DOJ's $10.35M Iraq Police Training Contract Awarded to MPRI, Inc. for Six Months

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,350,203 ($10.4M)

Contractor: Mpri, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2006-09-29

End Date: 2007-03-31

Contract Duration: 183 days

Daily Burn Rate: $56.6K/day

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: OTHER (NONE OF THE ABOVE)

Sector: Other

Official Description: IRAQ FY07 POLICE BASIC & SPECIALIZED TRAINING PROGRAM

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $10.4 million to MPRI, INC. for work described as: IRAQ FY07 POLICE BASIC & SPECIALIZED TRAINING PROGRAM Key points: 1. Contract focused on basic and specialized training for Iraqi police forces. 2. Awarded to MPRI, Inc., a company with a history in defense and security services. 3. Short duration (183 days) suggests a specific, time-bound training objective. 4. The contract falls under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services. 5. No indication of small business set-aside or subcontracting. 6. Geographic focus was Iraq, highlighting international security assistance efforts.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to its specific nature and international context. The $10.35 million for a six-month training program in Iraq implies significant per-day costs, likely reflecting the complexities of operating in a high-risk environment, specialized training content, and the contractor's expertise. Without comparable contracts for similar Iraqi police training initiatives during that period, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. However, the relatively short duration might indicate a focused effort rather than a broad, long-term capacity-building program.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The provided data does not specify the procurement method used for this contract. It is unclear whether it was competed through a full and open process, a limited competition, or awarded as a sole-source contract. The absence of information on the number of bidders or the solicitation process prevents an assessment of the level of competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Without knowing the competition level, it's impossible to definitively assess the impact on taxpayer value. A well-competed contract typically leads to better pricing and more innovative solutions, benefiting taxpayers.

Public Impact

Directly benefited Iraqi police officers through enhanced training. Aimed to improve the capacity and effectiveness of law enforcement in Iraq. Contributed to broader U.S. foreign policy objectives related to stability and security assistance in the Middle East. Potentially impacted the safety and security of Iraqi citizens by strengthening their police force.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of transparency regarding the competition process hinders assessment of potential cost savings.
The high-risk operational environment in Iraq could have led to increased costs not fully captured in the contract value.
Limited duration may have restricted the depth and sustainability of the training provided.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded to a known entity (MPRI, Inc.) with experience in similar security-related services.
Focus on essential police training addresses a critical need for stability.
Clear objective of basic and specialized training.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically management consulting, with a strong emphasis on security and training. The market for such services, particularly for international security assistance and capacity building, is often dominated by specialized defense contractors and consulting firms. The size of this contract ($10.35M) is moderate for a six-month engagement in this niche, reflecting the specialized nature of the services and the challenging operating environment.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that this was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor is there any indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the primary contractor, MPRI, Inc., likely performed the services directly or through its own established network, with limited direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would have primarily fallen under the Department of Justice's contracting and program management offices. Given the international nature and the security context, additional oversight might have been provided by relevant State Department or Department of Defense entities involved in Iraq reconstruction and security efforts. Transparency regarding specific oversight mechanisms, performance reviews, or Inspector General involvement is not detailed in the provided data.

Related Government Programs

Iraq Security Forces Fund
Department of Defense Security Cooperation Programs
Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) programs

Risk Flags

High-risk operational environment
Limited contract duration
Lack of competition details

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $10.4 million to MPRI, INC.. IRAQ FY07 POLICE BASIC & SPECIALIZED TRAINING PROGRAM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MPRI, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Offices, Boards and Divisions).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-09-29. End: 2007-03-31.

What was MPRI, Inc.'s track record with the Department of Justice and similar international training contracts prior to this award?

MPRI, Inc. (Military Professional Resources, Inc.) has a long history of providing training, technical assistance, and support services to military and security forces globally, often under contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense and other government agencies. While specific prior contracts with the Department of Justice for international police training are not detailed in the provided data, MPRI's core business aligns with the services rendered under this award. Their experience in complex international environments, including Iraq, suggests a capability to manage such programs. A deeper dive into their contract history with DOJ and other agencies would reveal the extent of their relevant experience and performance metrics on similar engagements.

How does the cost of this training program compare to other international police capacity-building efforts by the U.S. government?

Comparing the $10.35 million cost for a six-month Iraqi police training program directly to other international efforts is complex due to variations in program scope, duration, location, threat levels, and specific training objectives. Programs in more stable regions or with broader, longer-term goals might have different cost structures. Conversely, training in high-threat environments like Iraq during FY07, as this contract was, often incurs higher operational, security, and logistical costs. Without specific benchmarks for comparable Iraqi police training initiatives during the same period, it's difficult to definitively state if this contract represented excellent or questionable value. However, the cost per day is substantial, reflecting the specialized nature and challenging operational context.

What were the specific risks associated with executing this training program in Iraq in 2006-2007, and how were they mitigated?

Executing training programs in Iraq during 2006-2007 involved significant risks, including security threats to personnel (contractors and trainees), logistical challenges due to infrastructure damage and instability, political volatility, and potential corruption. Risks to personnel safety would have been paramount, requiring robust security protocols, secure training facilities, and potentially armed escorts. Logistical risks could involve difficulties in transportation, communication, and supply chain management. Mitigations would have included close coordination with U.S. military and diplomatic missions in Iraq, adherence to strict security clearances and procedures, contingency planning for emergencies, and potentially embedding trainers within secure bases. The contract's short duration might also have been a strategy to limit prolonged exposure to these risks.

What was the intended impact of this basic and specialized police training on the overall effectiveness and stability of Iraqi law enforcement?

The intended impact of providing basic and specialized training to Iraqi police was to enhance their capacity to maintain law and order, combat insurgency and criminal activity, and build public trust. Basic training would cover fundamental policing skills, while specialized training could focus on areas like counter-terrorism, investigations, community policing, or forensic techniques. By improving the skills and professionalism of the police force, the program aimed to strengthen the rule of law, create a more stable security environment, and enable Iraqi authorities to assume greater responsibility for their own security. This, in turn, was expected to contribute to the broader goals of political stability and democratic development in Iraq.

How did historical spending patterns for police training in Iraq by the Department of Justice evolve leading up to and following this contract?

Historical spending patterns for police training in Iraq by the Department of Justice (DOJ) would likely show a significant increase following the 2003 invasion, as the U.S. government prioritized rebuilding Iraqi security institutions. Initial efforts might have been broader and less specialized, evolving over time. Leading up to this 2006-2007 contract, spending would have been substantial, reflecting the ongoing security challenges and the U.S. commitment to capacity building. Following this period, spending patterns would have been influenced by changing U.S. policy objectives, the drawdown of forces, and the evolving security situation in Iraq. Analyzing DOJ's specific obligations in this area over several fiscal years would reveal trends in funding levels, the types of training prioritized, and the contractors utilized.

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

Contractor Details

Address: 1201 E ABINGDON DRIVE, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 08

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,350,203

Exercised Options: $10,350,203

Current Obligation: $10,350,203

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DJJ05C1161

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline