DoD's $12.3M Body Armor Purchase: Administrative Management Consulting Services Awarded to Foreign Entities
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $12,319,065 ($12.3M)
Contractor: Miscellaneous Foreign Awardees
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2008-06-27
End Date: 2008-06-27
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: {PIIN: W91GY008F0050} BODY ARMOR VESTS AND SHIPPING
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $12.3 million to MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES for work described as: {PIIN: W91GY008F0050} BODY ARMOR VESTS AND SHIPPING Key points: 1. Spending focused on administrative management consulting, not direct armor production. 2. Awarded to miscellaneous foreign awardees, raising questions about domestic industrial base support. 3. Risk associated with foreign sourcing for critical defense equipment. 4. Sector is administrative management consulting, not defense manufacturing.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $12.3M for administrative management consulting services is difficult to benchmark without specific service details. The pricing assessment is further complicated by the award to foreign entities, making direct comparison to domestic service contracts challenging.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a broad solicitation. However, the award to 'miscellaneous foreign awardees' raises questions about the effectiveness of price discovery and whether domestic capabilities were adequately considered or competitive.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer impact is unclear due to the nature of consulting services and foreign awardees. The value could be justified if essential expertise was obtained, but potential for inflated costs exists.
Public Impact
Procurement of administrative services rather than direct defense articles. Potential reliance on foreign entities for services related to defense contracts. Lack of transparency regarding the specific consulting services rendered. Questions about the strategic advantage of awarding such contracts internationally.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Foreign awardees for potentially sensitive support services.
- Lack of clarity on the specific administrative services provided.
- Potential disconnect between NAICS code (consulting) and the item (body armor).
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Contract awarded by the Department of the Army.
Sector Analysis
The sector is Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services (NAICS 541611). Spending benchmarks for this sector vary widely based on the specific services. Awarding this to foreign entities for a defense-related contract is unusual and warrants scrutiny.
Small Business Impact
The contract does not appear to directly benefit small businesses, as it was awarded to miscellaneous foreign awardees. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is crucial to ensure the administrative services provided were necessary, effective, and competitively priced, especially given the foreign awardees. Accountability for the expenditure of $12.3M rests with the Department of the Army.
Related Government Programs
- Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Award to foreign entities for potentially sensitive support.
- Lack of specific detail on consulting services provided.
- Potential for higher costs due to foreign awardees.
- Unclear direct benefit to US defense capabilities or industrial base.
- NAICS code suggests consulting, but contract is for body armor vests.
Tags
administrative-management-and-general-ma, department-of-defense, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $12.3 million to MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES. {PIIN: W91GY008F0050} BODY ARMOR VESTS AND SHIPPING
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 $12.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-06-27. End: 2008-06-27.
What specific administrative management and general management consulting services were procured under this contract, and how did they directly support the acquisition or deployment of body armor vest
The contract details do not specify the exact nature of the administrative consulting services. It's possible these services related to logistics, planning, or foreign procurement processes for the body armor vests. Without further information, it's difficult to ascertain the direct support provided or justify the expenditure solely on administrative functions.
What were the risks associated with awarding administrative consulting services related to defense equipment to miscellaneous foreign awardees, and were these risks adequately mitigated?
Risks include potential security vulnerabilities, lack of familiarity with US defense protocols, currency exchange fluctuations, and difficulties in oversight and recourse. Awarding to foreign entities might also bypass opportunities to strengthen the domestic industrial base. Mitigation strategies would need to address these specific concerns through rigorous vetting and contract management.
How does the $12.3M expenditure on administrative consulting services compare to typical spending for similar support functions within defense procurements, and was this an effective use of taxpayer f
Benchmarking this specific administrative consulting spend is challenging without detailed service descriptions. If the services were critical for complex international logistics or planning, the cost might be justifiable. However, if the services were routine, the cost could be considered high, especially when awarded to foreign entities, raising questions about overall effectiveness and value for money.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting 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, 08
Business Categories: Category Business, Foreign Owned, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $12,319,065
Exercised Options: $12,319,065
Current Obligation: $12,319,065
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-06-27
Current End Date: 2008-06-27
Potential End Date: 2008-06-27 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2011-04-13
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