USAID's $40M Technical Assistance Program aims to boost Jordan's education and youth reform capacity with Creative Associates International

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $39,999,813 ($40.0M)

Contractor: Creative Associates International, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2021-05-10

End Date: 2025-02-26

Contract Duration: 1,388 days

Daily Burn Rate: $28.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE GOAL OF THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TAP) ACTIVITY IS TO TRANSFORM THE ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE AND TECHNICAL AND INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT OF JORDAN (GOJ) TO SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENT EDUCATION AND YOUTH REFORMS SUPPORTED BY D

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $40.0 million to CREATIVE ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: THE GOAL OF THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TAP) ACTIVITY IS TO TRANSFORM THE ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE AND TECHNICAL AND INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT OF JORDAN (GOJ) TO SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENT EDUCATION AND YOUTH REFORMS SUPPORTED BY D Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Creative Associates International, Inc. for $39,999,813. 2. Focuses on transforming organizational culture and capacity for education and youth reforms in Jordan. 3. Contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, with a duration of 1388 days. 4. No small business participation noted. 5. Sector is primarily professional, scientific, and technical services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract structure allows for cost reimbursement plus a fixed fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. The total award is substantial, indicating a significant investment in the program's goals.

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 pricing mechanisms and how they were evaluated against other proposals are not detailed here.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being utilized to support international development efforts in Jordan, aiming for long-term reform and capacity building.

Public Impact

Supports educational and youth reform initiatives in Jordan. Aims to build long-term institutional capacity within the Jordanian government. International development assistance focused on human capital development. Potential for improved educational outcomes and youth engagement in Jordan.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize higher costs.
Lack of small business participation.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Clear objective to build governmental capacity.
Long-term program duration.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' a broad category. The spending aligns with USAID's mission to foster development and stability through capacity building in partner nations.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that no small business participation was involved in this contract. This suggests that the prime contractor, Creative Associates International, Inc., is handling the entirety of the work awarded.

Oversight & Accountability

The Agency for International Development (USAID) is responsible for overseeing this contract. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates robust oversight to ensure costs are reasonable and the fixed fee is justified.

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 risk.
Potential for scope creep.
Dependency on Jordanian government buy-in and sustained commitment.
Measuring cultural and capacity transformation is inherently challenging.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $40.0 million to CREATIVE ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC.. THE GOAL OF THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TAP) ACTIVITY IS TO TRANSFORM THE ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE AND TECHNICAL AND INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT OF JORDAN (GOJ) TO SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENT EDUCATION AND YOUTH REFORMS SUPPORTED BY D

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 $40.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-05-10. End: 2025-02-26.

What specific metrics will be used to measure the transformation of organizational culture and technical capacity in the Jordanian government?

The effectiveness of this program hinges on clearly defined and measurable outcomes. Key metrics should include quantifiable improvements in the Jordanian government's ability to plan, implement, and sustain education and youth reforms. This could involve tracking the adoption of new policies, the efficiency of program delivery, and stakeholder satisfaction surveys among government officials and beneficiaries.

How will USAID ensure that the fixed fee component of the contract remains fair and proportionate to the achieved outcomes, given the cost-plus nature?

USAID will likely employ rigorous performance monitoring and milestone-based payments to manage the fixed fee. Regular reviews of progress against program objectives and deliverables will be crucial. The contract should include clauses that allow for adjustments to the fee based on performance, ensuring it is tied to successful transformation and capacity building, not just effort expended.

What is the anticipated long-term impact on the Jordanian education and youth sectors beyond the contract's duration?

The program aims for sustainable change by embedding new capacities within the Jordanian government. The long-term impact is expected to manifest as improved educational quality, increased youth engagement in productive activities, and a more resilient governmental framework for future reforms. Success will be measured by the GOJ's continued ability to drive these reforms independently after the contract concludes.

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) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 72027820R00014

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4445 WILLARD AVE, CHEVY CHASE, MD, 20815

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: $39,999,813

Exercised Options: $39,999,813

Current Obligation: $39,999,813

Actual Outlays: $30,700,249

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline