USAID awards $189M contract to ABT Global LLC for malaria vector control services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $188,804,466 ($188.8M)

Contractor: ABT Global LLC

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2011-08-11

End Date: 2015-08-10

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $129.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IRS2 TASK ORDER 4 FOR $188,869,333 TO CONTINUE DELIVERING MALARIA VECTON CONTRAL SERVICES.

Place of Performance

Location: CAMBRIDGE, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02138

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $188.8 million to ABT GLOBAL LLC for work described as: IRS2 TASK ORDER 4 FOR $188,869,333 TO CONTINUE DELIVERING MALARIA VECTON CONTRAL SERVICES. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential public health services, aiming to reduce disease burden. 2. Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. Delivery order structure indicates a specific task within a larger framework. 4. Contract duration of four years allows for sustained program implementation. 5. The administrative management and general management consulting services NAICS code suggests a broad scope of support. 6. Fixed-fee pricing structure can provide cost certainty for the government.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $189 million over four years for malaria vector control services appears to be within a reasonable range for large-scale public health initiatives. Benchmarking against similar global health contracts would provide a more precise assessment, but the scope of services typically involves extensive logistical, technical, and programmatic support across potentially multiple regions. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type aims to control costs while allowing for flexibility in execution, which is often necessary in complex international development projects.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. This approach generally fosters a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and a wider selection of qualified contractors. The presence of three bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific task order.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining the best value for money by encouraging multiple companies to offer competitive proposals.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include populations at risk of malaria, particularly in developing countries. Services delivered are critical for disease prevention and control efforts. Geographic impact is likely to be widespread, focusing on malaria-endemic regions. Workforce implications may include local employment opportunities for program implementation and support staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in administrative and management consulting services if not tightly managed.
Reliance on a single contractor for a critical public health service could pose continuity risks if not managed proactively.
Effectiveness of vector control strategies can be influenced by environmental and social factors beyond the contractor's direct control.

Positive Signals

Contract aims to address a significant global health challenge, demonstrating commitment to public well-being.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process for the contractor.
The fixed-fee component of the contract provides a degree of cost predictability for the government.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on administrative and management consulting. The global health and development market is substantial, with significant government investment aimed at addressing infectious diseases like malaria. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large-scale USAID or global health security contracts focused on disease prevention and control programs, which often involve multi-year commitments and substantial resource allocation.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract. As a large contract awarded under full and open competition, it is unlikely to have been exclusively reserved for small businesses. However, ABT Global LLC may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill specific aspects of the contract, contributing to the broader small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Agency for International Development (USAID) contracting officers and program officials. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract terms, including performance metrics, reporting requirements, and payment schedules tied to deliverables. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases and public reporting on foreign assistance programs, though specific operational details may remain sensitive.

Related Government Programs

Global Health Security Agenda
President's Malaria Initiative
USAID Global Health Programs
International Disease Control Initiatives

Risk Flags

Potential for contractor performance issues in complex operational environments.
Risk of mosquito resistance to current vector control methods.
Challenges in ensuring sustained community engagement and program uptake.
Geopolitical instability in target regions could disrupt program delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $188.8 million to ABT GLOBAL LLC. IRS2 TASK ORDER 4 FOR $188,869,333 TO CONTINUE DELIVERING MALARIA VECTON CONTRAL SERVICES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ABT GLOBAL 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 $188.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-08-11. End: 2015-08-10.

What is the track record of ABT Global LLC in delivering malaria vector control services or similar public health programs?

Assessing ABT Global LLC's track record requires a review of their past performance on similar contracts. This would involve examining contract databases for previous awards, performance evaluations, and any reported issues or successes. Specifically, their experience with large-scale international public health initiatives, logistical management in challenging environments, and technical expertise in vector control methodologies would be critical factors. A positive track record would demonstrate their capability to effectively manage the scope and complexity of this $189 million award, ensuring the successful delivery of malaria prevention services and contributing to public health outcomes in affected regions.

How does the cost of this contract compare to similar malaria vector control programs or public health initiatives funded by USAID or other agencies?

Benchmarking the cost of this $189 million contract against similar malaria vector control programs requires access to detailed cost data from comparable contracts. Factors influencing cost include geographic scope, duration, specific interventions (e.g., insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, environmental management), and the level of technical assistance provided. A comprehensive comparison would involve analyzing the cost per beneficiary or cost per unit of intervention across different programs. Without specific comparative data, it is challenging to definitively state whether this contract represents excellent, good, or fair value. However, the full and open competition suggests an effort to achieve competitive pricing.

What are the primary risks associated with the execution of this malaria vector control contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks for this contract include logistical challenges in remote or unstable regions, potential for political interference, effectiveness of chosen vector control methods against evolving mosquito resistance, and ensuring community acceptance and participation. Additionally, currency fluctuations and security concerns in operational areas pose significant risks. Mitigation strategies would likely involve robust risk management plans developed by ABT Global LLC, close monitoring by USAID, adaptive program design to respond to changing conditions, strong local partnerships, and contingency planning for unforeseen events. The CPFF contract type allows for adjustments but requires careful oversight to manage costs.

How effective have previous malaria vector control programs managed by ABT Global LLC or similar contractors been in reducing malaria incidence?

The effectiveness of past malaria vector control programs is a crucial indicator for this contract's potential success. This would be evaluated by examining program-specific data on malaria case reductions, mortality rates, and vector population changes in areas where ABT Global LLC or comparable entities have operated. Success metrics often include the number of insecticide-treated nets distributed, areas covered by indoor residual spraying, and the impact on local transmission rates. USAID's program evaluations and independent assessments would provide the most reliable data on the efficacy of these interventions and the contractor's contribution to achieving public health goals.

What is the historical spending trend for malaria vector control services by the Agency for International Development (USAID)?

USAID has historically been a major funder of global malaria control efforts, with significant investments channeled through initiatives like the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI). Spending trends in this area have generally shown a commitment to sustained funding to combat the disease, although specific allocations can fluctuate based on global health priorities, emerging threats, and congressional appropriations. Analyzing historical spending data would reveal the scale of USAID's malaria portfolio, the types of interventions prioritized, and the geographic focus over time. This context helps in understanding the significance of the $189 million award to ABT Global LLC within USAID's broader malaria control strategy.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management 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-11-000023

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 55 WHEELER ST, CAMBRIDGE, MA, 02138

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Subchapter S Corporation

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $188,869,333

Exercised Options: $188,869,333

Current Obligation: $188,804,466

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $89,202

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: AIDGHNI000900013

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline