Over $320 million awarded to DynCorp International for advising and mentoring Afghan security forces

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $320,199,969 ($320.2M)

Contractor: Domestic Awardees (undisclosed)

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2014-12-31

End Date: 2020-02-16

Contract Duration: 1,873 days

Daily Burn Rate: $171.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BRIDGE CONTRACT TO DYNCORP INTERNATIONAL, LLC TO PROVIDE ADVISING AND MENTORING SERVICES TO THE AFGHAN MINISTRY OF INTERIOR AND AFGHAN NATIONAL POLICE.

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $320.2 million to DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED) for work described as: BRIDGE CONTRACT TO DYNCORP INTERNATIONAL, LLC TO PROVIDE ADVISING AND MENTORING SERVICES TO THE AFGHAN MINISTRY OF INTERIOR AND AFGHAN NATIONAL POLICE. Key points: 1. Contract awarded for advisory and mentoring services to Afghan security forces. 2. Significant duration of over 1800 days indicates a long-term commitment. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests defined scope and cost control. 4. Awarded by the Department of the Army, indicating a defense-related focus. 5. Services fall under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting. 6. No small business set-aside, suggesting a focus on larger prime contractors.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract's value of over $320 million for advisory and mentoring services to Afghan security forces is substantial. Benchmarking this against similar contracts is challenging due to the unique context of post-conflict nation-building and the specific nature of the services provided. The firm fixed-price structure aims for cost certainty, but the long duration and complex operating environment could introduce risks to overall value realization. Without detailed performance metrics and cost breakdowns, a definitive assessment of value for money is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. The rationale for a sole-source award in this context is not provided, but it typically suggests that only one contractor was deemed capable of fulfilling the requirement, or that urgent circumstances precluded a competitive process. The lack of competition means there was no opportunity for price discovery through bidding, potentially leading to higher costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A sole-source award limits the government's ability to secure the best possible price through competitive bidding, potentially resulting in less favorable terms for taxpayers.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Afghan Ministry of Interior and Afghan National Police, receiving crucial advisory and mentoring support. Services delivered aim to enhance the capacity and effectiveness of Afghan security forces. The geographic impact is concentrated within Afghanistan, supporting stability and security efforts. Workforce implications include the deployment of specialized personnel for advisory roles and the potential development of local Afghan capacity.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpricing and reduced value for taxpayer funds.
The long contract duration (over 1800 days) increases the risk of cost overruns and scope creep if not managed effectively.
The complex and volatile operating environment in Afghanistan presents inherent risks to service delivery and personnel safety.
Limited transparency regarding the specific performance metrics and outcomes achieved makes it difficult to assess effectiveness.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the defined scope of services.
Awarded to DynCorp International, a contractor with experience in providing similar services in complex environments.
The contract aims to build capacity within Afghan security institutions, a critical objective for regional stability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically management consulting. The market for such services, particularly in support of government defense and security initiatives in complex international environments, is significant. DynCorp International is a known entity in this space, often competing for and winning large government contracts related to logistics, security, and advisory services. The scale of this award is substantial, reflecting the high costs associated with operating in challenging geopolitical regions and providing specialized expertise.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements mentioned in the provided data. This suggests that the primary awardee, DynCorp International, was expected to perform the majority of the work. The absence of small business participation could limit opportunities for smaller firms to contribute to this significant government expenditure.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for this contract would typically involve the Department of the Army's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance against the firm fixed-price contract terms and any defined milestones or deliverables. Transparency is often limited in sole-source defense contracts, especially those operating in sensitive geopolitical areas. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to investigations of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Afghan Security Forces Training Programs
Department of Defense Advisory Services
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Contracts
Stability and Reconstruction Operations

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
Long contract duration increases risk of cost escalation.
Operating environment in Afghanistan presents significant risks.
Limited transparency on performance metrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $320.2 million to DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED). BRIDGE CONTRACT TO DYNCORP INTERNATIONAL, LLC TO PROVIDE ADVISING AND MENTORING SERVICES TO THE AFGHAN MINISTRY OF INTERIOR AND AFGHAN NATIONAL POLICE.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED).

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $320.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2014-12-31. End: 2020-02-16.

What specific advisory and mentoring services were provided under this contract?

The contract data indicates that DynCorp International was tasked with providing 'advising and mentoring services to the Afghan Ministry of Interior and Afghan National Police.' While the broad categories are clear, the specific nature of these services would encompass a wide range of activities. This could include strategic planning support, organizational development, training program design and oversight, equipment maintenance advice, operational procedure development, and leadership mentoring. The goal was to enhance the capacity, professionalism, and effectiveness of Afghan security institutions to enable them to assume full security responsibility for the country. Detailed statements of work (SOWs) within the contract would outline the precise tasks, objectives, and expected outcomes for each phase of the engagement.

How does the $320 million cost compare to similar advisory contracts for security forces in post-conflict zones?

Directly comparing the $320 million cost to similar contracts is challenging due to the unique context of Afghanistan and the specific nature of the services provided. However, large-scale advisory and mentoring contracts for security forces in complex environments often run into hundreds of millions of dollars over several years. For instance, similar efforts in Iraq or other stabilization missions have seen comparable or even higher expenditures for training, equipping, and advising local security forces. The cost is influenced by factors such as the number of personnel deployed, their skill sets, the duration of the mission, security requirements, logistical support, and the inherent risks associated with operating in a conflict zone. Without specific benchmarks for comparable 'nation-building' advisory contracts, it's difficult to definitively label this as high or low, but the scale is consistent with the magnitude of such undertakings.

What were the key risks associated with this sole-source contract, and how were they managed?

The primary risks associated with this sole-source contract were the potential for inflated pricing due to the lack of competition and the inherent challenges of operating in Afghanistan. Without competitive bidding, there's a risk that the government did not secure the most cost-effective solution. Furthermore, the volatile security situation, political instability, and logistical complexities in Afghanistan posed significant operational risks, including potential delays, cost overruns, and threats to personnel. Management of these risks would have involved robust contract oversight by the Department of the Army, including performance monitoring, regular reporting requirements, and potentially contingency planning for security incidents. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract aimed to transfer some cost risk to the contractor, but the overall success depended heavily on effective program management and adaptation to the evolving environment.

What was the intended impact of these services on the Afghan National Police and Ministry of Interior?

The intended impact of the advisory and mentoring services was to significantly strengthen the capacity and operational effectiveness of the Afghan National Police (ANP) and the Ministry of Interior (MOI). This included improving their ability to conduct independent operations, maintain law and order, counter insurgency, and provide security for the Afghan population. Specific goals likely encompassed enhancing leadership and management skills within the MOI, improving police training methodologies, strengthening investigative capabilities, developing better equipment maintenance protocols, and fostering a more professional and accountable police force. Ultimately, the objective was to enable these institutions to become self-sufficient and capable of managing the country's internal security, thereby facilitating a transition to Afghan control.

How has DynCorp International's track record in similar contracts influenced their selection for this role?

DynCorp International has a long history of providing aviation, logistics, intelligence, and security services to government agencies, particularly the Department of Defense, often in challenging overseas environments. Their experience in supporting security forces in countries like Iraq and Afghanistan, including training and mentoring roles, likely made them a preferred or sole-source candidate for this contract. Government agencies often rely on contractors with demonstrated past performance and established operational capabilities in high-risk areas. DynCorp's existing infrastructure, personnel networks, and understanding of the complexities involved in such missions would have been critical factors in their selection, especially if the requirement was deemed urgent or highly specialized, precluding a lengthy competitive process.

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) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT 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: 1800 F ST NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20405

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $346,272,509

Exercised Options: $320,199,969

Current Obligation: $320,199,969

Actual Outlays: $-8,917,637

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline