USAID's $17.7M contract for West African health support awarded to Management Sciences for Health, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,688,969 ($17.7M)

Contractor: Management Sciences for Health, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2009-07-10

End Date: 2012-07-09

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.2K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TO DESIGN, COORDINATE, FACILITATE AND PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO A VARIETY OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HEALTH ENTITIES IN WEST AFRICA.

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $17.7 million to MANAGEMENT SCIENCES FOR HEALTH, INC. for work described as: TO DESIGN, COORDINATE, FACILITATE AND PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO A VARIETY OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HEALTH ENTITIES IN WEST AFRICA. Key points: 1. Contract focused on technical support for public and private health entities in West Africa. 2. Awarded via a competitive delivery order, indicating a selection from pre-existing contract vehicles. 3. The contract duration was 3 years, with a total value of approximately $17.7 million. 4. The contractor, Management Sciences for Health, Inc., has experience in global health initiatives. 5. The contract type was Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which allows for cost reimbursement plus a fixed fee. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541990 suggests a broad range of professional services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $17.7 million over three years for technical support in West Africa appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar USAID health initiatives in the region would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, while allowing flexibility, requires careful monitoring to ensure costs remain controlled and the fixed fee is appropriate for the services rendered.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order, implying it was competed under a broader indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or similar vehicle. The presence of 5 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this specific task order, which generally leads to better pricing and service options for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering price discovery and encouraging contractors to offer their best value.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include public and private health entities in West Africa, aiming to improve health service delivery. Services delivered encompass technical support, coordination, and facilitation for health programs. The geographic impact is focused on West African nations, addressing regional health challenges. Workforce implications may include local employment opportunities for health professionals and support staff within the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns inherent in Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts if not closely managed.
Ensuring effective technical support delivery across diverse health entities in West Africa presents logistical challenges.
Measuring the direct impact and sustainability of technical assistance can be complex.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process, suggesting a fair evaluation of multiple proposals.
The contractor, Management Sciences for Health, Inc., has a stated mission aligned with improving global health.
The contract duration of three years allows for sustained support and program development.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically related to public health program support. The global health market is substantial, with significant investment from government agencies like USAID. This contract represents a portion of that investment, focused on capacity building and technical assistance in a critical region.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans was not explicitly provided in the data. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved in the subcontracting process or if this contract was specifically set aside for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the Agency for International Development (USAID) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be tied to performance metrics outlined in the contract. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports may not always be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

USAID Global Health Programs
West Africa Health Initiatives
Technical Assistance Contracts
Public Health Capacity Building

Risk Flags

Cost control risks associated with CPFF contract type.
Logistical and operational challenges in West African context.
Measuring the long-term impact and sustainability of technical assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $17.7 million to MANAGEMENT SCIENCES FOR HEALTH, INC.. TO DESIGN, COORDINATE, FACILITATE AND PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO A VARIETY OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HEALTH ENTITIES IN WEST AFRICA.

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 $17.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-07-10. End: 2012-07-09.

What is the track record of Management Sciences for Health, Inc. with USAID and similar contracts?

Management Sciences for Health, Inc. (MSH) has a long history of working with USAID and other international donors on global health initiatives. They have managed numerous complex projects focused on improving health systems, strengthening healthcare workforces, and delivering essential health services in low- and middle-income countries. Their experience often includes areas like infectious disease control, maternal and child health, and health systems strengthening. A review of their past performance on similar USAID contracts would likely reveal a pattern of managing large-scale health programs, though specific details on performance metrics, challenges encountered, and client satisfaction would require deeper investigation into contract close-out reports and performance evaluations.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure compare to other contract types for this type of service?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type is often used when the scope of work is well-defined but the exact costs are uncertain, such as in research, development, or complex technical services. In this case, the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. Compared to Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contracts, CPFF offers more flexibility for the government if requirements change, but it carries a higher risk of cost growth if not managed diligently. Cost-Reimbursement contracts without a fixed fee (Cost Plus Incentive Fee or Cost Plus Award Fee) might offer stronger incentives for cost control or performance, while FFP contracts provide the most cost certainty for the government but are less adaptable to evolving needs.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) typically used to measure the success of such technical support contracts in West Africa?

Key performance indicators for technical support contracts in West Africa's health sector often focus on measurable improvements in health system capacity and service delivery. Examples include the number of healthcare workers trained, the percentage increase in the availability of essential medicines, improvements in disease surveillance data accuracy, the successful implementation of new health management information systems, or the adoption of evidence-based clinical practices. The effectiveness of coordination and facilitation would be assessed through stakeholder feedback, successful project milestones, and the overall progress towards achieving the contract's stated objectives. USAID's specific KPIs would be detailed in the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS).

What is the historical spending trend for similar USAID health technical support contracts in West Africa?

USAID has consistently allocated significant funding towards health programs in West Africa, recognizing the region's critical health challenges. Historical spending trends for technical support contracts in this area have generally shown a steady or increasing investment, driven by priorities such as combating infectious diseases (e.g., HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis), strengthening maternal and child health services, and building resilient health systems. The total dollar amounts can vary widely based on the duration, scope, and specific objectives of each contract, but multi-million dollar awards for comprehensive technical assistance are common. Analyzing trends would involve looking at aggregate spending data for USAID's global health accounts allocated to the West Africa region over several fiscal years.

What are the potential risks associated with implementing health technical support in a challenging West African context?

Implementing health technical support in West Africa involves several potential risks. These include political instability and security concerns in certain areas, which can disrupt program activities and endanger personnel. Logistical challenges related to infrastructure, transportation, and communication can hinder the delivery of services and supplies. Furthermore, cultural and linguistic diversity requires careful adaptation of technical approaches. Weak existing health infrastructure and limited local capacity can slow progress and necessitate more intensive, long-term support. Finally, potential for corruption or mismanagement of funds, while not unique to the region, requires robust oversight mechanisms. MSH's experience and established local partnerships are crucial for mitigating these risks.

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: 5

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: $20,998,588

Exercised Options: $20,998,588

Current Obligation: $17,688,969

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: AIDGHSI000700006

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline