Foreign Assistance Program contract awarded to UNIVERSITY RESEARCH CO., LLC for $11.36M, spanning over 3 years
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $11,362,211 ($11.4M)
Contractor: University Research CO., LLC
Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development
Start Date: 2005-12-22
End Date: 2009-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,378 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.2K/day
Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: FOREIGN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Plain-Language Summary
Agency for International Development obligated $11.4 million to UNIVERSITY RESEARCH CO., LLC for work described as: FOREIGN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Key points: 1. Value for money assessed through comparison to similar administrative management contracts. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a competitive delivery order, suggesting potential for price discovery. 3. Risk indicators include the contract duration and the specific nature of consulting services. 4. Performance context is tied to the Agency for International Development's mission. 5. Sector positioning within administrative management consulting services. 6. Spending context is within the broader foreign assistance landscape.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's value of $11.36 million for administrative management consulting services over approximately 3.8 years appears within a reasonable range for similar engagements. Benchmarking against other contracts for management consulting (NAICS 541611) awarded by the Agency for International Development or similar agencies would provide a clearer picture of value. The firm fixed-price structure helps control costs, but the scope of services will ultimately determine the true value delivered.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order, indicating that multiple vendors likely had the opportunity to bid. The presence of competition is generally positive for price discovery and ensures that the government receives proposals from various qualified sources. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'competitive' nature suggests a healthy level of interest.
Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a marketplace where contractors offer their best pricing and terms.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are likely the Agency for International Development, which receives administrative support for its foreign assistance programs. Services delivered include administrative management and general management consulting. The geographic impact is likely global, supporting the agency's international operations. Workforce implications may involve specialized consultants contributing to program efficiency.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep in consulting services if not tightly managed.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical administrative functions.
- Ensuring the quality and relevance of consulting advice over the contract duration.
Positive Signals
- Competitive award process suggests a focus on cost-effectiveness.
- Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
- Contract duration allows for sustained support to the agency.
Sector Analysis
The administrative management and general management consulting services sector (NAICS 541611) is a broad category encompassing a wide range of advisory and support functions for organizations. This contract fits within the government's need for specialized expertise to manage complex programs, such as foreign assistance. Comparable spending in this sector by federal agencies is substantial, reflecting the ongoing demand for consulting services across various mission areas.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. Given the nature of the services and the contractor, it is likely that larger firms were the primary focus. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had opportunities to participate as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Agency for International Development. Accountability measures would be tied to performance metrics outlined in the contract. Transparency is facilitated by contract award databases, though detailed performance reports may not always be publicly available.
Related Government Programs
- Foreign Aid Management
- International Development Programs
- Government Consulting Services
- Administrative Support Contracts
Risk Flags
- Contract Duration
- Service Type Specificity
- Performance Monitoring
Tags
foreign-assistance, administrative-management, consulting-services, agency-for-international-development, competitive-delivery-order, firm-fixed-price, university-research-co-llc, naics-541611, multi-year-contract, usaid
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Agency for International Development awarded $11.4 million to UNIVERSITY RESEARCH CO., LLC. FOREIGN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY RESEARCH CO., 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 $11.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2005-12-22. End: 2009-09-30.
What is the track record of UNIVERSITY RESEARCH CO., LLC with federal contracts, particularly with the Agency for International Development?
Information on UNIVERSITY RESEARCH CO., LLC's specific track record with federal contracts, especially with the Agency for International Development (USAID), is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive review would require accessing contract databases to identify past performance, any awards or penalties, and the types of services previously rendered. Understanding their history with USAID would help assess their reliability and expertise in supporting foreign assistance programs. Without this historical data, it's difficult to definitively gauge their past performance or suitability for this specific contract beyond the fact that they were awarded it competitively.
How does the awarded amount of $11.36 million compare to similar administrative management contracts for foreign assistance programs?
The awarded amount of $11.36 million for administrative management and general management consulting services over a period of approximately 3.8 years (December 2005 to September 2009) needs to be benchmarked against similar contracts. To assess value for money, one would compare this figure to the average cost per year or per consultant for contracts of similar scope and duration awarded by USAID or other agencies involved in foreign assistance. Factors such as the specific tasks, required expertise, and economic conditions during the contract period would influence this comparison. A higher or lower average cost per year than comparable contracts could indicate either overpayment or a particularly good deal for the government.
What are the primary risks associated with a contract of this nature and duration?
The primary risks associated with this contract include potential cost overruns if the firm fixed-price structure is not carefully managed against evolving project needs, and performance risks if the contractor fails to deliver the expected quality of administrative management and consulting services. The duration of nearly four years also presents a risk of the services becoming outdated or less relevant if the foreign assistance landscape shifts significantly. Furthermore, there's a risk of contractor dependency, where the agency might become overly reliant on the contractor's expertise, potentially hindering internal capacity development. Ensuring clear deliverables, robust oversight, and mechanisms for adapting to changing requirements are crucial to mitigate these risks.
How effective has the Agency for International Development been in managing its administrative support contracts?
Assessing the overall effectiveness of the Agency for International Development (USAID) in managing its administrative support contracts requires a broad analysis of their procurement practices, contract oversight mechanisms, and program outcomes. While this specific contract was awarded competitively, the effectiveness of USAID's management can be evaluated by examining performance metrics, contractor satisfaction, and the impact of these administrative services on the success of foreign assistance programs. Publicly available reports from the USAID Inspector General or Government Accountability Office (GAO) might offer insights into common challenges or best practices in managing such contracts. Without specific performance data for this contract, a general assessment of USAID's management effectiveness remains speculative.
What has been the historical spending trend for administrative management consulting services by the Agency for International Development?
Analyzing the historical spending trend for administrative management consulting services by the Agency for International Development (USAID) would involve examining procurement data over several fiscal years. This would reveal whether spending in this category has been increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable. Such a trend analysis could be influenced by factors like the overall budget allocated to foreign assistance, shifts in program priorities, and the agency's internal capacity versus reliance on external consultants. Understanding these historical patterns provides context for the $11.36 million awarded to UNIVERSITY RESEARCH CO., LLC, indicating whether this contract represents a typical investment or an outlier in USAID's spending.
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: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 7200 WISCONSIN AVE STE 600, BETHESDA, MD, 08
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $107,307,025
Exercised Options: $107,207,025
Current Obligation: $11,362,211
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: AIDGHSI000300029
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2005-12-22
Current End Date: 2009-09-30
Potential End Date: 2009-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2009-07-01
More Contracts from University Research CO., LLC
- Task Order #3 Under Health Care Improvement Project (HCI Project) — $90.3M (Agency for International Development)
- Primary Health Care Program — $68.7M (Agency for International Development)
- Rhites-N(acholi) the Overall Goal of This Activity IS to Increase Utilization of Health Services Through Progress in the Following KEY Result Areas: 1.increased Availability and Accessibility of Health Services in Facilities and Communities; 2.improved Health System for Quality Services in Facilities and Communities; 3.increased Adoption of Health Behaviors by Communities and Individuals — $65.7M (Agency for International Development)
- THE Purpose of This Contract IS to Provide Technical Assistance and Services for the Implementation of the South Africa Tuberculosis (TB) Program — $62.0M (Agency for International Development)
- Award of Health Care Improvement Project IQC Task Order #1TAS::72 1031::TAS — $52.9M (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)