACE OPERATIONS TRAINING AND ASSISTANCE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $15.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-08-23. End: 2025-06-30.

What is SAIC's track record with similar international training and support contracts?

Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) has a substantial track record in providing a wide array of services to the U.S. government, including extensive experience in international programs, logistics, and training. They have been involved in numerous contracts supporting defense, intelligence, and civilian agencies globally. While specific details on their performance for similar peace operations training in East Africa are not provided here, SAIC's general profile suggests they possess the organizational capacity and expertise to manage complex international engagements. A deeper dive into their past performance reviews and any relevant contract awards from agencies like the Department of Defense or USAID would offer a more granular assessment of their capabilities and reliability in this specific domain.

How does the $15.5 million contract value compare to similar peace operations support contracts awarded by the State Department or DoD?

Benchmarking the $15.5 million contract value requires comparing it to similar contracts for peace operations training and support, particularly those awarded by the Department of State or the Department of Defense in comparable regions. Contracts for international security assistance can vary widely based on scope, duration, geographic complexity, and the specific services required (e.g., training, equipment, logistics, advisory). Without access to a database of comparable contracts, a precise comparison is difficult. However, $15.5 million over approximately two years (August 2019 to June 2025) suggests a moderate-sized engagement. Larger-scale peacekeeping missions or extensive security sector reform programs could easily run into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars, while smaller, more focused training initiatives might be in the single-digit millions. This award appears to be in the mid-range for specialized international support.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, beyond general geopolitical instability?

Beyond the inherent geopolitical risks in regions like Uganda, primary risks associated with this contract include performance-related issues by the contractor (SAIC), such as failure to meet training objectives, logistical challenges in delivering support, or inadequate personnel qualifications. There's also the risk of cost overruns if the scope of work expands or unforeseen operational difficulties arise, despite the firm fixed-price contract type which aims to cap costs. Furthermore, ensuring the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of the training provided, and the potential for corruption or misuse of resources in the host nation, represent significant programmatic risks. The effectiveness of the oversight mechanisms by the Department of State is also a critical factor in mitigating these risks.

How effective is the Department of State's oversight for contracts of this nature?

The effectiveness of the Department of State's oversight for contracts like this one is variable and depends heavily on the resources allocated to contract management, the experience of the Contracting Officer's Representatives (CORs), and the specific mechanisms put in place for this particular award. The Department utilizes standard federal acquisition regulations and internal policies to govern oversight, which typically includes monitoring contractor performance against contract requirements, reviewing financial reports, and conducting site visits. For international contracts, especially those in challenging environments, oversight can be more complex due to distance and local conditions. The presence of robust reporting requirements, clear performance metrics, and regular communication channels between the COR and the contractor are key indicators of effective oversight. Inspector General reports can also highlight areas where oversight may have been deficient.

What is the historical spending pattern for Uganda peace operations training and assistance by the U.S. government?

Analyzing the historical spending pattern for Uganda peace operations training and assistance requires accessing comprehensive federal spending databases over multiple fiscal years. This specific $15.5 million award represents a single data point within a potentially larger, ongoing U.S. government commitment to security cooperation and stability operations in the region. Historically, U.S. spending in this area fluctuates based on geopolitical priorities, regional security needs, and the specific programs being funded. Factors such as the level of internal conflict, regional threats, and the U.S. administration's foreign policy objectives influence budget allocations. To understand the pattern, one would need to examine trends in funding for programs like the African Contingency Operations Training and Assistance (ACOTA), security sector reform initiatives, and direct support to Ugandan security forces over the past decade or more.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities Support Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 19AQMM19R0317

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 12010 SUNSET HILLS RD, RESTON, VA, 20190

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,890,007

Exercised Options: $15,844,889

Current Obligation: $15,466,801

Actual Outlays: $6,490,904

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 5

Total Subaward Amount: $1,273,270

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 19AQMM18D0059

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline