Agency for International Development awards $258M task order for technical assistance, extending services through 2017

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $258,145,814 ($258.1M)

Contractor: John Snow, Incorporated

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2010-09-28

End Date: 2017-02-28

Contract Duration: 2,345 days

Daily Burn Rate: $110.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PRH/CSL - 3089 AWARD NEW TASK ORDER #4 FOR TA AND ADD INCREMENTAL FUNDS.

Place of Performance

Location: BOSTON, SUFFOLK County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02210

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $258.1 million to JOHN SNOW, INCORPORATED for work described as: PRH/CSL - 3089 AWARD NEW TASK ORDER #4 FOR TA AND ADD INCREMENTAL FUNDS. Key points: 1. The contract's value of $258 million over its period of performance suggests a significant investment in technical assistance services. 2. Competition dynamics for this task order are crucial to understanding if the pricing reflects market value. 3. Performance context is key to evaluating the effectiveness of the technical assistance provided by John Snow, Incorporated. 4. The sector for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' is broad, requiring specific benchmarking. 5. The contract's duration and incremental funding indicate a long-term need for these services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $258 million contract is challenging without specific details on the services rendered and comparable contracts. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can sometimes lead to higher costs if not managed closely, as the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs plus a fixed fee. A comparison to similar technical assistance contracts awarded by USAID or other agencies for similar scope and duration would be necessary to assess if the pricing is competitive and represents good value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders likely had the opportunity to submit proposals. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and can lead to more competitive pricing. However, the number of actual bidders and the specific evaluation criteria used would provide a clearer picture of the competitive intensity and its impact on the final award price.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition suggests that taxpayers benefited from a potentially more efficient pricing structure due to a competitive bidding process.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely developing countries and regions receiving technical assistance from the Agency for International Development. Services delivered encompass a wide range of professional, scientific, and technical support aimed at achieving USAID's development objectives. The geographic impact is potentially global, aligning with USAID's mission to end extreme poverty and promote democratic resilience. Workforce implications could include the employment of numerous technical experts and support staff by the contractor, John Snow, Incorporated.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns with CPFF contract type if not rigorously monitored.
Scope creep could increase costs beyond initial estimates without adequate controls.
Measuring the true impact and effectiveness of technical assistance can be difficult.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Long-term contract indicates sustained need and potential for impactful program delivery.
Contractor's name suggests a focus on public health or related technical services.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under the broad category of 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' (NAICS 541990). This sector is highly diverse, encompassing a wide array of specialized services. Within the federal contracting landscape, spending in this category is substantial, supporting various agency missions. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend heavily on the specific technical services provided, such as program management, policy analysis, or scientific research support.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate a small business set-aside. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications specifically for small businesses mandated by this award. The primary contractor, John Snow, Incorporated, would determine its own subcontracting strategy, which may or may not involve small businesses depending on the nature of the services required.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Agency for International Development's contracting officers and program managers. They are responsible for monitoring performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and approving payments. The contract type (CPFF) necessitates close financial oversight to manage costs and the fixed fee. Transparency would be enhanced through regular reporting requirements from the contractor and potentially through public contract databases, though specific performance metrics may not always be publicly disclosed.

Related Government Programs

USAID Technical Assistance Programs
Global Development Assistance
Professional and Technical Services Contracts
Cost Plus Fixed Fee Contracts

Risk Flags

Contract duration and value warrant close monitoring of performance and cost.
CPFF contract type requires diligent oversight to manage costs effectively.
Broad service category necessitates clear definition and measurement of deliverables.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $258.1 million to JOHN SNOW, INCORPORATED. PRH/CSL - 3089 AWARD NEW TASK ORDER #4 FOR TA AND ADD INCREMENTAL FUNDS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JOHN SNOW, INCORPORATED.

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 $258.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-09-28. End: 2017-02-28.

What specific technical assistance services were provided under this task order?

The provided data indicates the award was for 'TA AND ADD INCREMENTAL FUNDS' for PRH/CSL - 3089. 'TA' typically stands for Technical Assistance. However, the specific nature of the technical assistance is not detailed in the provided summary. To understand the services, one would need to consult the original contract award documents or task order details. This could range from program design and implementation support, policy analysis, capacity building, research, or monitoring and evaluation services, likely related to the 'PRH/CSL' program or initiative managed by the Agency for International Development.

How does the $258 million value compare to similar technical assistance contracts awarded by USAID?

Without knowing the specific services rendered, a direct comparison of the $258 million value is difficult. However, for large-scale, multi-year technical assistance contracts, this figure is substantial and suggests a significant program or set of programs being supported. USAID frequently awards large contracts for international development and technical assistance, often in the hundreds of millions of dollars, particularly for long-term projects in areas like global health, economic development, and governance. A detailed analysis would require comparing the scope, duration, and specific deliverables of this contract against other similar USAID awards within the same or adjacent functional areas.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this technical assistance?

The provided data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, for technical assistance contracts, KPIs would be defined within the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS). These KPIs would be tailored to the specific objectives of the technical assistance. Examples could include metrics related to program implementation progress, capacity building achievements, policy adoption rates, stakeholder satisfaction, or measurable improvements in development outcomes in the target regions. The effectiveness of the oversight by USAID would be demonstrated by how well these KPIs are tracked and reported.

What is the track record of John Snow, Incorporated in delivering similar technical assistance contracts?

John Snow, Incorporated (JSI) is a well-established organization with a significant history of implementing public health and development programs globally, often funded by USAID and other international donors. They have a broad portfolio of work in areas such as infectious disease control, maternal and child health, health systems strengthening, and research. Their track record generally includes managing large, complex projects and delivering technical assistance across various countries. A comprehensive assessment would involve reviewing specific past performance evaluations, any past performance issues or awards, and the scale and complexity of their previous USAID contracts.

What is the historical spending trend for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' at the Agency for International Development?

The Agency for International Development, like many federal agencies, utilizes a broad range of professional, scientific, and technical services to support its global mission. Spending in the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' category (NAICS 541990) can fluctuate based on program priorities, specific project needs, and the availability of funding. Historically, USAID has consistently awarded significant contracts within this broad category to support its development objectives, including program management, research, analysis, and technical expertise. Analyzing historical spending trends would require examining multi-year budget allocations and contract award data specifically for USAID within this NAICS code to identify patterns and significant shifts.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL/DENTAL/VETERINARY EQPT/SUPP

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 44 FARNSWORTH ST FL 7, BOSTON, MA, 02210

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $279,404,063

Exercised Options: $279,404,063

Current Obligation: $258,145,814

Actual Outlays: $-383,753

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 10

Total Subaward Amount: $7,259,233

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: AIDGPOI000600007

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline