USAID's $26M MELAM contract to ME&A, Inc. awarded under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,081,454 ($26.1M)

Contractor: ME&A, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2017-08-04

End Date: 2024-07-12

Contract Duration: 2,534 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 13

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF REQUISITION TO PROCURE THE MISSION WIDE MONITORING EVALUATION, LEARNING ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT ( MELAM) TASK ORDER

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $26.1 million to ME&A, INC. for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF REQUISITION TO PROCURE THE MISSION WIDE MONITORING EVALUATION, LEARNING ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT ( MELAM) TASK ORDER Key points: 1. Contract awarded for mission-wide monitoring, evaluation, learning, and adaptive management services. 2. ME&A, Inc. is the sole contractor for this task order. 3. The contract duration extends over seven years, indicating a long-term need. 4. Services encompass a broad range of professional, scientific, and technical support. 5. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. 6. This award represents a significant investment in program effectiveness and data-driven decision-making.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract is challenging without detailed cost breakdowns and performance metrics. The fixed fee component suggests a defined profit margin, but the cost-reimbursable nature of the contract means actual spending could fluctuate. Comparing it to similar long-term, broad-scope MELAM contracts would provide better context for value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that while competition was sought, specific sources may have been excluded for defined reasons. The presence of 13 bidders suggests a competitive initial process, but the final award to a single entity for this task order warrants further examination of the evaluation criteria and the specific nature of the services required.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process, even with exclusions, generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple firms to offer their best pricing and technical solutions, potentially leading to a more cost-effective outcome.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are USAID missions requiring robust monitoring, evaluation, learning, and adaptive management support. Services delivered include data collection, analysis, reporting, and strategic guidance to improve program outcomes. The geographic impact is mission-wide, suggesting support across various USAID operational regions globally. Workforce implications include the potential for employment of analysts, evaluators, and subject matter experts both within ME&A, Inc. and potentially through local hires at missions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts require diligent oversight to manage costs and prevent scope creep.
The long duration of the contract (over 7 years) necessitates continuous performance monitoring to ensure sustained quality.
Understanding the specific criteria for 'exclusion of sources' in the full and open competition is important for transparency.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a broad market solicitation.
The contract addresses critical program management functions (MELAM) essential for development effectiveness.
A significant number of bidders (13) suggests a healthy market interest in providing these services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on program evaluation and management consulting for international development. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms offering expertise in monitoring, evaluation, and learning. USAID's spending in this area is substantial, reflecting the agency's commitment to evidence-based programming and adaptive management to achieve development objectives.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans was not explicitly detailed in the provided data. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved in the subcontracting process or if specific set-aside goals were established for this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program officials within USAID. Accountability measures would be tied to performance metrics and deliverables outlined in the contract. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, but detailed performance reports are often internal to the agency.

Related Government Programs

USAID Program Management Support
International Development Consulting Services
Monitoring and Evaluation Services
Adaptive Management Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent oversight to manage costs.
Long contract duration necessitates sustained performance monitoring.
Potential for limited competition due to 'Exclusion of Sources' needs clarification.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $26.1 million to ME&A, INC.. IGF::CL::IGF REQUISITION TO PROCURE THE MISSION WIDE MONITORING EVALUATION, LEARNING ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT ( MELAM) TASK ORDER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ME&A, 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 $26.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-08-04. End: 2024-07-12.

What is the historical spending trend for similar MELAM contracts by USAID?

Analyzing historical spending on similar Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Adaptive Management (MELAM) contracts by USAID is crucial for contextualizing the $26 million award to ME&A, Inc. While specific historical data for this exact task order is not provided, USAID consistently invests significant resources in these functions across its global missions. Trends often show an increasing emphasis on data-driven decision-making and adaptive management, leading to potentially larger and longer-term contracts. Benchmarking this award against previous MELAM contracts, considering inflation and scope changes, would reveal whether this represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in these critical program support services. Understanding these trends helps assess if the current spending aligns with strategic priorities and market conditions.

How does ME&A, Inc.'s performance on this contract compare to industry benchmarks?

Assessing ME&A, Inc.'s performance on this specific $26 million MELAM contract against industry benchmarks requires access to performance evaluations, quality assurance reviews, and client feedback, which are not publicly detailed in the provided data. Typically, performance is measured against contract deliverables, timeliness, quality of reports, and the effectiveness of recommendations. Industry benchmarks for MELAM services involve factors like the accuracy of data analysis, the utility of evaluation findings for program adaptation, and the efficiency of learning processes. Without specific performance data, a direct comparison is speculative. However, the contract's long duration (over seven years) suggests a level of satisfaction or continued need, but it does not inherently guarantee performance excellence compared to peers. A thorough review would involve examining client satisfaction surveys, independent audits, and the impact of ME&A's work on USAID's program outcomes.

What are the key risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract of this magnitude and duration?

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts, like the $26 million MELAM task order awarded to ME&A, Inc., carry inherent risks that require careful management. The primary risk is that the 'cost' portion is reimbursable, meaning the government pays for the contractor's allowable costs incurred in performing the work. If not rigorously controlled and monitored, this can lead to cost overruns exceeding initial estimates, even with a fixed fee. Scope creep is another significant risk; as the project evolves over its seven-year duration, there's a temptation to expand the scope without adequate adjustments to the fee or overall budget. Contractor efficiency can also be a concern, as the incentive to control costs might be lower compared to fixed-price contracts, although the fixed fee does provide a ceiling on profit. USAID's oversight mechanisms, including regular audits and performance reviews, are critical to mitigating these risks and ensuring value for taxpayer money.

What is the potential impact of excluding specific sources during the 'Full and Open Competition' process?

The designation 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' for the $26 million MELAM contract awarded to ME&A, Inc. implies that while the competition was broadly solicited, certain potential offerors were intentionally excluded. The impact of such exclusions can be multifaceted. On one hand, exclusions might be justified if specific sources lack the required technical expertise, have past performance issues, or if national security concerns are involved. In such cases, excluding them could lead to a more focused competition among qualified vendors, potentially resulting in a better-suited contractor. However, if exclusions are not well-justified or transparent, they could limit the pool of potential bidders, potentially reducing overall competition and possibly leading to higher prices or less innovative solutions than might have been achieved with a wider field of competitors. The specific reasons for exclusion are critical to understanding the true impact on price discovery and overall value.

How does the $26M MELAM contract contribute to USAID's overall mission effectiveness and adaptive management goals?

The $26 million Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Adaptive Management (MELAM) contract awarded to ME&A, Inc. is designed to directly bolster USAID's mission effectiveness and its commitment to adaptive management. By providing comprehensive support in these areas, the contract enables USAID missions to systematically track program progress, assess impact, learn from implementation experiences, and adjust strategies accordingly. This iterative process is crucial for optimizing development outcomes in complex and dynamic environments. Effective MELAM ensures that resources are allocated efficiently, interventions are evidence-based, and programs can pivot in response to changing conditions or emerging challenges. The long-term nature of the contract suggests a strategic investment in building institutional capacity for continuous improvement and evidence-based decision-making across USAID's global portfolio.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 13

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4300 MONTGOMERY AVE STE 103, BETHESDA, MD, 20814

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $27,787,102

Exercised Options: $27,787,102

Current Obligation: $26,081,454

Actual Outlays: $15,085,689

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: AIDOAAI1500024

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline