State Department awards $15.2M task order for international law enforcement academy support in Ghana

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,220,159 ($15.2M)

Contractor: Alutiiq Information Management, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2022-03-17

End Date: 2025-02-26

Contract Duration: 1,077 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.1K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THIS IS TO ESTABLISH A NEW TASK ORDER FOR THE RECOMPETE OF THE INTERNATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY (ILEA) IN ACCRA, GHANA UNDER THE BUREAU OF INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT, OFFICE OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20520

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $15.2 million to ALUTIIQ INFORMATION MANAGEMENT, LLC for work described as: THIS IS TO ESTABLISH A NEW TASK ORDER FOR THE RECOMPETE OF THE INTERNATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY (ILEA) IN ACCRA, GHANA UNDER THE BUREAU OF INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT, OFFICE OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT. Key points: 1. Contract supports administrative and management consulting services for the International Law Enforcement Academy in Accra, Ghana. 2. The award is a delivery order under an existing contract, indicating a continuation of services. 3. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which generally offers predictable costs. 4. The contractor, Alutiq Information Management, LLC, has been awarded this task order. 5. The duration of the task order is approximately 3 years, aligning with strategic program cycles. 6. This contract falls under administrative management and general management consulting services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The awarded amount of $15.2 million over approximately three years for the International Law Enforcement Academy in Accra, Ghana, requires further benchmarking against similar international training and capacity-building contracts. Without comparative data on the scope of services, personnel costs, and overhead for similar academies or programs, assessing value for money is challenging. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government, but the absence of detailed cost breakdowns or performance metrics makes a definitive value assessment difficult at this stage. Further analysis would involve comparing the cost per trainee or per program delivered against international standards.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded as a sole-source delivery order, meaning it was not competed. This approach is typically used when a specific contractor possesses unique capabilities or when the requirement is a logical follow-on to a previous contract where competition was already established. The lack of open competition means that alternative providers were not considered, potentially limiting price discovery and the government's ability to secure the most competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can result in higher costs for taxpayers as the benefits of competition, such as lower prices and innovative solutions, are not realized.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are law enforcement officials in Ghana and potentially other African nations receiving training. The contract supports the delivery of law enforcement training and capacity-building programs. The geographic impact is focused on Accra, Ghana, with potential ripple effects across the region through trained personnel. The contract supports a workforce of trainers, administrative staff, and support personnel at the academy.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
Limited transparency into the specific services and performance metrics without a competitive bidding process.
Reliance on a single contractor may pose risks if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
Continuation of services for an established program (ILEA).
Contract awarded to a known entity (Alutiq Information Management, LLC).

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically management consulting. The market for international capacity-building and training services is diverse, involving government agencies, non-profits, and private contractors. Benchmarking this contract's value would require comparing it to other U.S. government-funded international training programs or similar initiatives by allied nations, considering the specific security and law enforcement focus.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation is not a stated requirement or focus for this specific task order (sb: false, ss: false). Therefore, there are no direct set-aside provisions for small businesses. The prime contractor, Alutiq Information Management, LLC, is not identified as a small business. This contract does not appear to have specific subcontracting goals aimed at small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) within the Department of State. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed operational specifics may be limited due to the nature of international law enforcement programs.

Related Government Programs

International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Programs
Bureau of Diplomatic Security Training
Foreign Military Financing Programs
USAID Capacity Building Initiatives

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits competition.
Lack of detailed performance metrics for value assessment.
Potential for cost overruns without competitive benchmarking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $15.2 million to ALUTIIQ INFORMATION MANAGEMENT, LLC. THIS IS TO ESTABLISH A NEW TASK ORDER FOR THE RECOMPETE OF THE INTERNATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY (ILEA) IN ACCRA, GHANA UNDER THE BUREAU OF INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT, OFFICE OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ALUTIIQ INFORMATION MANAGEMENT, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $15.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-03-17. End: 2025-02-26.

What is the track record of Alutiq Information Management, LLC in managing international training facilities?

Alutiq Information Management, LLC has a history of supporting government contracts, including those involving logistics, information technology, and program management. Their experience with international programs and facilities would be a key factor in their selection for this task order. A review of their past performance on similar contracts, particularly those related to law enforcement or security training academies, would provide insight into their capabilities. This would include assessing their ability to manage complex logistical operations, personnel, and program delivery in overseas environments. Information on past performance, client satisfaction, and any documented issues or successes on previous contracts would be crucial for a comprehensive assessment of their track record.

How does the cost of this contract compare to similar international law enforcement training programs?

Direct cost comparisons for international law enforcement training academies are challenging due to variations in program scope, duration, location, and the specific services provided. This $15.2 million award over approximately three years for the ILEA in Accra, Ghana, needs to be benchmarked against comparable programs managed by the Department of State, Department of Defense, or other international bodies. Factors such as the number of trainees, the complexity of the curriculum, security requirements, and local operating costs in Ghana significantly influence the overall price. Without access to detailed cost breakdowns or data from similar sole-source or competed contracts for comparable academies, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. Further analysis would require identifying and analyzing the cost structures of similar international training initiatives.

What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source award for this type of service?

The primary risks associated with a sole-source award for managing an international law enforcement academy include potential overpricing due to the lack of competitive pressure, limited innovation from the incumbent contractor, and a reduced incentive for exceptional performance. Taxpayers may bear a higher cost than if the contract had been competed. Furthermore, if the sole-source contractor encounters performance issues or faces unforeseen challenges, the government has fewer immediate alternatives for service continuity. The absence of a competitive process also limits the government's ability to explore new technologies or more efficient service delivery models that might be offered by other potential providers. This can also create a barrier for new entrants into the market.

What is the expected effectiveness of the International Law Enforcement Academy in Accra under this contract?

The effectiveness of the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) in Accra is intended to enhance the capacity of law enforcement officials in Ghana and potentially the broader region to combat transnational crime, including drug trafficking and terrorism. The contract supports the operational and administrative functions necessary for the academy to deliver its training programs. Success would be measured by the quality and relevance of the training provided, the number of officials trained, and the subsequent impact on their ability to perform their duties effectively and ethically. The Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) sets the program objectives, and the contractor's role is to facilitate the achievement of these goals through efficient management and support services.

How has spending on international law enforcement training programs evolved over recent years?

Spending on international law enforcement training programs, often managed by agencies like the Department of State (particularly the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs - INL) and the Department of Defense, has generally been a consistent component of U.S. foreign policy and security assistance. While specific figures fluctuate annually based on geopolitical priorities and budget allocations, there has been a sustained focus on building partner capacity to address transnational threats. Recent years have seen increased emphasis on areas such as counter-terrorism, cybercrime, and rule of law initiatives. The overall trend reflects a commitment to supporting allies and partners in maintaining stability and security, though specific program funding levels can be influenced by broader economic conditions and shifting international relations.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 19AQMM21R0276

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 300 ALIMAQ DR, KODIAK, AK, 99615

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, HUBZone Firm, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $39,493,907

Exercised Options: $22,601,190

Current Obligation: $15,220,159

Actual Outlays: $5,599,411

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 8

Total Subaward Amount: $66,915,457

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 19AQMM18D0001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline