Foreign Assistance Program contract awarded to ABT Global LLC for $26.4M by USAID

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,407,727 ($26.4M)

Contractor: ABT Global LLC

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2006-07-26

End Date: 2009-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,254 days

Daily Burn Rate: $21.1K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FOREIGN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20523

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $26.4 million to ABT GLOBAL LLC for work described as: FOREIGN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Key points: 1. Contract value of $26.4M for professional, scientific, and technical services. 2. Awarded as a competitive delivery order, suggesting multiple bids were considered. 3. Duration of 1254 days indicates a medium-term engagement. 4. Services fall under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' (NAICS 541990). 5. Firm Fixed Price contract type aims to control costs. 6. Contractor ABT Global LLC received this award from the Agency for International Development (USAID).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $26.4 million for a period of over three years for professional, scientific, and technical services is within a typical range for large-scale foreign assistance programs. Benchmarking against similar contracts for international development support would be necessary for a precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure suggests an attempt to manage cost overruns, but the overall value is contingent on the effective delivery of services and achievement of program objectives.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded as a 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER,' indicating that it was competed under a broader contract vehicle. The presence of 3 bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific delivery order. While competition is present, the exact number of potential bidders and the thoroughness of the solicitation process would need further investigation to fully assess its impact on price discovery and overall value.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process, even with a moderate number of bidders, generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging competitive pricing and potentially leading to better service quality compared to sole-source awards.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include recipients of foreign assistance programs managed by USAID. Services delivered likely support the implementation and management of international development initiatives. Geographic impact is global, aligning with USAID's mission to advance interests of the American people and provide assistance globally. Workforce implications may involve skilled professionals in technical, scientific, and program management fields.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if program objectives are not clearly defined and managed.
Dependence on contractor performance for successful program outcomes.
Risk of cost increases if unforeseen challenges arise in foreign assistance environments.

Positive Signals

Competitive award process can lead to better value and service.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty.
Award to ABT Global LLC suggests they meet required qualifications for technical services.

Sector Analysis

The professional, scientific, and technical services sector is broad, encompassing a wide range of expertise. For foreign assistance, this often includes program management, technical consulting, research, and evaluation services. The market size for such services supporting government agencies like USAID is substantial, with numerous firms competing for contracts. This specific contract fits within the segment of services dedicated to international development and aid delivery.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans is not explicitly provided in the data. As this was a competitive delivery order, it's possible that larger prime contractors were involved, and subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist. Further analysis of the contract vehicle under which this delivery order was placed would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Agency for International Development (USAID). As a federal contract, it is subject to standard government oversight mechanisms, including performance monitoring, financial audits, and potentially review by the USAID Office of Inspector General. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements.

Related Government Programs

USAID Foreign Assistance Programs
International Development Services
Professional and Technical Services Contracts
Global Health Initiatives
Economic Development Programs

Risk Flags

Broad service category may indicate potential for scope creep.
Contract duration requires sustained performance monitoring.
Foreign assistance environments can be inherently unstable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $26.4 million to ABT GLOBAL LLC. FOREIGN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

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 $26.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-07-26. End: 2009-12-31.

What is the specific nature of the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' provided under this contract?

The provided data categorizes the services under NAICS code 541990, which broadly covers 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services.' This typically includes services that do not fit into more specific categories, such as specialized research, consulting, technical support, or program management related to foreign assistance. Without more detailed contract documentation, the precise deliverables and scope of work remain unspecified. However, given the awarding agency (USAID) and the program title ('FOREIGN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM'), these services likely support the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of international aid projects aimed at fostering economic development, improving health outcomes, or promoting stability in recipient countries.

How does the $26.4 million contract value compare to similar foreign assistance contracts awarded by USAID?

The contract value of $26.4 million for a duration of approximately 3.5 years (1254 days) is a significant but not extraordinary sum for a foreign assistance program managed by USAID. USAID manages a vast portfolio of programs, and contract values can range from thousands to hundreds of millions of dollars depending on the scope, duration, and complexity of the initiative. To benchmark this specific contract, one would need to compare it against other contracts for similar services (e.g., program management, technical assistance, policy support) awarded by USAID or other development agencies over comparable timeframes. Factors such as geographic focus, specific development sector (e.g., health, education, governance), and the number of bidders would also influence comparisons. Generally, this value suggests a substantial program requiring significant contractor support.

What are the potential risks associated with a contract of this nature and duration?

Contracts for foreign assistance programs, especially those spanning over three years, carry several inherent risks. Firstly, the political and economic stability of recipient countries can fluctuate, impacting program effectiveness and potentially leading to unforeseen challenges or changes in scope. Secondly, managing complex international projects requires robust oversight to ensure funds are used efficiently and effectively, mitigating risks of fraud, waste, or mismanagement. Thirdly, the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' category is broad, which could lead to scope creep if not tightly managed, potentially increasing costs or delaying timelines. Finally, reliance on a single contractor (ABT Global LLC in this case) means that performance issues or contractor capacity limitations could significantly jeopardize program objectives.

What does the 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER' award type imply about the procurement process?

The designation 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER' indicates that this contract was not awarded directly but rather as a task order or delivery order under a pre-existing, larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or similar multiple-award contract vehicle. The 'competitive' aspect means that multiple contractors (in this case, 3 were identified) were invited to submit proposals for this specific order, and the award was made based on a comparison of those proposals, likely considering factors such as price, technical approach, and past performance. This process is designed to ensure fair competition and potentially achieve better pricing and solutions for specific needs compared to a sole-source award. It suggests a structured procurement process where the initial IDIQ contract was competed, and then individual orders are also competed among the awardees.

What is ABT Global LLC's track record with federal contracts, particularly with USAID?

The provided data indicates that ABT Global LLC was awarded this specific contract by the Agency for International Development (USAID). To assess their track record, one would need to examine their broader contract history within the federal government. This would involve searching federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for other contracts awarded to ABT Global LLC, noting the agencies involved, contract values, types of services rendered, and performance history (e.g., any reported issues, awards for excellence, or terminations). A strong history of successful contract performance, particularly with USAID or similar international development agencies, would suggest reliability and capability. Conversely, a history of performance issues or disputes could raise concerns about their ability to successfully execute this $26.4 million foreign assistance program.

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: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4800 MONTGOMERY LN 600, BETHESDA, MD, 20814

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $73,963,069

Exercised Options: $73,963,069

Current Obligation: $26,407,727

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: AIDEDHI000500005

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline