USAID awards $23.5M technical services task order to Nathan Associates LLC for public financial management and trade

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,502,513 ($23.5M)

Contractor: Nathan Associates LLC

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2014-09-27

End Date: 2024-02-09

Contract Duration: 3,422 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: E3/EP - AWARD OF TASK ORDER TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL SERVICES IN THE AREAS OF PUBLIC FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND TRADE. IGF::CL::IGF

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20004

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $23.5 million to NATHAN ASSOCIATES LLC for work described as: E3/EP - AWARD OF TASK ORDER TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL SERVICES IN THE AREAS OF PUBLIC FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND TRADE. IGF::CL::IGF Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. Task order duration of over 9 years indicates a long-term need for these services. 3. Services encompass public financial management and trade, critical areas for international development. 4. Awarded as a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger contract vehicle. 5. The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code covers a broad range of activities.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $23.5 million over approximately 9 years averages to about $2.6 million per year. Without specific benchmarks for public financial management and trade technical services, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money. The time and materials pricing structure can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. Further analysis would require comparison to similar contracts for specialized technical assistance in international development.

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. The presence of 7 bidders suggests a reasonably competitive environment for this specific task order. A higher number of bidders generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best value for the services rendered. Full and open competition helps ensure that the government is not overpaying for specialized technical expertise.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely developing countries receiving technical assistance in public financial management and trade. Services delivered aim to improve financial systems and trade policies in partner nations. The geographic impact is focused on countries where USAID operates, primarily in developing regions. Workforce implications include the engagement of specialized consultants and experts in economics, finance, and international trade.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration (over 9 years) could lead to scope creep or evolving requirements that may not be optimally priced.
Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can present cost control challenges if not meticulously monitored.
The broad NAICS code (541990) makes it difficult to benchmark against highly specialized service providers.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition with 7 bidders, indicating a robust selection process.
Focus on critical development areas like public financial management and trade aligns with USAID's mission.
The contract is a delivery order, suggesting it was likely awarded under an existing, potentially pre-competed, contract vehicle.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on international development consulting. The market for such services is diverse, ranging from large multinational corporations to specialized boutique firms. USAID's spending in this area supports its mission to advance U.S. foreign policy and development objectives. Benchmarking would involve comparing this award to other technical assistance contracts in international finance and trade.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. This suggests that the primary award went to a large or mid-sized business, and the impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether Nathan Associates LLC utilizes small business subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Agency for International Development (USAID). As a delivery order, it is likely governed by the terms of the parent contract. Accountability measures would include performance reviews, reporting requirements, and adherence to the contract's statement of work. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance data may be less accessible.

Related Government Programs

USAID Technical Assistance Contracts
International Development Services
Public Financial Management Consulting
Trade Policy Advisory Services
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may increase risk of scope creep.
Time and Materials pricing structure requires diligent oversight to control costs.
Broad NAICS code makes specific performance benchmarking challenging.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $23.5 million to NATHAN ASSOCIATES LLC. E3/EP - AWARD OF TASK ORDER TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL SERVICES IN THE AREAS OF PUBLIC FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND TRADE. IGF::CL::IGF

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NATHAN ASSOCIATES 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 $23.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2014-09-27. End: 2024-02-09.

What is the track record of Nathan Associates LLC in performing similar technical services for USAID or other federal agencies?

Nathan Associates LLC has a history of providing economic consulting and technical assistance, often related to international trade and development. Their experience typically involves advising governments and organizations on policy, regulation, and market analysis. For USAID, they have likely engaged in projects aimed at improving economic governance, trade capacity, and investment climates in various countries. A detailed review of their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those with USAID, would reveal their success in meeting performance requirements, managing budgets, and delivering quality services within specified timelines. This would involve examining past contract awards, performance evaluations (if publicly available), and any reported issues or successes.

How does the average annual cost of this contract compare to similar technical services procured by USAID or other development agencies?

The average annual cost of this contract is approximately $2.6 million ($23.5M / ~9 years). Benchmarking this against similar technical services requires access to data on comparable contracts for public financial management and trade expertise within international development. Factors influencing cost include the specific expertise required, the geographic region of service delivery, the duration and complexity of the tasks, and the number of personnel involved. Without specific comparable contract data, it's challenging to definitively state if this represents a high, low, or average cost. However, specialized technical assistance for international development can be resource-intensive, involving highly skilled economists and policy experts.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract of this duration for technical services?

The primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract of this duration (over 9 years) for technical services revolve around cost control and potential for scope creep. T&M contracts pay the contractor for the actual labor hours and materials used, plus a fixed fee or percentage for profit. If requirements are not clearly defined or if project management is weak, the contractor may incur more hours or use more expensive materials than initially anticipated, leading to costs exceeding initial estimates. For a long-term contract, the risk of requirements evolving over time is also significant, potentially leading to unbudgeted work or inefficiencies if not managed proactively. Robust oversight, detailed reporting, and clear task definitions are crucial to mitigate these risks.

How effective are contracts like this in achieving USAID's stated goals for public financial management and trade development in partner countries?

The effectiveness of contracts like this hinges on several factors, including the clarity of USAID's goals, the quality of Nathan Associates LLC's technical expertise, the receptiveness of partner countries to the proposed reforms, and the stability of the operating environment. Contracts focused on public financial management and trade can be highly effective if they lead to tangible improvements such as increased revenue collection, more efficient public spending, reduced trade barriers, and enhanced regulatory frameworks. Success is often measured by specific development indicators related to economic growth, poverty reduction, and institutional capacity building. The long duration suggests an intent for sustained impact, but ongoing monitoring and evaluation are essential to ensure the contract's activities translate into meaningful, long-term development outcomes.

What has been the historical spending trend for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' by USAID over the past five years?

Analyzing historical spending trends for the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' (NAICS 541990) category by USAID requires access to detailed federal procurement data. Generally, USAID's spending in this broad category can fluctuate based on strategic priorities, global events, and the specific needs of partner countries. This category often includes a wide array of services, from economic analysis and policy advice to environmental assessments and logistical support. To understand the trend, one would need to aggregate spending data for this NAICS code across all USAID awards over the past five fiscal years. This would reveal whether spending in this area has been increasing, decreasing, or remaining relatively stable, providing context for the significance of this particular $23.5 million award.

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) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2101 WILSON BLVD STE 1200, ARLINGTON, VA, 22201

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,437,547

Exercised Options: $25,437,547

Current Obligation: $23,502,513

Actual Outlays: $18,210

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: AIDOAAI1200039

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline