USAID's $26M environmental consulting contract to Cadmus Group shows long-term engagement with expiring funds
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $26,088,980 ($26.1M)
Contractor: THE Cadmus Group LLC
Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development
Start Date: 2013-09-30
End Date: 2023-09-22
Contract Duration: 3,644 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE CONTRACT (FOLLOW-ON) AND ADD FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE PROGRAM ACTIVITIES FOR ONE YEAR. CONTAINS EXPIRING FUNDS.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20523
Plain-Language Summary
Agency for International Development obligated $26.1 million to THE CADMUS GROUP LLC for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE CONTRACT (FOLLOW-ON) AND ADD FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE PROGRAM ACTIVITIES FOR ONE YEAR. CONTAINS EXPIRING FUNDS. Key points: 1. The contract demonstrates a sustained need for environmental consulting services by USAID. 2. A follow-on nature suggests satisfactory performance in the prior period. 3. The inclusion of expiring funds indicates a need for immediate or near-term expenditure. 4. The contract's duration and value point to a significant, ongoing program. 5. Environmental consulting is crucial for USAID's international development and compliance efforts.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's value of $26.1 million over its extended period suggests a substantial investment in environmental consulting. Benchmarking against similar long-term environmental consulting contracts for federal agencies would provide a clearer picture of value for money. However, the duration and follow-on nature imply a level of satisfaction with the services provided by The Cadmus Group LLC.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to compete. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters price discovery and encourages competitive pricing among qualified firms. The use of full and open competition is a positive sign for achieving a fair market price.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the competitive process, which aims to secure the best value by allowing all eligible contractors to bid, potentially driving down costs and improving service quality.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiary is the Agency for International Development (USAID), which receives essential environmental consulting services. These services likely support USAID's global development projects by ensuring environmental compliance, assessing environmental impacts, and promoting sustainable practices. The geographic impact is global, as USAID operates in numerous countries worldwide. The contract supports a specialized workforce in environmental consulting, contributing to the professional services sector.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep given the long duration and follow-on nature.
- Reliance on a single contractor for an extended period may limit future competitive opportunities.
- The use of expiring funds could lead to rushed or less efficient spending.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
- Follow-on contract indicates a level of satisfaction with the incumbent contractor's performance.
- Long-term engagement allows for deep institutional knowledge and consistent support for USAID's environmental programs.
Sector Analysis
Environmental consulting services are a critical component of the professional services sector, supporting government agencies in navigating complex environmental regulations and sustainability initiatives. The market for these services is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized expertise. This contract fits within the broader category of federal spending on environmental management and compliance, supporting agencies like USAID in their mission delivery.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a specific set-aside requirement for this contract. Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses through set-asides is likely minimal. However, The Cadmus Group LLC, as the prime contractor, may engage small businesses as subcontractors, contributing to the broader small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Agency for International Development's contracting and program management offices. The Inspector General's office may also conduct audits or investigations to ensure proper use of funds and adherence to contract terms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases and reporting requirements, though specific oversight mechanisms are not detailed in the provided data.
Related Government Programs
- USAID Environmental Compliance Programs
- Federal Environmental Consulting Services
- International Development Support Contracts
- Follow-on Service Contracts
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration
- Use of expiring funds
- Potential for contractor lock-in
Tags
environmental-consulting, agency-for-international-development, usaid, professional-services, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, time-and-materials, district-of-columbia, follow-on-contract, expiring-funds
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Agency for International Development awarded $26.1 million to THE CADMUS GROUP LLC. IGF::CT::IGF ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE CONTRACT (FOLLOW-ON) AND ADD FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE PROGRAM ACTIVITIES FOR ONE YEAR. CONTAINS EXPIRING FUNDS.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE CADMUS GROUP 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 $26.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2013-09-30. End: 2023-09-22.
What specific environmental services has The Cadmus Group LLC provided under this contract?
While the specific details of services rendered are not provided in the summary data, environmental consulting services typically encompass a broad range of activities. For an agency like USAID, this could include environmental impact assessments for development projects, compliance monitoring with local and international environmental regulations, waste management strategies, natural resource management planning, climate change adaptation and mitigation support, and policy development related to environmental sustainability in developing countries. The 'Environmental Compliance Contract' designation suggests a focus on ensuring projects meet environmental standards and legal requirements.
How does the $26.1 million contract value compare to similar environmental consulting contracts awarded by USAID or other federal agencies?
Without specific comparative data points for similar environmental consulting contracts, a direct benchmark is challenging. However, $26.1 million over a period that spans roughly a decade (from 2013 to 2023, considering the end date) represents a significant, long-term commitment. Federal agencies often award multi-year, multi-million dollar contracts for specialized consulting services, especially for complex international programs. The value suggests a substantial scope of work and a sustained need for expertise, aligning with the typical scale of major federal service contracts in this domain.
What are the primary risks associated with a long-term, follow-on environmental consulting contract of this nature?
Key risks include potential cost overruns if the scope of work expands beyond initial projections (scope creep), contractor performance degradation over time, and a lack of adaptability to evolving environmental challenges or technological advancements. For taxpayers, there's a risk of diminished value if competition is stifled by the long-term relationship or if the contractor's pricing is not regularly re-evaluated against market rates. Furthermore, institutional knowledge becoming solely concentrated with one firm could pose a transition risk if USAID decides to change providers in the future.
What does the inclusion of 'expiring funds' signify for the contract's execution and oversight?
The phrase 'contains expiring funds' typically means that the funds allocated to this contract were appropriated for a specific fiscal year and must be obligated or spent before the end of that fiscal year or shortly thereafter, depending on the appropriation type. This can create pressure to obligate funds quickly, potentially leading to less thorough planning or rushed execution. Oversight would need to ensure that spending remains aligned with the contract's objectives and that funds are used efficiently and appropriately, rather than being spent simply to avoid expiration.
What is the historical spending pattern for environmental consulting services at USAID, and how does this contract fit in?
The provided data only details this specific contract. To understand historical spending patterns, one would need to analyze USAID's procurement data over several years, looking at the total amount spent on environmental consulting, the number of contracts awarded, and the primary contractors. This $26.1 million contract, awarded in 2013 and extended, represents a significant portion of USAID's spending in this category during its active period. Its follow-on nature suggests it has been a central component of their environmental strategy for an extended duration.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: SOL-OAA-13-000116
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 100 5TH AVE STE 100, WALTHAM, MA, 02451
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $38,626,961
Exercised Options: $38,626,961
Current Obligation: $26,088,980
Actual Outlays: $18,233
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS10F0105J
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2013-09-30
Current End Date: 2023-09-22
Potential End Date: 2023-09-22 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2022-09-22
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