USAID's $81.7M Northern Nigeria Education Initiative Plus Contract Awarded to Creative Associates International

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $81,723,508 ($81.7M)

Contractor: Creative Associates International, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2015-10-26

End Date: 2023-09-13

Contract Duration: 2,879 days

Daily Burn Rate: $28.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF - THIS IS A FULL AND OPEN COMPETITIVE CONTRACT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NORTHERN NIGERIA EDUCATION INITIATIVE PLUS AWARD. EDUCATION FLAGSHIP PROGRAM FOR READING AND ACCESS.

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $81.7 million to CREATIVE ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF - THIS IS A FULL AND OPEN COMPETITIVE CONTRACT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NORTHERN NIGERIA EDUCATION INITIATIVE PLUS AWARD. EDUCATION FLAGSHIP PROGRAM FOR READING AND ACCESS. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on education, specifically reading and access programs in Northern Nigeria. 2. Awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Long duration (2015-2023) indicates a substantial, multi-year program. 4. The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code is broad, potentially masking specific service costs.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking is difficult without more specific service details.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating multiple bidders were likely considered. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are allocated to a significant education program in Nigeria, aiming for long-term development impact.

Public Impact

Enhances educational access and reading skills for children in Northern Nigeria. Supports USAID's foreign aid objectives in developing nations. Potential for long-term positive impact on literacy and educational outcomes.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Broad NAICS code limits specific cost analysis.
Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type carries inherent cost escalation risk.
Lack of small business participation noted.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Addresses a critical development need in education.
Long-term program duration allows for sustained impact.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, often associated with development aid and consulting. Benchmarking is challenging due to the broad NAICS code and specific program focus.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small businesses were not involved in this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed or if the contract scope was unsuitable for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by USAID's Inspector General and relevant program officers to ensure funds are used effectively and objectives are met. The long duration necessitates consistent monitoring.

Related Government Programs

All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Agency for International Development Contracting
Agency for International Development Programs

Risk Flags

Cost overruns due to CPFF structure.
Broad NAICS code obscures specific service costs.
Lack of small business participation.
Potential for performance issues in a complex, long-term program.
Geopolitical risks in the operating region.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $81.7 million to CREATIVE ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC.. IGF::CL::IGF - THIS IS A FULL AND OPEN COMPETITIVE CONTRACT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NORTHERN NIGERIA EDUCATION INITIATIVE PLUS AWARD. EDUCATION FLAGSHIP PROGRAM FOR READING AND ACCESS.

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 $81.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2015-10-26. End: 2023-09-13.

What specific services are included under the broad 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code for this contract?

The specific services are not detailed in the provided data but likely encompass a range of activities related to educational program implementation, curriculum development, teacher training, and monitoring in Northern Nigeria. A deeper dive into contract line items or performance reports would be necessary to ascertain the precise nature of these services.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this education initiative, and how is success measured?

Key performance indicators are not provided in this data extract. Typically, such education initiatives would track metrics like improved reading proficiency rates, increased school enrollment, reduced dropout rates, and enhanced teacher effectiveness. USAID's program reports would contain this crucial information for assessing the contract's success.

Given the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, what mechanisms are in place to control costs and ensure value for money?

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts require robust oversight to manage costs. Mechanisms likely include detailed budget reviews, regular audits, performance-based milestones, and clear definitions of allowable costs. USAID's contracting officers and technical monitors play a critical role in scrutinizing expenditures and ensuring the fixed fee remains justified by performance.

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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: SOL-620-14-000012

Offers Received: 5

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: $82,201,163

Exercised Options: $82,201,163

Current Obligation: $81,723,508

Actual Outlays: $24,867,755

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 8

Total Subaward Amount: $58,015,939

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline