USAID's $82.8M contract for global health technical expertise awarded to DEXIS INTERACTIVE LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $82,839,096 ($82.8M)

Contractor: Dexis Interactive LLC

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2014-07-03

End Date: 2019-12-30

Contract Duration: 2,006 days

Daily Burn Rate: $41.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF - THE GOAL OF THE CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE READY ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY, EXTERNAL TECHNICAL EXPERTISE TO DESIGN, SUPPORT, AND EVALUATE PROGRAMS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACHIEVEMENT OF U.S. GOVERNMENT (USG) GLOBAL HEALTH INITIATIVE (GHI) TARGETS.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20005

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $82.8 million to DEXIS INTERACTIVE LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF - THE GOAL OF THE CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE READY ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY, EXTERNAL TECHNICAL EXPERTISE TO DESIGN, SUPPORT, AND EVALUATE PROGRAMS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACHIEVEMENT OF U.S. GOVERNMENT (USG) GLOBAL HEALTH INITIATIVE (GHI) TARGETS. Key points: 1. Contract provides critical external technical expertise for U.S. Government global health initiatives. 2. Full and open competition suggests a robust market for these specialized services. 3. Contract duration of over 5 years indicates a long-term need for sustained support. 4. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure incentivizes efficient service delivery. 5. Awarded to a single contractor, DEXIS INTERACTIVE LLC, highlighting their specialized capabilities. 6. Geographic focus on Washington D.C. suggests a central coordination role.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award of $82.8 million over approximately 5.5 years for specialized technical consulting in global health appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar large-scale, long-term contracts for international development support suggests this falls within expected spending ranges. The cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) pricing structure, while potentially leading to cost overruns if not managed carefully, allows for flexibility in addressing evolving program needs. The fixed fee component provides a clear incentive for the contractor to perform efficiently.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 3 bidders (implied by 'no': 3) suggests a competitive environment for these specialized services. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and ensures that the government secures services from the most capable and cost-effective provider.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive award process that aims to secure the best value for money in supporting critical global health programs.

Public Impact

Benefits U.S. Government global health initiatives by providing essential technical expertise. Supports the design, support, and evaluation of programs aimed at achieving U.S. Government Global Health Initiative targets. Geographic impact is global, focusing on programs contributing to international health outcomes. Workforce implications include the engagement of specialized technical consultants.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns inherent in Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts if not rigorously managed.
Long contract duration may require ongoing performance monitoring to ensure continued alignment with evolving global health priorities.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical expertise could pose a risk if performance degrades or if the contractor faces unforeseen challenges.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a healthy market and potential for strong performance.
Contract structure includes a fixed fee, providing a clear incentive for contractor performance and efficiency.
Focus on high-quality external expertise suggests a commitment to program effectiveness and evidence-based approaches.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on specialized consulting for global health programs. This sector is characterized by a need for deep subject matter expertise and often involves long-term engagements. Comparable spending in this area by agencies like USAID is substantial, reflecting the U.S. commitment to international development and health.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements for this contract. As it was awarded under full and open competition, it's possible that small businesses could have participated as prime contractors or subcontractors if they met the qualifications. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Agency for International Development (USAID) contracting officers and program managers. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure necessitates close monitoring of expenditures and performance to ensure value for money. Transparency would be enhanced through regular reporting requirements from the contractor and potential audits by USAID's Office of Inspector General.

Related Government Programs

Global Health Security Agenda
President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Programs
International Health Regulations

Risk Flags

Cost Overrun Risk (CPFF)
Performance Monitoring Requirement
Contractor Dependency Risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $82.8 million to DEXIS INTERACTIVE LLC. IGF::OT::IGF - THE GOAL OF THE CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE READY ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY, EXTERNAL TECHNICAL EXPERTISE TO DESIGN, SUPPORT, AND EVALUATE PROGRAMS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACHIEVEMENT OF U.S. GOVERNMENT (USG) GLOBAL HEALTH INITIATIVE (GHI) TARGETS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DEXIS INTERACTIVE 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 $82.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2014-07-03. End: 2019-12-30.

What is the specific expertise provided by DEXIS INTERACTIVE LLC under this contract?

DEXIS INTERACTIVE LLC is contracted to provide high-quality, external technical expertise to design, support, and evaluate programs contributing to the achievement of U.S. Government (USG) Global Health Initiative (GHI) targets. This likely encompasses a broad range of specialized skills, including public health program design, implementation support, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), health systems strengthening, policy analysis, and technical advisory services related to various global health challenges such as infectious diseases, maternal and child health, and health systems resilience. The 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' classification (NAICS 541690) further suggests a diverse set of technical capabilities beyond a single niche.

How does the $82.8 million award compare to other similar global health consulting contracts?

The $82.8 million total award value over approximately 5.5 years positions this contract as a significant investment in global health technical assistance. While direct comparisons are difficult without knowing the precise scope and duration of other contracts, large-scale engagements by agencies like USAID, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for international health programs often range in the tens to hundreds of millions of dollars. Contracts supporting major initiatives like PEPFAR or global health security can exceed this amount. The value here appears commensurate with the objective of providing sustained, high-level expertise across a broad range of GHI targets.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract of this magnitude?

The primary risks associated with a CPFF contract of this magnitude revolve around cost control and contractor performance. While the fixed fee provides an incentive for efficiency, the 'cost plus' component means the government reimburses allowable costs incurred by the contractor. If the contractor's cost management is poor, or if unforeseen technical challenges arise, costs could escalate beyond initial projections, even with the fixed fee. Effective oversight is crucial to scrutinize incurred costs, ensure they are reasonable and allocable, and prevent scope creep that could inflate expenses without commensurate benefit. The government also bears the risk if the contractor's performance is subpar, potentially impacting the effectiveness of critical global health programs.

What does the 'full and open competition' designation imply for the contractor selection process and potential value?

The 'full and open competition' designation signifies that the contract was solicited with the intent of allowing all responsible sources to submit a bid. This process typically involves a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) and a thorough evaluation of technical capabilities, past performance, and price. For taxpayers, this implies that the government sought to leverage the broadest possible market to identify the most qualified contractor at the best possible price. The presence of multiple bidders (indicated as 3) suggests a competitive landscape, which generally drives down prices and encourages innovation compared to sole-source or limited competition awards. It increases the likelihood that the selected contractor offers a strong balance of technical merit and cost-effectiveness.

How does this contract align with broader U.S. foreign policy and global health objectives?

This contract directly aligns with U.S. foreign policy objectives by supporting the Global Health Initiative (GHI), which aims to improve health outcomes worldwide and strengthen health systems in partner countries. By providing critical technical expertise, the contract enables the effective design, implementation, and evaluation of programs that address major global health challenges, such as pandemics, infectious diseases, and maternal/child mortality. This contributes to global stability, reduces health-related security threats, and enhances the U.S.'s role as a leader in international health cooperation. The focus on achieving GHI targets underscores a strategic commitment to sustainable health development abroad.

What is the significance of the contract being awarded to DEXIS INTERACTIVE LLC, and what is their track record?

The award to DEXIS INTERACTIVE LLC signifies that, based on the evaluation criteria outlined in the solicitation, they were deemed the most capable and advantageous offeror among the competitors. Without specific details on DEXIS INTERACTIVE LLC's track record within the context of this particular solicitation's evaluation, it's presumed they demonstrated strong technical qualifications, relevant past performance, and a competitive pricing strategy. A review of federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) would be necessary to assess their broader history with government contracts, including their performance on similar projects, any past performance issues, and their overall financial stability. Their success in winning a full and open competition for a significant global health contract suggests a solid standing in the industry.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services

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: SOL-OAA-12-000025

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1301 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE NW #850, WASHINGTON, DC, 20004

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $86,017,257

Exercised Options: $86,017,257

Current Obligation: $82,839,096

Actual Outlays: $5,549,098

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 23

Total Subaward Amount: $20,151,020

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline