USAID's $18.1M contract for population services delivered over 5 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,122,890 ($18.1M)

Contractor: Population Services International

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2008-09-30

End Date: 2013-11-30

Contract Duration: 1,887 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.6K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TO AWARD A TASK ORDER UNDER THE AIDSTAR IQC

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $18.1 million to POPULATION SERVICES INTERNATIONAL for work described as: TO AWARD A TASK ORDER UNDER THE AIDSTAR IQC Key points: 1. Contract focused on administrative and management consulting for population services. 2. Awarded competitively, indicating potential for price discovery. 3. Performance period spanned over 5 years, suggesting a need for sustained support. 4. Contract type was Cost Plus Award Fee, allowing for performance-based incentives. 5. The contractor, Population Services International, has experience in this domain. 6. This contract falls under the broad category of management consulting services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of $18.1 million over nearly 5 years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar administrative and management consulting contracts for international development programs would be necessary for a precise value-for-money assessment. However, the competitive award process implies that pricing was subject to market forces. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure also incentivizes efficient performance, potentially enhancing value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order under an IDIQ (Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity) contract. The 'full-and-open' competition suggests that multiple bidders likely had the opportunity to submit proposals. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and encourages contractors to offer competitive terms to win the award.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process is favorable for taxpayers as it typically drives down costs and ensures the government receives the best value for its investment through market-based pricing.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include populations in developing countries receiving essential health and family planning services. Services delivered likely encompassed program management, technical assistance, and operational support for population initiatives. Geographic impact is global, focusing on regions with significant public health needs. Workforce implications include support for local and international health professionals and program staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns inherent in Cost Plus Award Fee contracts if not managed tightly.
Scope creep could increase costs if not carefully monitored.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical population services could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Competitive award process suggests a robust selection of qualified bidders.
Cost Plus Award Fee structure incentivizes high performance and efficiency.
Longer performance period allows for sustained impact and program continuity.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative management and general management consulting. This sector is crucial for government agencies like USAID, providing expertise to manage complex international development programs. The market for such services is large and competitive, with many firms specializing in global health and development.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business participation or set-asides is not explicitly detailed in the provided data. As a competitive award, it's possible that small businesses could have participated as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement and its impact on the broader small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by USAID contracting officers and program managers. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure implies performance metrics that would be monitored to determine award fees. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases, though specific performance reports may not be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Global Health Programs
Family Planning Initiatives
International Development Assistance
Public Health Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns in CPAF contracts.
Performance measurement clarity for award fees.
Transition risks upon contract completion.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $18.1 million to POPULATION SERVICES INTERNATIONAL. TO AWARD A TASK ORDER UNDER THE AIDSTAR IQC

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is POPULATION SERVICES INTERNATIONAL.

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 $18.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-09-30. End: 2013-11-30.

What was the specific nature of the 'population services' supported by this contract?

The contract data indicates the services fall under NAICS code 541611 (Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services). This suggests the contract supported USAID's efforts in areas such as strategic planning, program management, operational efficiency, and technical assistance related to population, family planning, and reproductive health programs. The specific activities would have been detailed in the task order's statement of work, likely involving support for implementing health initiatives, data management, policy analysis, and capacity building in partner countries.

How does the $18.1 million total award compare to similar USAID contracts for population services?

Without access to a comprehensive database of USAID's historical contracts for population services, a direct comparison is challenging. However, $18.1 million over approximately five years represents an average annual spend of roughly $3.6 million. This figure is within a reasonable range for large-scale international development support contracts, particularly those involving complex program management and technical expertise. Factors like geographic scope, specific health interventions, and the level of direct service delivery versus programmatic support would influence comparability.

What are the key risks associated with a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract structure for this type of service?

The primary risk with a CPAF contract is the potential for contractor costs to exceed initial estimates, as the government agrees to cover all allowable costs. The 'award fee' component introduces subjectivity in performance evaluation, which can lead to disputes if not clearly defined and objectively measured. For population services, risks include potential inefficiencies if performance metrics are not stringent, scope creep if the program's needs evolve without proper change control, and the possibility of the contractor focusing on achieving award fee criteria rather than the most critical program outcomes. Robust oversight and clear performance standards are essential to mitigate these risks.

What was the track record of Population Services International (PSI) prior to and during this contract?

Population Services International (PSI) is a well-established global health organization with extensive experience in delivering health services and products, particularly in reproductive health and family planning. Prior to this contract, PSI had a long history of working with USAID and other international donors. During the period of this contract (2008-2013), PSI would have been expected to demonstrate its capabilities in program management, technical implementation, and achieving health outcomes in challenging environments. Their track record generally reflects a capacity to manage large, complex projects, though specific performance details under this particular contract would require access to USAID's performance evaluations.

How did the competitive nature of this award influence the final price and service delivery?

The 'full-and-open' competitive nature of this delivery order award likely exerted downward pressure on the price proposed by Population Services International. Competition encourages bidders to offer their most competitive rates and innovative solutions to secure the contract. For taxpayers, this means the government likely secured services at a more favorable price than it might have under a sole-source or limited competition scenario. Furthermore, competition can drive higher quality service delivery as contractors strive to meet or exceed performance expectations to secure future work and earn award fees.

What are the implications of this contract ending in November 2013 for ongoing population services?

The expiration of this contract in November 2013 signifies the end of the specific services and support provided by Population Services International under this particular award. For ongoing population services, this necessitates a transition plan. USAID would have needed to either re-compete the requirement, award a new contract, extend the existing one if permissible, or absorb the functions into other mechanisms. The transition could potentially lead to a temporary disruption in services or a change in service providers, depending on how USAID managed the conclusion of this contract and the initiation of subsequent efforts.

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: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1120 19TH ST NW STE LL10, WASHINGTON, DC, 20036

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $18,619,844

Exercised Options: $18,619,844

Current Obligation: $18,122,890

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: AIDGHHI000700062

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline