USAID's $22.1M MEEPP II contract to Social & Scientific Systems, Inc. for management consulting services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $22,108,475 ($22.1M)
Contractor: Social & Scientific Systems, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development
Start Date: 2010-09-07
End Date: 2017-12-28
Contract Duration: 2,669 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: MEEPP II - MONITORING AND EVALUATION OF EMERGENCY PLAN PROGRESS, PHASE TWO
Plain-Language Summary
Agency for International Development obligated $22.1 million to SOCIAL & SCIENTIFIC SYSTEMS, INC. for work described as: MEEPP II - MONITORING AND EVALUATION OF EMERGENCY PLAN PROGRESS, PHASE TWO Key points: 1. Contract awarded for monitoring and evaluation of emergency plan progress. 2. Full and open competition was utilized. 3. The contract value is $22.1 million over its duration. 4. No small business participation was reported.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $22.1 million over nearly 7.5 years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar administrative management consulting contracts would be necessary for a precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
Full and open competition was employed, which typically fosters competitive pricing. The fixed-fee structure provides some cost control, but the overall price discovery effectiveness depends on the initial negotiation and scope management.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is generally beneficial for taxpayers by promoting competitive pricing. However, the total cost effectiveness relies on the agency's ability to manage the contract efficiently.
Public Impact
Supports USAID's critical mission in monitoring emergency plans. Contract duration of nearly 7.5 years indicates a long-term need for these services. The lack of small business involvement may limit opportunities for smaller, specialized firms.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of small business participation.
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure can incentivize cost overruns if not managed tightly.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition utilized.
- Clear contract objective for emergency plan monitoring.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under administrative management and general management consulting services. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on agency needs, but typically supports operational efficiency and strategic planning.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not awarded to any small businesses, as indicated by the 'sb' field being false. This suggests that larger, established firms dominated the competitive landscape for this particular requirement.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, implying a structured procurement process. Oversight would focus on ensuring the contractor meets performance metrics for monitoring and evaluation of emergency plans.
Related Government Programs
- Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
- Agency for International Development Contracting
- Agency for International Development Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF structure.
- Lack of small business participation limits diversity in contracting.
- Long contract duration may require periodic re-evaluation of needs and pricing.
- Effectiveness of 'monitoring and evaluation' is subjective and relies heavily on agency oversight.
Tags
administrative-management-and-general-ma, agency-for-international-development, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Agency for International Development awarded $22.1 million to SOCIAL & SCIENTIFIC SYSTEMS, INC.. MEEPP II - MONITORING AND EVALUATION OF EMERGENCY PLAN PROGRESS, PHASE TWO
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SOCIAL & SCIENTIFIC SYSTEMS, 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 $22.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2010-09-07. End: 2017-12-28.
What specific metrics were used to evaluate the contractor's performance in monitoring and evaluation?
Performance evaluation likely centered on the timeliness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness of the monitoring reports submitted by Social & Scientific Systems, Inc. Key performance indicators (KPIs) would have been defined in the contract, assessing their ability to track progress against emergency plan objectives and identify potential risks or deviations. The agency's internal review processes and feedback mechanisms would also contribute to the overall performance assessment.
How did the 'Cost Plus Fixed Fee' structure impact the final cost compared to other contract types?
A Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract allows the contractor to recover all allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee. While it incentivizes the contractor to control costs to maximize their fee, it can also lead to cost overruns if the initial cost estimates are inaccurate or the scope changes significantly. Compared to fixed-price contracts, CPFF offers more flexibility but potentially less cost certainty for the government.
What was the strategic importance of this contract for USAID's emergency preparedness?
This contract was crucial for USAID's ability to effectively manage and respond to emergencies by providing essential monitoring and evaluation of its emergency plans. It ensured that the agency could track the progress of its interventions, identify areas needing adjustment, and ultimately improve the effectiveness of its emergency response operations, thereby safeguarding resources and lives.
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: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 8757 GEORGIA AVE STE 1200, SILVER SPRING, MD, 20910
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $22,108,475
Exercised Options: $22,108,475
Current Obligation: $22,108,475
Actual Outlays: $-629,726
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2010-09-07
Current End Date: 2017-12-28
Potential End Date: 2017-12-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2018-02-28
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