USAID's West Africa Trade Hub project awarded to ABT Global LLC for over $40M to foster regional trade growth

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $40,134,635 ($40.1M)

Contractor: ABT Global LLC

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2013-09-25

End Date: 2018-02-25

Contract Duration: 1,614 days

Daily Burn Rate: $24.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF USAID/WA S TRADE HUB AND AFRICAN PARTNER NETWORK PROJECT AIMS TO PROMOTE BROADER, MORE SUSTAINABLE GROWTH THROUGH IMPROVEMENT IN THE REGIONAL TRADE ENVIRONMENT IN WEST AFRICA.

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $40.1 million to ABT GLOBAL LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF USAID/WA S TRADE HUB AND AFRICAN PARTNER NETWORK PROJECT AIMS TO PROMOTE BROADER, MORE SUSTAINABLE GROWTH THROUGH IMPROVEMENT IN THE REGIONAL TRADE ENVIRONMENT IN WEST AFRICA. Key points: 1. Project aims to improve the regional trade environment in West Africa for broader, sustainable growth. 2. Contract duration of 1614 days indicates a significant, long-term commitment to the program's objectives. 3. The use of a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type suggests potential for cost overruns if not closely managed. 4. ABT Global LLC is the sole contractor, highlighting the need for robust performance monitoring. 5. The project falls under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services', a broad category. 6. This initiative aligns with broader US foreign policy goals of promoting economic development in developing regions.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's total value of approximately $40.1 million over a period of roughly 4.4 years suggests a substantial investment. Benchmarking this against similar USAID-funded trade promotion initiatives is challenging due to the specific nature of the project and the broad categorization of services. The CPFF contract type, while allowing flexibility, carries inherent risks of cost escalation if not meticulously managed and monitored by the agency. Without detailed cost breakdowns and performance metrics, a definitive value-for-money assessment is difficult, but the scale of the award warrants close scrutiny of outcomes.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The presence of 6 bidders suggests a reasonably competitive environment for this type of service. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers, though the specific nature of USAID's trade hub projects might limit the pool of highly specialized firms.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive bidding process that aims to secure the most cost-effective solution for achieving the project's development goals.

Public Impact

West African nations and businesses are the primary beneficiaries, aiming to improve their regional trade environment. The project delivers professional, scientific, and technical services focused on trade facilitation and economic growth. Geographic impact is concentrated in West Africa, supporting regional economic integration. Potential workforce implications include capacity building for local trade organizations and professionals.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed effectively.
Sole contractor (ABT Global LLC) requires diligent oversight to ensure performance and prevent complacency.
Broad service category ('All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services') may obscure specific performance metrics.
Limited public information on specific deliverables and success metrics makes independent assessment challenging.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process.
Significant investment indicates a commitment to addressing regional trade challenges.
Project aligns with stated US foreign policy objectives for economic development.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically related to international development and trade promotion. The market for such services is often characterized by specialized firms with expertise in economic development, policy analysis, and program management. USAID frequently engages contractors for similar initiatives aimed at fostering economic growth and stability in developing regions. Benchmarking spending is difficult without comparable project scopes, but the $40M+ award signifies a substantial investment in regional trade infrastructure and policy.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans was not explicitly detailed in the provided data. As this was a full and open competition, the primary contract was likely awarded to a large business. The extent to which small businesses may have participated as subcontractors is unknown but could be a factor in the overall 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 contract, it is subject to standard oversight mechanisms, including performance reviews, financial audits, and potentially review by USAID's Office of Inspector General (OIG). Transparency regarding project progress and outcomes is crucial for accountability, though detailed public reporting on specific deliverables may vary.

Related Government Programs

USAID Trade Africa Initiative
West Africa Economic Development Programs
International Trade Facilitation Projects
Foreign Assistance for Economic Growth

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF contract type.
Need for robust performance monitoring given sole contractor status.
Broad service category may obscure specific performance metrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $40.1 million to ABT GLOBAL LLC. IGF::OT::IGF USAID/WA S TRADE HUB AND AFRICAN PARTNER NETWORK PROJECT AIMS TO PROMOTE BROADER, MORE SUSTAINABLE GROWTH THROUGH IMPROVEMENT IN THE REGIONAL TRADE ENVIRONMENT IN WEST AFRICA.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ABT GLOBAL LLC.

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 $40.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-09-25. End: 2018-02-25.

What specific technical assistance and capacity building activities were undertaken by ABT Global LLC under this contract?

The provided data indicates the project aimed to promote broader, more sustainable growth through improvement in the regional trade environment in West Africa. Specific activities likely included policy analysis, trade facilitation support, market access initiatives, and capacity building for regional economic communities and private sector actors. However, without access to detailed performance reports or project documentation, the precise nature and scope of these activities cannot be fully delineated. The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code is very broad, encompassing a wide range of potential engagements from research to implementation support.

How did the final cost compare to the initial estimated cost, given the CPFF contract type?

The provided data lists the 'award amount' as $40,134,635.05. As this is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract, the 'cost' component represents the actual allowable costs incurred by the contractor, while the 'fee' is a fixed amount negotiated at the outset. To determine how the final cost compared to initial estimates, one would need to compare the total allowable costs plus the fixed fee against the agency's initial projections or target cost. CPFF contracts are designed to provide flexibility when the scope of work is uncertain, but they carry a risk of cost growth. Without access to the contract's baseline cost estimates and final expenditure reports, a direct comparison is not possible from the given data.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) for the USAID/WA S TRADE HUB AND AFRICAN PARTNER NETWORK PROJECT, and how did ABT Global LLC perform against them?

The provided summary data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the USAID/WA S TRADE HUB AND AFRICAN PARTNER NETWORK PROJECT. Typically, such development projects would have metrics related to trade volume increases, reduction in trade barriers, improved regulatory environments, enhanced private sector competitiveness, or increased investment. Performance against these KPIs would be detailed in periodic performance reports submitted by the contractor (ABT Global LLC) and reviewed by USAID. The absence of this information in the summary data prevents an assessment of the contractor's performance effectiveness.

Were there any significant challenges or controversies encountered during the execution of this contract?

The provided data does not contain information regarding specific challenges or controversies encountered during the execution of the USAID/WA S TRADE HUB AND AFRICAN PARTNER NETWORK PROJECT. Federal contract data summaries typically focus on award details, contractor information, and basic contract terms. Information on challenges, disputes, or controversies would usually be found in agency Inspector General reports, contract modification histories, or news archives related to USAID's operations in West Africa. Without these supplementary sources, it's impossible to identify any significant issues.

How does the $40.1 million award compare to other USAID trade promotion initiatives in similar regions?

The $40.1 million award for the USAID West Africa Trade Hub project represents a substantial investment. Comparing it directly to other USAID trade promotion initiatives requires identifying projects with similar objectives (e.g., regional trade enhancement, economic growth facilitation) and geographic scope (e.g., other African regions, developing countries). USAID funds a variety of programs, and award sizes can vary significantly based on duration, complexity, and specific goals. While $40 million is a significant sum, it falls within the range of large-scale, multi-year development contracts managed by agencies like USAID. A precise comparison would necessitate analyzing award databases for similar programs over comparable timeframes.

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-624-12-000005

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 55 WHEELER ST, CAMBRIDGE, MA, 02138

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $48,673,359

Exercised Options: $48,673,359

Current Obligation: $40,134,635

Actual Outlays: $6,365

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline