State Dept. awarded $55.1M for Lebanese Internal Security Forces training, with PAE Government Services Inc. as contractor

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $55,123,798 ($55.1M)

Contractor: PAE Government Services, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2007-11-30

End Date: 2016-09-27

Contract Duration: 3,224 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.1K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COMBINATION (APPLIES TO AWARDS WHERE TWO OR MORE OF THE ABOVE APPLY)

Sector: Other

Official Description: TRAINING AND SUPPORT OF THE LEBANESE INTERNAL SECURITY FORCES.

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $55.1 million to PAE GOVERNMENT SERVICES, INC. for work described as: TRAINING AND SUPPORT OF THE LEBANESE INTERNAL SECURITY FORCES. Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in foreign security sector development. 2. Competition dynamics for this contract are not fully detailed, requiring further analysis. 3. Contract duration of over 8 years suggests a long-term commitment to the program. 4. The award falls under facilities support services, indicating a broad scope of work. 5. Performance context is crucial to understand the effectiveness of training and support provided.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award of $55.1 million over nearly nine years averages to approximately $6.1 million annually. Benchmarking this against similar foreign security sector assistance programs is challenging due to the unique nature of the recipient and the services provided. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, assessing the value-for-money is difficult. The pricing appears to be within a reasonable range for long-term, comprehensive support services, but a deeper dive into the cost drivers would be beneficial.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order, indicating that multiple vendors likely had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 3 bids suggests a moderate level of competition. While full and open competition is generally positive for price discovery, the specific details of the bidding process and the evaluation criteria would provide a clearer picture of how effectively competition drove down costs and ensured the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process, even with a moderate number of bidders, generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a more efficient allocation of resources and potentially lower prices compared to sole-source arrangements.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Lebanese Internal Security Forces, receiving crucial training and support. Services delivered likely encompass a range of operational, logistical, and potentially advisory functions. The geographic impact is focused on Lebanon, contributing to its internal stability and security. Workforce implications include the potential for U.S. personnel involved in training and support, as well as the strengthening of the Lebanese security forces.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration could lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.
Scope creep is a potential risk in long-term support contracts.
Geopolitical instability in the region could impact program delivery and effectiveness.

Positive Signals

Awarding to a single contractor for a long duration can ensure continuity of services.
Competitive bidding process suggests an effort to secure fair pricing.
Focus on internal security forces can contribute to regional stability.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the broader 'Facilities Support Services' category, which is a significant segment of the government contracting market. This specific award, however, is highly specialized, focusing on security sector assistance. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the niche nature of training foreign security forces. The market for such services is often driven by foreign policy objectives and national security interests, rather than purely commercial demand.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans for this contract was not explicitly provided in the data. Typically, large contracts of this nature may include provisions for small business participation, but without specific details, it's difficult to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem. Further investigation into the contractor's subcontracting practices would be necessary.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of State's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs and potentially the Office of the Inspector General. The long duration necessitates robust monitoring of performance, financial expenditures, and adherence to program objectives. Transparency would be enhanced by public reporting on program milestones and outcomes.

Related Government Programs

Foreign Military Financing
Security Sector Reform Programs
International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement

Risk Flags

Long-term contract duration increases exposure to changing geopolitical conditions.
Effectiveness of training is difficult to quantify without specific performance metrics.
Potential for mission creep in long-term international support operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $55.1 million to PAE GOVERNMENT SERVICES, INC.. TRAINING AND SUPPORT OF THE LEBANESE INTERNAL SECURITY FORCES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PAE GOVERNMENT SERVICES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $55.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-11-30. End: 2016-09-27.

What specific training and support services were provided under this contract?

The contract data indicates 'TRAINING AND SUPPORT OF THE LEBANESE INTERNAL SECURITY FORCES' under the 'Facilities Support Services' NAICS code. While the NAICS code suggests a broad range of support, the specific services likely included operational training, equipment maintenance, logistical support, potentially advisory roles, and infrastructure development or maintenance related to the security forces' facilities. The exact breakdown of services would typically be detailed in the contract's statement of work, which is not provided here. This could range from basic tactical training to specialized skills development and the provision of necessary resources to enable the Lebanese Internal Security Forces to perform their duties effectively.

How does the $55.1 million cost compare to similar international security assistance programs?

Directly comparing the $55.1 million cost to similar programs is challenging without more specific data on the scope, duration, and objectives of those other programs. Foreign security sector assistance can vary widely in cost depending on the recipient nation's needs, the complexity of the training, the types of equipment provided, and the geopolitical context. However, for a nearly nine-year engagement involving comprehensive training and support for a nation's internal security forces, $55.1 million represents a substantial, but not necessarily exorbitant, investment. Annual spending averaged around $6.1 million, which needs to be evaluated against the specific deliverables and the strategic importance of strengthening Lebanon's internal security.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this training program?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this training program. Typically, for such contracts, KPIs would be established in the contract's Statement of Work and could include metrics related to the operational readiness of the Lebanese Internal Security Forces, the successful completion of training modules by personnel, improvements in specific security-related incidents (e.g., crime rates, border security effectiveness), the proper maintenance and utilization of provided equipment, and the overall capacity of the forces to maintain internal stability. Regular reporting and performance reviews would track progress against these KPIs.

What is the track record of PAE Government Services, Inc. in executing similar international security contracts?

PAE Government Services, Inc. (now part of Amentum) has a significant history of performing large-scale government contracts, including extensive work in logistics, operations, and support services, often in challenging international environments. They have been involved in various security assistance and stability operations globally. While specific details on their performance on this particular Lebanese contract require further investigation into performance reports and contract modifications, PAE's general profile suggests they possess the experience and infrastructure to manage complex, long-term international service contracts. Assessing their specific track record would involve reviewing past performance evaluations and any documented issues or successes on similar engagements.

What was the rationale for awarding this contract for such a long duration (over 8 years)?

The rationale for awarding this contract for a long duration, spanning from November 2007 to September 2016 (over 8 years), is likely rooted in the nature of security sector development. Building and sustaining the capacity of internal security forces is a long-term endeavor that requires sustained training, mentorship, and support. A longer contract duration allows for continuity of services, deeper relationship building between trainers and trainees, and the phased implementation of complex training programs. It also provides greater predictability for both the contractor and the recipient, potentially leading to more efficient resource planning and a more stable environment for achieving long-term security objectives in Lebanon.

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) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COMBINATION (APPLIES TO AWARDS WHERE TWO OR MORE OF THE ABOVE APPLY) (2)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: PAE Holding Corporation (UEI: 968071493)

Address: 888 SOUTH FIGUEROA STREET,, LOS ANGELES, CA, 90017

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $55,414,909

Exercised Options: $55,414,909

Current Obligation: $55,123,798

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: SLMAQM04C0033

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline