DoD spent over $26M on Afghan police facility construction, awarded via full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,174,716 ($26.2M)

Contractor: Domestic Awardees (undisclosed)

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2012-12-07

End Date: 2014-04-17

Contract Duration: 496 days

Daily Burn Rate: $52.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: CONSTRUCTION OF AFGHAN NATIONAL CIVIL ORDER POLICE (ANCOP) PATROL BATTALION AT NAHR-E-SARAJ, HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN.

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $26.2 million to DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED) for work described as: CONSTRUCTION OF AFGHAN NATIONAL CIVIL ORDER POLICE (ANCOP) PATROL BATTALION AT NAHR-E-SARAJ, HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN. Key points: 1. The contract aimed to build essential infrastructure for Afghan security forces. 2. Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a broad search for qualified contractors. 3. The project duration was approximately 1.5 years, indicating a significant construction undertaking. 4. The firm-fixed-price contract type suggests cost certainty for the government. 5. The project was located in a high-risk operational environment, potentially impacting cost and schedule. 6. The specific domestic awardees are undisclosed, limiting transparency on contractor selection.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to the unique operational context in Afghanistan and the lack of specific cost breakdowns. The total award amount of $26.17 million for a patrol battalion facility suggests a substantial investment in security infrastructure. Without comparable projects in similar environments or detailed cost data, assessing whether this represents excellent value for money is difficult. The firm-fixed-price nature provides some cost control, but the inherent risks of operating in Afghanistan could have led to higher initial bids.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that the Department of the Army sought proposals from all responsible sources. The presence of 3 bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this project. While full and open competition is generally preferred for maximizing price discovery and ensuring fair access to government contracts, the specific number of bidders (3) might be considered low for a project of this scale, potentially influenced by the challenging operating environment.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it theoretically drives down prices through a wider pool of bidders. However, the limited number of bids received in this case may have constrained the full benefits of competition, potentially leading to a higher-than-optimal price.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries were the Afghan National Civil Order Police (ANCOP), receiving enhanced operational facilities. The project delivered a critical patrol battalion facility, improving the ANCOP's capacity and effectiveness. The geographic impact was concentrated in Nahr-e-Saraj, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, a key region for security operations. The construction likely involved local labor and materials, contributing to the Afghan economy, though specific details are not provided.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of transparency regarding specific domestic awardees.
High-risk operational environment in Afghanistan could have inflated costs.
Limited number of bids (3) may indicate constrained competition.
Potential for cost overruns or schedule delays due to the challenging location.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, maximizing potential bidder pool.
Firm-fixed-price contract type offers cost certainty.
Project aimed to enhance the capacity of Afghan security forces.
Significant investment in critical infrastructure for a partner nation.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector. The global market for construction services, particularly in post-conflict or developing regions, is complex and influenced by security, political stability, and economic factors. While specific benchmarks for constructing security facilities in Afghanistan are scarce, projects of this nature typically require specialized expertise and risk mitigation strategies. The Department of Defense frequently engages construction firms for infrastructure development in support of foreign security assistance programs.

Small Business Impact

The contract details do not indicate any small business set-aside provisions. Given the nature and location of the project, it is unlikely that significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses were a primary focus, or if they were, they are not detailed in the provided data. The awardees being undisclosed domestic entities further complicates the assessment of small business impact.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would have been managed by the Department of the Army, likely through contracting officers and project managers. Given the location and nature of the work, oversight would have been particularly critical, involving risk management, quality assurance, and security protocols. Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction would apply to investigate fraud, waste, and abuse, though specific IG reports related to this contract are not detailed here. Transparency is limited by the undisclosed nature of the awardees.

Related Government Programs

Afghan Security Forces Support Contracts
Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Construction
Foreign Military Construction Projects
Department of Defense Infrastructure Development

Risk Flags

High-Risk Environment
Undisclosed Awardees
Limited Competition Bidders
Potential for Cost Overruns

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $26.2 million to DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED). CONSTRUCTION OF AFGHAN NATIONAL CIVIL ORDER POLICE (ANCOP) PATROL BATTALION AT NAHR-E-SARAJ, HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN.

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 $26.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-12-07. End: 2014-04-17.

What was the track record of the awarded contractors for similar projects, especially in high-risk environments?

The provided data does not specify the awarded contractors, only that they were 'DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED)'. Therefore, assessing their track record for similar projects, particularly in challenging environments like Afghanistan, is not possible with the given information. Typically, for such high-stakes projects, agencies would vet contractors for experience in complex logistics, security, and construction in austere conditions. Without knowing the specific entities, a detailed analysis of their past performance, including successful completion of similar infrastructure projects, adherence to budget and schedule, and quality of work, cannot be performed.

How does the cost per square foot or per unit of this facility compare to similar construction projects in Afghanistan or other conflict zones?

Direct comparison of cost per square foot or per unit is difficult without knowing the facility's size, specific components, and the exact scope of work included in the $26.17 million award. Furthermore, construction costs in Afghanistan during the 2012-2014 period were significantly inflated due to logistical challenges, security risks, and the demand for specialized services. Projects in conflict zones are inherently more expensive than those in stable regions. Without detailed architectural plans and a breakdown of construction elements (e.g., barracks, training areas, administrative buildings), a meaningful cost benchmark against other projects, even in similar zones, is speculative.

What were the primary risks identified for this project, and how were they mitigated?

The primary risks for a project like the construction of an ANCOP patrol battalion in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, would have included security threats (insurgency, terrorism), logistical challenges (transportation of materials and personnel), political instability, potential for corruption, environmental hazards, and contractor personnel safety. Mitigation strategies would typically involve robust security plans, coordination with military forces, use of secure supply chains, adherence to strict quality control measures, contingency planning for schedule delays, and potentially higher pricing to account for inherent risks. The firm-fixed-price contract type suggests the contractor bore much of the cost risk, but the government would still face risks related to project completion and quality.

How effective was the completed facility in supporting the ANCOP's mission and improving their operational capabilities?

The effectiveness of the completed facility in supporting the ANCOP's mission is not directly measurable from the contract data alone. The project's objective was to provide essential infrastructure, which theoretically enhances operational capabilities by offering secure accommodation, training spaces, and command facilities. Post-construction assessments, operational reports from the ANCOP, or follow-on evaluations by the Department of Defense or other oversight bodies would be needed to determine the actual impact on the ANCOP's effectiveness, morale, and ability to conduct operations. The success would also depend on the facility's maintenance and the broader security context in Helmand.

What was the historical spending trend for similar infrastructure projects supporting Afghan security forces prior to this contract?

Historical spending on infrastructure projects for Afghan security forces, particularly following the surge in international involvement, was substantial. The U.S. government, through agencies like the Department of Defense and USAID, invested billions of dollars in training, equipping, and building facilities for the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), including the ANCOP. Spending in this category fluctuated based on strategic priorities and the evolving security situation. Prior to this specific $26 million contract (awarded in late 2012), there would have been numerous similar, and likely larger, contracts for bases, training centers, and operational posts across Afghanistan, reflecting a sustained commitment to building Afghan capacity.

Were there any significant cost underruns or overruns associated with this contract, and why?

The provided data lists the award amount ($26,174,716) but does not include information on the final cost or any potential modifications, underruns, or overruns. For a firm-fixed-price contract, the goal is to maintain the price unless significant changes in scope or unforeseen circumstances necessitate contract modifications. Given the challenging environment in Afghanistan, it would not be unusual for such projects to encounter issues leading to change orders or claims, potentially impacting the final cost. However, without access to contract modification history or final payment data, determining the presence or reasons for cost variances is impossible.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W912DQ13R4010

Offers Received: 3

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: $26,174,716

Exercised Options: $26,174,716

Current Obligation: $26,174,716

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline