Community Connector Project awarded $24.3M to Family Health International for integrated nutrition and agriculture interventions

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,335,829 ($24.3M)

Contractor: Family Health International

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2011-12-16

End Date: 2016-12-13

Contract Duration: 1,824 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE AWARD FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: COMMUNITY CONNECTOR PROJECT TO IMPROVE LIVES THROUGH COMMUNITY-LEVEL INTEGRATED NUTRITION AND AGRICULTURE INTERVENTIONS

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $24.3 million to FAMILY HEALTH INTERNATIONAL for work described as: COMMUNITY CONNECTOR PROJECT TO IMPROVE LIVES THROUGH COMMUNITY-LEVEL INTEGRATED NUTRITION AND AGRICULTURE INTERVENTIONS Key points: 1. The contract's fixed-price award fee structure incentivizes performance while managing cost. 2. Full and open competition suggests a robust bidding process, potentially leading to better pricing. 3. The contract duration of 1824 days indicates a long-term commitment to the project's goals. 4. The project aims to improve lives through community-level interventions, highlighting a focus on direct impact. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541990 points to a broad range of professional, scientific, and technical services. 6. The award was made by the Agency for International Development, indicating a focus on global health and development initiatives.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific performance metrics and comparable project data. However, the fixed-price award fee structure is a common and generally effective pricing model for services where performance can be measured. The total award amount of $24.3 million over approximately five years suggests a significant investment in community-level interventions. Further analysis would require comparing the cost per beneficiary or per intervention outcome against similar USAID-funded projects or international development initiatives.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. This typically involves a comprehensive solicitation process, including public announcements and detailed proposal requirements. The presence of 9 bidders, as suggested by the 'no' field, points to a healthy level of competition for this contract. A competitive environment generally encourages bidders to offer more favorable pricing and innovative solutions to win the award.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, full and open competition is a positive signal as it increases the likelihood of achieving value for money by driving down prices and encouraging efficiency among contractors.

Public Impact

Communities in target regions will benefit from integrated nutrition and agriculture interventions designed to improve overall well-being. The project aims to deliver tangible improvements in local food security and health outcomes. Geographic impact will be concentrated in the communities where the project is implemented, with potential for broader regional influence. The project is likely to create or sustain local employment opportunities within the implementing communities, contributing to the local economy.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The broad scope of 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' could lead to scope creep if not managed tightly.
Long contract duration (over 5 years) increases the risk of changing needs or unforeseen challenges impacting project effectiveness.
Reliance on community-level interventions requires strong local partnerships and engagement, which can be subject to local political or social instability.

Positive Signals

The fixed-price award fee structure provides incentives for the contractor to meet performance objectives.
Full and open competition suggests a well-defined requirement and a competitive market for these services.
The Agency for International Development's involvement indicates adherence to established development program standards and oversight.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically related to international development and public health initiatives. The NAICS code 541990 encompasses a wide array of services not elsewhere classified, often including specialized consulting, research, and program implementation. The market for such services is global, with significant government spending, particularly from agencies like USAID, focused on addressing complex development challenges such as nutrition and agriculture. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale USAID grants or contracts focused on similar development goals in different regions.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions or subcontracting goals for this contract. As it was awarded under full and open competition, it is possible that small businesses participated in the bidding process. However, without explicit set-aside requirements, the extent of small business involvement, either as prime contractors or subcontractors, is not detailed. Further investigation into the contractor's subcontracting plan would be necessary to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Agency for International Development (USAID). As a large federal agency, USAID has established oversight mechanisms, including program officers, contract specialists, and potentially Inspector General (IG) audits, to ensure accountability and transparency. The fixed-price award fee structure itself implies performance monitoring to determine award fee payouts. Transparency would be enhanced through public reporting on project progress and outcomes, though specific details are not provided in the summary data.

Related Government Programs

USAID Global Health Programs
USAID Food Security Initiatives
Community Development Block Grants
International Nutrition Programs
Agricultural Development Projects

Risk Flags

Scope Creep Risk
Performance Measurement Challenges
Sustainability of Interventions
Geopolitical Instability in Target Regions
Environmental Vulnerability

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $24.3 million to FAMILY HEALTH INTERNATIONAL. COMMUNITY CONNECTOR PROJECT TO IMPROVE LIVES THROUGH COMMUNITY-LEVEL INTEGRATED NUTRITION AND AGRICULTURE INTERVENTIONS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FAMILY HEALTH INTERNATIONAL.

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 $24.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-12-16. End: 2016-12-13.

What is the track record of Family Health International in managing similar large-scale international development contracts?

Family Health International (FHI360, often referred to as Family Health International) has a substantial track record in managing complex international development projects, including those focused on health, nutrition, and agriculture. They have been a significant recipient of funding from agencies like USAID, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other global health organizations. Their experience spans numerous countries and diverse programmatic areas. While this specific contract is for the 'Community Connector Project,' FHI360's broader portfolio demonstrates extensive experience in program design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation in challenging environments. Assessing their performance on this particular contract would require reviewing specific performance reports, award fee determinations, and any documented issues or successes related to its execution.

How does the $24.3 million award compare to other USAID nutrition and agriculture intervention contracts?

The $24.3 million award for the Community Connector Project is a substantial but not extraordinary amount for a multi-year international development initiative funded by USAID, particularly in the critical areas of nutrition and agriculture. USAID funds a wide range of projects globally, with contract values varying significantly based on scope, duration, geographic focus, and complexity. Projects addressing integrated nutrition and agriculture interventions often require significant resources due to their multi-faceted nature, involving community engagement, training, infrastructure support, and monitoring. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to analyze a portfolio of similar USAID contracts awarded over a comparable period, looking at factors like cost per beneficiary, project duration, and specific intervention types. However, in the context of large-scale development programming, this award falls within a common range for significant, multi-year efforts.

What are the primary risks associated with implementing community-level integrated nutrition and agriculture interventions in developing regions?

Implementing community-level integrated nutrition and agriculture interventions in developing regions presents several inherent risks. Political and economic instability within the target regions can disrupt program activities and funding. Logistical challenges, including poor infrastructure and accessibility, can hinder the delivery of supplies and personnel. Cultural and social factors may influence community acceptance and adoption of new practices, requiring sensitive and context-specific approaches. Furthermore, environmental factors such as climate change, natural disasters, and disease outbreaks can significantly impact agricultural yields and nutritional outcomes, potentially undermining project goals. Finally, ensuring sustained community ownership and capacity building beyond the project's lifespan is a critical challenge to achieving long-term impact.

What does the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code imply about the contract's scope?

The NAICS code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' is a broad category that encompasses a wide range of specialized services not specifically classified under other NAICS codes. For this contract, it implies that the services provided by Family Health International are likely diverse and may include elements of research, consulting, program design and implementation, technical assistance, data analysis, and potentially specialized training or capacity building related to nutrition and agriculture. The 'all other' designation suggests that the project's activities might be unique or combine multiple types of professional services in an integrated manner, rather than fitting neatly into a more specific category like agricultural consulting or public health research alone. This broad classification necessitates clear definition and management of the contract's scope to ensure objectives are met effectively.

How does the fixed-price award fee (PT) contract type influence contractor behavior and cost control?

A Fixed-Price Award Fee (FPAF) contract type aims to balance cost control with performance incentives. The fixed-price component establishes a ceiling on the total cost the government will pay, encouraging the contractor to manage expenses efficiently. The award fee component allows for additional compensation based on the contractor's achievement of specific performance objectives, which are typically outlined in a Performance Work Statement (PWS). This structure incentivizes the contractor not only to stay within budget but also to excel in delivering high-quality services and achieving desired outcomes. For the government, it provides a mechanism to reward superior performance while maintaining cost predictability. However, the effectiveness of an FPAF contract hinges on the clarity and measurability of the performance criteria used to determine the award fee.

What is the significance of the contract duration (1824 days) for the project's objectives?

A contract duration of 1824 days, which is approximately five years, is significant for a project focused on community-level integrated nutrition and agriculture interventions. Such projects typically require a substantial amount of time to establish trust within communities, implement interventions effectively, monitor their impact, and achieve sustainable behavioral or systemic changes. Short-term projects often struggle to overcome initial setup hurdles and demonstrate lasting results. A five-year timeframe allows for phased implementation, adaptation to evolving community needs or external factors, and the development of local capacity. It suggests that the Agency for International Development views these interventions as long-term investments critical for achieving meaningful improvements in health and food security.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › AGRICULTURE R&D SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE AWARD FEE (M)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 359 BLACKWELL ST STE 200, DURHAM, NC, 27701

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,335,829

Exercised Options: $24,335,829

Current Obligation: $24,335,829

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 21

Total Subaward Amount: $6,460,048

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline