USAID's $23.1M US-APEC Technical Assistance Contract Awarded to Nathan Associates LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,110,954 ($23.1M)

Contractor: Nathan Associates LLC

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2013-09-25

End Date: 2023-12-20

Contract Duration: 3,738 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF - 5-YEAR U.S.-APEC TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ADVANCE REGIONAL INTEGRATION (US-ATAARI)

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $23.1 million to NATHAN ASSOCIATES LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF - 5-YEAR U.S.-APEC TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ADVANCE REGIONAL INTEGRATION (US-ATAARI) Key points: 1. The contract, valued at $23.1 million over 10 years, focuses on advancing regional integration through technical assistance. 2. Awarded via full and open competition, the contract saw multiple bids, suggesting a competitive market for these services. 3. The use of Time and Materials pricing could pose a risk if not carefully managed, potentially leading to cost overruns. 4. The sector, Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, is broad and often involves specialized expertise.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while common for services with undefined scopes, can be less predictable than fixed-price contracts. Benchmarking T&M contracts is challenging due to variability in labor rates and hours, but the total value suggests a significant investment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes price discovery and ensures the government receives competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently by securing services at a reasonable cost.

Public Impact

Supports U.S. foreign policy objectives in the Asia-Pacific region. Aims to foster economic growth and stability through regional integration. Provides specialized technical expertise to partner countries.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost creep with Time and Materials pricing.
Long contract duration (10 years) may not adapt to evolving needs.
Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Supports strategic U.S. foreign policy goals.
Long-term engagement allows for sustained impact.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' category. Spending in this sector is substantial, driven by the government's need for specialized expertise across various domains, including international development and policy.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and does not specify small business participation. Larger contracts in this professional services sector often involve prime contractors with significant resources, potentially limiting direct small business involvement unless subcontracted.

Oversight & Accountability

The Agency for International Development (USAID) is responsible for overseeing this contract. Robust oversight is crucial, especially with T&M contracts, to ensure performance standards are met and costs remain controlled.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Long contract duration may lead to outdated approaches if not managed.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data.
Limited visibility into small business participation.
Complexity of measuring 'regional integration' impact.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $23.1 million to NATHAN ASSOCIATES LLC. IGF::OT::IGF - 5-YEAR U.S.-APEC TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ADVANCE REGIONAL INTEGRATION (US-ATAARI)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NATHAN ASSOCIATES 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 $23.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-09-25. End: 2023-12-20.

What specific technical assistance activities are being provided under this contract, and how do they directly contribute to advancing regional integration in APEC?

The contract likely involves policy analysis, capacity building workshops, and expert consultations for APEC member economies. These activities aim to harmonize trade policies, improve regulatory environments, and facilitate cross-border investments, thereby strengthening economic linkages and promoting a more integrated regional market.

Given the 10-year duration and Time and Materials pricing, what mechanisms are in place to mitigate cost overruns and ensure continued value for taxpayer money?

Effective oversight by USAID, including regular reviews of contractor performance and expenditures, is critical. Task orders likely include specific ceilings and require detailed justification for hours worked. Periodic re-evaluations of the contract's necessity and cost-effectiveness should also be conducted.

How is the success and impact of the technical assistance measured, and are there defined metrics to assess the achievement of the 'advance regional integration' objective?

Success metrics should ideally be tied to tangible outcomes, such as the adoption of harmonized regulations, increased intra-APEC trade volumes, or improved ease of doing business indicators. USAID should establish clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) within task orders to quantify the impact of the technical assistance.

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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2101 WILSON BLVD STE 1200, ARLINGTON, VA, 22201

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $26,861,505

Exercised Options: $26,861,505

Current Obligation: $23,110,954

Actual Outlays: $2,095

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: AIDOAAI1200039

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline