USAID's $27.8M contract for Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS-9) awarded to ICF Incorporated

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $27,807,422 ($27.8M)

Contractor: ICF Incorporated, L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2024-04-09

End Date: 2025-02-24

Contract Duration: 321 days

Daily Burn Rate: $86.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: DEMOGRAPHIC AND HEALTH SURVEYS - 9 (DHS-9)

Place of Performance

Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20190

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $27.8 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C. for work described as: DEMOGRAPHIC AND HEALTH SURVEYS - 9 (DHS-9) Key points: 1. Value for money assessed through comparison to similar survey contracts. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open process. 3. Risk indicators include contract duration and cost-plus-fixed-fee structure. 4. Performance context relies on ICF's track record in survey execution. 5. Sector positioning within international development and data collection services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $27.8 million for the DHS-9 project appears reasonable given the scope of international demographic and health surveys. Benchmarking against similar large-scale survey contracts managed by USAID or other development agencies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The cost-plus-fixed-fee pricing structure allows for flexibility but requires careful monitoring of costs to ensure efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but a competitive process generally leads to better pricing and service offerings for the government. This approach maximizes the potential for finding the most capable and cost-effective solution.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition is favorable for taxpayers as it drives down costs through market forces and encourages innovation among potential contractors.

Public Impact

International health organizations and governments benefit from the data collected. Provides critical data for public health initiatives, policy-making, and resource allocation. Geographic impact spans multiple countries involved in the Demographic and Health Surveys program. Workforce implications include employment for survey researchers, data analysts, and field staff globally.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns with Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts if not managed tightly.
Dependence on a single contractor (ICF) for a critical data collection effort.
Ensuring data quality and integrity across diverse international settings.

Positive Signals

ICF has a demonstrated history of successfully executing large-scale survey projects.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
The contract duration allows for comprehensive data collection and analysis.

Sector Analysis

The Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) program is a major initiative funded by USAID to collect and disseminate data on population, health, and nutrition in developing countries. This contract falls within the broader 'Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' sector, specifically focusing on survey research and data analysis. Comparable spending in this sector involves other large-scale data collection and research contracts for government agencies.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans for this specific contract is not detailed in the provided data. However, large-scale survey contracts often involve opportunities for specialized small businesses to participate as subcontractors for specific tasks like data collection in certain regions or data processing.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by USAID's contracting officers and program officials. Accountability measures would include performance reviews, adherence to reporting requirements, and quality control checks on the data collected. Transparency is facilitated through the public availability of DHS data reports, though the internal contract management processes may have varying levels of public disclosure.

Related Government Programs

Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) Program
USAID Global Health Programs
International Development Data Collection
Population and Health Research Contracts

Risk Flags

Contract duration may limit the full scope of survey activities.
Cost-plus-fixed-fee structure requires diligent cost oversight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $27.8 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C.. DEMOGRAPHIC AND HEALTH SURVEYS - 9 (DHS-9)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C..

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 $27.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-04-09. End: 2025-02-24.

What is ICF Incorporated's track record with USAID and similar large-scale survey contracts?

ICF Incorporated has a significant track record with USAID and other government agencies in conducting large-scale surveys and research projects. They have been a primary implementer of the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) program for many years, including previous iterations like DHS-8. Their experience spans numerous countries and complex health and demographic topics. This extensive history suggests a deep understanding of the operational, technical, and logistical challenges involved in such global data collection efforts. Their past performance is a key indicator of their capability to successfully execute the DHS-9 contract, though ongoing performance monitoring remains crucial.

How does the $27.8 million contract value compare to previous DHS phases or similar international survey efforts?

The $27.8 million value for DHS-9 needs to be contextualized against previous Demographic and Health Surveys phases and comparable international survey efforts. While exact year-over-year comparisons are complex due to inflation, scope changes, and the number of countries included, this figure appears to be in line with the substantial investment required for such comprehensive global data collection. For instance, previous DHS phases have also represented multi-million dollar investments. Benchmarking against other large-scale, multi-country health and demographic surveys funded by organizations like the World Bank or UN agencies would provide further context on the cost-effectiveness and scale of this award.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for international survey work?

The primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for international survey work revolve around cost control and contractor efficiency. While CPFF provides flexibility to adapt to unforeseen circumstances common in international fieldwork (e.g., logistical challenges, security issues, changing local conditions), it can incentivize contractors to incur higher costs if not managed diligently, as their fee is fixed regardless of the actual costs incurred. For USAID, the risk lies in ensuring that ICF manages resources efficiently and avoids unnecessary expenditures. Robust oversight, detailed cost reporting, and clear performance metrics are essential to mitigate these risks and ensure value for taxpayer money.

How does the full and open competition impact the quality and cost of the services provided?

A full and open competition for the DHS-9 contract is intended to maximize both quality and cost-effectiveness. By allowing all eligible and responsible sources to compete, USAID benefits from a wider pool of potential contractors, fostering innovation and encouraging competitive pricing. This process typically leads to the selection of the offeror that provides the best overall value, considering technical approach, past performance, and price. The competitive pressure incentivizes bidders to propose efficient methodologies and realistic cost structures to win the contract. Consequently, taxpayers are likely to receive high-quality survey data at a more competitive price than might be achieved through less open procurement methods.

What are the potential implications of the contract duration (321 days) on the scope and depth of the DHS-9 project?

The contract duration of 321 days for DHS-9 suggests a focused scope, likely encompassing specific phases of the survey process such as planning, instrument finalization, fieldwork in a defined set of countries, data processing, and initial analysis. While comprehensive, this duration may imply that the project is not intended to cover the full, multi-year cycle of a complete DHS program implementation from start to finish, which often spans longer periods for extensive country-level engagement and multiple survey rounds. It could represent a specific phase or a streamlined approach. Understanding what specific activities are encompassed within these 321 days is crucial for assessing the project's overall impact and whether it meets the full data needs intended by the DHS program.

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

Solicitation ID: 7200AA24R00001

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: ICF International, Inc.

Address: 1902 RESTON METRO PLAZA, RESTON, VA, 20190

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $236,831,989

Exercised Options: $236,831,989

Current Obligation: $27,807,422

Actual Outlays: $7,021,726

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 19

Total Subaward Amount: $28,548,275

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADU119

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline