USAID's $31.5M RISSA contract to Jefferson Consulting Group LLC aims to advance peace and security in Africa

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $31,551,701 ($31.6M)

Contractor: Jefferson Consulting Group LLC

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2022-01-24

End Date: 2025-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,345 days

Daily Burn Rate: $23.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: NEW RISSA AWARD - AFR BUREAU THE PRIMARY FOCUS OF RISSA IS TO CONTINUE CRUCIAL RESEARCH AND INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT TO AFR, ENSURING THAT IT IS ABLE TO ACHIEVE THE GOALS OF THE AFRICA JOINT REGIONAL STRATEGY: 1) ADVANCE MUTUAL PEACE AND SECURITY INT

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20006

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $31.6 million to JEFFERSON CONSULTING GROUP LLC for work described as: NEW RISSA AWARD - AFR BUREAU THE PRIMARY FOCUS OF RISSA IS TO CONTINUE CRUCIAL RESEARCH AND INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT TO AFR, ENSURING THAT IT IS ABLE TO ACHIEVE THE GOALS OF THE AFRICA JOINT REGIONAL STRATEGY: 1) ADVANCE MUTUAL PEACE AND SECURITY INT Key points: 1. Contract supports critical research and institutional support for USAID's Africa Bureau. 2. Focus on advancing mutual peace and security goals within the Africa Joint Regional Strategy. 3. Awarded via full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 4. Contract type is Delivery Order, suggesting it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle. 5. Performance period spans over three years, from January 2022 to September 2025. 6. The contract is for Engineering Services, with a North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code of 541330.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $31.55 million over approximately three years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar contracts for regional strategy support and engineering services would be necessary for a precise value-for-money assessment. However, the use of full and open competition implies that pricing was likely subjected to market forces, potentially leading to competitive rates. The specific nature of the services (research, institutional support) makes direct per-unit cost comparisons challenging without more granular data on deliverables.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which typically means that proposals were solicited from all responsible sources, but specific exclusions might have been applied based on prior justifications. The presence of multiple bidders (indicated by 'no': 4) suggests a degree of competition, which is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring a fair market price.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs through market forces. The inclusion of multiple bidders suggests that the government received a range of proposals, likely leading to a more favorable price than a sole-source award.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Agency for International Development (USAID) and its Africa Bureau, receiving crucial research and institutional support. The services delivered are intended to advance the goals of the Africa Joint Regional Strategy, focusing on peace and security. The geographic impact is focused on Africa, supporting regional stability and development initiatives. Workforce implications may include the need for specialized consultants and researchers in engineering, policy, and international development.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if research and support requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical strategic support could pose a risk if performance falters.
The 'Engineering Services' NAICS code might be broad; the specific nature of the research and support needs further clarification.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Clear strategic objective (advancing peace and security in Africa) provides a defined purpose for the contract.
Longer performance period allows for sustained support and potential for deeper impact.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically engineering services. The market for these services supporting international development and government agencies is substantial. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other contracts awarded by USAID and similar agencies for strategic support, research, and policy development in regions like Africa. The $31.55 million value positions this as a significant, but not exceptionally large, contract within this domain.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses ('sb': false) and the contractor, Jefferson Consulting Group LLC, is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided snippet. Therefore, there are no direct small business set-aside implications. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses would depend on the prime contractor's strategy and the specific needs of the project, which are not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Agency for International Development (USAID), likely through designated Contracting Officers' Representatives (CORs) responsible for monitoring performance, deliverables, and compliance. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of contract awards, though detailed performance reports may not be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

USAID Africa Bureau Operations
Regional Security Strategy Implementation
International Development Consulting Services
Engineering and Technical Support Contracts
Peace and Security Initiatives

Risk Flags

Contract awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' requires careful review of the justification for exclusions.
The broad NAICS code 'Engineering Services' for research and institutional support may indicate a need for clearer definition of services.
Long-term nature of the contract necessitates robust performance monitoring to ensure continued value and effectiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $31.6 million to JEFFERSON CONSULTING GROUP LLC. NEW RISSA AWARD - AFR BUREAU THE PRIMARY FOCUS OF RISSA IS TO CONTINUE CRUCIAL RESEARCH AND INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT TO AFR, ENSURING THAT IT IS ABLE TO ACHIEVE THE GOALS OF THE AFRICA JOINT REGIONAL STRATEGY: 1) ADVANCE MUTUAL PEACE AND SECURITY INT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JEFFERSON CONSULTING GROUP LLC.

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 $31.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-01-24. End: 2025-09-30.

What is the specific breakdown of services provided under this 'Engineering Services' contract, beyond general research and institutional support?

The provided data classifies this contract under NAICS code 541330 (Engineering Services), but the description focuses on 'crucial research and institutional support to AFR' to 'advance mutual peace and security'. This suggests the 'engineering' aspect may refer to the systematic, analytical, and problem-solving approaches applied to policy and strategy development, rather than traditional civil or mechanical engineering. Specific services could include policy analysis, strategic planning support, program evaluation, data analysis, and potentially the development of frameworks or methodologies for achieving the Africa Joint Regional Strategy's goals. A detailed statement of work (SOW) within the contract documents would provide a precise breakdown of tasks, deliverables, and expected outcomes.

How does the $31.55 million contract value compare to similar USAID contracts for regional strategy support in Africa?

Without access to a comprehensive database of USAID's historical contracts specifically for regional strategy support in Africa, a direct comparison is challenging. However, $31.55 million over approximately three years translates to an average annual value of roughly $10.5 million. This figure appears to be a substantial investment, reflecting the complexity and importance of advancing peace and security goals in a large and diverse continent. Larger, multi-year contracts for strategic initiatives are common within USAID, indicating this award is likely within a reasonable range for such critical, long-term support, assuming the scope of work is commensurate.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of Jefferson Consulting Group LLC under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, KPIs for research and institutional support contracts are tied to the successful achievement of strategic objectives outlined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW). These could include timely delivery of high-quality research reports, successful development and implementation of strategic frameworks, effective facilitation of stakeholder engagements, measurable improvements in program efficiency or effectiveness as assessed by USAID, and adherence to budget and schedule. USAID's COR would be responsible for monitoring these KPIs and ensuring the contractor meets performance expectations.

What is Jefferson Consulting Group LLC's track record with USAID and similar government agencies, particularly in the area of international security and development?

Jefferson Consulting Group LLC has a history of contracting with US federal agencies, including USAID. While the provided data snippet focuses on this specific award, a broader review of federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) would reveal their past performance, contract values, and the types of services rendered. Their experience likely includes providing advisory, analytical, and support services to government clients. Assessing their specific track record in international security and development would require examining past contracts related to these domains, looking for positive past performance reviews and successful project completions.

Are there any specific risks identified by USAID or the Inspector General related to this contract's execution or objectives?

The provided data does not explicitly mention any specific risks identified by USAID or its Inspector General (IG) for this particular contract. However, general risks associated with large, multi-year contracts supporting complex strategic goals in international environments could include political instability in the region, changes in US foreign policy priorities, challenges in data collection and analysis, potential for contractor performance issues, and ensuring effective coordination among various stakeholders. USAID's internal risk management processes and the IG's oversight activities would aim to identify and mitigate such potential risks throughout the contract's lifecycle.

What has been the historical spending trend for similar 'Engineering Services' or strategic support contracts by USAID's Africa Bureau?

Analyzing historical spending trends for similar contracts requires access to comprehensive federal procurement data. Without it, it's difficult to provide specific figures. However, USAID's Africa Bureau consistently requires significant funding to implement its regional strategies, which often involve complex challenges related to security, development, and governance. Spending on engineering services, research, and institutional support is a critical component of these efforts. Trends would likely show a sustained or potentially increasing investment in these areas, reflecting the ongoing importance of US engagement in Africa and the need for expert analysis and support to navigate the region's dynamic landscape.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 7200AA21R00059

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1666 K ST NW STE 1110, WASHINGTON, DC, 20006

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $64,897,262

Exercised Options: $64,897,262

Current Obligation: $31,551,701

Actual Outlays: $15,668,727

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 3

Total Subaward Amount: $1,409,643

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAD20D1194

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline