USAID Awards $13M for Social Science Systems, Primarily for Directory Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $12,994,171 ($13.0M)
Contractor: Social & Scientific Systems, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development
Start Date: 2006-07-31
End Date: 2011-04-02
Contract Duration: 1,706 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: GH/OHA - SOCIAL SCIENCE SYSTEMS(COPRS) AMENDMENT
Place of Performance
Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Agency for International Development obligated $13.0 million to SOCIAL & SCIENTIFIC SYSTEMS, INC. for work described as: GH/OHA - SOCIAL SCIENCE SYSTEMS(COPRS) AMENDMENT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to SOCIAL & SCIENTIFIC SYSTEMS, INC. for directory and mailing list publishing. 2. Significant portion of spending allocated to a single vendor for specialized services. 3. Contract duration spans over 4 years, indicating a long-term need. 4. No small business participation noted in this award.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, which can lead to higher costs if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar directory services contracts is difficult without more detailed service descriptions.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the specific nature of directory and mailing list services might limit the number of qualified bidders.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential agency operational support, specifically for maintaining accurate contact information and mailing lists.
Public Impact
Ensures Agency for International Development (USAID) has up-to-date contact and mailing information. Supports efficient communication and outreach efforts by the agency. Potential for data privacy and security concerns related to mailing lists.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of small business participation.
- Cost Plus Award Fee contract type can incentivize higher spending.
- Potential for vendor lock-in if specialized knowledge is developed.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Addresses a core operational need for the agency.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under professional services, specifically directory and mailing list publishing. Spending benchmarks for such niche services are highly variable and depend on the scale and complexity of the data managed.
Small Business Impact
This award does not indicate any participation from small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed or if the scope of work was unsuitable for small business contractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Agency for International Development (USAID). Oversight would focus on ensuring the cost-plus award fee structure is managed effectively and that the services provided meet performance standards.
Related Government Programs
- Directory and Mailing List Publishers
- Agency for International Development Contracting
- Agency for International Development Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee structure.
- No small business participation.
- Potential for data privacy and security risks.
- Long contract duration.
Tags
directory-and-mailing-list-publishers, agency-for-international-development, md, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Agency for International Development awarded $13.0 million to SOCIAL & SCIENTIFIC SYSTEMS, INC.. GH/OHA - SOCIAL SCIENCE SYSTEMS(COPRS) AMENDMENT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SOCIAL & SCIENTIFIC SYSTEMS, 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 $13.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2006-07-31. End: 2011-04-02.
What is the specific value proposition of using SOCIAL & SCIENTIFIC SYSTEMS, INC. for these services compared to alternative solutions?
The value proposition likely lies in the vendor's established expertise and infrastructure for managing large-scale directory and mailing list data. This could include specialized software, data validation processes, and secure handling of sensitive contact information, potentially offering efficiencies and reliability that are difficult to replicate internally or with less specialized vendors.
What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Award Fee contract for directory services?
The primary risks include potential cost overruns if performance incentives are not tightly aligned with cost controls. There's also a risk that the vendor may prioritize achieving award fees over finding the most cost-effective solutions. Effective oversight is crucial to ensure the 'cost' component remains reasonable and the 'award' component is tied to demonstrable value and efficiency.
How does this contract contribute to the overall effectiveness of USAID's mission?
This contract is crucial for the operational effectiveness of USAID by ensuring accurate and accessible contact information for stakeholders, partners, and beneficiaries. Reliable mailing lists and directories facilitate communication, program outreach, and administrative functions, directly supporting the agency's ability to execute its international development mission efficiently.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers › Directory and Mailing List Publishers
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: M/OAA/GH/POP-06-1745
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 8757 GEORGIA AVE FL 12, SILVER SPRING, MD, 08
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $202,237,275
Exercised Options: $116,505,361
Current Obligation: $12,994,171
Timeline
Start Date: 2006-07-31
Current End Date: 2011-04-02
Potential End Date: 2014-07-23 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2014-07-22
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