DOJ's $21M Police Development Contract Awarded to MPRI, Inc. for Baghdad Operations

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,961,754 ($21.0M)

Contractor: Mpri, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2006-03-20

End Date: 2006-09-30

Contract Duration: 194 days

Daily Burn Rate: $108.0K/day

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: BAGHDAD POLICE DEVELOPMENT

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $21.0 million to MPRI, INC. for work described as: BAGHDAD POLICE DEVELOPMENT Key points: 1. Contract focused on administrative and general management consulting for police development. 2. Awarded under a Time and Materials contract type. 3. The contract duration was approximately 6 months. 4. The agency involved is the Department of Justice. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541611. 6. The contract was awarded as Other than Small Business.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more detailed performance metrics and comparison to similar international police development contracts. The Time and Materials pricing structure can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. However, the total award amount of approximately $21 million for a 6-month period for services in a complex environment like Baghdad suggests a significant scope of work.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The competition level for this contract is not explicitly detailed in the provided data. Without knowing if this was a sole-source award, a limited competition, or full and open competition, it's difficult to assess the effectiveness of the procurement process. The number of bids received would be a key indicator of the level of competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The level of competition directly impacts taxpayer value. Robust competition typically drives down prices and encourages innovation, leading to better use of public funds. Limited or no competition can result in higher costs for the government.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries of this contract were likely the Iraqi police forces and the broader security apparatus in Baghdad. The services delivered aimed to enhance the capacity and effectiveness of local law enforcement. The geographic impact was concentrated in Baghdad, Iraq. Workforce implications would include the deployment of consultants and trainers, potentially impacting both US-based personnel and local Iraqi staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed competition information makes it hard to assess if taxpayers received the best value.
Time and Materials contract type carries inherent risk of cost escalation if not meticulously managed.
The complex operational environment in Baghdad presents significant execution risks.

Positive Signals

Awarded by the Department of Justice, suggesting a focus on rule of law and governance.
The contract aimed at developing essential public services (police) in a critical region.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically management consulting. The market for international security and development consulting is substantial, often involving government contracts for training, advisory, and logistical support in post-conflict or developing regions. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found in other US government contracts for similar security sector reform or police assistance programs.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to MPRI, Inc., identified as 'Other than Small Business'. There is no indication of small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements in the provided data. This suggests that the primary awardee was a larger entity, and the direct impact on the small business ecosystem through this specific contract is likely minimal unless MPRI, Inc. engaged small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for contracts of this nature, especially those operating in international, high-risk environments, typically involve agency program managers, contracting officers, and potentially Inspector General offices. Accountability would be tied to performance metrics and deliverables outlined in the contract. Transparency is often limited for operational security reasons in such contexts, but reporting requirements would still be in place.

Related Government Programs

International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement (INCLE) Program
Security Sector Reform Programs
Rule of Law Assistance Programs
Department of Defense Security Cooperation Programs

Risk Flags

High-risk operational environment
Time and Materials contract type
Limited competition data
Focus on security sector development in a volatile region

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $21.0 million to MPRI, INC.. BAGHDAD POLICE DEVELOPMENT

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 $21.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-03-20. End: 2006-09-30.

What was the specific nature of the 'Baghdad Police Development' services provided under this contract?

The contract, NAICS code 541611, indicates 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services'. For 'Baghdad Police Development', this likely encompassed a range of activities such as strategic planning, organizational development, training program design and delivery, advising on police procedures and doctrine, potentially assisting with equipment procurement processes, and general management support to enhance the capacity and effectiveness of the Baghdad police force. The goal would be to build a more professional, accountable, and capable law enforcement institution.

How does the $21 million award compare to other similar international police development contracts managed by the Department of Justice?

Comparing this $21 million award requires access to a broader dataset of DOJ's international contracts. However, for a 6-month duration focused on a major capital like Baghdad, this amount suggests a significant operational footprint and scope of services. Contracts for police development in complex environments can range widely, from a few million for advisory roles to tens or hundreds of millions for large-scale training, equipment, and infrastructure support over longer periods. Without specific benchmarks for similar 6-month projects in comparable regions, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents high or low value.

What were the primary risks associated with executing this contract in Baghdad during the specified period?

Executing a police development contract in Baghdad between March and September 2006 carried substantial risks. These included security threats to personnel, political instability, logistical challenges in a war-torn environment, potential for corruption, difficulties in cultural integration and building trust with local counterparts, and the risk of mission creep or shifting objectives due to the volatile geopolitical situation. The Time and Materials contract type also introduced financial risks if project scope expanded or unforeseen issues prolonged work without clear cost controls.

What performance metrics or deliverables were likely used to assess MPRI, Inc.'s success?

Performance metrics would likely have focused on the development and implementation of training modules, the establishment of new police administrative processes, improvements in police response times or community engagement (if measurable), the successful transfer of knowledge to Iraqi counterparts, and adherence to project timelines and budget. Deliverables could include training reports, strategic plans, policy recommendations, and assessments of police unit capabilities. Success would be measured against the contract's stated objectives for enhancing the Baghdad police force.

What is MPRI, Inc.'s general track record in government contracting, particularly in security and development?

MPRI, Inc. (Military Professional Resources Inc.) has a long history of providing professional services, training, and technical support to military and security forces globally, often under contract with the U.S. government. They have been involved in numerous security assistance and security sector reform programs. Their track record generally includes extensive experience in training and advising foreign military and police organizations. However, like any large contractor, specific contract performance can vary, and reviews of their past performance on similar contracts would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment.

How did the 'Other than Small Business' designation impact the procurement and execution of this contract?

The 'Other than Small Business' designation for MPRI, Inc. means the contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses. This allows the government to procure from a wider pool of contractors, including large, established firms with specialized capabilities. For this contract, it likely meant MPRI, Inc. possessed the scale, experience, and resources deemed necessary for the complex task of Baghdad police development. It also implies that opportunities for small businesses would primarily arise through subcontracting, if MPRI, Inc. chose to engage them.

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: $20,961,754

Exercised Options: $20,961,754

Current Obligation: $20,961,754

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DJJ05C1161

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline