USAID's $22.8M Climate Adaptation Support Activity awarded to Tetra Tech, Inc. for engineering services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,814,483 ($22.8M)

Contractor: Tetra Tech, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2022-09-08

End Date: 2025-02-11

Contract Duration: 887 days

Daily Burn Rate: $25.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE CLIMATE ADAPTATION SUPPORT ACTIVITY (CASA)AIMS TO ADDRESS IMMEDIATE AND LONG-TERM CLIMATE IMPACTS ACROSS SECTORS AND DIRECTLY CONTRIBUTE TO USAID'S GOALS.

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 $22.8 million to TETRA TECH, INC. for work described as: THE CLIMATE ADAPTATION SUPPORT ACTIVITY (CASA)AIMS TO ADDRESS IMMEDIATE AND LONG-TERM CLIMATE IMPACTS ACROSS SECTORS AND DIRECTLY CONTRIBUTE TO USAID'S GOALS. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on addressing climate impacts across sectors, aligning with USAID's strategic goals. 2. Full and open competition suggests a robust bidding process. 3. The contract duration of 887 days indicates a significant, multi-year effort. 4. Engineering services are critical for developing and implementing climate adaptation strategies. 5. The contract's primary location is Washington D.C., suggesting a focus on policy and national-level coordination.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $22.8 million for engineering services over approximately 2.5 years appears reasonable given the scope of climate adaptation support. Benchmarking against similar large-scale USAID contracts for technical assistance and engineering would provide further context. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) pricing structure allows for flexibility but requires careful monitoring of costs to ensure value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This competitive process is expected to drive fair pricing and encourage innovative solutions. The presence of 5 bids suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this significant USAID initiative.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more cost-effective solutions and better service delivery.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include developing countries and communities facing climate change impacts, through improved adaptation strategies. Services delivered encompass technical assistance, analysis, and engineering solutions for climate resilience. Geographic impact is global, supporting USAID's international development objectives. Workforce implications include employment for engineers, climate scientists, and development specialists.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns inherent in CPFF contracts if not managed diligently.
Ensuring equitable distribution of climate adaptation benefits across diverse regions and populations.
Measuring the long-term effectiveness and sustainability of implemented adaptation measures.

Positive Signals

Clear alignment with USAID's strategic climate goals enhances program relevance.
Full and open competition suggests a strong likelihood of competitive pricing and quality.
The multi-year duration allows for sustained impact and adaptive management.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330), a critical component of the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. The market for climate adaptation services is growing rapidly as global awareness of climate risks increases. USAID's spending in this area reflects a commitment to addressing climate change challenges in developing nations, often involving complex technical and logistical solutions. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other large international development agencies or government bodies funding similar climate resilience and adaptation projects.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate a specific small business set-aside. While Tetra Tech, Inc. is a large business, there may be opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors on this activity, contributing specialized expertise in areas such as local climate data analysis or community engagement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by USAID's contracting officers and program officials, ensuring adherence to contract terms and performance objectives. Accountability measures will be tied to the delivery of specific climate adaptation outputs and outcomes. Transparency is facilitated through the contract award process and public reporting requirements, though detailed project-level reporting may vary.

Related Government Programs

USAID Climate Change Strategy
Global Climate Change Initiative
Development Assistance Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep in CPFF contracts.
Geopolitical risks in implementation regions.
Challenges in measuring long-term climate adaptation impact.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $22.8 million to TETRA TECH, INC.. THE CLIMATE ADAPTATION SUPPORT ACTIVITY (CASA)AIMS TO ADDRESS IMMEDIATE AND LONG-TERM CLIMATE IMPACTS ACROSS SECTORS AND DIRECTLY CONTRIBUTE TO USAID'S GOALS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TETRA TECH, 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 $22.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-08. End: 2025-02-11.

What is Tetra Tech, Inc.'s track record with USAID on similar climate adaptation or engineering projects?

Tetra Tech, Inc. has a significant history of working with USAID and other federal agencies on a wide range of projects, including those related to environmental services, engineering, and international development. Their experience often includes infrastructure design, environmental assessments, and technical assistance in climate-vulnerable regions. Specific details on past climate adaptation projects with USAID would require a deeper dive into contract databases and performance reports, but their established presence suggests a capacity to handle complex, large-scale initiatives. Examining past performance evaluations and award histories can provide further insight into their reliability and effectiveness in delivering on similar objectives.

How does the $22.8 million contract value compare to similar climate adaptation support activities managed by USAID or other development agencies?

The $22.8 million contract value for the Climate Adaptation Support Activity (CASA) appears to be within a reasonable range for a multi-year, global initiative focused on engineering and technical services for climate resilience. Large-scale development projects addressing complex issues like climate change often require substantial funding over several years. Comparing this to similar contracts awarded by agencies like the World Bank, regional development banks, or other bilateral aid organizations for climate adaptation planning, infrastructure resilience, or disaster risk reduction would provide a more precise benchmark. The scope, duration, and specific technical requirements of those comparable contracts would be key factors in a detailed value assessment.

What are the primary risks associated with the implementation of the Climate Adaptation Support Activity, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks for this activity include the inherent complexities of implementing climate adaptation strategies in diverse global contexts, potential for political instability in target regions, challenges in accurately forecasting long-term climate impacts, and the possibility of cost overruns within the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks, strong local partnerships, adaptive management approaches to adjust strategies based on evolving conditions, and diligent financial oversight by USAID. Tetra Tech's experience in navigating complex international environments and USAID's established program management protocols are also critical risk mitigation factors.

How will the effectiveness of the Climate Adaptation Support Activity be measured, and what are the key performance indicators (KPIs)?

The effectiveness of the Climate Adaptation Support Activity will likely be measured through a combination of quantitative and qualitative indicators tied to USAID's climate change goals and the specific objectives outlined in the contract. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) could include the number of communities or sectors receiving adaptation support, the reduction in vulnerability to specific climate hazards (e.g., floods, droughts), the successful implementation of adaptation infrastructure or policy recommendations, and the sustainability of adopted adaptation measures. USAID's standard monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) frameworks would guide the measurement process, ensuring that progress is tracked and lessons learned are incorporated throughout the contract period.

What is the historical spending trend for climate adaptation and related engineering services within USAID over the past five years?

While specific historical spending data for USAID's climate adaptation engineering services isn't provided, it's widely recognized that global climate finance, including that channeled through development agencies like USAID, has been increasing. Agencies are dedicating more resources to climate mitigation and adaptation efforts in response to growing international commitments and the escalating impacts of climate change. Trends suggest a growing emphasis on resilience building, nature-based solutions, and climate-smart infrastructure. A detailed analysis would require accessing USAID's historical budget and contract award data to quantify the precise year-over-year growth in this specific category.

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

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3475 EAST FOOTHILL BOULEVARD, PASADENA, CA, 91107

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $37,997,981

Exercised Options: $37,997,981

Current Obligation: $22,814,483

Actual Outlays: $10,752,315

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADU138

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline