USAID Spends $133M on Management Support Task Order Under Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $133,440,599 ($133.4M)

Contractor: Domestic Awardees (undisclosed)

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2006-08-23

End Date: 2012-12-31

Contract Duration: 2,322 days

Daily Burn Rate: $57.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE BASIC PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER NO. 1 IS TO PROVIDE GENERAL MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT OF ALL OTHER TASK ORDERS AUTHORIZED UNDER THE CONTRACT.TAS::72 1037::TAS

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $133.4 million to DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED) for work described as: THE BASIC PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER NO. 1 IS TO PROVIDE GENERAL MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT OF ALL OTHER TASK ORDERS AUTHORIZED UNDER THE CONTRACT.TAS::72 1037::TAS Key points: 1. Significant investment in general management and administrative support services. 2. Contract awarded under full and open competition, suggesting broad market engagement. 3. Long duration (2006-2012) indicates a sustained need for these services. 4. Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type requires careful monitoring of costs and fees.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) type, which can lead to higher costs if not managed diligently. Benchmarking CPFF contracts for similar management consulting services is difficult without specific performance metrics and detailed cost breakdowns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders were likely considered. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: The substantial expenditure on administrative support services represents a significant allocation of taxpayer funds, the ultimate value of which depends on the efficiency and effectiveness of the support provided.

Public Impact

Taxpayer funds are allocated for essential administrative functions supporting other government initiatives. The long-term nature of the contract suggests a consistent demand for these services within USAID. Transparency in the use of funds is crucial given the large contract value.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize cost overruns.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes value assessment challenging.
Undisclosed domestic awardees limit transparency on specific company performance.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Long contract duration suggests a recognized need for the services.
Services are general management and administrative support, crucial for operational efficiency.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under management consulting services, a broad category. Spending benchmarks for such services vary widely based on scope and duration. The significant amount suggests a substantial operational requirement within USAID.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates 'Domestic Awardees (Undisclosed)' and does not specify if small businesses were involved or benefited from this contract. Further investigation would be needed to determine small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates robust oversight to ensure costs are reasonable and the fixed fee is justified. USAID's internal controls and auditing processes are critical for accountability on this large contract.

Related Government Programs

Other Management Consulting Services
Agency for International Development Contracting
Agency for International Development Programs

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
Long contract duration.
Lack of specific performance metrics.
Undisclosed awardees.
General nature of services provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $133.4 million to DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED). THE BASIC PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER NO. 1 IS TO PROVIDE GENERAL MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT OF ALL OTHER TASK ORDERS AUTHORIZED UNDER THE CONTRACT.TAS::72 1037::TAS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED).

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 $133.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-08-23. End: 2012-12-31.

What specific administrative and management functions were performed under this task order, and how did they contribute to the overall mission effectiveness of USAID?

The task order provided general management and administrative support for other task orders. While essential for operational continuity, the specific functions and their direct impact on mission effectiveness are not detailed. A thorough review of performance reports and agency records would be needed to quantify the contribution to USAID's goals and assess the value derived from the $133 million expenditure.

Given the CPFF contract type and long duration, what measures were in place to mitigate the risk of cost overruns and ensure fair pricing?

With a CPFF contract, robust oversight is paramount. USAID should have implemented mechanisms such as regular cost reviews, audits, and performance monitoring to ensure costs were reasonable and allocable. The fixed fee component should have been negotiated based on anticipated effort and risk, with clear guidelines for any adjustments. The long duration necessitates continuous vigilance to prevent scope creep and manage fee adjustments appropriately.

How effectively did the full and open competition process ensure the best value was obtained for these essential administrative support services?

Full and open competition is designed to maximize value by encouraging broad participation and competitive pricing. However, the ultimate effectiveness depends on the clarity of the solicitation, the evaluation criteria used, and the quality of proposals received. Without access to the solicitation details and evaluation results, it's difficult to definitively assess if the best value was achieved. The significant expenditure suggests a thorough evaluation process should have been in place.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: RFP30606005APSO

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1800 F ST NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20405

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $133,620,599

Exercised Options: $133,620,599

Current Obligation: $133,440,599

Actual Outlays: $539

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: AID306I000600517

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline