USAID's $34M Nigeria/Lake Chad Basin Contract Awarded to Creative Associates International for Stability Operations

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $33,985,861 ($34.0M)

Contractor: Creative Associates International, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2018-08-01

End Date: 2022-11-01

Contract Duration: 1,553 days

Daily Burn Rate: $21.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: QUICK-RESPONSE MECHANISM SUPPORTING ACTIVITIES THAT SUPPORT EFFORTS TO STRENGTHEN AND EXTEND STABILITY AND DENY AND UNDERMINE EXTREMIST OR OTHER GROUPS IN NIGERIA AND LAKE CHAD BASIN COUNTRIES

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $34.0 million to CREATIVE ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: QUICK-RESPONSE MECHANISM SUPPORTING ACTIVITIES THAT SUPPORT EFFORTS TO STRENGTHEN AND EXTEND STABILITY AND DENY AND UNDERMINE EXTREMIST OR OTHER GROUPS IN NIGERIA AND LAKE CHAD BASIN COUNTRIES Key points: 1. Contract focuses on strengthening stability and countering extremist groups in Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin. 2. Creative Associates International, Inc. is the sole awardee. 3. The contract duration is over 3 years, ending in November 2022. 4. This falls under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services. 5. The award was made via Full and Open Competition.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure can incentivize cost overruns if not closely monitored. Benchmarking CPFF contracts for similar complex, international stability operations is challenging due to unique contextual factors.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the specific price discovery mechanisms and the number of bids received are not detailed, making it difficult to assess the full extent of price competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are allocated to support critical stability and counter-extremism efforts in a volatile region, with the ultimate impact depending on the effectiveness of the implemented activities.

Public Impact

Supports U.S. foreign policy objectives in combating terrorism and promoting regional stability. Aims to improve governance and reduce the influence of extremist groups in Nigeria and surrounding countries. Funds activities that could impact local populations through development and security-related initiatives. The effectiveness of these services directly influences the success of broader U.S. diplomatic and security strategies in the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics for assessing impact.
Potential for mission creep in complex geopolitical environments.
CPFF contract type requires rigorous oversight to control costs.

Positive Signals

Addresses critical national security interests in counter-terrorism.
Utilizes a competitive contracting process.
Supports long-term stability goals in a strategically important region.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the management consulting sector, specifically focusing on administrative and general management services. Spending in this area often supports complex government initiatives, including international development and security operations, where specialized expertise is required.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there is no direct analysis of small business participation or impact from this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

The Agency for International Development (USAID) is responsible for overseeing this contract. Given the CPFF structure and the complex nature of the work, robust oversight is crucial to ensure funds are used effectively and objectives are met, requiring regular performance reviews and financial audits.

Related Government Programs

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Agency for International Development Contracting
Agency for International Development Programs

Risk Flags

Complex geopolitical environment.
Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
Potential for security risks to personnel.
Difficulty in measuring direct impact on stability.
Long contract duration increases exposure to changing conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $34.0 million to CREATIVE ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC.. QUICK-RESPONSE MECHANISM SUPPORTING ACTIVITIES THAT SUPPORT EFFORTS TO STRENGTHEN AND EXTEND STABILITY AND DENY AND UNDERMINE EXTREMIST OR OTHER GROUPS IN NIGERIA AND LAKE CHAD BASIN COUNTRIES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CREATIVE ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Agency for International Development (Agency for International Development).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $34.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-08-01. End: 2022-11-01.

How effectively are the 'supporting activities' translating into tangible improvements in stability and the denial of extremist group influence in Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin?

Assessing the tangible improvements requires detailed performance data and impact evaluations beyond the scope of this award notice. Key indicators would include reductions in extremist group activity, increased community resilience, improved governance metrics, and successful implementation of stabilization programs. Without specific reporting on these outcomes, the effectiveness remains an assumption tied to the contractor's execution and USAID's oversight.

What specific risks are associated with implementing stability and counter-extremism programs in the Nigeria and Lake Chad Basin region, and how are they being mitigated by Creative Associates Interna

Risks include political instability, security threats to personnel, cultural complexities, potential for corruption, and the evolving nature of extremist groups. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust security protocols, local partnerships, cultural sensitivity training, transparent financial management, and adaptive program design. The CPFF structure necessitates close monitoring to ensure cost controls are maintained despite these inherent risks.

Beyond the administrative and management consulting services, what direct or indirect impacts does this contract have on the local populations in the targeted regions?

Direct impacts could include job creation through local hiring or subcontracts, and improved access to services if the 'supporting activities' involve community-level interventions. Indirect impacts may stem from enhanced regional stability, which can foster economic development and reduce displacement. However, the primary focus is on supporting government efforts, so direct programmatic benefits to populations depend heavily on the specific nature of the activities undertaken.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5301 WISCONSIN AVE NW STE 700, WASHINGTON, DC, 20015

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $88,448,270

Exercised Options: $88,448,270

Current Obligation: $33,985,861

Actual Outlays: $25,714,504

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: AIDOAAI1400011

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline