USAID's $43.7M Nigeria education initiative contract awarded to Creative Associates International, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $43,702,838 ($43.7M)

Contractor: Creative Associates International, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2009-11-20

End Date: 2014-03-19

Contract Duration: 1,580 days

Daily Burn Rate: $27.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NIGERIA NORTHERN EDUCATION INITIATIVE (NEI).

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $43.7 million to CREATIVE ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NIGERIA NORTHERN EDUCATION INITIATIVE (NEI). Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a robust market search. 2. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. 3. The duration of 1580 days (approx. 4.3 years) indicates a significant, long-term project. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541990 covers 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' a broad category. 5. The contract was awarded as a Delivery Order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar vehicle. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized, indicating the primary awardee is not a small business.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of $43.7 million over approximately 4.3 years suggests a substantial investment in educational programming. Benchmarking this specific contract's value for money is challenging without detailed performance metrics and comparable international development projects. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type, while allowing flexibility, carries inherent risks of cost escalation if the fixed fee becomes disproportionately small compared to actual costs incurred. Further analysis would require understanding the specific deliverables and the efficiency of their execution.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 3 bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific delivery order. While full and open competition is generally preferred for maximizing value, the number of bidders can influence price discovery. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition as it generally drives down costs and increases the likelihood of selecting the most capable contractor at a reasonable price. A moderate number of bidders, like three in this case, still provides a competitive environment, though more bidders could potentially yield even greater savings.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are students and educators in Northern Nigeria, who receive improved educational services and resources. The contract supports the implementation of the Nigeria Northern Education Initiative (NEI), aiming to enhance educational outcomes. The geographic impact is focused on Northern Nigeria, a region often facing educational challenges. Workforce implications include the potential for local employment in program implementation and support roles, as well as the engagement of international development professionals.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
The broad NAICS code (541990) makes it difficult to assess specific service costs without further detail.
Limited information on performance metrics makes it hard to gauge the true value for money achieved.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process.
The contract duration suggests a commitment to long-term program impact.
The focus on education in a specific region addresses a critical development need.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically related to international development and education program management. The market for such services is global, with numerous firms specializing in implementing development projects funded by agencies like USAID. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other USAID-funded education initiatives or similar large-scale development contracts in other countries, considering factors like project scope, duration, and geographic focus.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. This suggests that the primary awardee, Creative Associates International, Inc., is likely a large business, and the contract's direct impact on the small business ecosystem may be limited unless they actively engage small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Agency for International Development (USAID), likely through its Inspector General (IG) and program management offices. USAID's IG is responsible for auditing and investigating fraud, waste, and abuse in agency programs. Transparency would depend on USAID's public reporting practices regarding contract performance and expenditures. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's terms and conditions, requiring the contractor to meet specific performance objectives and reporting requirements.

Related Government Programs

USAID Education Programs
International Development Assistance
Foreign Aid - Education
Global Education Initiatives
Development Assistance - Africa

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires careful monitoring to control costs.
Broad NAICS code limits specificity on services rendered.
Lack of detailed performance metrics hinders value assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $43.7 million to CREATIVE ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC.. DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NIGERIA NORTHERN EDUCATION INITIATIVE (NEI).

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CREATIVE ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, 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 $43.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-11-20. End: 2014-03-19.

What is the track record of Creative Associates International, Inc. with USAID contracts, particularly in education?

Creative Associates International, Inc. has a significant history of working with USAID on various international development projects, including numerous education initiatives. They have been involved in implementing programs focused on improving learning outcomes, teacher training, curriculum development, and educational system strengthening in diverse regions. Their portfolio often includes projects in conflict-affected or low-resource settings, aligning with the goals of initiatives like the Nigeria Northern Education Initiative. A detailed review of their past performance ratings, contract modifications, and any past performance issues or successes on similar USAID contracts would provide a clearer picture of their capabilities and reliability for this specific project.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure compare to other contract types for similar international development projects?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type is common in complex, long-term international development projects where the scope of work may evolve or be difficult to define precisely at the outset. It allows for flexibility by reimbursing the contractor for actual costs incurred, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. Compared to Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contracts, CPFF offers more flexibility but carries a higher risk of cost overruns if costs escalate beyond initial projections, as the contractor's profit is fixed. Cost-Reimbursement contracts without a fixed fee (e.g., Cost Plus Incentive Fee) might offer better alignment of incentives if performance metrics are well-defined. For USAID, CPFF is often used when detailed cost estimates are challenging, but it necessitates robust oversight to manage costs effectively.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) for the Nigeria Northern Education Initiative (NEI) and how was performance measured?

Specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the Nigeria Northern Education Initiative (NEI) are not detailed in the provided data. Typically, for such education projects, KPIs would focus on measurable improvements in student learning outcomes (e.g., literacy and numeracy rates), increased school enrollment and attendance, enhanced teacher effectiveness (through training and support), improved school management, and community engagement in education. Performance measurement would likely involve regular data collection through surveys, assessments, and monitoring reports submitted by the contractor, Creative Associates International, Inc., to USAID. USAID program officers would then evaluate these reports against the established KPIs and contract milestones to assess progress and ensure accountability.

What is the historical spending trend for USAID's education programs in Nigeria or similar regions?

Historical spending trends for USAID's education programs in Nigeria and similar regions generally show a consistent commitment to supporting educational development, particularly in areas facing challenges. USAID often partners with the host government and local organizations to implement a range of interventions, from basic education and literacy to higher education and vocational training. Spending levels can fluctuate based on strategic priorities, available funding, and the specific needs of the region. Analyzing USAID's annual budget allocations and contract awards for education in Nigeria over the past decade would reveal trends in investment, focus areas (e.g., girls' education, teacher training, curriculum reform), and the types of implementing partners engaged.

Were there any significant contract modifications or challenges encountered during the execution of this delivery order?

The provided data does not include details on contract modifications or specific challenges encountered during the execution of this delivery order. Significant modifications could include changes in scope, duration, or funding, which are often documented in contract amendment records. Challenges in international development projects can range from security concerns and logistical hurdles to political instability, changes in local regulations, or difficulties in achieving intended programmatic outcomes. A thorough review of USAID's contract databases or official contract award files would be necessary to identify any modifications, associated justifications, and reported issues or successes related to this project.

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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5301 WISCONSIN AVE NW STE 700, WASHINGTON, DC, 20015

Business Categories: Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $87,301,338

Exercised Options: $87,301,338

Current Obligation: $43,702,838

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: AIDEDHI000500026

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline