DoD's $20.5M Contract for Basic Life Support in Iraq Awarded to Specialist Transport Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $20,560,673 ($20.6M)
Contractor: Specialist Transport Services (L.L.C)
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2009-03-30
End Date: 2010-05-21
Contract Duration: 417 days
Daily Burn Rate: $49.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 9
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: BASRAH, IRAQ COB; BASIC LIFE SUPT (BLS)
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $20.6 million to SPECIALIST TRANSPORT SERVICES (L.L.C) for work described as: BASRAH, IRAQ COB; BASIC LIFE SUPT (BLS) Key points: 1. Contract value of $20.5M for essential life support services. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Risk is moderate due to the operational environment and service type. 4. Sector is primarily logistics and support services within defense operations.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $20.5M for a 13-month period appears reasonable for specialized life support services in a challenging operational environment like Iraq. Benchmarking against similar contracts is difficult without more specific service details.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating multiple bidders participated. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing, though specific outcomes depend on the number and quality of bids received.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds were utilized through a competitive process, aiming for value. The effectiveness of price discovery in this specific instance is not fully detailed.
Public Impact
Ensures essential life support for personnel in Basrah, Iraq. Supports Department of Defense operations in a critical region. Provides employment opportunities through the awarded contractor.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Geopolitical instability in Iraq.
- Logistical challenges of operating in a conflict zone.
- Potential for cost overruns due to unforeseen circumstances.
Positive Signals
- Contract awarded through full and open competition.
- Clear definition of services for basic life support.
- Fixed-price contract type can help control costs.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the defense logistics and support services sector. Spending in this area is often high due to the nature of military operations, especially in deployed environments. Benchmarks are highly variable based on location and specific services.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to SPECIALIST TRANSPORT SERVICES (L.L.C), a limited liability company. There is no indication that small businesses were specifically targeted or subcontracted, which warrants further review for potential small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would typically be managed by the Department of the Army contracting office responsible for the region. Accountability for service delivery and cost management would be key oversight functions.
Related Government Programs
- Other Nonhazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Operational environment risk (Iraq).
- Potential for service disruption.
- Contractor capability and performance.
- Cost management in a high-cost operational area.
Tags
other-nonhazardous-waste-treatment-and-d, department-of-defense, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $20.6 million to SPECIALIST TRANSPORT SERVICES (L.L.C). BASRAH, IRAQ COB; BASIC LIFE SUPT (BLS)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SPECIALIST TRANSPORT SERVICES (L.L.C).
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $20.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2009-03-30. End: 2010-05-21.
What specific services constitute 'Basic Life Support' in this context, and how were they priced?
Basic Life Support (BLS) in this context likely encompasses essential services such as food, water, shelter, sanitation, and potentially basic medical support for personnel operating in Basrah, Iraq. The pricing would be based on the contractor's proposed costs for delivering these services, factoring in labor, materials, transportation, and overhead, all within the framework of a firm fixed-price contract.
What were the primary risks associated with this contract, and how were they mitigated?
Primary risks included the volatile security environment in Iraq, potential logistical disruptions, and the contractor's ability to deliver consistent service quality. Mitigation strategies likely involved robust security protocols, contingency planning for supply chain issues, performance monitoring by the contracting officer's representative (COR), and potentially incorporating clauses for force majeure or operational adjustments.
How effective was the full and open competition in ensuring value for taxpayer money?
Full and open competition is designed to maximize value by encouraging multiple bidders to offer competitive prices. The effectiveness in this case depends on the number of bids received and the final negotiated price relative to the estimated value of services. Without knowing the bid landscape, it's presumed to have provided a competitive baseline, but detailed analysis of bid margins would be needed for a definitive assessment.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Waste Treatment and Disposal › Other Nonhazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal
Product/Service Code: PURCHASE OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › PURCHASE FACILITY NOT A BUILDING
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 9
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: CAPITAL WAREHOUSES, BUILDING, DUBAI
Business Categories: Category Business, Foreign Owned, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $50,736,190
Exercised Options: $20,560,673
Current Obligation: $20,560,673
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2009-03-30
Current End Date: 2010-05-21
Potential End Date: 2010-05-21 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-07-14
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