USAID's $79.8M Supply Chain Quality Assurance Contract Faces Scrutiny Amidst Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $79,842,887 ($79.8M)

Contractor: Family Health International

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2015-01-02

End Date: 2024-12-31

Contract Duration: 3,651 days

Daily Burn Rate: $21.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF - GH/OHA - SCH: NEW SUPPLY CHAIN QUALITY ASSURANCE AND TESTING

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20417

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $79.8 million to FAMILY HEALTH INTERNATIONAL for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF - GH/OHA - SCH: NEW SUPPLY CHAIN QUALITY ASSURANCE AND TESTING Key points: 1. The contract, valued at $79.8 million, is for supply chain quality assurance and testing. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a robust market for these services. 3. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns. 4. The sector is Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, with a focus on health. 5. The contract duration is exceptionally long at 10 years.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type, while allowing flexibility, carries inherent risks of cost escalation. Benchmarking against similar long-term, complex service contracts is difficult without more granular data on specific deliverables and overhead.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. However, the long duration and cost-plus nature may not have fully optimized price discovery for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are committed for a decade, with potential for costs to exceed initial estimates due to the CPFF structure.

Public Impact

Ensures quality and testing for critical supply chains, potentially impacting public health outcomes. Long-term commitment of funds raises questions about adaptability to changing needs and technologies. The contract's broad scope could affect various international health programs supported by USAID.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Positive Signals

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically focusing on quality assurance and testing within global health supply chains. Benchmarks for such long-term, specialized contracts are highly variable, but the duration here is notable.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates the contractor is FAMILY HEALTH INTERNATIONAL, a large organization. There is no explicit indication of small business participation or subcontracting in the provided details.

Oversight & Accountability

The long duration and cost-plus nature of this contract warrant robust oversight to ensure cost control and effective performance. Regular reviews and audits would be crucial for accountability.

Related Government Programs

Risk Flags

Tags

all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, agency-for-international-development, dc, definitive-contract, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $79.8 million to FAMILY HEALTH INTERNATIONAL. IGF::CL::IGF - GH/OHA - SCH: NEW SUPPLY CHAIN QUALITY ASSURANCE AND TESTING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FAMILY HEALTH INTERNATIONAL.

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 $79.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2015-01-02. End: 2024-12-31.

What specific quality assurance and testing metrics are being employed under this contract, and how are they measured against performance goals?

The provided data lacks specifics on the quality assurance and testing metrics. A thorough review would require access to the contract's statement of work and performance work statements. Key metrics should include defect rates, turnaround times for testing, compliance adherence, and impact on supply chain efficiency. Without these, assessing the true value and effectiveness is challenging.

Given the 10-year duration and CPFF structure, what mechanisms are in place to mitigate the risk of cost overruns and ensure continued relevance?

The primary risk mitigation lies in USAID's oversight and potential contract modifications. Mechanisms could include annual budget reviews, performance-based incentives, and clear termination clauses. However, the CPFF structure inherently allows for costs to rise, making proactive management and potentially renegotiation crucial to control taxpayer impact over such an extended period.

How does this contract contribute to USAID's broader mission objectives, and what is the measurable impact on global health supply chain resilience?

This contract is intended to bolster the integrity and reliability of global health supply chains, ensuring that essential medicines and health commodities reach their intended recipients without quality compromise. Its measurable impact would be seen in reduced stockouts, lower instances of counterfeit or substandard products, and improved efficiency in distribution networks, ultimately enhancing health outcomes in supported regions.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesOther Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesAll Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT)PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 359 BLACKWELL ST STE 200, DURHAM, NC, 27701

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $122,965,623

Exercised Options: $122,965,623

Current Obligation: $79,842,887

Actual Outlays: $47,306,230

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 9

Total Subaward Amount: $1,643,828

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline

Start Date: 2015-01-02

Current End Date: 2024-12-31

Potential End Date: 2024-12-31 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2024-09-16

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