USAID's $84.4M Contract for Palestinian Health Sector Capacity Building Extended to 2022

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $84,400,535 ($84.4M)

Contractor: Chemonics International, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2008-09-26

End Date: 2022-08-26

Contract Duration: 5,082 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO STRENGTHEN THE INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITIES AND PERFORMANCE OF THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY MINISTRY OF HEALTH (MOH), SELECTED NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND ELIGIBLE EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTIONS TO SUPPORT A FUNCTIONAL, DEMOCRATIC PALESTINIAN HEALTH SECTOR CAPABLE OF MEETING THE PRIORITY PUBLIC HEALTH NEEDS OF ITS PEOPLE. PROJECT ACTIVITIES WILL SUPPORT THE PA?S REFORM AND DEVELOPMENT AGENDA AND HELP RESPOND TO PRIORITIES IDENTIFIED IN THE MOH?S NATIONAL STRATEGIC HEALTH PLAN/MEDIUM TERM DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR 2008 - 2010. TECHNICAL PRIORITY AREAS WILL INCLUDE MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH, INJURY PREVENTION, CHRONIC DISEASES, REHABILITATION AND EMERGENCY CARE, AND BASIC HOUSEHOLD HYGIENE AND SANITATION PRACTICES. ACTIVITIES WILL BE SUPPORTED IN THE WEST BANK, WITH MORE LIMITED PROGRAMS IN GAZA AND EAST JERUSALEM.

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $84.4 million to CHEMONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO STRENGTHEN THE INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITIES AND PERFORMANCE OF THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY MINISTRY OF HEALTH (MOH), SELECTED NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND ELIGIBLE EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTIONS TO SUPPORT A FUNCTIONAL,… Key points: 1. The contract aims to strengthen the Palestinian Authority Ministry of Health and related institutions. 2. Key focus areas include maternal/child health, injury prevention, chronic diseases, and sanitation. 3. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The sector is critical for public health needs in Palestine, with long-term development goals.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $84.4M over 14 years suggests a significant investment. Benchmarking is difficult without specific service details, but the duration implies substantial ongoing support.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating multiple bidders were considered. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and value for taxpayer money.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are supporting critical public health infrastructure and services in a developing region, aiming for long-term stability and improved health outcomes.

Public Impact

Enhances essential public health services for maternal and child care in Palestine. Supports institutional reforms within the Palestinian Ministry of Health for better governance. Addresses chronic diseases and rehabilitation, improving quality of life for affected populations. Promotes basic hygiene and sanitation practices, crucial for preventing disease outbreaks.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration (14 years) may indicate potential for scope creep or evolving needs.
Geopolitical instability in the region could impact project execution and effectiveness.
Measuring direct impact on public health outcomes can be challenging.

Positive Signals

Focus on building sustainable local capacity rather than direct service provision.
Alignment with the Palestinian Authority's strategic health plan demonstrates local ownership.
Comprehensive technical assistance across multiple priority health areas.

Sector Analysis

This contract operates within the international development and public health sector, specifically focusing on capacity building in a conflict-affected region. Spending benchmarks for similar long-term institutional strengthening projects in challenging environments are highly variable.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine their participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is likely managed by USAID, ensuring adherence to contract terms and project objectives. The long duration necessitates consistent monitoring and evaluation to ensure accountability and effectiveness.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Geopolitical instability
Long-term project sustainability
Measuring impact in a complex environment
Potential for corruption or mismanagement
Dependency on external funding

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $84.4 million to CHEMONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC.. CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO STRENGTHEN THE INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITIES AND PERFORMANCE OF THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY MINISTRY OF HEALTH (MOH), SELECTED NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND ELIGIBLE EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTIONS TO SUPPORT A FUNCTIONAL, DEMOCRATIC PALESTINIAN HEALTH SECTOR CAPABLE OF MEETING THE PRIORITY PUBLIC HEALTH NEEDS OF ITS PEOPLE. PROJECT ACTIVITIES WILL SUPPORT THE PA?S REFORM AND DEVELOPMENT AGENDA AND HELP RESPOND TO PRIORITIES IDENTIFIED IN

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CHEMONICS 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 $84.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-09-26. End: 2022-08-26.

What is the cost-effectiveness of this long-term capacity-building approach compared to direct aid?

Long-term capacity building aims for sustainable impact, potentially offering greater cost-effectiveness over time by empowering local institutions. However, direct aid can provide immediate relief. The effectiveness depends on successful institutional strengthening and the local context's ability to absorb and maintain improvements.

What are the primary risks associated with implementing health programs in the Palestinian Authority?

Key risks include political instability, security concerns, limited access to resources, and potential bureaucratic hurdles within the Palestinian Authority. Geopolitical factors can disrupt supply chains, personnel movement, and the overall operational environment, impacting project continuity and effectiveness.

How will the success of strengthening institutional capacities be measured and evaluated?

Success will likely be measured through a combination of quantitative and qualitative indicators. These could include improved health management information systems, increased availability of trained health personnel, successful implementation of national health strategies, and enhanced service delivery metrics in targeted areas.

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: 5

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1717 H ST NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20006

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Subchapter S Corporation

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $85,436,964

Exercised Options: $85,436,964

Current Obligation: $84,400,535

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline