USAID's $31.8M FEWS NET Hub Contract Awarded to American Institutes for Research

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $31,836,033 ($31.8M)

Contractor: American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2019-06-24

End Date: 2024-12-23

Contract Duration: 2,009 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PILLAR 2 FEWS NET LEARNING AND DATA HUB

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20004

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $31.8 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES for work described as: PILLAR 2 FEWS NET LEARNING AND DATA HUB Key points: 1. Contract focuses on professional, scientific, and technical services for the FEWS NET program. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract spans over 5 years, indicating a long-term need for these services. 4. The award amount of $31.8M is significant for this service category. 5. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee type, which can be less price-efficient than fixed-price contracts if costs are not tightly controlled. Benchmarking against similar long-term, complex service contracts is needed for a more precise value assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which generally promotes competitive pricing. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure requires diligent oversight to ensure the fixed fee remains reasonable and costs are managed effectively.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for a critical program (FEWS NET) aimed at food security. The effectiveness of the spending hinges on efficient program delivery and cost management.

Public Impact

Supports early warning systems for food security, impacting vulnerable populations globally. The FEWS NET program provides vital data and analysis for humanitarian aid and development planning. This contract contributes to the U.S. government's efforts in international development and disaster preparedness.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize higher costs.
Long contract duration (over 5 years) requires sustained oversight.
Potential for scope creep in complex scientific and technical services.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Supports a critical international development program (FEWS NET).
Long-term commitment indicates sustained need and potential for impact.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, a broad category. Spending benchmarks for similar long-term, international program support contracts would provide further context for evaluating the $31.8M award.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates the prime contractor is American Institutes for Research, a large organization. There is no explicit information on small business subcontracting in the provided data, which warrants further investigation.

Oversight & Accountability

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type necessitates robust oversight from USAID to ensure costs are reasonable and the fixed fee is justified. Monitoring performance against program objectives and managing potential cost overruns are key accountability measures.

Related Government Programs

All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Agency for International Development Contracting
Agency for International Development Programs

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
Long contract duration.
Lack of explicit small business subcontracting data.
Potential for scope creep in technical services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $31.8 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES. PILLAR 2 FEWS NET LEARNING AND DATA HUB

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES.

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 $31.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-06-24. End: 2024-12-23.

How does the fixed fee component of this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract compare to industry standards for similar long-term, complex service contracts, and what mechanisms are in place to ensure it rema

Assessing the fairness of the fixed fee requires detailed analysis of the contractor's proposed costs, the complexity of the services, and the profit margin. USAID should have established criteria for evaluating fixed fees, potentially benchmarking against similar contracts or using established profit rate guidelines. Regular performance reviews and audits are crucial to ensure the fee aligns with the value and outcomes achieved by the FEWS NET Hub.

Given the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, what specific risk mitigation strategies has USAID implemented to prevent cost overruns and ensure efficient use of taxpayer funds for the FEWS NET Hub?

USAID likely employs several strategies, including detailed cost monitoring, regular financial reporting requirements, and performance-based milestones. Establishing clear ceilings for allowable costs and conducting periodic audits are essential. The agency should also have a robust process for reviewing and approving any cost adjustments, ensuring they are directly tied to unforeseen circumstances or approved scope changes, not contractor inefficiencies.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for the FEWS NET Hub, and how is the effectiveness of the services provided by American Institutes for Research being measured against these KPIs to ensu

Effectiveness is measured through KPIs related to the accuracy and timeliness of food security forecasts, the utility of data provided to decision-makers, and the overall impact on humanitarian response and development planning. USAID should be conducting regular performance evaluations, potentially including independent assessments, to verify that the contractor is meeting or exceeding these critical metrics and contributing to the FEWS NET program's overarching goals.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1400 CRYSTAL DR FL 10, ARLINGTON, VA, 22202

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $31,836,033

Exercised Options: $31,836,033

Current Obligation: $31,836,033

Actual Outlays: $31,158,617

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 3

Total Subaward Amount: $28,061,870

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 7200AA19D00005

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline