USAID's $39.5M CVPP Activity Contract Awarded to Creative Associates International, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $39,526,735 ($39.5M)

Contractor: Creative Associates International, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2013-03-14

End Date: 2022-04-20

Contract Duration: 3,324 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF START-UP FUNDING FOR CVPP ACTIVITY.

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $39.5 million to CREATIVE ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF START-UP FUNDING FOR CVPP ACTIVITY. Key points: 1. Contract value of $39.5M for professional, scientific, and technical services. 2. Awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Contract duration of 3324 days (approx. 9 years) indicates a long-term commitment. 4. No small business participation noted, potentially limiting opportunities for smaller firms.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. The award amount is substantial, and without specific performance metrics or benchmarks, assessing its value is difficult.

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 had the opportunity to compete. This method generally promotes price discovery and can lead to more competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it aims to secure the best value through a competitive process.

Public Impact

Supports international development activities through professional services. Long-term contract may indicate a sustained need for these services. Lack of small business involvement could be a missed opportunity for economic inclusion.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns with CPFF contract type.
No small business participation noted.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Long contract duration suggests sustained program support.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' (NAICS 541990). Spending in this sector is broad, encompassing various consulting and research services. Benchmarks are difficult without specific service details.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this award (sb: false). This suggests that the prime contractor is likely a large business, and opportunities for subcontracting to small businesses were not explicitly mandated or achieved.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the Agency for International Development (USAID) to ensure the contractor meets performance requirements and manages costs effectively, especially given the CPFF contract type and long duration.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can incentivize higher spending.
Long contract duration (9 years) increases risk of scope creep or changing needs.
No small business participation noted.
Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data makes value assessment difficult.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $39.5 million to CREATIVE ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC.. IGF::OT::IGF START-UP FUNDING FOR CVPP ACTIVITY.

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 $39.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-03-14. End: 2022-04-20.

What specific activities does the CVPP (Community Vulnerability and Poverty Prevention) program entail, and how does this contract contribute to its objectives?

The CVPP program likely focuses on addressing poverty and vulnerability within communities, potentially through development initiatives, aid distribution, or capacity building. This contract, awarded for professional, scientific, and technical services, would support the implementation and management of these activities. The specific nature of the services would dictate the direct contribution to program objectives, ranging from research and analysis to program design and execution.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how is performance being measured to ensure effective use of funds?

Key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract would be established by the Agency for International Development (USAID) to measure the success of the CVPP activity. These might include metrics related to poverty reduction, community resilience, or program reach. Performance is likely assessed through regular reporting from Creative Associates International, Inc., site visits, and potentially independent evaluations to ensure funds are used effectively and objectives are met.

Given the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure, what mechanisms are in place to control costs and prevent contractor inefficiency?

With a CPFF contract, the government pays allowable costs plus a fixed fee representing profit. To control costs and prevent inefficiency, USAID would implement robust oversight, including detailed audits of expenditures, regular performance reviews against defined milestones, and strict adherence to the contract's scope of work. Any deviations or inefficiencies identified would be addressed through contract modifications or corrective action plans.

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: 7

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

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

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $39,841,411

Exercised Options: $39,841,411

Current Obligation: $39,526,735

Actual Outlays: $3,028,715

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline