Research Triangle Institute awarded $96.1M contract for support services by USAID, spanning over a decade

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $96,151,922 ($96.2M)

Contractor: Research Triangle Institute

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2014-06-06

End Date: 2024-03-31

Contract Duration: 3,586 days

Daily Burn Rate: $26.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF:ADJUSTMENT OF TUSOME FUND CITE IN GLAAS TO UNILATERAL FY 2013 FUNDS.

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $96.2 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF:ADJUSTMENT OF TUSOME FUND CITE IN GLAAS TO UNILATERAL FY 2013 FUNDS. Key points: 1. Contract duration of nearly 10 years suggests long-term need for services. 2. Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type allows for flexibility but requires careful oversight. 3. High number of contract modifications (4) may indicate evolving requirements or scope creep. 4. The contract's broad 'All Other Support Services' NAICS code makes direct performance benchmarking challenging. 5. Significant contract value indicates a substantial investment in support services by the agency. 6. The contract's end date in March 2024 suggests recent completion or closeout.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award of $96.1M over nearly 10 years averages approximately $9.6M annually. Without specific details on the services rendered, it is difficult to benchmark this against similar contracts. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure means that costs are reimbursed, plus a fixed fee for profit, which can sometimes lead to less incentive for cost control compared to fixed-price contracts. The presence of four modifications suggests potential adjustments to the scope or pricing over the contract's life, which warrants scrutiny.

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 were likely considered. This competitive process is generally expected to yield fair market prices. However, the specific number of bids received is not provided, which would offer further insight into the intensity of the competition and its potential impact on pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is favorable for taxpayers as it promotes a competitive environment that can drive down costs and ensure the government receives the best value for its investment.

Public Impact

The Agency for International Development (USAID) is the primary beneficiary, receiving essential support services. The contract likely supports various international development programs and operational needs of USAID. Geographic impact is potentially global, given USAID's mission, though specific locations are not detailed. Workforce implications could include direct hires by Research Triangle Institute and its subcontractors, supporting jobs in the service sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure.
Scope creep risk given the contract's long duration and multiple modifications.
Lack of specific service details hinders precise value-for-money assessment.
The broad NAICS code may obscure the true nature and cost drivers of the services.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process.
Long contract duration indicates a sustained need and potentially stable service provision.
Research Triangle Institute is a known entity, suggesting a degree of established capability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the broad 'Support Services' category, which is a significant sector for government contracting. The market for such services is vast, encompassing a wide range of professional, technical, and administrative support. Government spending in this area is consistently high, supporting various agency functions. Benchmarking is difficult without knowing the specific services provided, but the value suggests a substantial, ongoing requirement.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a specific set-aside requirement for this contract. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans or actual performance with small businesses. This suggests that the primary focus was on securing the required services through the most competitive means available, rather than specifically targeting small business engagement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by USAID contracting officers and program managers. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure necessitates diligent monitoring of costs incurred and the justification for the fixed fee. Transparency is enhanced by the contract being awarded through full and open competition. However, specific details on ongoing oversight mechanisms, performance reviews, or Inspector General involvement are not available in the provided data.

Related Government Programs

USAID Operational Support Contracts
International Development Services
Professional and Technical Support Services
Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF structure.
Lack of specific service details hinders performance assessment.
Multiple contract modifications may indicate scope creep or evolving requirements.
Broad NAICS code limits comparability and transparency.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $96.2 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE. IGF::OT::IGF:ADJUSTMENT OF TUSOME FUND CITE IN GLAAS TO UNILATERAL FY 2013 FUNDS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE.

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 $96.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2014-06-06. End: 2024-03-31.

What specific services were provided under this contract?

The provided data classifies this contract under NAICS code 561990, 'All Other Support Services.' This is a very broad category that can encompass a wide array of activities, including administrative support, facilities management, logistics, and specialized consulting. Without further documentation or a detailed contract statement of work, the precise nature of the services rendered by Research Triangle Institute remains unspecified. This lack of specificity makes it challenging to assess the contract's effectiveness, value for money, or to compare it accurately with other similar procurements.

How did the final cost compare to the initial estimated cost, and what drove any variances?

The provided data shows a total award amount of $96,151,922. However, it does not specify an initial estimated cost or detail any variances that may have occurred during the contract period. As a cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) contract, the government reimburses the contractor for allowable costs incurred, plus a predetermined fixed fee. Significant variances could arise from changes in direct costs, indirect costs, or adjustments to the scope of work, potentially reflected in the four contract modifications noted. A detailed cost analysis would be required to understand the drivers of any deviations from initial expectations.

What was the performance history of Research Triangle Institute on this contract?

The provided data does not include specific performance metrics or ratings for Research Triangle Institute on this contract. While the contract was awarded and executed over a long period (June 2014 to March 2024), and involved a significant award amount, there is no information on whether the contractor met performance expectations, delivered services satisfactorily, or faced any penalties or awards related to performance. Such details would typically be found in contract performance reports or past performance evaluations.

How does the fixed fee component compare to industry standards for similar support services?

The data indicates this is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract, but it does not explicitly state the amount or percentage of the fixed fee. To assess if the fixed fee is competitive, one would need to know the fee amount and compare it to typical fee structures for similar 'All Other Support Services' contracts within the federal government and the private sector. Industry standards for fixed fees can vary based on contract complexity, risk, and the nature of the services. Without the specific fee value, a direct comparison is not possible.

What was the impact of the four contract modifications on the total award value and scope?

The data indicates there were four modifications to this contract. While the total award value is provided ($96,151,922), the specific details of each modification—such as the date, the reason for the modification, and the associated change in cost or period of performance—are not included. These modifications could have increased or decreased the total award value, extended the contract duration, or altered the scope of work. Analyzing these modifications would be crucial to understanding the contract's evolution and ensuring that changes were justified and provided good value.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Other Support Services › All Other Support Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3040 CORNWALLIS RD, RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, 27709

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: $96,151,922

Exercised Options: $96,151,922

Current Obligation: $96,151,922

Actual Outlays: $27,214,078

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 43

Total Subaward Amount: $17,350,736

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline