USAID Spends $62M on South Africa TB Program Technical Assistance via Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $61,967,337 ($62.0M)
Contractor: University Research CO., LLC
Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development
Start Date: 2009-09-29
End Date: 2015-01-28
Contract Duration: 1,947 days
Daily Burn Rate: $31.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SERVICES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SOUTH AFRICA TUBERCULOSIS (TB) PROGRAM.
Plain-Language Summary
Agency for International Development obligated $62.0 million to UNIVERSITY RESEARCH CO., LLC for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SERVICES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SOUTH AFRICA TUBERCULOSIS (TB) PROGRAM. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to University Research Co., LLC for technical assistance in South Africa's TB program. 2. Significant duration (1947 days) suggests a complex, long-term project. 3. Full and open competition was utilized, indicating a potentially competitive bidding process. 4. The contract falls under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services', a broad category.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $61.97 million over approximately 5.3 years results in an average annual spend of $11.69 million. Without specific benchmarks for similar international health program technical assistance contracts, it's difficult to definitively assess pricing, but the duration and scope suggest a substantial investment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes price discovery and can lead to more competitive pricing compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being utilized for international health initiatives, specifically to support the South Africa Tuberculosis Program. The effectiveness and efficiency of this spending will determine the ultimate taxpayer impact.
Public Impact
Supports a critical global health initiative to combat tuberculosis in South Africa. Potential for knowledge transfer and capacity building within the South African health sector. Contract duration indicates a sustained commitment to addressing TB challenges. International aid spending can have geopolitical implications and foster diplomatic relations.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific performance metrics or outcomes in provided data.
- Potential for cost overruns in long-term international projects.
- Geopolitical instability in the region could impact program effectiveness.
Positive Signals
- Commitment to a significant public health issue (TB).
- Utilized full and open competition, promoting fairness.
- Long-term engagement suggests a strategic approach.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, specifically focused on international health program implementation. Benchmarks for this sector are highly variable, depending on the specific services, geographic location, and program complexity. The $62 million spend over nearly five years is substantial for a single program.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates the prime contractor is University Research Co., LLC, and that small business participation (sb) was marked as false. This suggests that small businesses were not significantly involved as prime contractors or major subcontractors in this particular award.
Oversight & Accountability
The Agency for International Development (USAID) is responsible for overseeing this contract. Given the long duration and significant value, robust oversight mechanisms would be expected to ensure proper execution, financial accountability, and achievement of program objectives.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Agency for International Development Contracting
- Agency for International Development Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of detailed performance metrics.
- Potential for scope creep in long-term technical assistance contracts.
- Geopolitical and health-related risks in the operating region.
- Limited information on subcontractor performance or small business utilization.
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, agency-for-international-development, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Agency for International Development awarded $62.0 million to UNIVERSITY RESEARCH CO., LLC. THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SERVICES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SOUTH AFRICA TUBERCULOSIS (TB) PROGRAM.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY RESEARCH CO., 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 $62.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2009-09-29. End: 2015-01-28.
What specific technical assistance and services were provided under this contract, and how did they contribute to the goals of the South Africa Tuberculosis Program?
The provided data lacks specifics on the exact technical assistance and services rendered. To assess value, a detailed breakdown of deliverables, activities (e.g., training, policy development, program management support), and their direct correlation to measurable improvements in TB prevention, diagnosis, or treatment within South Africa would be necessary. Without this, it's difficult to quantify the program's impact beyond the financial investment.
What were the key risks identified during the full and open competition process, and how were they mitigated to ensure effective program delivery?
While the contract utilized full and open competition, the specific risks identified and their mitigation strategies are not detailed. Potential risks in such international health programs could include logistical challenges, political instability, regulatory hurdles, or the capacity of local partners. Effective mitigation would involve thorough due diligence, contingency planning, and adaptive management strategies throughout the contract period.
How does the effectiveness of this $62 million investment compare to similar international TB control programs funded by other agencies or countries?
A comparative analysis of effectiveness requires specific outcome data (e.g., reduction in TB incidence, mortality rates, treatment success rates) from this program and comparable international initiatives. Without such metrics, it's impossible to benchmark the $62 million investment against other efforts. A comprehensive evaluation would need to consider factors like program scope, target population, and local context to draw meaningful comparisons.
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 › N – Health R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 7200 WISCONSIN AVE STE 600, BETHESDA, MD, 08
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $64,616,586
Exercised Options: $64,616,586
Current Obligation: $61,967,337
Timeline
Start Date: 2009-09-29
Current End Date: 2015-01-28
Potential End Date: 2015-01-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2014-09-19
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