USAID's RHITES-N (ACHOLI) contract, valued at $65.6M, aims to boost health service utilization in Uganda

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $65,654,573 ($65.7M)

Contractor: University Research CO., LLC

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2017-12-19

End Date: 2024-11-21

Contract Duration: 2,529 days

Daily Burn Rate: $26.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF RHITES-N(ACHOLI) THE OVERALL GOAL OF THIS ACTIVITY IS TO INCREASE UTILIZATION OF HEALTH SERVICES THROUGH PROGRESS IN THE FOLLOWING KEY RESULT AREAS: 1.INCREASED AVAILABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY OF HEALTH SERVICES IN FACILITIES AND COMMUNITIES; 2.IMPROVED HEALTH SYSTEM FOR QUALITY SERVICES IN FACILITIES AND COMMUNITIES; 3.INCREASED ADOPTION OF HEALTH BEHAVIORS BY COMMUNITIES AND INDIVIDUALS.

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $65.7 million to UNIVERSITY RESEARCH CO., LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF RHITES-N(ACHOLI) THE OVERALL GOAL OF THIS ACTIVITY IS TO INCREASE UTILIZATION OF HEALTH SERVICES THROUGH PROGRESS IN THE FOLLOWING KEY RESULT AREAS: 1.INCREASED AVAILABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY OF HEALTH SERVICES IN FACILITIES AND COMMUNITIES; 2.IMPROVED HEALTH SYSTEM… Key points: 1. Focuses on increasing availability, accessibility, and quality of health services. 2. Promotes adoption of healthier behaviors among communities and individuals. 3. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting broad market engagement. 4. Performance period spans over 7 years, indicating a long-term commitment to health outcomes. 5. Contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, common for complex service delivery. 6. The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code suggests a broad scope of work.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of $65.6 million over approximately 7 years suggests a significant investment in health system strengthening. Benchmarking this against similar USAID-funded health service delivery programs in Sub-Saharan Africa would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure allows for flexibility but requires careful monitoring of costs to ensure efficiency. Without specific performance metrics and outcomes data, a definitive value assessment is challenging, but the duration and scope indicate a substantial effort.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The presence of 5 proposals suggests a competitive environment, which typically drives better pricing and innovation. The agency's decision to use full and open competition implies confidence in the market's ability to meet the requirements effectively.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more cost-effective solutions and a wider range of innovative approaches to achieving program goals.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include communities and individuals in the Acholi region of Uganda, receiving improved health services. Services delivered encompass increased availability and accessibility of healthcare, enhanced quality of services, and promotion of health behaviors. Geographic impact is focused on the Acholi region, a specific area within Uganda. Workforce implications include potential employment for local healthcare professionals and support staff involved in service delivery and program implementation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns inherent in Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts if not rigorously managed.
Ensuring sustained health behavior change requires long-term engagement and adaptive strategies.
Measuring the true impact of health service utilization can be complex and require robust M&E frameworks.

Positive Signals

Long contract duration (over 7 years) allows for sustained impact and relationship building.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process and potential for strong contractor performance.
Focus on key result areas provides a clear framework for performance monitoring and evaluation.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically related to public health and international development. USAID frequently engages contractors for large-scale health initiatives in developing countries. Benchmarking this contract's value against other USAID health programs in similar regions or with comparable objectives would be relevant for assessing its scale and potential impact within the broader development aid landscape.

Small Business Impact

The contract does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions. Given the scale and nature of the work, it is likely that the prime contractor is a larger entity, but subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist within specific service areas, depending on the prime contractor's strategy.

Oversight & Accountability

USAID typically employs robust oversight mechanisms for its contracts, including regular performance reviews, financial audits, and monitoring of key performance indicators. The Inspector General's office would have jurisdiction for audits and investigations. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award notices and reporting requirements, though detailed operational transparency may vary.

Related Government Programs

USAID Global Health Security Agenda
USAID President's Malaria Initiative
USAID HIV/AIDS Programs
Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF structure.
Challenges in measuring long-term behavioral change.
Risks associated with operating in a post-conflict region.
Dependency on sustained funding and political stability.
Ensuring equitable access and quality across diverse communities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $65.7 million to UNIVERSITY RESEARCH CO., LLC. IGF::OT::IGF RHITES-N(ACHOLI) THE OVERALL GOAL OF THIS ACTIVITY IS TO INCREASE UTILIZATION OF HEALTH SERVICES THROUGH PROGRESS IN THE FOLLOWING KEY RESULT AREAS: 1.INCREASED AVAILABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY OF HEALTH SERVICES IN FACILITIES AND COMMUNITIES; 2.IMPROVED HEALTH SYSTEM FOR QUALITY SERVICES IN FACILITIES AND COMMUNITIES; 3.INCREASED ADOPTION OF HEALTH BEHAVIORS BY COMMUNITIES AND INDIVIDUALS.

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 $65.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-12-19. End: 2024-11-21.

What is the track record of University Research Co., LLC (URC) in managing large-scale international health development contracts?

University Research Co., LLC (URC) has a significant track record in international health and development, often working with agencies like USAID. They have managed numerous projects focused on improving health systems, strengthening healthcare delivery, and promoting public health initiatives in various countries. Their experience typically spans areas such as maternal and child health, infectious disease control, health workforce development, and health financing. URC's longevity and consistent engagement with major donors suggest a capacity to manage complex, multi-year projects with substantial budgets and diverse stakeholder requirements. Evaluating specific past performance on contracts with similar scope, duration, and geographic focus to the RHITES-N (ACHOLI) project would provide a more granular understanding of their capabilities and past successes or challenges.

How does the cost structure (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) compare to other contract types for similar international health programs?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type is common for complex service-oriented projects where the scope of work may evolve or is difficult to precisely define at the outset, such as international health programs. In a CPFF contract, the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a fixed fee representing profit. This structure provides flexibility for the procuring agency to adapt to changing circumstances and encourages the contractor to manage costs efficiently to protect their fixed profit margin. Compared to Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contracts, CPFF offers less cost certainty for the government but greater flexibility. Compared to Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) contracts, CPFF does not directly incentivize performance beyond the fixed fee, which might be a drawback if specific, measurable performance targets are critical. For large-scale health initiatives, CPFF is often chosen to balance the need for adaptability with cost control.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of the RHITES-N (ACHOLI) program?

While the provided data outlines the overall goals of the RHITES-N (ACHOLI) activity—increasing utilization of health services through improved availability, accessibility, quality, and adoption of health behaviors—specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are not detailed. Typically, such programs would establish a robust Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework with quantifiable KPIs. These might include metrics like the number of health facilities reporting improved service delivery, rates of specific health service utilization (e.g., antenatal care visits, childhood immunizations), patient satisfaction scores, reduction in disease prevalence or mortality rates for targeted conditions, and indicators of community engagement in health initiatives. The success of the program would be measured against baseline data and pre-defined targets for these KPIs over the contract's duration.

What is the historical spending trend for USAID's health programs in Uganda or similar regions?

USAID has consistently been a major funder of health programs globally, including in Uganda and other Sub-Saharan African nations. Historical spending trends indicate a significant and sustained commitment to improving health outcomes, often focusing on key areas such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, maternal and child health, and infectious disease control. Funding levels can fluctuate based on global health priorities, specific country needs, and the availability of resources. Contracts like RHITES-N (ACHOLI) represent substantial investments within this broader portfolio. Analyzing USAID's historical budget allocations and contract awards for health in Uganda would reveal patterns of investment, identify priority areas, and provide context for the scale of this particular $65.6 million award relative to past funding.

What are the potential risks associated with implementing a large-scale health service improvement program in a post-conflict region like Acholi?

Implementing a large-scale health program in a post-conflict region like Acholi presents several unique risks. These can include fragile infrastructure, limited local capacity, potential security concerns, and the need for culturally sensitive approaches to rebuild trust and ensure community buy-in. Furthermore, historical trauma and displacement may impact health-seeking behaviors and access to services. Political instability or shifts in government priorities could also affect program sustainability. Ensuring equitable access across diverse communities, addressing potential corruption, and managing the expectations of beneficiaries are critical challenges. The program must be adaptable to unforeseen circumstances and work closely with local authorities and communities to mitigate these risks effectively.

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

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: SOL-617-16-000007

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5404 WISCONSIN AVE STE 800, 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: $68,707,972

Exercised Options: $68,707,972

Current Obligation: $65,654,573

Actual Outlays: $46,331,683

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 11

Total Subaward Amount: $8,306,739

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline