USAID's $40M health project in Sudan, managed by Management Sciences for Health, Inc., aimed to transform healthcare delivery

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $39,993,850 ($40.0M)

Contractor: Management Sciences for Health, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2009-02-11

End Date: 2012-10-10

Contract Duration: 1,337 days

Daily Burn Rate: $29.9K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NEW TASK ORDER FOR THE SUDAN HEALTH TRANSFORMATION PROJECT II (SHTP II)

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $40.0 million to MANAGEMENT SCIENCES FOR HEALTH, INC. for work described as: NEW TASK ORDER FOR THE SUDAN HEALTH TRANSFORMATION PROJECT II (SHTP II) Key points: 1. The contract focused on improving health services in Sudan, a complex operating environment. 2. As a delivery order under a larger IDIQ, it represents a specific task within a broader framework. 3. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure incentivizes efficient cost management by the contractor. 4. Performance duration spanned over three years, indicating a substantial commitment to the project's goals. 5. The project's success is tied to USAID's broader development objectives in the region. 6. The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code suggests a broad scope of work.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific delivery order is challenging without access to the base IDIQ contract's pricing structure and the specific services rendered. However, the fixed fee component suggests an attempt to control costs. Comparing it to similar health sector transformation projects in conflict or post-conflict zones would provide better context for value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The contract type is listed as 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER,' implying it was competed. However, the specifics of the competition, such as the number of bidders or the solicitation process for this particular delivery order, are not detailed in the provided data. This lack of transparency makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the competition.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive process, if robust, should lead to better pricing and service quality for taxpayers. Without details, it's hard to confirm if taxpayers received optimal value.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include the population of Sudan, who stand to gain improved healthcare services. Services delivered likely encompass technical assistance, program management, and capacity building for local health systems. The geographic impact is focused on Sudan, a nation facing significant development challenges. Workforce implications could include training and employment for local healthcare professionals and support staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns in a challenging operational environment.
Difficulty in measuring direct impact on health outcomes due to complex factors.
Sustainability of health system improvements post-contract.

Positive Signals

Contractor's experience in managing large-scale international development projects.
Fixed fee structure aims to align contractor incentives with cost control.
Long-term engagement suggests a strategic commitment to Sudan's health sector.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically related to international development and public health. The market for such services is driven by government funding for foreign aid and global health initiatives. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other USAID-funded health projects in similar regions or projects managed by other development agencies.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any small business set-aside provisions for this specific delivery order. It is also unclear if Management Sciences for Health, Inc. has subcontracting plans that would involve small businesses. Further investigation into the base IDIQ and specific task order requirements would be needed to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be conducted by USAID's contracting officers and program officials. Inspector General audits may also be employed to ensure accountability and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse. Transparency is often managed through reporting requirements stipulated in the contract, though public accessibility of these reports can vary.

Related Government Programs

USAID Global Health Security Agenda
USAID Sudan Health Programs
PEPFAR Sudan
World Bank Health Projects in Sudan

Risk Flags

Operational complexity in Sudan
Security risks
Sustainability of health interventions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $40.0 million to MANAGEMENT SCIENCES FOR HEALTH, INC.. NEW TASK ORDER FOR THE SUDAN HEALTH TRANSFORMATION PROJECT II (SHTP II)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MANAGEMENT SCIENCES FOR HEALTH, 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 $40.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-02-11. End: 2012-10-10.

What specific health system strengthening activities were undertaken under this delivery order?

While the provided data does not detail the specific activities, contracts for health transformation projects typically involve a range of interventions. These can include strengthening primary healthcare services, improving maternal and child health, enhancing disease surveillance and response, building the capacity of local health workers and institutions, improving supply chain management for medicines and commodities, and implementing health information systems. The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code suggests a broad scope, likely encompassing technical assistance, project management, and potentially research or evaluation components related to health system improvements in Sudan.

How does the cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) contract type compare to other pricing arrangements for similar USAID projects?

The Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) structure is common for complex, research-oriented, or service-based contracts where the exact costs are difficult to predict upfront. In this model, the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a fixed fee representing profit. This differs from fixed-price contracts, where the price is set regardless of actual costs, or cost-reimbursement contracts without a fixed fee. For USAID health projects, CPFF is often used when the scope involves significant technical expertise, adaptation to changing conditions, and innovation, balancing the need for contractor flexibility with cost control through the fixed fee.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) for the Sudan Health Transformation Project II (SHTP II)?

Specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the SHTP II delivery order are not detailed in the provided data. However, typical KPIs for such health transformation projects funded by USAID often include metrics related to improved access to essential health services (e.g., vaccination rates, skilled birth attendance), enhanced quality of care (e.g., reduced patient wait times, adherence to clinical protocols), strengthened health system capacity (e.g., number of health workers trained, improved availability of essential medicines), and effective disease prevention and control (e.g., reduction in disease incidence or mortality rates for specific conditions). Performance would likely be assessed against baseline data and targets set within the project's work plan.

What is Management Sciences for Health, Inc.'s track record with USAID and in similar complex environments?

Management Sciences for Health, Inc. (MSH) is a well-established global health non-profit organization with extensive experience implementing health programs in developing countries, often in challenging environments. They have a long history of working with USAID and other major donors on projects focused on health systems strengthening, infectious disease control, maternal and child health, and health workforce development. MSH's track record generally includes managing large-scale, multi-year projects, demonstrating capacity in program design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, and navigating complex political and operational landscapes, which is crucial for projects like SHTP II in Sudan.

How does the $40 million spending on this delivery order compare to overall USAID spending on health in Sudan during the contract period?

To assess this, one would need to compare the $39.99 million delivery order amount against USAID's total health sector expenditures in Sudan between February 2009 and October 2012. This requires accessing USAID's historical spending reports or budget documents for that specific period and country. Without that comparative data, it's difficult to determine if this single contract represented a significant portion of USAID's health investment in Sudan or if it was one of many initiatives. Such a comparison would provide context on the scale and priority of the SHTP II project within USAID's broader strategy for Sudan.

What are the primary risks associated with implementing a large health project in Sudan, and how might they have been mitigated?

Implementing a large health project in Sudan presents significant risks, including political instability, security concerns, logistical challenges due to infrastructure limitations, potential for corruption, and the complex socio-cultural context. Security risks could impact staff safety and program continuity. Logistical hurdles might delay procurement and delivery of essential supplies. Political instability could alter government priorities or hinder program implementation. Mitigation strategies would likely involve robust security protocols, contingency planning, strong local partnerships, transparent financial management systems, adaptive program design to respond to changing conditions, and close coordination with USAID and other stakeholders.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › N – Health R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 784 MEMORIAL DR, CAMBRIDGE, MA, 02139

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $84,468,082

Exercised Options: $84,468,082

Current Obligation: $39,993,850

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: AIDGHSI000700006

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline