Department of Defense awarded $57.3M for working dogs, with 104144 units delivered

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $57,279,385 ($57.3M)

Contractor: Miscellaneous Foreign Awardees

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2009-12-11

End Date: 2011-06-14

Contract Duration: 550 days

Daily Burn Rate: $104.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: [PIIN: W91B4N-10-C-5001] CONTRACT WORKING DOGS RCS

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $57.3 million to MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES for work described as: [PIIN: W91B4N-10-C-5001] CONTRACT WORKING DOGS RCS Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the scale of the contract and the specialized nature of the service. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open process, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. Risk indicators are low due to the definitive contract type and firm fixed price. 4. Performance context is established by the delivery of over 100,000 units. 5. Sector positioning is within the security and defense services industry.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of $57.3 million for working dogs and related services appears to be within a reasonable range for a large-scale defense procurement. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized animal services in the federal government is challenging due to the unique nature of this requirement. However, the sheer volume of units delivered (104,144) suggests a significant operational need and potentially economies of scale in pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The fact that it's a definitive contract suggests a structured bidding process. While the number of bidders isn't explicitly stated, full and open competition generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive bids and securing the best possible value for the funds expended.

Public Impact

Military and security personnel benefit from the provision of trained working dogs for various operational roles. Services delivered include the supply and potentially training or maintenance of working dogs. Geographic impact is likely global, supporting Department of Defense operations worldwide. Workforce implications may involve specialized handlers and trainers within the defense sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for long-term sustainment costs not fully detailed in the provided data.
Dependence on foreign awardees could introduce geopolitical or supply chain risks.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed price contract structure mitigates cost overrun risks.
Full and open competition suggests a robust procurement process.
Definitive contract type provides a clear framework for the agreement.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader security and defense services sector, specifically focusing on specialized animal support. The market for such services is niche, often involving highly trained animals and personnel. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more specific details on the type of dogs, training, and deployment. However, the Department of Defense is a significant consumer of specialized services, and spending in this area reflects critical operational requirements.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a specific set-aside requirement for this contract. Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses through set-asides is likely minimal. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist depending on the prime contractor's strategy, but this is not explicitly detailed. The focus appears to be on fulfilling a large-scale requirement through potentially larger or specialized foreign awardees.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant Department of the Army contracting command. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price, definitive contract structure, requiring delivery of specified goods or services. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award data being publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Military Working Dog Program
Department of Defense Security Services
Animal Services Contracts
Foreign Military Sales Support

Risk Flags

Foreign awardee reliance
Potential logistical complexities
Quality assurance across international vendors

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $57.3 million to MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES. [PIIN: W91B4N-10-C-5001] CONTRACT WORKING DOGS RCS

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 $57.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-12-11. End: 2011-06-14.

What specific types of working dogs were procured under this contract, and what were their intended operational roles?

The provided data does not specify the exact breeds or types of working dogs procured. However, contracts for the Department of Defense typically involve dogs trained for roles such as patrol, detection (explosives, narcotics), and specialized security operations. These dogs are crucial assets for force protection, counter-terrorism efforts, and maintaining security in various operational environments. The sheer volume of 104,144 units suggests a broad application across multiple units and potentially different theaters of operation, encompassing a range of specialized canine capabilities.

How does the per-unit cost, if calculable, compare to industry benchmarks for similar military-grade working dogs?

Calculating a precise per-unit cost is not feasible with the given data, as the $57.3 million award covers the entire contract, which likely includes not just the dogs themselves but also associated services such as training, veterinary care, transportation, and potentially handler support. Furthermore, the term 'working dogs' is broad. If we were to divide the total award by the number of units (104,144), we'd get approximately $550 per unit. This figure is likely an average and may not reflect the true cost of a fully trained military working dog, which can range significantly higher depending on breed, training level, and specialized capabilities. Industry benchmarks for highly trained military or police dogs can range from several thousand dollars to tens of thousands, making a direct comparison difficult without more granular contract details.

What are the primary risks associated with awarding a contract of this magnitude to 'Miscellaneous Foreign Awardees'?

Awarding a contract of this scale to 'Miscellaneous Foreign Awardees' presents several potential risks. Firstly, there are geopolitical risks; the stability and political climate of the countries where these awardees are based could impact contract performance. Secondly, logistical challenges related to international shipping, customs, and varying regulatory environments can lead to delays and increased costs. Thirdly, ensuring consistent quality control and adherence to U.S. military standards across foreign entities can be more complex than with domestic contractors. Finally, currency fluctuations could affect the actual cost to the U.S. government if payments are made in foreign currencies, although the contract is likely denominated in USD. Oversight and communication can also be more challenging across different time zones and languages.

What is the historical spending pattern for working dog procurement by the Department of Defense?

Historical spending on working dogs by the Department of Defense has been a consistent requirement, reflecting the enduring need for canine support in military operations. While specific figures for this PIIN (W91B4N-10-C-5001) are provided, understanding the broader pattern requires analyzing multiple contracts over time. The DoD has historically invested significant resources in its Military Working Dog (MWD) program, encompassing procurement, training, veterinary care, and handler support. Spending can fluctuate based on operational tempo, deployment needs, and technological advancements in alternative security measures. However, the essential role of MWDs in detection, patrol, and security ensures continued budgetary allocation, often in the tens to hundreds of millions of dollars annually across various branches and commands.

How does the firm fixed price (FFP) contract type mitigate risks for this specific procurement?

The Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type is highly beneficial for mitigating risks in this procurement of working dogs. Under an FFP agreement, the contractor is obligated to deliver the specified goods or services (in this case, working dogs and potentially related services) at a predetermined price, regardless of their actual costs incurred. This structure shifts the cost risk from the government to the contractor. For the Department of Defense, this means greater budget certainty and protection against potential cost overruns that could arise from unforeseen issues like increased feed costs, veterinary expenses, or training challenges. The government knows its maximum liability upfront, simplifying financial planning and accountability.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Investigation and Security Services › Security Guards and Patrol Services

Product/Service Code: MISCELLANEOUS

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, 22202

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $76,866,678

Exercised Options: $57,279,385

Current Obligation: $57,279,385

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED

Timeline