USAID's $51M Sudan Transition Initiatives contract awarded to DT GLOBAL INC for management consulting

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $51,056,555 ($51.1M)

Contractor: DT Global Inc

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2010-08-01

End Date: 2022-09-28

Contract Duration: 4,441 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SUDAN TRANSITION INITIATIVESTAS::72 1037::TAS

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $51.1 million to DT GLOBAL INC for work described as: SUDAN TRANSITION INITIATIVESTAS::72 1037::TAS Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in administrative and management consulting services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a robust market for these services. 3. The contract duration of over 12 years indicates a long-term need and potential for sustained performance. 4. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure may incentivize contractor efficiency while managing risk. 5. Performance context is crucial to understand the specific outcomes achieved over the extended period. 6. Sector positioning within administrative management services highlights a focus on operational support.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $51 million over approximately 12 years for administrative management consulting is substantial. Benchmarking this against similar long-term, broad-scope contracts is challenging without more specific service details. The cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) pricing structure, while common, requires careful monitoring to ensure costs remain reasonable and the fixed fee provides adequate incentive for performance. Without detailed performance metrics or comparisons to industry standards for similar consulting services, a definitive value-for-money assessment is difficult.

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 vendors had the opportunity to bid. This suggests a healthy competitive environment for administrative management and general management consulting services. The number of bidders is not specified, but the process itself implies that the government sought the best value through a competitive solicitation. This approach generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it drives market competition, which typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider range of innovative solutions being considered.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Agency for International Development (USAID) and its programs, receiving essential administrative and management support. Services delivered include general management consulting, aimed at improving operational efficiency and program execution. The geographic impact is primarily focused on supporting USAID's mission, which often involves international operations, though the specific operational areas are not detailed here. Workforce implications could involve the direct employment of consultants and indirect support to USAID staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration (over 12 years) could lead to complacency or reduced urgency if not actively managed.
Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts require diligent oversight to prevent cost overruns and ensure the fixed fee remains appropriate.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the true impact and effectiveness of the consulting services.
The broad nature of 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' may obscure specific areas of potential inefficiency or underperformance.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process that likely yielded good value.
The long-term nature of the contract indicates a sustained need and potentially a successful, ongoing relationship with the contractor.
DT GLOBAL INC's selection implies they met the government's requirements for expertise in administrative and management consulting.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative management and general management consulting. This is a broad category encompassing services that help organizations improve their efficiency and effectiveness. The market for these services is large and competitive, with many firms offering specialized expertise. The $51 million award over more than a decade positions this as a significant, long-term engagement for the contractor, supporting a major federal agency's operational needs.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans or performance. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific contract is likely minimal, unless DT GLOBAL INC voluntarily engages small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Agency for International Development (USAID). As a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract, USAID contracting officers and program managers would be responsible for monitoring expenditures, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and evaluating performance. Transparency would be facilitated through contract reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to investigations of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

USAID Program Management Support
Management and Consulting Services
Federal Administrative Support Contracts
International Development Assistance

Risk Flags

Long contract duration
Cost-plus-fixed-fee pricing
Broad service description
Lack of specific performance metrics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $51.1 million to DT GLOBAL INC. SUDAN TRANSITION INITIATIVESTAS::72 1037::TAS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DT GLOBAL 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 $51.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-08-01. End: 2022-09-28.

What specific types of administrative and management consulting services were provided under this contract?

The contract description 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' (NAICS 541611) is broad. Typically, this can encompass a wide range of activities including strategic planning, organizational design, process improvement, financial management consulting, human capital management, and operational efficiency enhancements. For USAID, these services likely supported the planning, execution, and oversight of international development programs, ensuring administrative functions were effective and aligned with agency goals. Without access to the detailed Statement of Work (SOW), the precise nature of the services remains general.

How does the $51 million contract value compare to similar long-term management consulting contracts awarded by USAID or other agencies?

Comparing the $51 million value over approximately 12 years requires context regarding the scope and complexity of services. USAID often awards large, multi-year contracts for program support in complex environments. A contract of this magnitude for management consulting suggests a significant, ongoing need for high-level expertise. Benchmarking would involve looking at other large-scale support contracts for international development agencies or federal departments with similar operational footprints. However, without specific details on deliverables and performance, a direct comparison is difficult. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure also influences the total expenditure, which can vary based on actual costs incurred.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of DT GLOBAL INC's services under this contract?

The provided data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. For a contract of this nature and duration, KPIs would typically be defined in the Statement of Work (SOW) and could include metrics related to efficiency improvements achieved, successful implementation of strategic plans, cost savings realized through process optimization, client satisfaction surveys, timely delivery of reports and recommendations, and adherence to budget and schedule for consulting projects. The effectiveness of the contract hinges on how well these, or similar, metrics were established and monitored by USAID.

What is the track record of DT GLOBAL INC in delivering similar management consulting services to federal agencies?

DT GLOBAL INC has a history of working with US government agencies, particularly in international development and stabilization efforts. Their portfolio often includes program management, technical assistance, and advisory services. While specific details on their performance for this particular 'Sudan Transition Initiatives' contract are not in the provided data, their general experience suggests they are positioned to handle complex management consulting needs. A deeper dive into past performance evaluations, contract awards, and client feedback would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their track record.

Given the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure, what mechanisms are in place to control costs and ensure value for money?

Cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) contracts require robust oversight to ensure value. Mechanisms typically include detailed cost accounting and reporting by the contractor, regular audits by the government, and close monitoring of expenditures by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and the Contracting Officer (CO). The 'fixed fee' component provides an incentive for the contractor to manage costs efficiently, as the fee is predetermined. USAID would have processes for reviewing incurred costs, approving them, and ensuring they align with the contract's objectives and the agreed-upon fee structure. Deviations from expected costs would trigger reviews and potential negotiations.

How has spending on administrative management consulting services by USAID evolved over the years, and where does this contract fit in?

USAID's spending on administrative management and consulting services fluctuates based on program needs, geopolitical situations, and budget allocations. Contracts like the 'Sudan Transition Initiatives' represent a significant portion of agency operational support spending. Over the years, USAID has increasingly relied on contractors for specialized expertise in areas like program management, policy analysis, and technical assistance, especially in challenging environments. This $51 million contract, spanning over a decade, indicates a sustained and substantial investment in management support for critical initiatives, reflecting a trend of outsourcing specialized functions to manage complex international programs effectively.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: DT Global LLC

Address: 2101 WILSON BLVD STE 700, ARLINGTON, VA, 22201

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $51,056,555

Exercised Options: $51,056,555

Current Obligation: $51,056,555

Actual Outlays: $16,374

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: AIDDOTI000800050

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline