Kajaki Dam Transmission Line Rehab in Afghanistan Awarded for $45.9M, Aiming for Reliable Power

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $45,892,022 ($45.9M)

Contractor: Foreign Awardees (undisclosed)

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2014-09-25

End Date: 2018-11-10

Contract Duration: 1,507 days

Daily Burn Rate: $30.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 13

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF SOUTHERN ELECTRICAL POWER SYSTEM, KAJAKI DAM TO LASKAR GAH TRANSMISSION LINE REHABILITATION, AFGHANISTAN PROCUREMENT. THIS DESIGN-BUILD CONTRACT WILL REPLACE THE SEPS HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION CABLE FROM THE TANGI SUBSTATION NEAR THE KAJAKI DAM TO THE LASHKAR GAH DIESEL POWER PLANT IN THE HELMAND PROVINCE. THIS NEW TRANSMISSION LINE WILL PROVIDE A MORE RELIABLE POWER SOURCE TO POPULATION CENTERS AND PROVIDE A BACKBONE FOR A NATIONAL GRID THAT WILL ALLOW FOR FUTURE EXPANSION.

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $45.9 million to FOREIGN AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED) for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF SOUTHERN ELECTRICAL POWER SYSTEM, KAJAKI DAM TO LASKAR GAH TRANSMISSION LINE REHABILITATION, AFGHANISTAN PROCUREMENT. THIS DESIGN-BUILD CONTRACT WILL REPLACE THE SEPS HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION CABLE FROM THE TANGI SUBSTATION NEAR THE KAJAKI DAM TO THE LAS… Key points: 1. Project aims to improve power reliability for population centers and support national grid expansion. 2. Design-build contract for high-voltage electrical transmission cable replacement. 3. Competition type is 'Full and Open', but awardees are undisclosed. 4. Sector is Power and Communication Line Construction, with a significant contract value.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $45.9M for a 1507-day duration is substantial. Without specific per-unit cost benchmarks for similar transmission line projects in comparable regions, a precise pricing assessment is difficult. The undisclosed foreign awardees further complicate direct comparison.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which theoretically allows for the best price discovery. However, the undisclosed nature of the foreign awardees raises concerns about transparency and the ability to verify competitive fairness and pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The project's goal is to provide a more reliable power source, which should have a positive long-term impact on the population. However, the lack of transparency in awardee selection could lead to suboptimal use of taxpayer funds.

Public Impact

Enhances power infrastructure in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Supports the development of a national power grid backbone. Aims to provide a more stable electricity supply to population centers. Potential for future grid expansion and increased energy access.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Undisclosed foreign awardees
Lack of transparency in selection
Potential for cost overruns in a complex environment

Positive Signals

Addresses critical infrastructure need
Supports national grid development
Aims for improved power reliability

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Power and Communication Line Construction sector, which is critical for infrastructure development. The $45.9M value is significant for this type of project, especially in a challenging operational environment like Afghanistan.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates no specific set-aside for small businesses, and the awardees are undisclosed foreign entities, suggesting limited direct benefit to U.S. small businesses from this particular contract.

Oversight & Accountability

While the contract specifies full and open competition, the lack of disclosed awardees hinders effective oversight and accountability. Further investigation into the selection process and performance monitoring is warranted.

Related Government Programs

Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of transparency regarding awardees
Potential for cost escalation due to operational environment
Limited information on risk mitigation strategies
Unclear long-term sustainability and maintenance plan

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $45.9 million to FOREIGN AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED). IGF::CT::IGF SOUTHERN ELECTRICAL POWER SYSTEM, KAJAKI DAM TO LASKAR GAH TRANSMISSION LINE REHABILITATION, AFGHANISTAN PROCUREMENT. THIS DESIGN-BUILD CONTRACT WILL REPLACE THE SEPS HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION CABLE FROM THE TANGI SUBSTATION NEAR THE KAJAKI DAM TO THE LASHKAR GAH DIESEL POWER PLANT IN THE HELMAND PROVINCE. THIS NEW TRANSMISSION LINE WILL PROVIDE A MORE RELIABLE POWER SOURCE TO POPULATION CENTERS AND PROVIDE A BACKBONE FOR A NATIONAL GRID THAT WILL ALLOW FOR FUTURE EXPAN

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 $45.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2014-09-25. End: 2018-11-10.

What specific criteria were used to select the undisclosed foreign awardees, and how was their technical capability and financial stability assessed to ensure project success and value for money?

The provided data does not detail the selection criteria for the undisclosed foreign awardees. Typically, such assessments would involve evaluating past performance, technical expertise relevant to design-build transmission lines, financial capacity, and adherence to security protocols. Without this information, it's impossible to confirm if the selection process ensured optimal value and minimized risk for the U.S. taxpayer.

Given the remote and potentially unstable environment in Helmand Province, what risk mitigation strategies were implemented to address potential security threats, logistical challenges, and material s

The data does not specify the risk mitigation strategies employed. Projects in Afghanistan often require robust security plans, contingency logistics for remote access, and secure supply chains. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract suggests these risks were factored into the initial pricing, but the absence of explicit mitigation details makes it difficult to assess their adequacy and potential impact on the final cost.

How will the long-term operational and maintenance costs of this new transmission line be managed, and are there provisions for knowledge transfer to local Afghan entities to ensure sustainability and

The contract details focus on the initial design-build phase and do not provide information on long-term operational and maintenance plans or knowledge transfer mechanisms. Ensuring the sustainability of this critical infrastructure would necessitate clear agreements for ongoing maintenance, training for local personnel, and potentially follow-on contracts or support, which are not detailed here.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Utility System Construction › Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: TWO STEP

Solicitation ID: W912ER14R0028

Offers Received: 13

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: $63,926,659

Exercised Options: $45,892,022

Current Obligation: $45,892,022

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline