State Dept. awards $24.35M for training to American Institute in Taiwan via sole-source delivery order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,350,181 ($24.4M)

Contractor: American Institute in Taiwan

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2012-04-12

End Date: 2015-08-31

Contract Duration: 1,236 days

Daily Burn Rate: $19.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TRAINING

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22204

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $24.4 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTE IN TAIWAN for work described as: TRAINING Key points: 1. Significant contract value for specialized training services. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and potential cost savings. 3. International affairs sector often involves unique training requirements. 4. Long contract duration (1236 days) suggests ongoing or complex training needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $24.35M for training is substantial. Without a competitive process, it's difficult to assess if this price is optimal compared to similar training services in the international affairs sector.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one vendor was considered. This limits price discovery and may not yield the best value for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition could lead to higher costs than if multiple vendors had bid, potentially impacting taxpayer funds negatively.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding. The long-term nature of the contract could lock in potentially inflated costs. Transparency in the justification for a sole-source award is crucial for public trust.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
High contract value

Positive Signals

Specific training need addressed
Long-term engagement

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the International Affairs sector, which often involves specialized services and unique geopolitical considerations. Benchmarking is challenging without more specific details on the training provided.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this sole-source award, suggesting a missed opportunity for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is needed to ensure the justification for the sole-source award was sound and that the training delivered meets the stated objectives and provides value.

Related Government Programs

International Affairs
Department of State Contracting
Department of State Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks transparency.
Potential for inflated pricing due to no competition.
Limited opportunity for small business participation.
High contract value warrants close scrutiny.
Long contract duration increases long-term financial exposure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $24.4 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTE IN TAIWAN. TRAINING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AMERICAN INSTITUTE IN TAIWAN.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $24.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-04-12. End: 2015-08-31.

What specific training is being provided, and why was a sole-source award deemed necessary?

The data indicates 'TRAINING' as the service, awarded to the 'AMERICAN INSTITUTE IN TAIWAN' by the 'Department of State'. A sole-source justification is typically required when only one responsible source is available or when a compelling urgency exists. Without further details on the training's nature and the justification provided by the agency, it's impossible to fully assess its necessity and appropriateness.

What is the risk of cost overruns or inefficiencies given the sole-source nature of this contract?

The primary risk stems from the lack of competitive pressure. Without competing bids, the American Institute in Taiwan may not have had an incentive to offer the most cost-effective solution. This increases the likelihood of paying more than necessary and potential inefficiencies if robust performance monitoring is not in place.

How effective is this training in achieving the Department of State's international affairs objectives?

Effectiveness cannot be determined from the provided data alone. While the contract value and duration suggest a significant investment, the actual impact on the Department of State's objectives depends on the quality of the training, the relevance of the curriculum, and the performance of the trainees. Post-award performance reviews and outcome assessments would be necessary to gauge effectiveness.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Public Administration › National Security and International Affairs › International Affairs

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1700 N MOORE ST STE 1700, ARLINGTON, VA, 22209

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,350,181

Exercised Options: $24,350,181

Current Obligation: $24,350,181

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: SAQMMA12D0101

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline