USAID contract for technical evaluation and monitoring in Haiti awarded to University Research Co., LLC for over $16.4M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,486,522 ($16.5M)

Contractor: University Research CO., LLC

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2022-08-18

End Date: 2026-08-17

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SERVICES REQUESTED INCLUDE TECHNICAL EVALUATION, SURVEY AND STUDY SUPPORT, CAPACITY BUILDING AND LEARNING EVENTS, AND IN-COUNTRY THIRD PARTY MONITORING (TPM) OF SOME USAID ACTIVITIES IN HAITI, WHICH AT TIMES IS A NON-PERMISSIVE ENVIRONMENT.

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $16.5 million to UNIVERSITY RESEARCH CO., LLC for work described as: SERVICES REQUESTED INCLUDE TECHNICAL EVALUATION, SURVEY AND STUDY SUPPORT, CAPACITY BUILDING AND LEARNING EVENTS, AND IN-COUNTRY THIRD PARTY MONITORING (TPM) OF SOME USAID ACTIVITIES IN HAITI, WHICH AT TIMES IS A NON-PERMISSIVE ENVIRONMENT. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical support services in a challenging environment, including third-party monitoring of USAID activities. 2. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can incentivize cost overruns if not managed carefully. 3. Awarded via Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources, suggesting a deliberate but specific competitive process. 4. The duration of nearly four years indicates a long-term need for these specialized services. 5. The contract value of over $16.4 million reflects the complexity and scope of work in a high-risk area.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific details on the scope of 'technical evaluation, survey and study support, capacity building and learning events, and in-country third party monitoring'. However, given the non-permissive environment in Haiti, the costs associated with ensuring personnel safety and operational effectiveness likely contribute to the overall price. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure requires careful oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable relative to the services delivered. Comparing it to similar monitoring and evaluation contracts in complex, high-risk regions would provide a better understanding of its value proposition.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources'. This specific procurement method suggests that while the competition was intended to be broad, certain sources may have been excluded based on predefined criteria. The number of bidders is not specified, but this approach aims to ensure a competitive landscape while potentially tailoring the pool of offerors to specific requirements. The level of competition, even with exclusions, should ideally drive price discovery and ensure a reasonable cost for the services.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive process, even with exclusions, aims to secure the best value for taxpayers by encouraging multiple qualified firms to bid. This helps prevent inflated pricing and ensures that the selected contractor offers a strong balance of cost and capability.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include USAID and its implementing partners in Haiti, who will receive crucial support for program oversight and evaluation. Services delivered encompass technical evaluations, surveys, studies, capacity building, learning events, and third-party monitoring. Geographic impact is focused on Haiti, a region requiring specialized logistical and security considerations for program implementation. Workforce implications include the potential for local employment in Haiti for monitoring activities, alongside specialized technical expertise from the contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can lead to cost overruns if not rigorously managed.
Operating in a non-permissive environment like Haiti presents inherent security and logistical risks that can impact cost and schedule.
The 'Exclusion of Sources' in the competition method warrants further investigation into the rationale and potential impact on competition.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the services provided.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a full and open competition process, indicating a broad search for qualified contractors.
The contract addresses critical needs for monitoring and evaluation in a challenging operational environment.
University Research Co., LLC has experience in providing similar services, suggesting a degree of capability.
The long contract duration suggests a sustained commitment and recognized need for these services by the agency.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically under NAICS code 541990 (All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services). This broad category includes a wide range of specialized services. The market for such services, particularly those involving international development, monitoring, and evaluation in complex environments, is competitive and requires firms with specialized expertise, security clearances, and logistical capabilities. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within USAID's portfolio of contracts for similar support in other challenging regions.

Small Business Impact

The contract does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions (ss: false, sb: false). University Research Co., LLC is likely a large business. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting plans for small businesses. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether the prime contractor actively seeks to engage small businesses for subcontracting opportunities, which is not detailed in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Agency for International Development (USAID), likely through a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates close monitoring of expenditures and performance to ensure value for money. Transparency is facilitated through contract awards databases, but detailed performance reports and audits are typically internal or subject to specific reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

USAID Haiti Mission Support
Third-Party Monitoring Contracts
International Development Consulting Services
Technical Assistance Contracts
Program Evaluation Services

Risk Flags

Operating in a non-permissive environment
Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
Potential for limited competition due to 'Exclusion of Sources'

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $16.5 million to UNIVERSITY RESEARCH CO., LLC. SERVICES REQUESTED INCLUDE TECHNICAL EVALUATION, SURVEY AND STUDY SUPPORT, CAPACITY BUILDING AND LEARNING EVENTS, AND IN-COUNTRY THIRD PARTY MONITORING (TPM) OF SOME USAID ACTIVITIES IN HAITI, WHICH AT TIMES IS A NON-PERMISSIVE ENVIRONMENT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY RESEARCH CO., 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 $16.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-08-18. End: 2026-08-17.

What is the specific track record of University Research Co., LLC in providing third-party monitoring services in non-permissive environments similar to Haiti?

University Research Co., LLC has a history of providing a range of services to government agencies, including research, evaluation, and technical assistance. While the provided data does not detail their specific track record in third-party monitoring (TPM) within non-permissive environments, their experience with USAID suggests familiarity with the agency's requirements and operational contexts. A deeper dive into their past performance reports, client testimonials, and project portfolios would be necessary to fully assess their capabilities and success rates in high-risk areas like Haiti. Their ability to manage logistics, security, and data collection under challenging conditions is a key factor in evaluating their suitability for this contract.

How does the pricing structure (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) compare to industry standards for similar technical evaluation and monitoring services in complex regions?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) pricing structure is common for services where the scope of work can be difficult to define precisely upfront, such as complex evaluations and monitoring in dynamic environments. For CPFF contracts, the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a fixed fee representing profit. While this structure offers flexibility, it carries a risk of cost overruns if not managed diligently. Industry standards for similar services in complex regions often involve a mix of pricing models, including CPFF, Time and Materials, or Firm-Fixed-Price, depending on the clarity of the SOW and risk tolerance. The 'fairness' of the fee in this contract would depend on benchmarks against similar USAID contracts and the contractor's demonstrated efficiency and cost control measures.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

The primary risks associated with this contract include operational security in Haiti's non-permissive environment, potential for cost overruns under the CPFF structure, challenges in data collection and verification due to local conditions, and ensuring the quality and impartiality of third-party monitoring. Mitigation strategies would typically involve robust security protocols for personnel, rigorous financial oversight by USAID CORs, clear data quality assurance procedures, and performance-based metrics within the contract. The 'Exclusion of Sources' in the competition method also presents a potential risk if it unduly limited the pool of qualified bidders, potentially impacting overall value. The contractor's own risk management plan, including contingency planning for unforeseen events, is also crucial.

How effective has University Research Co., LLC been in delivering similar technical evaluation and monitoring services for USAID in the past?

Assessing the past effectiveness of University Research Co., LLC requires access to performance evaluations and contract close-out reports from previous USAID engagements. The provided data indicates they were awarded this contract, suggesting they met the agency's requirements during the selection process. However, effectiveness is best measured by the quality of deliverables, impact on program objectives, adherence to budget and schedule, and client satisfaction. Without specific performance metrics or historical ratings, it is difficult to definitively state their past effectiveness. USAID's contract management system and past performance databases would hold this information.

What is the historical spending pattern for technical evaluation and monitoring services by USAID in Haiti or similar complex environments?

Historical spending patterns for technical evaluation and monitoring services by USAID in Haiti or similar complex environments can vary significantly based on program needs, geopolitical stability, and the scale of USAID's presence. Contracts for these services often range from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of dollars, depending on the duration, scope, and risk factors involved. USAID frequently utilizes third-party monitoring in challenging regions to ensure accountability and program effectiveness. Analyzing USAID's historical contract awards database would reveal trends in spending for these types of services, including the average contract values, durations, and the types of firms typically awarded these contracts, providing context for the $16.4M award.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 72052122R00012

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5404 WISCONSIN AVE, CHEVY CHASE, MD, 20815

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $19,996,085

Exercised Options: $19,996,085

Current Obligation: $16,486,522

Actual Outlays: $12,962,285

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 22

Total Subaward Amount: $4,316,093

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 7200AA20D00026

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline