DoD's $14.5M Kandahar DFAC Contract Awarded to Miscellaneous Foreign Awardees Under Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,540,619 ($14.5M)

Contractor: Miscellaneous Foreign Awardees

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2010-01-29

End Date: 2013-01-31

Contract Duration: 1,098 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: [PIIN: W91B4M-10-C-0019] KANDAHAR'S RMTC'S DFAC

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $14.5 million to MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES for work described as: [PIIN: W91B4M-10-C-0019] KANDAHAR'S RMTC'S DFAC Key points: 1. The contract awarded to "MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES" suggests a lack of specific, established vendors for this service in the region. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, indicating an attempt to solicit a broad range of potential bidders. 3. The contract duration of 1098 days (approx. 3 years) suggests a significant, ongoing need for food services. 4. The absence of small business participation is noted, which could be a missed opportunity for economic inclusion.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $14.5 million over approximately three years for a DFAC (Dining Facility) in Kandahar is difficult to benchmark without specific per-meal or per-person cost data. However, given the operational environment, costs are likely elevated.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which is generally positive for price discovery. However, the awardee being categorized as 'MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES' might indicate challenges in attracting domestic or specialized contractors, potentially impacting the breadth of competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: While competition was sought, the ultimate cost-effectiveness for taxpayers is unclear without detailed performance and cost analysis. The use of foreign awardees may also have implications for local economic impact.

Public Impact

Ensures essential food services for military personnel in a deployed environment. The use of foreign awardees raises questions about oversight, quality control, and potential economic leakage. Lack of small business involvement means fewer opportunities for smaller enterprises to participate in government contracting.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Awardee category is vague ('MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES')
No small business participation
Potential for higher costs due to operational environment and awardee type

Positive Signals

Utilized full and open competition
Contract duration indicates a sustained need met

Sector Analysis

Food service contracting in deployed locations is a critical but often complex sector. Benchmarks are highly variable due to security, logistics, and local market conditions. This contract falls under the Food Service Contractors NAICS code (722310).

Small Business Impact

This contract did not involve small businesses. Given the nature of food services, there might have been opportunities for small businesses, particularly those with experience in overseas operations or catering, which were not realized.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight of contracts awarded to 'MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES' can be challenging due to geographical distance and potentially different regulatory frameworks. Ensuring accountability for service delivery and cost management requires robust monitoring mechanisms.

Related Government Programs

Food Service Contractors
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

Vague awardee designation
Lack of small business participation
Potential for inflated costs due to operational environment
Challenges in oversight and accountability for foreign awardees

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $14.5 million to MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES. [PIIN: W91B4M-10-C-0019] KANDAHAR'S RMTC'S DFAC

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $14.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-01-29. End: 2013-01-31.

What was the specific rationale for awarding to 'MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES' instead of more established contractors, and how did this impact the final price?

The rationale for awarding to 'MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES' likely stems from a lack of qualified or available domestic contractors willing or able to operate in the Kandahar region at the time of award. This could potentially lead to higher prices due to increased risk premiums, logistical challenges, and limited competitive options, even under full and open competition.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how effectively were they monitored given the awardee's classification?

Key performance indicators would typically include food quality, service timeliness, hygiene standards, and adherence to dietary requirements. Monitoring these KPIs for 'MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES' in a deployed environment requires diligent on-site inspection and robust reporting systems to ensure service delivery meets DoD standards and taxpayer expectations.

What was the total cost per meal or per person served under this contract, and how does it compare to similar contracts in comparable operational theaters?

Without specific cost breakdowns (e.g., cost per meal, cost per person per day), it's impossible to provide an accurate benchmark. However, DFAC operations in active theaters are generally more expensive than stateside operations due to logistical complexities, security costs, and the need for specialized personnel, making direct comparisons difficult.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Accommodation and Food Services › Special Food Services › Food Service Contractors

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2011 CRYSTAL DR STE 911, ARLINGTON, VA, 08

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,224,619

Exercised Options: $14,713,419

Current Obligation: $14,540,619

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED

Timeline