USAID Spends $31.7M on Workforce Augmentation Services with Chenega Worldwide Support, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $31,741,383 ($31.7M)

Contractor: Chenega Worldwide Support, LLC

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2017-09-22

End Date: 2024-09-27

Contract Duration: 2,562 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.4K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE LEVEL OF EFFORT

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE MPBP WORKFORCE AUGMENTATION SERVICES.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20523

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $31.7 million to CHENEGA WORLDWIDE SUPPORT, LLC for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE MPBP WORKFORCE AUGMENTATION SERVICES. Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $31.7M awarded to a single vendor. 2. Lack of competition raises questions about potential overspending. 3. Services fall under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' (NAICS 541990). 4. Contract duration extends to September 2024, indicating long-term reliance.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract's fixed-price level-of-effort structure with a high value and no competition suggests potential for inflated costs. Benchmarking against similar augmentation services is difficult without competitive data.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and may result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for a $31.7M contract means taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible value for these essential workforce augmentation services.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be overpaying for workforce augmentation services due to the absence of competitive bidding. The long-term nature of the contract suggests a potential gap in internal USAID workforce capabilities. Transparency regarding the justification for a sole-source award is crucial for public trust.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
High contract value
Sole-source award justification unclear

Positive Signals

Services provided to Agency for International Development
Contract is fixed-price level of effort

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector. Spending benchmarks for workforce augmentation services vary widely based on skill sets and duration, but a $31.7M sole-source award warrants scrutiny.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Chenega Worldwide Support, LLC, and there is no indication that small businesses were involved as subcontractors or partners in this sole-source award.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this large contract necessitates robust oversight to ensure the services are necessary, performed effectively, and priced reasonably. Agency justification for the lack of competition should be readily available.

Related Government Programs

All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Agency for International Development Contracting
Agency for International Development Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for inflated pricing
Limited transparency on justification
No clear small business participation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $31.7 million to CHENEGA WORLDWIDE SUPPORT, LLC. IGF::CL::IGF THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE MPBP WORKFORCE AUGMENTATION SERVICES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CHENEGA WORLDWIDE SUPPORT, 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 $31.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-09-22. End: 2024-09-27.

What was the specific justification for awarding this $31.7M contract on a sole-source basis, and were any market research efforts conducted to explore competitive options?

The justification for a sole-source award is critical for understanding value and fairness. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to ascertain if USAID received the best possible pricing and service quality. Thorough market research should precede any sole-source determination to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently and effectively.

How does the cost of this sole-source contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar workforce augmentation services, and what mechanisms are in place to control costs over its duration?

Benchmarking sole-source contracts is challenging due to the lack of direct price comparisons. USAID should have internal cost analysis or external consultant reports to validate the pricing against market rates. Regular performance reviews and cost audits are essential to mitigate the risk of overspending throughout the contract's life.

What specific performance metrics are being used to evaluate the effectiveness of the workforce augmentation services provided by Chenega Worldwide Support, LLC?

Effective evaluation requires clearly defined performance metrics tied to the contract's objectives. These metrics should measure not only the quantity of augmentation but also the quality of work, impact on USAID's mission, and overall efficiency. Regular reporting and performance reviews are key to ensuring accountability and achieving desired outcomes.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: SOL-OAA-17-000135

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE LEVEL OF EFFORT (B)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 10505 FURNACE RD STE 205, LORTON, VA, 22079

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $46,757,019

Exercised Options: $45,512,089

Current Obligation: $31,741,383

Actual Outlays: $24,660,638

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline