USAID Awards $19.9M Contract for Humanitarian Aid Monitoring to Tetra Tech, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,965,598 ($20.0M)

Contractor: Tetra Tech, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2020-09-29

End Date: 2026-09-28

Contract Duration: 2,190 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO ESTABLISH INDEPENDENT, IMPARTIAL, TIMELY, RESPONSIVE, CONTEXTUALIZED AND FORWARD LOOKING THIRD PARTY MONITORING (TPM) AND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES TO IMPLEMENT THIS TPM FOR HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES COV

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $20.0 million to TETRA TECH, INC. for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO ESTABLISH INDEPENDENT, IMPARTIAL, TIMELY, RESPONSIVE, CONTEXTUALIZED AND FORWARD LOOKING THIRD PARTY MONITORING (TPM) AND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES TO IMPLEMENT THIS TPM FOR HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES COV Key points: 1. Contract focuses on independent, impartial monitoring and operational support for humanitarian assistance. 2. Tetra Tech, Inc. is the prime contractor for this delivery order. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 4. Services are crucial for ensuring accountability and effectiveness in humanitarian aid delivery.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's cost-plus-fixed-fee structure allows for flexibility in project execution. Benchmarking against similar monitoring and support contracts is difficult without more detailed service breakdowns, but the total award value appears reasonable for a multi-year engagement.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust price discovery process. This method generally leads to more competitive pricing as multiple vendors have the opportunity to bid.

Taxpayer Impact: Competition likely ensured a fair price, maximizing the value of taxpayer funds allocated to humanitarian aid monitoring.

Public Impact

Ensures accountability in the delivery of humanitarian aid. Provides independent oversight of critical assistance programs. Supports timely and responsive implementation of aid efforts. Enhances the effectiveness of international humanitarian initiatives.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data.
Potential for scope creep in long-term monitoring contracts.

Positive Signals

Clear purpose for independent third-party monitoring.
Awarded via full and open competition.
Long contract duration allows for sustained support.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically related to program management and support for international development. Spending in this area is critical for effective foreign aid delivery and oversight.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was awarded via full and open competition and does not specify any small business set-aside. Therefore, small business participation is not explicitly guaranteed by the contract type.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract's explicit purpose of establishing independent, impartial third-party monitoring suggests a strong emphasis on oversight. However, specific details on reporting mechanisms and accountability frameworks would be needed for a full assessment.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Agency for International Development Contracting
Agency for International Development Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to the nature of humanitarian aid.
Ensuring true independence and impartiality of monitoring services.
Measuring the tangible impact of monitoring on aid effectiveness.
Long contract duration may require adaptive management.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $20.0 million to TETRA TECH, INC.. THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO ESTABLISH INDEPENDENT, IMPARTIAL, TIMELY, RESPONSIVE, CONTEXTUALIZED AND FORWARD LOOKING THIRD PARTY MONITORING (TPM) AND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES TO IMPLEMENT THIS TPM FOR HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES COV

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TETRA TECH, 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 $20.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-09-29. End: 2026-09-28.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of the third-party monitoring services?

Key performance indicators are crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of the third-party monitoring. Without specific KPIs, it's challenging to objectively assess whether the services are truly independent, impartial, timely, and responsive as intended. Defining metrics related to reporting accuracy, response times to identified issues, and the actionable insights provided would be essential for accountability.

How does the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure mitigate risks associated with unforeseen challenges in humanitarian aid environments?

The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure allows the contractor to be reimbursed for allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee. This can mitigate risks by providing flexibility to adapt to unforeseen challenges common in humanitarian aid settings, such as logistical hurdles or changing needs on the ground. However, it also requires robust oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and the fixed fee adequately compensates for the defined scope.

What mechanisms are in place to ensure the impartiality and independence of Tetra Tech's monitoring activities?

Ensuring impartiality and independence relies on clearly defined contractual clauses, strict ethical guidelines for monitoring personnel, and robust oversight by the Agency for International Development. Mechanisms may include regular audits, review of monitoring reports for bias, and clear protocols for addressing any conflicts of interest. The agency's active management and review of the TPM's findings are critical to maintaining these standards.

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

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3475 EAST FOOTHILL BOULEVARD, PASADENA, CA, 91107

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $22,721,593

Exercised Options: $22,721,593

Current Obligation: $19,965,598

Actual Outlays: $18,640,689

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 12

Total Subaward Amount: $133,203,911

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADU138

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline