USAID's $373M overseas contract for administrative management services awarded to Creative Associates International, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $373,223,281 ($373.2M)

Contractor: Creative Associates International, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2006-01-27

End Date: 2011-08-31

Contract Duration: 2,042 days

Daily Burn Rate: $182.8K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: OVERSEAS CONTRACT

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20001

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $373.2 million to CREATIVE ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: OVERSEAS CONTRACT Key points: 1. Contract value of $373 million over its period of performance. 2. Awarded to Creative Associates International, Inc., a single entity. 3. Contract type is a competitive delivery order under a larger IDIQ. 4. Services fall under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting. 5. Performance period spans over 5 years, indicating a substantial project. 6. The contract was not set aside for small businesses.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount of $373 million for administrative management and general management consulting services over five years is substantial. Benchmarking this value requires comparison to similar large-scale, long-term contracts for international development support. Without specific details on the scope of services and deliverables, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the duration and scale suggest a significant investment in program support.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order, implying that it was competed among multiple potential offerors. The 'full-and-open' competition level suggests a robust process where various companies had the opportunity to bid. The presence of multiple bidders generally fosters price discovery and can lead to more competitive pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining services at a fair and reasonable price through market forces.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely USAID and its international development programs, receiving essential administrative and management support. Services delivered include general management consulting and administrative support, crucial for program execution in overseas environments. The geographic impact is 'overseas,' indicating support for U.S. foreign assistance initiatives. Workforce implications could involve the creation of jobs for consultants, project managers, and administrative staff, both domestically and potentially in the field.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration could lead to potential cost overruns if not managed tightly.
Reliance on a single contractor for a large sum requires diligent oversight to ensure performance standards are met.
The 'overseas' nature of the contract introduces logistical and security risks that need continuous management.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process, suggesting potential for good value.
The contract's duration indicates a stable, long-term need for these services.
The specific NAICS code (541611) points to specialized expertise in management consulting.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically management consulting. This sector is characterized by a wide range of service providers, from large multinational corporations to specialized small firms. The market size for government management consulting is substantial, driven by agencies needing expertise in areas like program management, policy analysis, and administrative support, particularly for complex overseas operations.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, as indicated by 'sb': false. This means that the competition was open to all eligible businesses, including large corporations. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this data, but for contracts of this size and nature, subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are often a component of the overall contract performance.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the awarding agency, USAID. Mechanisms likely include regular performance reviews, milestone tracking, and financial audits. Accountability is ensured through contractual terms and performance metrics. Transparency is typically managed through contract databases and reporting requirements, though specific oversight details are not provided in this data.

Related Government Programs

USAID Overseas Support Contracts
Management and Consulting Services
Federal Administrative Support Contracts
International Development Assistance Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to long duration and overseas operations.
Requires diligent oversight to ensure performance standards are met.
Security and logistical challenges inherent in overseas contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $373.2 million to CREATIVE ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC.. OVERSEAS CONTRACT

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 $373.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-01-27. End: 2011-08-31.

What specific types of administrative and management consulting services were provided under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract falls under NAICS code 541611, 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services.' This typically encompasses a broad range of activities including strategic planning, organizational design, process improvement, operational efficiency studies, and general administrative support for government programs. For an overseas contract with USAID, these services likely supported the implementation, management, and oversight of international development projects, potentially involving logistical coordination, financial administration, human resource management, and policy advisory functions in foreign countries.

How does the awarded amount of $373 million compare to similar USAID contracts for overseas management support?

Without access to a comprehensive database of USAID's contract history and specific service scopes, a direct comparison is difficult. However, $373 million over approximately five years is a significant sum, suggesting a large-scale, long-term engagement. USAID frequently awards large contracts for program support in complex overseas environments. The value is indicative of substantial operational requirements, potentially involving multiple geographic locations, extensive personnel, and critical program functions. Benchmarking would require identifying contracts with similar durations, geographic scope, and service categories within USAID's portfolio.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate the contractor's performance?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used for this contract. However, for administrative and management consulting services, especially in an overseas context for an agency like USAID, common KPIs would likely include adherence to project timelines, budget management, quality of deliverables (reports, analyses, recommendations), effectiveness of implemented solutions, stakeholder satisfaction (internal USAID officials and beneficiaries), compliance with regulations, and successful achievement of program support objectives. Performance would typically be monitored through regular progress reports and formal reviews.

What is the track record of Creative Associates International, Inc. with government contracts, particularly with USAID?

Creative Associates International, Inc. has a significant history of working with USAID and other government agencies on international development projects. They specialize in areas such as education, democracy and governance, economic growth, and peace and stability. Their track record generally involves managing complex programs in challenging environments. While this specific contract is substantial, it aligns with their established expertise. A deeper dive into their past performance reviews, past performance questionnaires, and any documented issues or commendations on federal contract databases would provide a more granular assessment of their track record.

What are the potential risks associated with a contract of this magnitude and duration, and how might they be mitigated?

Risks associated with a $373 million, five-year overseas contract include scope creep, cost overruns, performance deficiencies, security threats in operating environments, political instability affecting program continuity, and contractor personnel issues (retention, security clearances). Mitigation strategies typically involve robust contract management by the agency, including clear definition of scope, regular performance monitoring against KPIs, stringent financial controls, proactive risk assessment and contingency planning for security and political issues, and strong oversight of contractor personnel.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5301 WISCONSIN AVE NW STE 700, WASHINGTON, DC, 20015

Business Categories: Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,793,398,485

Exercised Options: $1,402,085,289

Current Obligation: $373,223,281

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS10F0466P

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline