USAID's $62.5M AIDSTAR SECTOR I Task Order for Technical Assistance awarded to John Snow, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $62,509,017 ($62.5M)
Contractor: John Snow, Incorporated
Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development
Start Date: 2008-01-30
End Date: 2014-03-29
Contract Duration: 2,250 days
Daily Burn Rate: $27.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: AIDSTAR SECTOR I TASK ORDER 01 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCETAS::19 1031::TAS
Place of Performance
Location: BOSTON, SUFFOLK County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02210
Plain-Language Summary
Agency for International Development obligated $62.5 million to JOHN SNOW, INCORPORATED for work described as: AIDSTAR SECTOR I TASK ORDER 01 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCETAS::19 1031::TAS Key points: 1. The contract, valued at $62.5 million, was awarded to John Snow, Inc. for technical assistance. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration was 2250 days, spanning from January 2008 to March 2014. 4. The primary service category is Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services (NAICS 541611).
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract was a Cost Plus Fixed Fee type, which can sometimes lead to higher costs if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar contracts for technical assistance in international development is difficult without more specific cost breakdowns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure requires careful monitoring to ensure cost efficiency.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds were used for technical assistance in international development. The effectiveness and efficiency of this spending are key considerations for taxpayer impact.
Public Impact
Supports international development efforts through technical assistance. Contract duration of nearly 6 years suggests a significant, long-term project. Awarded to a single contractor, John Snow, Inc., for the entirety of the task order. The specific impact on beneficiaries or program outcomes is not detailed in the provided data.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure can incentivize higher spending.
- Long contract duration may present risks of scope creep or evolving needs not being met efficiently.
- Lack of detailed performance metrics makes assessing value for money challenging.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting fair market pricing was sought.
- Contract addresses critical technical assistance needs for international development.
- Contractor has a significant period to demonstrate expertise and deliver results.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically management consulting for international development. Benchmarks for similar large-scale, long-term technical assistance contracts can vary widely based on geographic focus and specific program objectives.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific provisions or set-asides for small businesses in this contract. The award was made to John Snow, Inc., and further analysis would be needed to determine their small business status or subcontracting practices.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would typically be managed by the Agency for International Development's contracting officers and program managers. The long duration and cost-plus nature of the contract necessitate robust oversight to ensure funds are used effectively and efficiently.
Related Government Programs
- Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
- Agency for International Development Contracting
- Agency for International Development Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure.
- Long contract duration (over 6 years).
- Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
- Potential for contractor to maximize profit by increasing costs.
- Limited insight into the specific technical assistance provided and its impact.
Tags
administrative-management-and-general-ma, agency-for-international-development, ma, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Agency for International Development awarded $62.5 million to JOHN SNOW, INCORPORATED. AIDSTAR SECTOR I TASK ORDER 01 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCETAS::19 1031::TAS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is JOHN SNOW, INCORPORATED.
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 $62.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-01-30. End: 2014-03-29.
What specific technical assistance was provided under this contract, and how did it contribute to USAID's development goals?
The provided data lacks specifics on the technical assistance delivered. To assess value, details on the projects undertaken, the expertise provided by John Snow, Inc., and the measurable outcomes achieved in relation to USAID's development objectives are crucial. Without this, it's difficult to ascertain the true value for money.
What were the key risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract of this magnitude and duration, and how were they mitigated?
Key risks include potential cost overruns due to the fee structure and the contractor's incentive to increase costs, as well as scope creep over the long duration. Mitigation would involve stringent oversight, clear performance metrics, regular audits, and proactive contract management by USAID to ensure adherence to objectives and budget.
How effective was the full and open competition in ensuring competitive pricing for these specialized consulting services?
Full and open competition is generally effective in promoting competitive pricing by allowing all eligible vendors to bid. However, the specific nature of specialized technical assistance can sometimes limit the number of truly qualified bidders. The final price achieved would need to be benchmarked against similar services to confirm its competitiveness.
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: 6
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 44 FARNSWORTH ST FL 7, BOSTON, MA, 02210
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Subchapter S Corporation
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $105,490,148
Exercised Options: $105,490,148
Current Obligation: $62,509,017
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: AIDGHHI000700059
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-01-30
Current End Date: 2014-03-29
Potential End Date: 2014-03-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2020-03-23
More Contracts from John Snow, Incorporated
- NEW Malaria Task Order Under the Deliver IQC; 2 Year Base Base Contract, 1 Option Year — $1.1B (Agency for International Development)
- Gh/Prh - 3057, NEW TO#5 (commodities and Public Health Supplies) and ADD Incremental Funds — $578.9M (Agency for International Development)
- Provide Malaria Commodities Worldwide — $418.9M (Agency for International Development)
- Deliver II Task Order Agreementtas::72 1037::TAS — $374.4M (Agency for International Development)
- Prh/Csl - 3089 Award NEW Task Order #4 for TA and ADD Incremental Funds — $258.1M (Agency for International Development)
Other Agency for International Development Contracts
- - Ghsc Idiq - Hiv/Aids to — $6.7B (Chemonics International, Inc.)
- Covid-19 Vaccines for International Donation — $4.2B (Pfizer Inc)
- This IS a NEW Task Order (# 03) Issued Against the Basic IQC # Gpo-I-00-05-00032-00. the Purpose of This Task Order IS to Facilitate Continuation of the Scms Program in ALL Pepfar Countries — $3.3B (Partnership for Supply Chain Management Inc)
- - Ghsc Idiq - Malaria Task Order — $2.9B (Chemonics International, Inc.)
- NEW Malaria Task Order Under the Deliver IQC; 2 Year Base Base Contract, 1 Option Year — $1.1B (John Snow, Incorporated)