USAID's $31M contract for crime and violence prevention awarded to Creative Associates International, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $30,956,551 ($31.0M)

Contractor: Creative Associates International, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2016-06-30

End Date: 2020-11-30

Contract Duration: 1,614 days

Daily Burn Rate: $19.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF USAID COMMUNITIES, FAMILIES, AND YOUTH WITHSTAND, MITIGATE AND RECOVER FROM CRIME AND VIOLENCE (PRIMARY AND SECONDARY INTERVENTIONS).

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $31.0 million to CREATIVE ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF USAID COMMUNITIES, FAMILIES, AND YOUTH WITHSTAND, MITIGATE AND RECOVER FROM CRIME AND VIOLENCE (PRIMARY AND SECONDARY INTERVENTIONS). Key points: 1. The contract focused on primary and secondary interventions to help communities withstand, mitigate, and recover from crime and violence. 2. Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust vetting process for contractors. 3. The contract duration of 1614 days (approx. 4.4 years) indicates a significant, long-term commitment to the program's objectives. 4. The contract type, Cost Plus Fixed Fee, allows for cost reimbursement plus a fixed fee, which can be appropriate for complex or uncertain scopes. 5. The total award amount of over $30.9 million signifies a substantial investment in addressing crime and violence issues. 6. The absence of small business set-aside flags indicates the primary award was not specifically targeted to small businesses.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific contract is challenging without detailed performance metrics and comparable program costs. However, the total award of over $30.9 million over approximately 4.4 years suggests a significant investment in crime and violence prevention. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can sometimes lead to higher costs compared to fixed-price contracts if not managed carefully, but it also allows flexibility for evolving program needs. Further analysis would require understanding the specific deliverables and outcomes achieved against the cost incurred.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 3 offers (indicated by 'no': 3) suggests a moderate level of competition for this contract. While multiple bidders participated, the exact number of proposals received and the evaluation criteria would provide a clearer picture of the competitive intensity. A moderate number of bidders can still lead to competitive pricing, but a higher number typically drives prices down further.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging a wider range of potential contractors to compete, which can lead to better pricing and innovative solutions. This approach helps ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by selecting the most capable and cost-effective offeror.

Public Impact

Communities and youth in targeted regions benefit from interventions aimed at reducing crime and violence. Services delivered include primary prevention (e.g., education, community engagement) and secondary interventions (e.g., support for at-risk individuals). The geographic impact is likely focused on areas experiencing high rates of crime and violence, as identified by USAID. Workforce implications may include local employment opportunities for program implementation and support staff within the beneficiary communities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can sometimes incentivize higher spending if not rigorously monitored for efficiency.
The broad nature of 'crime and violence prevention' may present challenges in clearly defining and measuring success metrics.
Reliance on a single contractor for a significant duration could limit opportunities for innovation from other potential providers.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a structured and fair selection process.
The substantial funding allocated suggests a recognized need and commitment to addressing critical social issues.
The long contract duration allows for sustained program implementation and potential for measurable long-term impact.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically addressing social program development and implementation. The market for international development and technical assistance is competitive, with numerous firms specializing in areas like public safety, community development, and conflict resolution. USAID, as a major contracting agency, frequently procures services in this domain to support its foreign policy and development objectives. Benchmarking requires comparing similar USAID-funded programs focused on crime and violence prevention, considering factors like geographic scope, intervention intensity, and target populations.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside (sb: false). This suggests that the primary contract was competed broadly, and the prime contractor, Creative Associates International, Inc., is likely a large business. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans or performance related to small businesses within this data snippet. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem through this specific prime contract is not detailed here, though large prime contractors are often encouraged or required to subcontract with small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Agency for International Development (USAID) contracting officers and program officials. The contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) necessitates close monitoring of costs and performance to ensure value for money. USAID's Office of Inspector General (OIG) would have jurisdiction to audit and investigate potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this award. Transparency would be enhanced through regular reporting requirements from the contractor and public availability of contract award data.

Related Government Programs

USAID Development Assistance
International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement
Global Peace Operations Initiative
Rule of Law Programs
Community Stabilization Programs

Risk Flags

Contract duration is substantial, requiring long-term monitoring.
Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type necessitates careful cost oversight.
Scope of 'crime and violence prevention' is broad and may be difficult to measure definitively.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $31.0 million to CREATIVE ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC.. IGF::OT::IGF USAID COMMUNITIES, FAMILIES, AND YOUTH WITHSTAND, MITIGATE AND RECOVER FROM CRIME AND VIOLENCE (PRIMARY AND SECONDARY INTERVENTIONS).

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 $31.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-06-30. End: 2020-11-30.

What specific types of primary and secondary interventions were funded under this contract?

The contract focused on 'Communities, Families, and Youth Withstand, Mitigate and Recover from Crime and Violence (Primary and Secondary Interventions)'. Primary interventions typically aim to prevent crime before it occurs through community engagement, education, youth programs, and strengthening social structures. Secondary interventions target individuals or groups already at risk of engaging in or being victims of crime, offering support, counseling, or alternative pathways. Without access to the detailed statement of work or performance reports, the precise nature of these interventions (e.g., specific curriculum, number of participants, types of support services) remains unspecified in the provided data. However, the broad categories suggest a comprehensive approach to addressing the multifaceted nature of crime and violence.

How does the $30.9 million award compare to other USAID contracts for similar crime and violence prevention programs?

Comparing this $30.9 million award requires access to a broader dataset of USAID contracts and their specific objectives. USAID funds a wide array of programs globally, and the scale of funding can vary significantly based on the geographic region, the severity of the problem, the duration of the program, and the specific interventions employed. Contracts for large-scale, multi-year initiatives in complex environments can easily reach tens of millions of dollars. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to analyze contracts with similar scopes (e.g., focusing on community-based violence reduction, youth delinquency prevention, or post-conflict stabilization) awarded over comparable timeframes. The number of offers (3) suggests moderate competition, which might indicate that the award amount was competitive but not necessarily the lowest possible price achievable under more intense competition.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this crime and violence prevention program?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, for crime and violence prevention programs, KPIs would focus on measurable changes in crime rates (e.g., homicide, assault, robbery), perceptions of safety within communities, rates of youth engagement in positive activities, recidivism rates for individuals involved in interventions, and the successful reintegration of at-risk individuals. The effectiveness of the program would be assessed by tracking these metrics over the contract's duration and comparing them to baseline data or control groups. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract structure necessitates clear performance targets to ensure accountability and value for taxpayer money.

What is the track record of Creative Associates International, Inc. in managing large-scale international development contracts, particularly in sensitive areas like crime prevention?

Creative Associates International, Inc. is a well-established organization with extensive experience in international development, including programming in fragile states and conflict-affected regions. They have a history of managing large, complex contracts for agencies like USAID, the U.S. Department of State, and others, often focusing on education, democracy and governance, economic growth, and peace and stability. Their portfolio includes work related to countering violent extremism and supporting community security initiatives. While specific details on their performance for this particular contract are not in the provided data, their general track record suggests they possess the organizational capacity and expertise to manage significant programs in challenging environments. A deeper dive into their past performance evaluations and project outcomes would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment.

How has USAID's spending on crime and violence prevention evolved over the past five years, and where does this contract fit within that trend?

Analyzing USAID's overall spending trends on crime and violence prevention requires access to historical budget and contract data. USAID's commitment to addressing these issues is often integrated within broader development objectives, such as promoting stability, strengthening governance, and supporting youth. Spending can fluctuate based on global priorities, geopolitical events, and specific country needs. This $30.9 million contract, awarded in 2016 and ending in 2020, represents a significant, multi-year investment during that period. To understand its place in the trend, one would need to compare its value and scope against other similar awards made by USAID in the years immediately preceding and following its execution, looking for patterns in funding levels, geographic focus, and intervention strategies.

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: 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: $30,956,551

Exercised Options: $30,956,551

Current Obligation: $30,956,551

Actual Outlays: $9,617,619

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 3

Total Subaward Amount: $5,944,056

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: AIDOAAI1500011

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline