USAID contract for HIV/AIDS prevention in Uganda awarded to Creative Associates International, Inc. for $26.7M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,741,798 ($26.7M)

Contractor: Creative Associates International, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2006-11-07

End Date: 2011-06-11

Contract Duration: 1,677 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.9K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IMPROVE EDUCATION IN UGANDA AND TO PREVENT AND MITIGATE HIV?AIDS AMONGST SCHOOL CHILDREN.TAS::72 1021::TAS

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $26.7 million to CREATIVE ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: IMPROVE EDUCATION IN UGANDA AND TO PREVENT AND MITIGATE HIV?AIDS AMONGST SCHOOL CHILDREN.TAS::72 1021::TAS Key points: 1. Contract focuses on improving education and preventing HIV/AIDS among school children in Uganda. 2. The contract was awarded through a competitive delivery order process. 3. The duration of the contract was approximately 1677 days. 4. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which allows for flexibility but requires careful cost monitoring. 5. The primary agency involved is the Agency for International Development (USAID). 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541990, indicating 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific contract is challenging without comparable data on similar international education and health initiatives. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure means the final cost can fluctuate based on actual expenses incurred, plus a predetermined fee. While the total award was $26.7 million, the efficiency and effectiveness of the funds in achieving the stated goals of improving education and preventing HIV/AIDS among Ugandan school children would require a detailed programmatic review.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order, suggesting it was part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar competitive vehicle. The presence of 3 bidders indicates a degree of competition, which is generally positive for price discovery and ensuring a reasonable award. However, the specific competition dynamics, such as the number of proposals received and the evaluation criteria, are not detailed here.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a more efficient allocation of resources and potentially lower costs compared to sole-source or limited competition scenarios.

Public Impact

School children in Uganda are the primary beneficiaries, receiving improved educational opportunities and HIV/AIDS prevention education. The services delivered aim to enhance the overall well-being and future prospects of the targeted student population. The geographic impact is focused within Uganda, specifically in areas where school children are enrolled. Workforce implications may include local Ugandan educators, health workers, and administrative staff involved in program implementation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics and outcome data makes it difficult to assess the true impact and value for money.
Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can sometimes lead to less incentive for cost control by the contractor if not rigorously managed.
The effectiveness of HIV/AIDS prevention programs is highly dependent on local context, cultural factors, and sustained effort, which are not detailed here.

Positive Signals

The contract was awarded through a competitive process, suggesting multiple firms vied for the opportunity.
The focus on education and HIV/AIDS prevention addresses critical development needs in the target region.
The duration of the contract (over 4 years) suggests a commitment to achieving long-term program goals.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the broad 'Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' sector, specifically addressing international development, education, and public health. The global development aid market is substantial, with organizations like USAID allocating significant funds to address complex issues such as education and health in developing nations. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other USAID-funded projects in similar sectors and regions, as well as initiatives by other international development agencies.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans is not provided in the data. Without this detail, it's impossible to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Agency for International Development (USAID), likely through its Inspector General's office and program monitoring units. Accountability measures would be tied to the contract's performance work statement and reporting requirements. Transparency would depend on USAID's public disclosure policies regarding its international development projects.

Related Government Programs

USAID Global Health Programs
USAID Education Programs
PEPFAR (President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief)
Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure.
Effectiveness of HIV/AIDS prevention programs can be difficult to measure and sustain.
Logistical and security challenges in international development projects.
Dependency on local partnerships and government cooperation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $26.7 million to CREATIVE ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC.. IMPROVE EDUCATION IN UGANDA AND TO PREVENT AND MITIGATE HIV?AIDS AMONGST SCHOOL CHILDREN.TAS::72 1021::TAS

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 $26.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-11-07. End: 2011-06-11.

What were the specific performance metrics and expected outcomes for this contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific performance metrics or expected outcomes for this contract. Typically, such contracts would include a Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlining measurable objectives related to improving educational quality, increasing school attendance, and reducing HIV/AIDS transmission rates among school children. These metrics would likely involve indicators such as test score improvements, enrollment rates, knowledge of HIV prevention methods, and behavioral changes. USAID's oversight would involve regular reporting from Creative Associates International, Inc. to track progress against these defined metrics. Without access to the PWS or subsequent performance reports, a full assessment of the contract's effectiveness is not possible.

How does the $26.7 million award compare to similar international education and HIV/AIDS prevention initiatives funded by USAID or other agencies?

Directly comparing the $26.7 million award to similar initiatives requires access to a database of comparable contracts, including their scope, duration, geographic focus, and specific objectives. However, for a multi-year, multi-faceted program addressing both education and a critical public health issue like HIV/AIDS in a developing country, this funding level appears to be within a reasonable range for a significant project. USAID and other major international donors often fund projects in this magnitude for country-level or large regional interventions. The value for money would ultimately depend on the demonstrated impact achieved relative to the investment, which is not detailed in the provided summary data.

What is the track record of Creative Associates International, Inc. in managing large-scale international development contracts, particularly in education and health sectors?

Creative Associates International, Inc. is a well-established organization with extensive experience in international development, education, and democracy and governance programs. They have a history of managing large, complex contracts funded by USAID and other government agencies. Their portfolio often includes projects focused on education system strengthening, teacher training, curriculum development, and, in some cases, health-related initiatives. A thorough assessment of their track record for this specific contract would involve reviewing past performance evaluations, client feedback, and any documented instances of challenges or successes in similar projects. Generally, their long tenure and consistent award of significant contracts suggest a competent operational capacity.

What were the primary risks identified for this contract, and how were they mitigated?

The provided data does not explicitly list the identified risks for this contract. However, common risks in international development projects of this nature include political instability in the host country, logistical challenges in remote areas, cultural barriers to program acceptance, potential for corruption, and the inherent difficulty in measuring behavioral change for HIV prevention. Mitigation strategies would typically involve robust local partnerships, comprehensive security plans, culturally sensitive program design, strong financial controls, and continuous monitoring and evaluation. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type itself implies a risk-sharing model between the government and the contractor, where the government bears some risk related to cost overruns beyond the fixed fee.

How has USAID's spending in the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' category (NAICS 541990) evolved over the years, and where does this contract fit?

The NAICS code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' is a broad category that encompasses a wide array of services not classified elsewhere. USAID utilizes services under this code for various needs, including specialized technical assistance, research, program evaluation, and support for development initiatives. Historical spending data within this category would show fluctuations based on agency priorities and the specific types of services procured. This $26.7 million contract for education and HIV/AIDS prevention in Uganda represents a significant investment within this broad category, highlighting USAID's commitment to addressing complex development challenges through specialized expertise. Analyzing trends in this NAICS code could reveal shifts in USAID's procurement strategies or areas of focus over time.

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: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5301 WISCONSIN AVE NW STE 700, WASHINGTON, DC, 98

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $151,070,549

Exercised Options: $76,594,065

Current Obligation: $26,741,798

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: AIDEDHI000500026

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline