USAID's $38.2M contract for institutional support services awarded to CELEEN LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $38,225,981 ($38.2M)

Contractor: Celeen LLC

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2021-06-01

End Date: 2026-05-31

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $20.9K/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: USAID/OTI INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20523

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $38.2 million to CELEEN LLC for work described as: USAID/OTI INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the contract duration and scope. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open process, potentially driving competitive pricing. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with performance dependent on contractor execution and agency oversight. 4. Performance context is set against a backdrop of ongoing international development needs. 5. Sector positioning is within professional services supporting government operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total contract value of $38.2 million over five years suggests an average annual spend of approximately $7.6 million. Benchmarking this against similar institutional support contracts is challenging without more specific service details. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) pricing structure means costs can fluctuate, with the fixed fee providing a baseline profit for the contractor. The value proposition hinges on the effective delivery of essential support services to USAID's operational objectives.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating that while the competition was broad, specific sources may have been excluded prior to the final award. The exact number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' nature suggests multiple proposals were likely considered, which generally supports price discovery and competitive outcomes.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition, even with exclusions, generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging a wider range of potential offerors to compete, which can lead to more favorable pricing and innovative solutions compared to sole-source or limited competitions.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include USAID staff and potentially the populations served by USAID's international development programs. Services delivered are institutional support, likely encompassing administrative, logistical, and technical assistance. Geographic impact is primarily within the District of Columbia, where the agency is headquartered. Workforce implications may involve direct hires by CELEEN LLC and indirect support to USAID's mission.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns inherent in CPFF contracts if not closely managed.
Dependence on contractor performance for critical institutional functions.
Scope creep could increase costs beyond initial projections without adequate controls.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
Long-term contract duration allows for stability and continuity of services.
Fixed fee component provides a degree of cost predictability for the contractor's profit.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically supporting government administration and operations. The market for such services is large and competitive, with numerous firms capable of providing institutional support. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific nature of the support, but government contracts for administrative and technical assistance are a significant portion of federal spending.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside criterion for this contract. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting goals for small businesses. This suggests that the primary awardee, CELEEN LLC, is likely a larger entity, and the contract's impact on the small business ecosystem may be limited unless subcontracting opportunities are pursued independently.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms would typically involve contract officers, program managers within USAID, and potentially the Office of Inspector General (OIG) for audits and investigations. Accountability is driven by performance metrics outlined in the contract and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance data may be internal.

Related Government Programs

USAID Program Management Support
Federal Administrative Services Contracts
International Development Support Services
Professional and Technical Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost growth in CPFF contracts.
Contractor performance risk.
Justification for source exclusions requires scrutiny.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $38.2 million to CELEEN LLC. USAID/OTI INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CELEEN 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 $38.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-06-01. End: 2026-05-31.

What is the track record of CELEEN LLC in performing similar institutional support contracts for federal agencies?

Assessing CELEEN LLC's track record requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving institutional support, administrative services, or technical assistance for agencies like USAID. Information on past performance, including client satisfaction, adherence to schedules and budgets, and any documented issues or commendations, would be available through sources like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS). A positive performance history on comparable contracts would indicate a lower risk for this current award. Conversely, a history of performance issues could raise concerns about CELEEN LLC's ability to meet the requirements of this $38.2 million contract effectively and efficiently.

How does the pricing structure (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) compare to other contract types for similar services?

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts are common for services where the scope is not precisely defined or is expected to evolve, such as research and development or complex support services. In a CPFF arrangement, the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. Compared to Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contracts, CPFF generally offers less cost certainty for the government, as costs can vary. However, it can be advantageous when flexibility is needed. Compared to Cost-Plus-Incentive-Fee (CPIF) contracts, the profit (fee) is fixed, removing the incentive for the contractor to control costs beyond what is necessary to meet performance standards, unlike CPIF where profit can be adjusted based on performance against targets.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this contract?

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract would be detailed within the Performance Work Statement (PWS) or Statement of Work (SOW). These KPIs are crucial for measuring the contractor's performance and ensuring the government receives the value expected. Typical KPIs for institutional support services might include timeliness of administrative support, accuracy of financial reporting, efficiency of logistical operations, responsiveness to requests from USAID personnel, and adherence to security protocols. The contract likely specifies acceptable performance levels and the methods for measuring and reporting on these KPIs, forming the basis for performance evaluations and potential award fee determinations if applicable.

What is the historical spending pattern for institutional support services at USAID?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for institutional support services at USAID provides context for the $38.2 million awarded to CELEEN LLC. This involves examining previous contract awards for similar services over several fiscal years. Trends in spending, average contract values, dominant contract types (e.g., FFP, CPFF), and the primary contractors receiving awards can reveal patterns. For instance, if USAID consistently spends significant amounts on institutional support, it suggests a sustained need for these services. Comparing the current award value to historical averages can indicate whether this contract is within the typical range, higher, or lower, potentially signaling changes in program scope, efficiency initiatives, or market conditions.

Are there any specific risks associated with the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' award type?

The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' (FOUCAES) award type presents a nuanced risk profile. While it aims for broad competition, the 'exclusion of sources' element means that certain potential offerors were deemed ineligible before the main competition phase. The risk lies in understanding the justification for these exclusions; if they were arbitrary or based on flawed criteria, it could limit the pool of qualified bidders and potentially lead to suboptimal pricing or solutions. Transparency regarding the reasons for exclusion is key. If the exclusions were justified (e.g., based on specific technical requirements or past performance issues), then the remaining competition should still yield a good outcome. The primary risk is ensuring the exclusions did not unduly restrict competition.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 7200AAR00063

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2 MATTS PATH, MASHANTUCKET, CT, 06338

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $82,444,446

Exercised Options: $82,444,446

Current Obligation: $38,225,981

Actual Outlays: $30,621,088

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 4

Total Subaward Amount: $10,724,167

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAD20D1016

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline