DoD Awards $27.9M for Afghan Aviation Complex Construction, Lacking Small Business Participation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $27,912,485 ($27.9M)

Contractor: Foreign Awardees (undisclosed)

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2010-09-21

End Date: 2013-01-19

Contract Duration: 851 days

Daily Burn Rate: $32.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: AVIATION COMPLEX, MAZAR-E-SHARIF, AFGHANISTAN

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $27.9 million to FOREIGN AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED) for work described as: AVIATION COMPLEX, MAZAR-E-SHARIF, AFGHANISTAN Key points: 1. Significant contract value for infrastructure development in a complex environment. 2. Competition was full and open, but awardee details are undisclosed. 3. Risk associated with foreign awardees and project location in Afghanistan. 4. Construction sector spending, with specific focus on infrastructure.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $27.9 million for highway, street, and bridge construction is substantial. Benchmarking is difficult due to the undisclosed foreign awardees and the unique operational context in Afghanistan.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which theoretically promotes price discovery. However, the undisclosed nature of the foreign awardees limits transparency and makes it challenging to assess the effectiveness of price competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being utilized for significant infrastructure development in a foreign country, with the ultimate value and efficiency impacted by the lack of transparency regarding the awardee.

Public Impact

Impacts reconstruction efforts and infrastructure development in Afghanistan. Raises questions about transparency and accountability for foreign contractors. Highlights the complexities of awarding contracts in conflict zones.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Undisclosed foreign awardees
  • Lack of small business participation
  • Geopolitical risk in Afghanistan

Positive Signals

  • Full and open competition utilized
  • Firm fixed price contract type

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the construction sector, specifically infrastructure development. Spending benchmarks for similar projects in austere environments are difficult to establish due to unique logistical and security challenges.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates no small business participation (sb: false). This is a missed opportunity to support small businesses and could potentially limit the competitive landscape for future contracts.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight of foreign contractors in complex environments like Afghanistan is critical. The undisclosed nature of the awardee necessitates robust monitoring to ensure contract compliance and prevent fraud or waste.

Related Government Programs

  • Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

  • Lack of transparency regarding awardee identity
  • Absence of small business participation
  • High-risk operational environment (Afghanistan)
  • Potential for undisclosed foreign awardee issues
  • Difficulty in performance verification

Tags

highway-street-and-bridge-construction, department-of-defense, definitive-contract, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $27.9 million to FOREIGN AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED). AVIATION COMPLEX, MAZAR-E-SHARIF, AFGHANISTAN

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FOREIGN 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 $27.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-09-21. End: 2013-01-19.

What specific criteria were used to select the foreign awardees, and how is their performance being monitored given the undisclosed nature?

The selection criteria for foreign awardees are not detailed in the provided data. Given the undisclosed nature, robust monitoring by the Department of the Army would be essential, likely involving on-site personnel and stringent reporting requirements to ensure adherence to contract terms, quality standards, and prevent potential misuse of funds.

What are the primary risks associated with awarding a significant construction contract to undisclosed foreign entities in a high-risk environment like Afghanistan?

Key risks include lack of transparency in pricing and performance, potential for corruption or fraud, difficulty in enforcing contract terms or seeking recourse, and challenges in ensuring adherence to U.S. labor and safety standards. The geopolitical instability also adds significant operational and security risks.

How does the lack of small business participation affect the overall value and effectiveness of this contract for U.S. taxpayers?

The absence of small business participation means potential benefits from their agility and specialized services are lost. It could also indicate a contracting process that inadvertently favors larger, foreign entities, potentially leading to less competitive pricing and reduced opportunities for domestic economic benefit.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ConstructionHighway, Street, and Bridge ConstructionHighway, Street, and Bridge Construction

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIESCONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W912BU10R0039

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1800 F ST NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20405

Business Categories: Category Business, Foreign Owned, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $28,004,485

Exercised Options: $27,912,485

Current Obligation: $27,912,485

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline

Start Date: 2010-09-21

Current End Date: 2013-01-19

Potential End Date: 2013-01-19 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2021-08-25

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