USAID Spends $30M on Education Support for Vulnerable Children via Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,988,074 ($30.0M)

Contractor: Education Development Center, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2012-03-01

End Date: 2021-03-30

Contract Duration: 3,316 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN EDUCATION SUPPORT INITIATIVE

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $30.0 million to EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER, INC. for work described as: ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN EDUCATION SUPPORT INITIATIVE Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Education Development Center, Inc. for administrative management and general management consulting services. 2. The contract spans nearly 9 years, indicating a long-term need for these services. 3. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a robust price discovery process. 4. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can incentivize cost control but requires careful oversight.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's total value of $30 million over 9 years averages around $3.3 million annually. Benchmarking this against similar administrative management contracts is difficult without more specific service details, but the duration suggests a significant program.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The use of full and open competition is a positive indicator for price discovery, as it allows multiple qualified vendors to bid. This method generally leads to more competitive pricing compared to sole-source or limited solicitations.

Taxpayer Impact: While the competition method is favorable, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates diligent oversight to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently and effectively for the intended beneficiaries.

Public Impact

Supports education for orphans and vulnerable children, addressing a critical social need. Funding directed towards administrative management and consulting services, which are crucial for program implementation and effectiveness. Long contract duration implies sustained commitment to improving educational outcomes for a vulnerable population.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts require robust oversight to manage costs effectively.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess program effectiveness solely from contract data.
No indication of small business participation.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition promotes fair pricing.
Focus on vulnerable children addresses a significant societal need.
Long-term commitment to educational support.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under administrative management and general management consulting services, a broad category. Spending in this area is common across many government agencies for program support and operational efficiency. Benchmarking requires detailed service comparisons.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this contract award (ss: false, sb: false). Further investigation would be needed to determine if opportunities were overlooked or if the nature of the services did not lend itself to small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent oversight from the Agency for International Development to ensure that costs are reasonable and that the fixed fee is justified. Regular performance reviews and audits are essential for accountability.

Related Government Programs

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Agency for International Development Contracting
Agency for International Development Programs

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires strong oversight.
Lack of specific performance metrics in contract data.
No small business participation noted.
Long contract duration could indicate potential for scope creep if not managed.
Administrative management services are broad and require clear deliverables.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $30.0 million to EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER, INC.. ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN EDUCATION SUPPORT INITIATIVE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER, 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 $30.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-03-01. End: 2021-03-30.

What specific educational outcomes are expected from this $30 million investment, and how are they being measured?

The contract data does not specify the expected educational outcomes or the metrics used for measurement. This information would typically be detailed in the contract's statement of work and performance work statement. Understanding these specifics is crucial for assessing the true value and effectiveness of the initiative beyond the financial outlay.

Given the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, what mechanisms are in place to prevent cost overruns and ensure efficiency?

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts inherently carry a risk of cost overruns if not managed tightly. USAID's oversight mechanisms, including regular financial reviews, audits, and performance monitoring, are critical. The agency must ensure that the fixed fee remains appropriate and that the contractor is incentivized to manage costs effectively within the agreed-upon parameters.

How does this initiative align with broader USAID goals for supporting vulnerable children's education globally?

This initiative appears to align with USAID's mission to promote and sustain democratic societies, focusing on human capacity development. Supporting vulnerable children's education is a key component of long-term development, contributing to stability and economic growth. The scale of the funding suggests a significant program, likely integrated into a larger country or regional strategy.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting 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: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 43 FOUNDRY AVENUE, WALTHAM, MA, 02453

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $29,988,074

Exercised Options: $29,988,074

Current Obligation: $29,988,074

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 20

Total Subaward Amount: $6,130,607

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline