USAID's $31.7M Learn to Read contract aims to improve reading outcomes for 1st and 2nd graders in Nigeria

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $31,705,063 ($31.7M)

Contractor: Creative Associates International, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2022-02-04

End Date: 2025-02-26

Contract Duration: 1,118 days

Daily Burn Rate: $28.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE LEARN TO READ ACTIVITY IS TO SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE IMPROVEMENTS IN READING OUTCOMES FOR PUPILS IN GRADES 1 AND 2 IN SELECT NIGERIAN STATES.

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $31.7 million to CREATIVE ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: THE LEARN TO READ ACTIVITY IS TO SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE IMPROVEMENTS IN READING OUTCOMES FOR PUPILS IN GRADES 1 AND 2 IN SELECT NIGERIAN STATES. Key points: 1. Focuses on foundational literacy in early grades, a critical development area. 2. Contract awarded to Creative Associates International, Inc., a known implementer. 3. Potential risks include program sustainability and measuring tangible reading improvements. 4. Sector is professional, scientific, and technical services, specifically education support.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to higher costs if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar international education development contracts is difficult without more specific cost breakdowns.

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. This method generally promotes price discovery and potentially better value.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are directed towards improving educational outcomes in a developing nation, with potential long-term benefits for human capital development.

Public Impact

Aims to enhance literacy skills for thousands of young Nigerian students. Supports educational development and capacity building in select Nigerian states. International aid focused on a crucial stage of child development.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Measuring and verifying sustainable reading improvements.
Ensuring effective implementation across diverse Nigerian states.
Long-term impact and scalability of the program.

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical need for early childhood education.
Utilizes a competitive award process.
Clear objective of improving reading outcomes.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on international education development. Spending benchmarks for such programs vary widely based on geographic location, scope, and specific interventions.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific provisions or set-asides for small businesses in this contract award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be conducted by USAID's mission in Nigeria and potentially its Office of Inspector General to ensure funds are used effectively and objectives are met.

Related Government Programs

All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Agency for International Development Contracting
Agency for International Development Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure.
Challenges in measuring and verifying 'sustainable' improvements.
Ensuring effective program implementation across diverse geographic and cultural contexts.
Dependency on local partnerships and government cooperation.
Risk of limited long-term impact if local capacity is not sufficiently built.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $31.7 million to CREATIVE ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC.. THE LEARN TO READ ACTIVITY IS TO SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE IMPROVEMENTS IN READING OUTCOMES FOR PUPILS IN GRADES 1 AND 2 IN SELECT NIGERIAN STATES.

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 $31.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-02-04. End: 2025-02-26.

What specific metrics will be used to measure 'sustainable improvements in reading outcomes'?

The contract should detail specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) indicators for reading proficiency. This would likely include standardized reading assessments administered at baseline, mid-term, and end-of-project to track progress in areas like phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension for grades 1 and 2.

What are the primary risks associated with implementing an education program in multiple Nigerian states?

Key risks include logistical challenges in reaching remote areas, varying educational infrastructure and teacher capacity across states, potential political or security instability impacting program delivery, and ensuring cultural appropriateness of the curriculum. Managing these diverse contexts requires robust local partnerships and adaptive management strategies.

How will the effectiveness of the 'Learn to Read' program be evaluated post-completion?

Effectiveness evaluation would typically involve follow-up assessments of student literacy levels beyond the contract period, potentially through independent studies or by integrating monitoring into the local education systems. Assessing the sustainability of teacher training and the continued use of improved pedagogical methods would also be crucial.

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

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, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $48,812,640

Exercised Options: $48,812,640

Current Obligation: $31,705,063

Actual Outlays: $24,526,387

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline